Battles

@Cuddlebear So sorry to hear you are struggling. Try not to worry about the outstanding notifications on here. I understand how easily one item can feel overwhelming when trying to deal with other things.

physically, start to do anything and my body says No. think disassembling bookcase and loading (plus unloading) it couple times was bit too much. Garage is starting to look better, which my head needed.

apart from that, today is just another day. Still feeling on edge and panicky after panic attack couple days ago. Opening up and sharing parts of my story on a different thread has been draining and semi regret dropping the mask and sharing.

Do you have appointments with GP, psychiatrist etc coming up soon?

anything you can do that might help ease the reason/s you are struggling?
sending lots of virtual hugs. 🫂🫂

@AlwaysMyself oh how awesome would that be, to all sit together and each do our own activity. Honestly I'd love nothing more than to be able to do that especially with the amazing people here ☺️

Hehe Casper is always up for pats, and the snake just enjoys stealing your warmth 😂.

Chats about supports for chronic mental health plus everything you have been going through @MissGremlin has reminded me of things I went through at one stage more than 12mths ago.

knew I needed help as my thoughts were scaring me. Various phone calls led me to phoning triage section through local hospital. I ended up talking on the phone to 2 different MH nurses, one that day and other the day after. 2nd nurse booked me face to face appointment saying my meds would be reassessed, referrals to support groups etc would be made. Face to face appointment was with another MH nurse plus social worker and was total waste of my time. Outcome was nothing they could do as I had initial appointment with psychiatrist already booked, never mind I had told all 3 MH nurses I had made plans for me and my cats and that this was not first time I had done so. Comment I got was due to plans having been made xx days ago and that I had not done anything there was very low chance I would put any of the plans into place.

things haven’t improved. If anything, things have gotten worse for assistance from support services.

Heaps more funding plus effective training of the right type of people needs to be done in area of crisis support.

its fine to have the adverts on TV mentioning numbers (eg statistics) and asking Australians to make financial donations. Thats only just scratching the surface of dirt covering a mine field

@AlwaysMyself @Appleblossom

@Flutterbug9 oh my sweet, I'm so sorry you had to go through that experience. It's very much the same for me my doctor stating in the referral that I have a plan and me confirming that with the service that he referred me to when they rang. Initially I didn't want to see Christmas this year but my doctor wanted me to at least make it through it which I did so my plan was delayed which brings me to today, my doctor is well aware of what's going on and he's done his best to support me and refer me to services that should be supporting me. But they have let me down and I'm not sure where to turn now. (I'm safe for now).

I 100% agree with you, more needs to be done to help those in crisis. Crisis means that action needs to be taken immediately, not weeks later when it's possibly too late. It's concerning to hear how many people have been through similar experiences when they've needed support.

@MissGremlin profile pics are funny... sometimes i forget to "see" them. lol

@@AlwaysMyself @NightFury @Flutterbug9

@Cuddlebear

still its good to be able to personalise them...

Here’s a better shot @AlwaysMyself

@MissGremlin @Cuddlebear

Waiting for your new photo @Flutterbug9 😊

I had a similiar feeling reaction a year ago too @Flutterbug9 where after public MH assessment said no suitable supports in public sustem for me, i really felt / thoughts that the only way to get the help i needed (without paying thousands of dollars privately) is to do something that ends me in hospital. And if i were going to do that, I'd have made it not with the aim of a hospital but a mortuary. I didnt act on those feelings/thoughts - i resisted it despite my despair. But its a real challenge with our stretched system. And not everyone has the ability to self-control their actions when feeling it immensely.

@MissGremlin i really hope you choose to see in the new year, and more. I hope i keep getting to know you and share with you this year.

@AlwaysMyself It leaves a feeling of not being believed.

part of their ‘solution’ for me was telling to avoid XYZ, to ensure I’ve always got people with me, to go to drop-in centre (approx 45mins drive away) if had dark thoughts again.

Really!! No possible, not practical and not going to help me. I’ve got few things that have always stopped me, so far, one of which being impact of my uncles death.

Hoping you keep fighting and hanging in there @MissGremlin @AlwaysMyself @Cuddlebear Hoping to continue chatting and sharing with you, getting to know all 3 of you during the coming years

Sorry @Flutterbug9

I didnt mean to pass by your deep sharing. Certainly difficult feelings, clear plans and not much compassion from the sp called services. I am very sorry you had those experiences.

I was distracted and just shared to @MissGremlin trying to lighten the mood and didnt actually read your post, maybe it hadnt gone live. Please accept my apology.

I also cant believe how many of my words are coming out wrong, and i try and correct them. I will try and be more careful with what i post.

I have that happen all the time too @Appleblossom - posts crossing over between when i loaded the page, read posts, then replied! And finally when im back to the page again there is a new post from during that time lol. Happens a lot to me.

..other times i just forget to comment on something because my brain forgets whem replying to more than one person or aspecr of a post(s). 😅

I dont think you need to feel bad for it. 😊 we are all human!

That is so frustrating @Flutterbug9 !

I've used my area's drop-in MH service a few times this year. Mine is 30min drive away, which sometimes is too far to be able to drive if in a bit of a state. And to bus wpuld be at least 1.5hrs - requires 2 buses. And Uber... I'm guessing $50 each way?

I wonder how busy the crisis lines will be tonight... 🤔. At least we all have each other here to keep company until put through if someone is waiting on a queue. 🤗 advance hugs to anyone in that situatuon.