Winter solstice

@Shaz51 @Oaktree @RiverSeal may I ask your views on something? I wasn't sure where to park this and wasn't comfortable starting a new thread right now although maybe I should have.

I've noticed that although new contributors to the forum usually get a welcome message from the moderator or a peer support person, family and carers concerned about a loved one showing signs of possible psychosis and making a first-time post often don't get answered. This upsets me a bit, having been on both sides (both the person with a mh concern and a carer looking for help for someone). So I've started making an effort to reach out and say something, or tag someone in.

I've tried raising this with the team a few times but haven't really got anywhere so I'd be interested in your thoughts. My own view is I do think carers need more support and linking in.

Sorry if it's none of my business - you can tell me that if you like.

@tyme

I totally agree @Dimity and thank you for tagging me my friend 🧡

This is a good point and it needs to be addressed

Glad you have written it and have tagged others

@RachSANECEO

❤️ thanks @Shaz51

---

@Dimity wrote:

@Shaz51 @Oaktree @RiverSeal may I ask your views on something? I wasn't sure where to park this and wasn't comfortable starting a new thread right now although maybe I should have.

I've noticed that although new contributors to the forum usually get a welcome message from the moderator or a peer support person, family and carers concerned about a loved one showing signs of possible psychosis and making a first-time post often don't get answered. This upsets me a bit, having been on both sides (both the person with a mh concern and a carer looking for help for someone). So I've started making an effort to reach out and say something, or tag someone in.

I've tried raising this with the team a few times but haven't really got anywhere so I'd be interested in your thoughts. My own view is I do think carers need more support and linking in.

Sorry if it's none of my business - you can tell me that if you like.

@tyme

---

Hey @Dimity ,

I totally hear you. One thing I have to say is that when these members come to the forums, I welcome them, but then I often have to tag others in to respond. This is not because I 'don't care' or don't want to support them. It is becuase I don't feel I have the knowledge or expertise to respond in a way that say, you, would be able to respond.

Hence, we need your expertise in this. I read along so I can learn, but I can't pretend I have lived experience of caring for someone with psychosis or having psychosis themselves.

This is not to discredit or ignore people going through it. Are you okay I tag you into posts around this topic of psychosis etc? @Dimity

@tyme I'm happy to help where I can but there aren't always "good" or "right" answers. The issue of consent being the deal maker/breaker if someone' isn't deemed a life-threatening risk to themselves or others, which is such a horribly narrow legalistic framework.

I filled in the feedback form today suggesting - not for the first time - that the team drafts a compassionate script for mods and psw's to use in these cases if they're not sure of a response. It could include a welcome, a statenent of support for both the family member and the carer, a summary of the persuasion/consent/committal alternatives, and links to factsheets and the family & carers space. Tags to particular forumites being an extra, not the only thing offered.

My apologies for spelling all this out.

@RiverSeal has done a good job with the hearing voices community but isn't often around, and @Shaz51 is wonderful with families, but I feel a lot of first-time contributors have been at risk of falling through the cracks. Crafting a careful response in advance could help a lot.

@RachSANECEO

@tyme @RachSANECEO i just saw in another thread that the team had been responding to someone off-line, and hadn't posted in the thread they'd started. My apologies for concluding they'd been ignored.

@Shaz51 @RiverSeal @Oaktree

I still think a public reply might have been appropriate, for the record, for other new people looking into the forums.

Thank you for your feedback @Dimity , it's greatly appreciated.

Quick quesion (please don't feel pressured): Would you like to work with up to come up with a template as a response for these cicumstances. As I said, you have the expertise that book knolwedge doesn't provide.

I'm thinking that the template can perhaps validate the member (lived experience or carer), then provide some relevant resources that a available Australia-wide? Would you be interested? If so, I'm happy to get in touch.

Other members have helped us with some of our templates too.

And yes, you are right, a public message on the thread woudl have been helpful for the community. Thank you for raising this.

Good evening @Dimity 💖

I am sorry to hear this is coming up for you and I certainly don't want you to feel censored... I am wondering if you'd feel okay sharing and we can collaborate to make sure it's safe posting? I would like to support you as much as possible right now. 🥰

The call about your eye must feel so, so scary. I am glad the GP is taking it seriously, but my gosh, that's a lot to hold. Can you let me know where you're at with this?

Taking care of your fur baby's health as well as yours must be really overwhelming. 💛

A support worker sounds like a really good idea; I was just thinking how practical support and some social connection would be very helpful. Did she share how you can obtain one?

Any small moments of effort are more than enough, Dimity. You're going through so much. I wish I could do more to help you, but please know I am here to listen. Big hugs.

@Dimity

Thanks for raising all those questions about forum protocols. I have often thought along similar lines. In my way I have tried to answer many new posts rather than leave them hanging in the air. Yes carers definitely need support too. It is good to be explicit the way you have explained things.

You really have a lot on your plate at the moment, with your hospital stay, your eye, your cat and your family situation. Sending gentle support. Wish I could do more.

How has today been?

I have been away, but home safe. Spilled more beans at this festival than ever before (as in previously shameful aspects of lmy life). There were some good times. Reasonable performances The challenge with my current antagonist is ongoing. I am trying to program myself to manage it better and grow a thicker skin, but it doesnt come naturally. Hope you dont mind me butting in?

@Appleblossom @AuntGlow @tyme your posts are very welcome and I'll reply when I can think through adequate responses. A bit challenged at present.