Depression

Good on you for speaking up & saying something!!!

Hi there

It's very difficult to find people who understand depression isn't it. I know this may sound bleak, but I gave up on people ever understanding a while ago. I live with my partner and we have a very good relationship and I also have one friend who understands. Besides those two and my dog, I dont think anyone knows or cares to know. When I accepted that, it made life for me easier. I think you did a great job speaking up. I have so many struggles at work these days. Even in a recovery support group (for addiction not depression) I heard a person say to the group that one just 'must choose to be happy'. I hate that kind of thinking. IT puts the blame on people who have depression and makes them feel like they are lazy or bad. Stupid!!! Unless you've been throug it, you shouldnt say dumb stuff. thats my opinion.

Ezzie

A poem

,No one is happy all of the time, but some people feel as if they can never find happiness. Some people feel as if their entire life is devoted to nothing but pain and hurt and loneliness. Every day is a struggle, and every breath a fight for survival. These people have a deep understanding of the word Depression. "

Walls

by Lloyd Klumpp No space around me
Stifling walls
Closing off my view
Numbing thoughts
Aching soul
Suffocating dreams

Memory stirs
Pain wells up
Trapping me again
Nowhere to go
But inside myself
Devoid of any aim

Too scared to move
Barriers raised
Hearts freedom restrained
Tentative
Withdrawing hand
Fear of hurt again

Thick breath and clouds
Within my head
Oppressive atmosphere
Numbing thoughts
Aching soul
Suffocating dream

loopy

@Ma60

Hello Ma60,

Wow! you have just descibed the experience of so many people with MI.

It's amazing isn't it that so many clinicians are in need of serious education into their chosen field. One feels the need to ask.

What motivates a particular person to enter the MH sector as a professional clinician/support provider.

Like any population there will alsys be a segment who have issues. Bringing those issues into the job is poor work practise and such people need either more intensive supervision or a change of carreer.

I have been experiencing suicidal depression since I was nine yo. Actually before that but my first attempt was at 9.

Because of the short sightedness of so- called experts I remained untreated due to misdiagnosis as an attention seeker until I was 32. The original damage I was suffering was excaserbatedby the ridiculous gap.

In the 12 years since that I have been recieving treatment I have become expert on managing my condition. I understand more about complex MI than many experts I've come across. Certainly more than any support service. And as for clinicians some are so limited in their field that only really get the straight forward stuff.

It's been my experince that even with Simple Mental Illness it is still far for straight forward.

treatment resistance is a major issue for so many people that they must acquire a greater depth of knowledge into their illness merely to be able to manage day to day.

Of course when so called expert are challenged there will be a proportion who are personally threatened by that.

You can feel good in the knowing that these people are more f*cked up than we are. Denial is a terrible thing.

Sounds to me, like you have your finger on the pulse. Supervisors are just as vulnerable to stupidity and ego tripping as any one else. Maybe more so.

I hope that you came out of your experience OK. It is obvious that you have a good intellect and since you have obviously hung on you have great resilience as well.

Thank you for sharing your story. I got a lot out of it.

Hope endures

Rick

I actually resigned from my job a few weeks ago. When i returned to work after been in hospial for three weeks I realised the writing was on the wall. i am guttered by the treatment I received especially as it was a non-pofit organisation. i will miss working with the clients as this type of work is my passion. But i had to put my health first.. when I returned to work the rosters had been changed and I was not informed, had medical appts. that I had to cancel. which annoyed me as other staff were still able to make new arrangements.if they had appts. it just became more obvious that the organisation were doing their bit to get rid of me. i was asked by a senior staff member from head office to write about what had occurred but i don't know. it won't assist me but hey it might assist somebody else. what do others think? i would like to know.

@Ma60

Hello Ma60.

Are you ok? firstly I think that is important.

I would genuinely like to know. You don't have to be ok if you're not.

What your workplace has done is unethical and only borderline legal.

And is far from best practice re mental health in the workplace.

I'm sorry for saying this. But

What Bastards!

Anything we can do to support right now, just let us all know. Everyone I've met here are wonderful, supportive and caring. I know we will all support you as you want us.

That being said: a letter outlining your experience?

As a person who will never accept injustice again I can only offered a very biased view.

I would inform head office of what has occurred, reminding them of Work Place Mental Health Best Practise. http://www.mentalhealthcommission.gov.au/our-work/mentally-healthy-workplace-alliance.aspx

I could'nt help but do that, in the hope that noone else will cop it in the same way.

But as I said, Ican;t be objective on this subject.

What do you want to do?

Maybe, start there and work backwards.

Check this Govt web page re Best paractise. It might help.

If you need any more info just do a mention @Rick and I'll get back to you.

Hope endures

Rick