Moderator accountability

Hi @Sub-H-Alien

Whilst there are moderators on the forums 24/7, there are a lot more staff on leave between the Xmas and New Year period. I myself am noticing a big difference too.

I will flag a @moderator so maybe they might be able to help you.

I didn't see what you posted so cannot really respond to that.

I hope this helps

Hi @Snowie

Great username at this time of the year in particular 🙂 Anything that reminds me of cooler weather is a bonus!

I am aware the chat system is closed but there was/is no indication forum moderation would drop/slow down.

Don't get me wrong ... the health implications of shift work are not ideal, in my personal experience, so I am surprised but pleased there is some moderation overnight. I couldn't necessarily contribute to a system that allowed the typical filth of the internet to threaten everyone in here who are doubtless suffering various levels of vulnerability. But it is a concern.

I have what I posted in a cache but AFAIK there's no way to get it to you.

I used what is, I suppose, ad-hoc shorthand ASCII highlighting. Four asterixes bookending a word. Perhaps that was the issue. I guess I could have tried to edit and post again but I didn't have the capacity. There's always the possibility the people at Snaffle web dev, who apparently built this forum software, included defences against posting similar content from the same IP address and account.

@Sub-H-Alien it does normally get quiet this time of year. People on leave and members on holidays.

However that doesn't mean that we are forgotten.

Hopefully a moderator can get back to you soon.

I have had posts removed before. It is helpful to know why however so I don't make the same mistakes.

Hi @Snowie

Yeah I recognise that joining during this time of year is potentially messy but that's exactly the sort of 'ignorance' I hoped would be addressed here. Meaning the society-wide belief that this time of year is 'merry'. Or should be holidays for everyone, leaving the vulnerable to their own devices. I feel this is an attitude / approach that has to change. However, I fear that those who are doing OK, health wise, will always want to get caught up in the 'festivities' and leave the rest of us to our own devices. Not necessarily helpful to 'project' (?) like that. So, readers, please take that opinion with a proverbial grain of salt, but OTOH if we do not speak up now, during these times, it's all too easy for everyone to just go with that human nature thing of "well, it's all over again now for another year, let's forget about it" and, surprise, surprise, what happens in 12 months time? Perhaps little has changed.

I call upon the people in charge at Sane to better address this time of year for the mental health burden it is to so many people. If enough people feel the same, Sane should develop a project throughout the year that focuses on helping the vulnerable, during these 'gap' times, when a lot of very well-meaning services just accept that they will have to minimise their offerings at this time.

Perhaps the results of such a program could then, in turn, be applied to all the other annual times of the year when mentally vulnerable people struggle. Just accepting that there's always going to be less resources during these times seems neo-equivalent to accepting that mental health will always be stigmatised. A substantial barrier that needs to be broken down.

@Sub-H-Alien you bring up some really good points that I think need to be discussed more with the leaders at Sane. I know that they cannot make these changes immediately, but perhaps it is something that can be discussed during the coming year.

I can understand that these people need time off too for their mental health and wellbeing. They deserve the time off, just like we do. I also notice that people need some extra support during these times.

There are a lot of us (myself included) that have their main supports take time of work too. My psychologist and psychiatrist have both taken time off. So from seeing my supports fortnightly to nothing does bring a lot of issues, especially when this time of year is a major trigger. So when we really need to find other forms of support, we come up against more obstacles.

Hi @Snowie

I'm in a very bad way now.

I can't participate in this discussion anymore.

I'm so very sorry but I'm too vulnerable to be reading about yet more kicks in balls.

I'm sadly sure many of those in our positions have had the same problem: you want/need to reach out but the reality you are met with - a lack of support behind all the encouragement to reach out - is too much of a risk.Then maybe you feel even worse because what is actually available may well be a very genuine, but nonetheless insufficient, attempt to help. Staffed by really genuine people whom none of us want to hurt with criticism.

But as I lay in bed now, as dark as I can make it, head hurting like buggery, sobbing and choking with excessive pain and emotion ...

yet terrified I cannot openly write about this here ... whilst struggling to know how much 'colour' I can write with, if any ....

It's just too much to be analytically balanced about what is, basically, a fundamental lack of health services for people who are entitled to so much more.

Where's the one billion they collected for mental health gone?

What happened to the 'lived experience' big feels celebration of drop in centres being created out of the royal commission?

To all those who have passed on, I issue a solemn apology on behalf of a society that is criminally inept at helping people with chronic conditions.

Nobody should ever get to the point where they feel suicidal. That's a representation that society has failed. Yet that's exactly what happens and the only reason we don't hear about it is suicides are swept under the carpet.

Hi @Sub-H-Alien

I'm sorry if what I have written has hurt you in any way. That was not my intention.

I appreciate you letting me know how you are feeling. Please look after yourself 💗

Hi @Snowie

Much appreciated.

No, it's not you. I'm just not a functional person who can participate in discussions.

I've suffered in my own way for so very long. Decades. But that was before critical pain came to dominate and has taken away or changed so many aspects of how I was coping. That's why I went against every instinct I've had about engaging with online sources of support, to join here.

[sorry, I accidentally hit Post here before I was ready]

Whatever you decide to do @Sub-H-Alien just know that there are people here who care.

However, you need to make the right decision for you.

Thanks @Snowie

Just wanted to pop in here and let everyone know I'm OK. For the moment.

FWIW:

1. Tried calling the CAT: too busy
2. Tried asking a pharmacist about my pain medication options: nothing new or additional available

What saved the day? Going to see my wildlife friends. That usually helps ... every single time. It's only the human factor that limits it's effectiveness. Having to be somewhat cryptic here to avoid giving away specifics that might be identifying.

Undoubtedly, I went through a serious mental health “episode” earlier today. For worse and better, this forum gave me somewhere to direct my attention other than suicide. When not a lot else was available.

Thanks to everyone who posted support and messages.

Take it easy, everyone 👍