BrodieSenior Contributor
Carer Retreats
I recently became overwhelmed with stress and exhaustion from months of dealing with multiple juggling balls. I'm a full time student, part time carer, part time step parent, volunteer, worker, and I also have bipolar disorder and a history of other mental health issues which while either managed or in remission, can always rear their heads at any time.
As well as my general roles, I have been dealing with being stalked heavily online which has restricted my biggest coping strategy, have been supporting my partner in 2 court proceedings (including being his representative in negotiations of compensation for his PTSD), and I had a death in the family at the beginning of the year. Then, 4 weeks ago, I took on the "straw that broke the camels back"; a friend who I considered a sister who was extremely mentally unwell. She came and stayed with me and my partner for 18 days and cutting a long story short, she screwed us over hugely emotionally and financially.
I'd spent the past week or so in a depressive state, in bed more, drinking a bit (very out of character for me), overwhelmed, constantly stressed out, exhausted, unable to properly engage in my study due to constant distraction, crying a lot and dealing with migraines which require heavy medication brought on by stress. I even managed to twist the vertebrae in my neck from the muscles tensing up in my shoulders and neck from the stress I've been under.
I live on the Brisbane/Gold Coast region, and I was wanting to know if anyone knows of any carer retreats in the area which are free or have a sliding scale of cost? I am not financially well off by any means; my partner is legally bankrupt and my work is scattered and income highly variable from shift to shift. I have a huge arsenal of coping strategies which I use but at this point, but I really need is a holiday or a break away. Ideally I'd like my partner to come with me as I adore him, but if I have to go solo for a weekend or a few days that'd be fine.
Thank you.
