Not Coping

Of course @Birdofparadise8 ! It's sooo exciting! Thank you for guiding this conversation to a way that helps you.

Some people think we are mind readers lol.. but really, we need to be told 🙂

Will you be flying over? Not sure if you drive... I know they have the ships where you can drive to the port and take your car over.

Do you have any hobbies @Birdofparadise8. Like colouring in, paint by numbers, diamond art?? Just something that can help switch off?

We will be flying my parents and I are coming over on the 15th of Feb, and then I will move in on the 18th. I am excited and all a new adventure. I am just a bit worried about my mental health and if living on my own will make it worse. Having a lot of change so quickly. Not knowing anyone. I am mostly worried that my suicidal thoughts will worsen as they did at the end of last year. @tyme

I did do the paint by number but I have been so busy the past few weeks @Captain24

That's soo great that they will come too @Birdofparadise8 .

Don't over think it. Sometimes, great things happen when we take that leap of faith.

Any change can be daunting. Just know the forums aren't going anywhere.

Expect to have feelings of nervousness and anxiety - then you won't be surprised if it hits you.

For me, the change of states was certainly scary because I didn't know anyone. But it gave me a fresh start and a strong desire to seek support for myself - which you are already doing!

I believe in you!

Okay, well I suppose I will see what happens I am just so worried I don't want to like do anything to myself @tyme

I don't want you to do anything hurtful to yourself either @Birdofparadise8 - hence write down a list of supports you can access. Remember relatives, friends, forums, crisis lines.

I am actually bubbling with excitement that you have an entire future ahead of you!

I'm going to do some research to have a look at the area you'll be to see what might be available.

OMG!!! SOOOO good! Have a look here (I won't be compromising your anonymity) https://www.nh.org.au/service/mental-health-services/

You have a prevention a recovery centre you can access! Best places ever! I know it has changed, but it is better than nothing. I got so much out of going into PARCs

I feel your more excited than me right now @tyme

What is a PARCs I have never heard of it?

I have got my GP to referee me to a Community Mental Health Centre in the area, and they have psychologists, mental health nurses, social workers and peer support workers, so much more support than what Hobart offers.

I won't be in Bundoora I am going to Swinburne university @tyme

Oh! @Birdofparadise8 That's right! You mentioned that you were going to Swinburne. Does that mean even WON'T get an offer from LaTrobe?

Let me do my next search.

PARC is a prevention and recovery centre. Back then, people stayed about 4 weeks. I believe they have reduced it to 2 which I don't think is enough, but it's better than nothing,

So it's either a step up or step down from hospital. You live with a group of max 10 people. Each person is allocated a key clinician that works on recovery goals with them. A psychiatrist sees each person about once a week. Throughout your stay you have 24/7 access to support on the premises.

However, it is 100% voluntary, and does not take high risk people. You can walk in and out of the premises as you need.

There are also planned acitivities throughout the day. e.g they start with a morning meeting so discuss the day, new residents, exiting residents, activities, chores and duties. Then they may have a psychoeducation group running after e.g. sleep hygiene, assertiveness, employment, healthy eating, exercise etc. [I still have all my handouts from these education groups!]. After that, they may have a group shopping where they drive you to the nearest shop and they do a big shop for the week. Then after may be a walking group, yoga group, games group [boxing, billiards, board games], art and craft group. Then by the evening, the person allocated to cook is supported by the key worker to cook a meal for everyone, then people eat together, clean up, then there may be another walking group or movie night.

Weekends, we had coffee groups, dog walking or outings to beaches parks etc.

I really flourished in this environment because I found like-minded people. I could openly speak about my mental health and not feel judge. I could talk to people about my challenges. All in all, i think I've been there about 6 times. It has been so helpful.

I even looked at working there. I actually saw some jobs online this morning! But no, at this moment, I can't work there.