Newbie

@Former-MemberOh yeah. I've been here off and on since 2015.

And do you find it helpful? I am impressed with the people on here and the community that has been built. @chibam

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@Former-Member wrote:

Ditto @NatureLover !

What do you love about nature the most?? What do you like to get out and do?

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I just love being out in it, @Former-Member . I'm so fortunate not to live in a concrete jungle. I like to sit or walk in nature and among trees. Do you?

@Former-MemberWell, it's certainly a very friendly community of people. 🙂

And things have certainly improved greatly since the early years. Back then, it was a far less welcoming environment for someone like myself who had an unflattering tale to tell of the mental health system. You still get occasional "Yes, but..." responses, stating (for the uninitiated) that "some people find therapy helpful, even if others have been harmed with it.", but nonetheless, this has (IMHO) become a far more hospitable environment for victims of the mental health system than it was several years ago. 👍

But to answer your actual question: "Do [I] find it helpful?", I can't help but think about a point often reiterated by one of my friends on here: If we are truly being helped, then how come nothing's getting better?

I'm no better off then I was when I first signed up here. Worse, in terms of the fact that I'm significantly older and thus more distinctly afflicted with "missed the train" syndrome.

It can be mildly encouraging to come on to places like this and see the swell of voices speaking out about the inadequacies of our society, and more specifically, the systems supposedly set up to help us and give us lives worth living. But to be honest, the progress is so slow, and the powers-that-be are even slower to recognize the voices of us little guys. It's all but impossible to look at these trajectories and not come to the conclusion that any improvements that may come will certainly come too late to do me any good.

So to answer you question in one sentance or less, I would have to say: No, I don't genuinely find it helpful.😞

Edit: Feels like I've thrown a wet blanket on the tone of this otherwise upbeat welcome thread. Sorry. 😬

Hey @Hopeful101

How is your day??

@NatureLover I love just being out in it too. I have just started walking for exercise in a friendly competition with my friend. I have been impressed at how much more I can see when I walk! Do you have some nice walks you like to do? Have you ever been into a pine forest? So eerie, but so cool!

Hey @Former-Member , you have your own thread I see

Hello @chibam , @NatureLover , @Hopeful101 , @ArraDreaming , @Zoe7

I have been here since 2015 too @chibam

I wasn’t trying to make myself famous @Shaz51, just didn’t know how to navigate the forums LOL. But welcome to my thread. Everyday I am learning more and more about how this place works 😅

Hi @Former-Member

I just wanted to reach out and welcome you to the forums - it’s great to have you here 💜

I really hope that you’ll enjoy being a part of the community and I look forward to seeing you around the forums 💜

Take care,

ShiningStar 💜

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@Former-Member wrote:

Do you have some nice walks you like to do? Have you ever been into a pine forest? So eerie, but so cool!

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@Former-Member I like to walk around my neighbourhood - it's lovely with lots of trees and bushes. I've never been in a pine forest - I think it might be dark? I crave the sun so am not sure how I would feel about that.