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Topic Tuesday // Feeling excluded in a loved ones treatment journey // Tues 21 Aug, 7pm AEDT

Unknown userMember

Topic Tuesday // Feeling excluded in a loved ones treatment journey // Tues 21 Aug, 7pm AEDT

Supporting a loved one experiencing a mental illness can be challenging at times. Particularly when we feel excluded from their treatment journey.

For this month’s Topic Tuesday, we’ll be joined by @Lynne1 from Mental Health Carers Tasmania. @Lynne1 will share her experiences, with a view to explore how you can feel more connected and included in your loved one's recovery.

We look forward to hearing your experiences 🐼

Want to receive an email reminder on the night? Hit the 'Like' button below.

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I'm new here - what is Topic Tuesday?

Topic Tuesday runs from 7pm - 9pm AEST monthly. Each month we focus on a different topic, with the session facilitated by a Community Manager or Moderator. Sometimes Topic Tuesday will feature a special guest, who is an expert in the topic.

The first post of the thread (this one) will give you an idea of what the topic is and what will be covered.

How do I get involved?

Topic Tuesday takes place right here! It's text based, so no software is needed. During the session, to keep up with the latest posts hit the 'refresh' button on your browser for the latest posts (it doesn't automatically update). Keep an eye for page numbers at the top & bottom of the page and jump to the highest page number for the most recent post.

Throughout the session, the facilitator will put questions out for you to answer, usually asking for your own experience on the topic. To contribute to the session, just hit the 'reply' button and share your thoughts. No answers are right or wrong and everyone is welcome to get involved.

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In response to: Topic Tuesday // Feeling excluded in a loved ones treatment journey // Tues 21 Aug, 7pm AEDT

Unknown userMember

Re: Topic Tuesday // Feeling excluded in a loved ones treatment journey // Tues 21 Aug, 7pm AEDT

No problem @outlander Sounds like a good plan. Thanks for joining in for a bit and look after yourself tonight 🌻

In response to: Topic Tuesday // Feeling excluded in a loved ones treatment journey // Tues 21 Aug, 7pm AEDT

Unknown userMember

Re: Topic Tuesday // Feeling excluded in a loved ones treatment journey // Tues 21 Aug, 7pm AEDT

@Lynne1

I have felt invisible despite being the responsible person for my husband of 34 years who was on a treatment order but no more.

These are the things that helped me

1. Knowing carer rights

2. Understanding how carer communication works and who'd responsibility it is - this is what works for us

- I email written observations and concerns to case worker prior yo consultation

- Pdoc sees patient with case worker on their own, at end of consult I get called in for summary, if Mr D wants me to advocate for him, this is when I speak up.

- I do not and would not go in to therapist appt - he needs to be able to speak to them freely without feeling I have influenced them.

-Case worker - we go in together - things that are discussed are safety plan.

I would suspect that lodging s complaint may have had a bearing on things.

In response to: Topic Tuesday // Feeling excluded in a loved ones treatment journey // Tues 21 Aug, 7pm AEDT

Shaz51Senior Contributor

Re: Topic Tuesday // Feeling excluded in a loved ones treatment journey // Tues 21 Aug, 7pm AEDT

hello @Lynne1, @Former-Member

In response to: Topic Tuesday // Feeling excluded in a loved ones treatment journey // Tues 21 Aug, 7pm AEDT

Lynne1Senior Contributor

Re: Topic Tuesday // Feeling excluded in a loved ones treatment journey // Tues 21 Aug, 7pm AEDT

The effect of exclusion in my experience

I’ve been aware of some contact between the loved one in this scenario and their GP, some medications that have been prescribed, and various community crisis-based services that have given support. However I have never ever been included in any of these, nor invited, nor contacted. Quite likely, other than the GP, they don’t know I’m involved. And yet, I believe that being included would have provided:

  • Opportunities to give important background information,
  • A clearer picture of their needs
  • Learnings for me to better manage my place in the scenario
  • A way to be informed of trigger points for and against their improved mental health

Qu: In what ways would being included in your loved one’s treatment and support have helped you, and those you care for?

In response to: Re: Topic Tuesday // Feeling excluded in a loved ones treatment journey // Tues 21 Aug, 7pm AEDT

Lynne1Senior Contributor

Re: Topic Tuesday // Feeling excluded in a loved ones treatment journey // Tues 21 Aug, 7pm AEDT

Your advice is spot on. I especially appreciated your comment about not going into sessions with him, because he needs the privacy and freedom to speak for himself.

In response to: Re: Topic Tuesday // Feeling excluded in a loved ones treatment journey // Tues 21 Aug, 7pm AEDT

CharlieBravoContributor

Re: Topic Tuesday // Feeling excluded in a loved ones treatment journey // Tues 21 Aug, 7pm AEDT

Our diagnosed BP isn't under a treatment order, and I'm not sure whether she would qualify for one or not.

In response to: Re: Topic Tuesday // Feeling excluded in a loved ones treatment journey // Tues 21 Aug, 7pm AEDT

Unknown userMember

Re: Topic Tuesday // Feeling excluded in a loved ones treatment journey // Tues 21 Aug, 7pm AEDT

Cultural change can often be quite slow for sure @CharlieBravo And often it can depend on the culture of the service as to how much they supprot their staff to include family and carers.

Hi @Shaz51 Welcome to the discussion 🐼

Some great tips there @Former-Member Sounds like you do a really good job at negotiating your inclusion with Mr D and his treatment team.

In response to: Re: Topic Tuesday // Feeling excluded in a loved ones treatment journey // Tues 21 Aug, 7pm AEDT

CharlieBravoContributor

Re: Topic Tuesday // Feeling excluded in a loved ones treatment journey // Tues 21 Aug, 7pm AEDT

@Lynne1 wrote:

The effect of exclusion in my experience

I’ve been aware of some contact between the loved one in this scenario and their GP, some medications that have been prescribed, and various community crisis-based services that have given support. However I have never ever been included in any of these, nor invited, nor contacted. Quite likely, other than the GP, they don’t know I’m involved. And yet, I believe that being included would have provided:

  • Opportunities to give important background information,
  • A clearer picture of their needs
  • Learnings for me to better manage my place in the scenario
  • A way to be informed of trigger points for and against their improved mental health

Qu: In what ways would being included in your loved one’s treatment and support have helped you, and those you care for?

I agree, particularly about the opportunity to provide more background. We believe our BP can present very well to her therapists ansd workshop group, and that she tells them the rest of the family needs therapy, not her.

In response to: Re: Topic Tuesday // Feeling excluded in a loved ones treatment journey // Tues 21 Aug, 7pm AEDT

Lynne1Senior Contributor

Re: Topic Tuesday // Feeling excluded in a loved ones treatment journey // Tues 21 Aug, 7pm AEDT

Darcy, my last post was in response to your practical and informed comment, I left out your name. It's challenging for you that in spite of being so well informed and willing to contribute, you still feel invisible.

@Former-Member wrote:

@Lynne1

I have felt invisible despite being the responsible person for my husband of 34 years who was on a treatment order but no more.

These are the things that helped me

1. Knowing carer rights

2. Understanding how carer communication works and who'd responsibility it is - this is what works for us

- I email written observations and concerns to case worker prior yo consultation

- Pdoc sees patient with case worker on their own, at end of consult I get called in for summary, if Mr D wants me to advocate for him, this is when I speak up.

- I do not and would not go in to therapist appt - he needs to be able to speak to them freely without feeling I have influenced them.

-Case worker - we go in together - things that are discussed are safety plan.

I would suspect that lodging s complaint may have had a bearing on things.


.

In response to: Re: Topic Tuesday // Feeling excluded in a loved ones treatment journey // Tues 21 Aug, 7pm AEDT

Shaz51Senior Contributor

Re: Topic Tuesday // Feeling excluded in a loved ones treatment journey // Tues 21 Aug, 7pm AEDT

Firstly @Lynne1 I have felt the one blamed --- despite being the responsible person for my husband

Qu: In what ways would being included in your loved one’s treatment and support have helped you, and those you care for?

The specialist had told my husband to go on sickness benefits, wished he had included me and supported me on how to support my husband
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SANE acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders past and present.

SANE values diversity. We are committed to providing a safe, culturally appropriate, and inclusive service for all people, regardless of their ethnicity, faith, disability, sexuality, or gender identity.

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