Struggling: TW suicide

@creative_writer oof so rough. Stigma is still so so rife, it's so damaging. I would like to speak to the notion that health professionals are only interested because of the fee though - I think that may be true for some, sure. I think maybe also moreso in the medical system than the mental health system. But as a therapist, I can tell you with absolutely no hesitation that I genuinely care about every single person that I work with. I gel more with some than others, but at the end of the day the money isn't actually good enough for it to be the motivating factor. I didn't study mental health because I wanted coin, I did it because I wanted to be there for people who need it, in a way that I felt like no one was there for me when I needed help.

Fun fact - you can literally just ask your therapist how much they care. Then gauge the authenticity of their response. You might find them super reassuring... or maybe they will dodge the question and get uncomfortable, which then may tell you that's not the right therapist for you. Who knows! But also remember - sometime, being highly skeptical of how much others care for us is a trauma response, trying to protect us from getting hurt...

Oh I hate that for you @creative_writer , and I wish it wasn't such a common experience. This is why I think it's important to seek out support from a range of services, because there's so many differing approaches out there to try. Psychiatrists really are only trained from a medical perspective, and I don't think they really spend time training on things like active listening skills or accurate empathy (fundamentals of my counselling degree).

From what you're saying, you've had a LOT of instability and uncertainty... and to build a sense of safety, we need a sense of certainty and predictability. Well... for what it's worth, I don't care how 'broken' you are (or anyone for that matter) you are still worth the time and energy. I am sending you a big pile of virtual hugs, I hope they reach you and give you a little warm fuzzy feeling 🤗💜

You're really on your way @creative_writer - I hope you can find your own way of celebrating this fact 💜

@creative_writer Oh I feel that... It took me so long to recognise how unwell I was. I always thought I didn't deserve help cos "nothing truly bad has ever happened to me" - boy was I wrong. Day by day is always okay 💜

@creative_writer I feel that. It truly is all the little things - so many ways our needs weren't met when we were young. I'm glad you're on the path of awareness and healing. It's a hard journey, no point pretending it's not. But it is worth it.

I wish you a solid journey that takes you where you need to be 💜