Fancy a cuppa , Connect now 2

Hugs and sitting with you my awesome friend 🧡 @Judi9877

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@Blackcloud wrote:

@AlwaysMyselfthank you so much for your lovely kind words, to know that i have a heart on the forum makes me feel more appreciated to be on here ❤️ yes, helping others through their tough times even when i don’t necessarily have the ‘perfect’ words to say has been my nature for a while 🙂

with regards to transferring the chat to another person or supervisor, unfortunately we don’t have this kind of thing in that service, so you’re very much expected to still talk to the help seeker and finish the interaction where absolutely necessary 🥲 i get what you’re saying though, and i can see why that would be helpful, but yeah unfortunately we don’t have that kind of thing there 😕

About the caller who was annoyed about me saying sorry, hmmm that’s kind of hard to answer to be honest haha…it’s hard to tell whether they were actually annoyed with me or something else, but basically he (it’s actually a male help seeker so I’ll use ‘he’) was just going through such a really tough time this year..one of his parents passing away and the other one going through a serious permanent health issue, so I can imagine how immensely overwhelming and stressful all of that has been for him. I guess because in the moment I couldn’t really find the ‘perfect’ words to tell him in the moment other than trying my best to reflect on his feelings and saying sorry, he just got triggered by the moment he saw I was giving him sympathy.. (technically, we're actually not allowed to provide sympathy but then you know...some supervisors I know of don't mind if I use sympathy cause I'm pretty sure there's other crisis supporters that also do the same thing? maybe its just a few of us including myself that do do that.)

Oh for sure! I guess for myself it’s just a matter of even if I was to get assistance in developing some skills in how to handle people being rude, honest/direct like that, that I don’t think I’d still be able to follow that advice (because ending the chat in my nature is part of my natural response to that kind of thing)? But I was given with what’s called the ‘unwelcome interaction action plan’ by the volunteer engagement supervisor that I spoke to the other day. From now on, I’m gonna see how I’m gonna go with continuing this kind of role the next time I decide to come on shift again…maybe in the next fortnight or even more than that…

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@AlwaysMyself just thought I could tag you again in case you missed this 🙂

@Judi9877 Hello how are you? Are you safe?

It sounds like abuse to me and unsafe for you to be there alone at this time. I really hope the cater organisation has been able to support you.

Re moving I can understand as you’ve got things in place and moving is expensive. Do what you need to do for you. I say this because being abused is totally not ok and you need a safe home.

it really is a hard situation and I’m not sure how to proceed but I’m here if you need to talk. Sending a lot of love and hugs.

Thanks @Blackcloud. been absent yesterday arvo and today as i was not well but feeling better again now.

Ack, shame they dont have the tech to pass the web-chat over if needed. As an IT worker of course this type of solution comes to my mind 😋.maybe one year in the future they will haha.

I'm glad you are taking the time to think it all through, about what type of MH support work you want to do and are best suited to in your current situation - i think that is a really healthy process, althpugh i encourage you to also consider what you would most WANT to be able to do (ignoring limits of your current capacity, triggers or instinctual responses) and also consider how you can work towards being able to do that too. 🥰 but of course you don't have to immediately or quickly be able to do your end goal job role -- recovery is a process, and ups and downs, and it does take time usually to change our instinctual automatic protection responses like fight/flight. 😍 i look forward to you deciding what YOU really want and supporting you to grow into that as a goal 🥰.

I said to someone today that if i decide to study MH Peer Work, it would be OK if i never worked in it also because I believe it would be good skills for general life helping friends, family or even on here as a member. 🥰. (But yeah, doing the prax hours to get the qualification after dping the theory could be challenging for me due to my fatigue, without burning out. But i can study the theory any way if i want, and come to that bridge when im done and see if any MH orgs i want to support need a volunteer with flexible hours for health needs.)

Good morning @Shaz51 @Cuddlebear @AlwaysMyself @Blackcloud @Jynx @Meowmy @heartathome @Chasingsunsets @tyme @AuntGlow @Ru-bee @rav3n @ENKELI and all forumites here this Saturday. Thanks for all of the kind words and responses to my situation. Very much appreciated!

Just for an update. I did leave home yesterday and went to alternative accommodation after checking out a storage facility - bit worried about the size of the unit but can also get a second unit for additional cost if I need it. My housemate did settle down but I’d already left for the weekend so there was no going back as I’d already paid for the accommodation for the 3 days. I had a rough day and I was glad for it to be over. The main thing is I survived and got through it which is a positive. I’m now spending the weekend trying to relax in my accommodation- the stupid unit key broke in the door lock after I’d unlocked the cabin which I was lucky to be inside but that just added to my stress. I did report it but I’m hoping I don’t have to pay for the damage as it was an accident- another cost I can’t afford.

Today I’m planning to chill out and watch the cricket and do some knitting/crochet as I have a tv in the cabin.

Take care.

Judi9877

Today I’m planning to chill out and watch the cricket and do some knitting/crochet as I have a tv in the cabin.--- sounds soo good @Judi9877

enjoy your 3 days my awesome friend , you need this 😍

@AlwaysMyself , @Cuddlebear , @Blackcloud , @Jynx

Hope you are able to relish in your own company @Judi9877 - glad to hear you've got a little respite from all those stresses you're dealing with at home!

Love it so much @Shaz51!!

Hi @Judi9877 ,

It's a real concern with what is happening. I read you feel unsafe, scared and stressed out.

Have you considered calling 1800RESPECT?

Also, I know you have been her carer for a while. Are you obligated to do this?

@Judi9877 Hello lovely how are you? I hope you are enjoying some rest and quiet. Thank you for updating us I have been thinking about how you have been. I’m glad you got some accomodation for some time out.

Sending lots of love and hugs. Buoy the rest lovely.

Hi @Cuddlebear . Thank you for your kind and supportive words. They are very much appreciated! I’ve been away since Friday and I’ve been enjoying myself, give or take a few issues. I’ve finished a jumper, completed 3 crochet squares and have been watching the cricket on tv in my cabin. I go home tomorrow and I’m pleased to report that my housemate has apologised for her behaviour and what has happened. She’s planning on talking to her mental health clinician tomorrow to see what can be done to help her through this stressful time - moving, etc. I’ll also be speaking to my carer peer worker as well to see what I can do to prevent this situation from happening again.

Take care.

Judi9877