Not Coping

Hi @Shaz51 how are you?

Thank you @creative_writer

Thank you @Shaz51

I’ll get there someday.

Hello @Birdofparadise8 😀

Tired tonight but am OK

My husband fell asleep this afternoon after work this morning, must of needed it

That’s good to hear someone it going okay.

I wish I could say the same thing.

Yeah must have I wish I could hahaha @Shaz51

Sitting with you my friend @Birdofparadise8

Yes I think he will be awake for the night I am thinking

Thanks @Shaz51

Oh no a late on then.

ohh great question @creative_writer. I've been thinking about this a lot lately. It might be a long one!

So for some context before I get into how I manage triggers.

• In peer work, we share a lot of our own story but with a purpose (like to instil hope, reduce stigma). This can make the job very emotionally taxing but in some ways, it feel like it's a special form of narrative therapy because I'm actively trying to look for parts of my story which can help others and then retell those parts of my story in a way which is kind healing. It's pretty cool!
• In other MH roles, there is very little expectation (and even discouragement) of self-disclosure. Plus in some jobs there is more control over your environment.
• There will often be situations that are emotionally hard. I think we will naturally have reactions to lots of things that touch up. For me, it's about coping with those emotions and processing them in a healthy way

And this has been my experience of has mostly been positive. I'm still human and get triggered, especially if there is a "first" of any given situation. But what has helped me is

• Working really hard on my own mental health and seeing my therapist regularly. I'm human and this and have times where this is harder, but that's ok too
• Having lists at my desk of self-soothing/emotional regulation stuff
• I draw on workplace supports like supervision and debriefing AND if there is any choice in who I work with, I take that too so that I'm not working with people who's experiences are too close with mine
• I also do a lot fo self-reflection and journaling to process my emotions
• Work boundaries and routine to my work-life doesn't eat into my real life

What do you think? Is there anything you feel you could do when you work in MH?

ohh great question @creative_writer. I've been thinking about this a lot lately. It might be a long one!

So for some context before I get into how I manage triggers.

• In peer work, we share a lot of our own story but with a purpose (like to instil hope, reduce stigma). This can make the job very emotionally taxing but in some ways, it feel like it's a special form of narrative therapy because I'm actively trying to look for parts of my story which can help others and then retell those parts of my story in a way which is kind healing. It's pretty cool!
• In other MH roles, there is very little expectation (and even discouragement) of self-disclosure. Plus in some jobs there is more control over your environment.
• There will often be situations that are emotionally hard. I think we will naturally have reactions to lots of things that touch up. For me, it's about coping with those emotions and processing them in a healthy way

And this has been my experience of has mostly been positive. I'm still human and get triggered, especially if there is a "first" of any given situation. But what has helped me is

• Working really hard on my own mental health and seeing my therapist regularly. I'm human and this and have times where this is harder, but that's ok too
• Having lists at my desk of self-soothing/emotional regulation stuff
• I draw on workplace supports like supervision and debriefing AND if there is any choice in who I work with, I take that too so that I'm not working with people who's experiences are too close with mine
• I also do a lot fo self-reflection and journaling to process my emotions
• Work boundaries and routine to my work-life doesn't eat into my real life

What do you think? Is there anything you feel you could do when you work in MH?

ohh great question @creative_writer I've been thinking about this a lot lately. It might be a long one!

So for some context before I get into how I manage triggers.

• In peer work, we share a lot of our own story but with a purpose (like to instil hope, reduce stigma). This can make the job very emotionally taxing but in some ways, it feel like it's a special form of narrative therapy because I'm actively trying to look for parts of my story which can help others and then retell those parts of my story in a way which is kind healing. It's pretty cool!
• In other MH roles, there is very little expectation (and even discouragement) of self-disclosure. Plus in some jobs there is more control over your environment.
• There will often be situations that are emotionally hard. I think we will naturally have reactions to lots of things that touch up. For me, it's about coping with those emotions and processing them in a healthy way

And this has been my experience of has mostly been positive. I'm still human and get triggered, especially if there is a "first" of any given situation. But what has helped me is

• Working really hard on my own mental health and seeing my therapist regularly. I'm human and this and have times where this is harder, but that's ok too
• Having lists at my desk of self-soothing/emotional regulation stuff
• I draw on workplace supports like supervision and debriefing AND if there is any choice in who I work with, I take that too so that I'm not working with people who's experiences are too close with mine
• I also do a lot fo self-reflection and journaling to process my emotions
• Work boundaries and routine to my work-life doesn't eat into my real life

What do you think? Is there anything you feel you could do when you work in MH?

Sounds interesting what you do to manage if your triggered @Former-Member.

How long have you been working with SANE for if you don’t mind me asking?