Acceptance is hard work

Hi @NightFury remember, even though you make a list for the counsellor of what you may want to talk about, it's up to you if you actually talk about it or the pace you get to those things.

A Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP) is the gate to Medicare subsidised psychology sessions.

You need to see a GP to get one.

GP asks you some things to assess if they think you qualify for one (low bar)

You need to fill out a 10 question survey called a K10 - you must have this to get a MHCP. They are standard questions.

The GP can then refer you directly to a psychologist, or you can find a psychologist and take the plan to them.

Psychologists can charge what they like for a session.

The Medicare rebate is a set amount.

With the MHCP you will get a refund of the Medicare amount.

Currently the Medicare rebate is around $140, so if the psych charges $200 you will get $140 back from Medicare and have to pay $60 yourself.

You pay the $200 first and hopefully the psych can electronicaly put it through to Medicare and the $140 will go into your bank account.

If the psych only charges the Medicare fee (unlikely) you won't have to pay anything upfront,

The first MHCP will be for 6 sessions

There is an extension of a further 4 sessions available after a GP review.

You only get 10 sessions per calendar year

All the best, there is a lot to learn and navigate, so here if you wish to chat

@Till23 she made a list of things that came up that we could focus on. She asked me if I would like to explore them and add them to the list of things to talk about. I said yes for each one. She mentioned making a list of things for the next session, or she could pick a few topics and we could go from there. I asked her to pick a few things because if it was left up to me, there would be considerable anxiety and rumination involved and we wouldn't talk about the the things that I needed to talk about because I'm a runner when things get challenging. She's going to email those through to me before our next session.

Some of the things that ended up on the list, I felt the resistance on my end but also acknowledged it and told her that yes, let's add it but it's a sensitive subject.

She asked me about SI and I told her it was a past concern - maybe I should have told her about the thoughts that have come up recently. I don't know. I feel like that wasn't entirely an honest answer. It was a quick answer to get her to change the subject.

Thank you for stepping that information out for me - that's what I needed. I have a better understanding now.

There are life things that I need to do and one of them is getting a GP. But I'm focused on work and my mental health at the moment and just adding anything else to my to do list...I'm struggling with it.

My second unit for the course I'm doing starts this week and I need to get started. The first assignment is due on Sunday and my lack of motivation is concerning - I'm dragging my feet and fighting it.

I slept better last night, but have woken up heavy headed and with a headache. I'm worried about work today. The pressure is on today and I don't get a lunch break because I'm on duty. And my thoughts are on what came up for me here over Mother's Day and yesterday's appointment with the counsellor.

Hi @NightFury I'm glad your session went well, despite being difficult for you

It's hard when they ask what do you want to get out of this and all you're thinking is...I don't know, to feel better.

It's good you came up with a list, and you felt you could say things were sensitive, but were willing to add them to the list - that's courageous of you, esp in first session.

These counsellors hear about SI every day and likely from most people, esp as the SANE recovery service is for complex MH issues, so you won't be alone there. It was good that you were able to say something about it, again it's up to you what you talk about, but sometimes if they know, it can give them an idea what to focus on etc, or the depth of your distress.

You don't need a MHCP for the SANE service, but were you asking for once your sessions are finished? If so, you've got a bit of time to find a GP.

Have you considered taking a break from your course for a term, or a semester, (however it is programmed), to give yourself some space and take the pressure off a bit? You've got a lot happening at the moment

I hope you make it through, what sounds like, a long day with as much ease as possible. I'll be here on and off if you wish to chat. Well done for getting through your first counselling and committing to keep on going to that

@NightFury Yes, cooking a nourishing dinner absolutely counts. What did you have and what's on the menu for tonight?

I am glad to see @Till23 has been able to support you more here. You are doing everything you can to take steps forward, from what I am seeing. So, I am going to keep celebrating all your wins along the way, if that's okay?

Here if there is anything else you'd like to chat about tonight! 😊

@AuntGlow last night I had pork steak and veggies. The night before, I didn't have anything, so I needed to make an effort. Tonight, I have the things to make chowmein but it might not get made. I've just gotten home and I need to do some study.

I have a question that kind of relates to this...

I need some tips, maybe some reassurance...I am really struggling to get on top of the daily life stuff. I feel like I'm putting everything into the work day and into regulating and the little life stuff is getting left behind, or it overwhelms me and I just can't deal...so I don't deal with it.

You can celebrate my wins, it might remind me to acknowledge them too. Maybe?

@Till23 I don't know how to do this talking to a counsellor thing, and without prompting and guidance I'm likely to not talk at all. That kind of defeats the purpose.

I was thinking about a Mental Health Plan so that I can get a diagnosis and maaaaaybe medication. I don't know what or how to feel about that. I'm still kind of not settled on the idea.

I literally can't do this study business right now. I was on the verge of tears driving home knowing that I've had a big day at work and now I have to study. But I think not doing it will send me spiralling. I have very negative thoughts about myself at the moment - about failing, about letting people down, not being good enough, being broken etc and if I give up on study or admit that I can't do it...I think it'd spiral.

@NightFury That sounds so yum! It's okay if you can't cook every night (I find this really hard too). What do you usually do for yourself on the nights that feel a little harder?

I get this completely - it's really hard to take care of ourselves and keep on top of 'adulting' when we are in survival mode and having to actively regulate. It sounds like your body might be so exhausted that you end up in a sort of functional freeze response.

What has helped me with this recently is completely honoring when I need sleep, rest, or to disengage from activities. And from there, looking at what the next and simplest step is.

For example, maybe you have rested and you now have a few things on your to-do list before bed. That's okay. What is the very next step you have to take? Just the first! Perhaps it's just hanging your legs over the bed, before standing up. Sometimes when we take things literally moment to moment, it can be helpful. 😊

I know things are feeling a little overwhelming tonight, so it might be a good idea to simply ask yourself this evening, 'what does my body really need right now?'

Please remember that you aren't letting anyone down by needing breaks. Managing all that you are is really difficult! You will get there. 💛

@AuntGlow generally, when things are harder, it's quick freezer food or takeaway. Something easy.

Exhausted...I'm so very tired. I keep saying it and I feel like a broken record.

My body needs the basics...food, a drink and warmth...I just want to curl up under a blanket in front of the wood heater, with my dog beside me. I just want comfort and quiet and rest.

But the course started two days ago and I feel so behind already.

@NightFury Hey, nothing wrong with that! I am just glad to hear you're fuelling your body.

Not a broken record at all, I think this is just honestly where you're at and it needs to be fully acknowledged so that it can shift. 💛

Honestly, I think it's okay to honour those needs tonight. In fact, I encourage it.

Also, it's sooo normal to feel that way when you start a new class. Can you chat to your tutor/lecturer or contact student support - just for some help getting started and feeling like you've got things more organised?

@NightFury I know what you mean about the Not Good Enough - I have a whole thread on that!

I understand not wanting to pause your course, but it's only a pause. I think the other side of the coin is continuing to do the course but not doing well. I don't want to be dramatic but it's better to withdraw than not pass. I think you can reframe to not doing it NOW, you can still do it, but just a bit later.

If you had a physical problem like broke your leg or had appendicitis or whatever you wouldn't think of not doing the course right now as a failure, it's just kind of the way things are and that's the same with mental health issues.

You are good enough, you are teaching the future generation, so you are clearly not broken. It's just a pause, not a full stop.

I hope you can get into a GP, they can prescibe antidepressants, without needing to refer you to a psychiatrist. Almost half of GP consultations are related to MH, especially if a female GP. You are not aware of it, but a lot of people take antidepressants, probably half the teachers at your school! I'm not joking with that.

Please take it easy on yourself