My Place

@Oaktree that's fair, journaling can be a hit or miss. i like the guided journal questions on the lifeline website, sometimes that helps me label my emotions and understand why i feel a certain way. but i know that for others, writing isn't really helpful and other things like art or music or sports, etc., is more their thing.

sometimes i just check out the self-care tool boxes on the forums and try out something new. is there any new self-care strategies you reckon you'll try soon?

@rav3n

Thanks for sharing that resource. I did google it and I have found the coping toolbox here on the forums

@rav3n

Spent the day hoping that my psychologist would get back to me but I don’t think she has even read her emails. She only works school hours so she doesn’t have a lot of time. I really need to see her but I guess I will have to wait till next week.

sorry to hear she hasn't reached out yet, i imagine the wait can be quite anxiety-provoking @Oaktree fingers crossed she makes it before the hours are up. would it be possible to call or does she prefer emails?

how do you feel about reaching out to SANE Helpline (Mon-Friday, 12-6pm 1800 187 263) until she responds?

@rav3n

I don’t like making actual phone calls which is why I contacted webchat yesterday. It would be great if Sane had a webchat service. I don’t really want to call her office again. I spoke to the receptionist yesterday.

@rav3n

I just called her reception again but only got an answering machine. Left a message asking them to get my psych to check her emails. Hopefully that works

@Oaktree that's fair, i prefer webchats over phone calls too. it would be nice if we had a webchat option, hopefully one day.

i'm trying to think of other webchat options... how about 1800 REPECT, do you feel they're appropriate for your needs? have you reached out to them before?

@rav3n

I have only used helplines twice in my life. Lifeline years ago and Beyond Blue yesterday. They are a bit unfamiliar to me and I don’t really think it was very helpful yesterday. I don’t know…

@Oaktree i hear that, trying new supports services can be quite daunting and it's definitely more comfy when you can reach out to someone like your psych who already knows your story.

just in case you really do need a chat while you wait for your psych to respond, 1800 RESPECT can provide national domestic, family and sexual violence counselling through text. definitely no pressure at all, i'm just leaving it there for you as an option if you change your mind.

in the meantime, Jynx's tips around deep breaths and movements like yoga/stretches might be more up your ally. even something as simple as stepping outside for fresh air every hour and taking deep breaths out there can calm the nervous system. sometimes i like to put my hand over my stomach/wherever the anxiety is being felt and push when i inhale, and then relax when i exhale.

Thanks @rav3n

I might try that helpline if it is text based. Thanks.