Welcome to the Friends, Family and Carers Group Hub! Introduce yourself here 🙂

@DogsCatsBirds4E

I am so glad to hear that those words could offer a bit of a landing spot for you. Please, take all the time you need to just be - crying can be a necessary release when you've been holding it all together for so long 💚

I am so incredibly sorry to hear that you've been hit with other great losses recently. Navigating your own grief while trying to be a steady point of contact for an unstable system is an immense weight. It's no wonder you feel like you've hit rock bottom; that double grief, for your own losses and for the version of the relationship you wish you had with them right now, is exhausting.

Please be gentle with yourself if the strategies feel hard to implement on some days. Sometimes self-care isn't a walk in the park or a journal entry; sometimes it's just giving yourself permission to stay in bed an extra hour or letting a phone call go to voicemail because you don't have the words yet.

You are doing enough. Just by being here and seeking connection with others, you are doing enough. We're all in your corner here 💚

Hi everyone,
I’m new here and in my late 20s. English isn’t my first language, so please bear with me 😊

I don’t have much of a social circle in real life, and I’ve been dealing with social anxiety. I’m also currently in therapy and exploring the possibility of CPTSD.

I’m going through a rough phase in a long-term relationship, so I thought I’d join this space to connect with others who understand.

Looking forward to being part of this community 🤍

Hey @Samsam98, 

A warm welcome and thanks for sharing your experiences with the community!

Sounds like you're dealing with a lot and it's great to hear you have some therapeutic support🌼

It takes courage to share your experiences with the community, and you are being really brave reaching out to your peers. 

I'm sure that the community will have some insights to share with you soon!

Take care

TunedIn🐣

Hi Peeps ,

Im new here but not to MH...

Came to see whats on offer adn what it looks like ...

Hopefully i can leqarn something new, contribute to the space!

Hello and welcome @Seraph23

What interests you my friend 🧡

@MatchaToad , @tyme

Hello

would love some info on support groups in the act for people like us

im a mum of 5 and youngest has autism ,schizophrenia,and mild Id

he s a wonderful young man and we are his only real supports.

he lives at home and probably always will.

we are recently moved into the area

anyway would love to hear of any groups that meet in person rather than only online

Hey @Fairlyvintage , welcome to the forum, and thanks for sharing what’s going on.

It sounds like you’ve got a lot on your plate caring for your son, and it really comes across how much love and commitment you have for him. Moving to a new area while also trying to find the right supports can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re the main support person.

In the ACT, there are actually a few options that might be worth looking into. Carers ACT run in-person peer support groups where you can meet other carers in similar situations, and they also have support and information for families supporting someone with disability or mental health needs. You can find more about them here: https://www.carersact.org.au/service/peer-support-groups/

There’s also the Mental Health Community Coalition ACT, which helps connect people with community-based supports and groups across Canberra, including carer and peer networks: Mental Health Community Coalition ACT: https://mhccact.org.au/

It might take a bit of exploring to find the right fit, but there are in-person options out there, and hopefully you’ll be able to connect with something that feels supportive for you too

Glad you reached out here, hopefully others here can share their experiences as well

Nala2022 🌟

Thanks nala2022

i am involved with carers act and they have offered phone counselling and support that has been great

the peer support group I haven’t come across yet but will explore that this afternoon.
Being an old boomer I’m not great online but as my older kids tell me I’ve got to get with it.

this forum does seem very friendly so I will be checking in from time to time

cheers

Hi

I’m not actually a greyhound, but I do love them and all dogs, they really help with the chaos that is currently my life. I’ve become a carer for my 38 yo son, who has complex and mostly undiagnosed mental health issues. As well as a history of complex ptsd and ADHD, he’s had a breakdown of some sort, struggles with executive function (eating, keeping clean, staying on top of appointments and so on), has manic periods where he barely sleeps or eats for days, and then other times he clings to me and sobs. He’s lost everything, and ended up on the street before I took him in. He’s in absolute despair and misery and my heart breaks for him. We seem unable to get any meaningful support, it’s horrible. I’ve joined this forum because sometimes I just need to talk with people who understand so that I don’t actually burst.