Self doubt

I can help, I'm way more confident now

Gday mate,

I just want to start by saying BZ for taking the initiative and trying to provide a service to your community and other veterans.

I completely understand your self doubt and fear that you are beyond your depth in setting up this service. However, this only proves that you are the right person to do it. Sadly, the stupid are cocksure whilst the intelligent and capable are plagued with self doubt. That is what makes you perfect for the role.

I get that you are worried that you feel that you don’t know what you are doing. I’m a MH nurse and I can assure you that I have spent most of my career wondering just that. But, nobody is doing anything in your area and YOU are stepping up to fill this void and help people. That makes you more qualified than anyone else in your area.

[Location removed by moderator] and, trust me, you don’t want to have MH issues or be a veteran in this town. So I understand your desire to connect with and build mutually healing and understanding connections with people who share your life experience. If you need any help, advice or support please feel free to message me and I will give you everything I can offer as a veteran, trauma survivor and a MH nurse.

If 0 people show up then you come back the next meeting and you keep doing that. Word will get out about your tenacity and commitment and they will come. If 30 people show up then you remind yourself that you, of all those people, made the support and understanding that they are there for possible. That automatically places you as the gentle guide and healer that you all need and are seeking.

You, Sir, are a strong individual and you are trying to do something so needed and valuable. Doubt your abilities. Doubt whether you are biting off more than you can chew. But never doubt your compassion, commitment and desire to help others. That places you ahead of 90% of humanity straight off the bat.

Take care and stay strong,

[Name removed by moderator] 🙏🙏.

Hey @Ed1975 @Auds1104 welcome to both of you!

@Auds1104 just a quick heads up, I've edited your post to remove a couple of details in line with our Anonymity guideline - we ask members not to reveal potentially identifying info like names or locations (even if it's a big town haha). More How-to's here if you need em!

I totally agree with you that @Ed1975's idea is one to be admired! My two cents fore you is to just be super honest and transparent about where you're at - e.g. you can tell people that you feel nervous, that it's your first time, or that you're a little unsure about what you wanna do - they'd probably be keen to help you figure that out! The main thing I think is connection - a space to connect is a precious thing in my books, and so if you can build a connection with just one person I'd call the whole thing a success 😊

@Ed1975 @Good on you for thinking of that option! It is a big need in the community. Not just for you. Face to face is so much better for mental health issues.

I have trainings in a range of group modalities, since the 1990s. However, I am wary of actually doing purely mental health work myself as I also have vulnerabilities and don’t want to lean on and collude with a system that I see doing damage. But your idea could be gold. There are a range of relatively quick and easy training, that might help, set parameters for you and build networks. I would love to offer support… but anonymity and all that. You can pretend Apple is sitting on your shoulder, cheering you on, or if you get annoyed you can say… shoo fly… and I will disappear into the sunset…lol

Apple 🍏