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Topic Tuesday // Exploring Loneliness // Tues 18 Sep, 7pm AEDT

Unknown userMember21 Aug 2018, 4:27 pm AEST

Topic Tuesday // Exploring Loneliness // Tues 18 Sep, 7pm AEDT

For this Topic Tuesday, SANE Help Centre Manager @Former-Member, will be facilitating a discussion that looks at loneliness, how it feels, your thoughts and experiences. This is a topic that comes up a lot for members and with the help of the forum we can find connection, but what other strategies can be put in place? Let’s share and brainstorm together in this Topic Tuesday.

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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.

If you have any questions about how to use the Forums, check out our Guides.

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In response to: Topic Tuesday // Exploring Loneliness // Tues 18 Sep, 7pm AEDT

DeepseaCasual Contributor18 Sept 2018, 8:04 pm AEST

Re: Topic Tuesday // Exploring Loneliness // Tues 18 Sep, 7pm AEDT

Agree MoonGal. I was sent home with my volunteer work. I volunteered with an organisation to make connections with other like-minded people.... it was very disappointing, again. just made me feel like a failure once again

In response to: Topic Tuesday // Exploring Loneliness // Tues 18 Sep, 7pm AEDT

Shaz51Senior Contributor18 Sept 2018, 8:07 pm AEST

Re: Topic Tuesday // Exploring Loneliness // Tues 18 Sep, 7pm AEDT

I did have a couple of friends , but now we have none @Former-Member

In response to: Topic Tuesday // Exploring Loneliness // Tues 18 Sep, 7pm AEDT

MoonGalSenior Contributor18 Sept 2018, 8:08 pm AEST

Re: Topic Tuesday // Exploring Loneliness // Tues 18 Sep, 7pm AEDT

@Zoe7 that is true for me some of the time too. I actually mostly like my own company learned through complex childhood stuff to just be on my own. I zig zag between being eternally grateful for beng on my own most of the time to then feeling shrunken and invisible. Neither is 'healthy' for me really.

In response to: Topic Tuesday // Exploring Loneliness // Tues 18 Sep, 7pm AEDT

Unknown userMember18 Sept 2018, 8:08 pm AEST

Re: Topic Tuesday // Exploring Loneliness // Tues 18 Sep, 7pm AEDT

Great points @Teej. There's a real trap to thinking 'when I'm well enough I'll....' that I'm sure a lot of people relate to.

In response to: Re: Topic Tuesday // Exploring Loneliness // Tues 18 Sep, 7pm AEDT

Liss23Senior Contributor18 Sept 2018, 8:10 pm AEST

Re: Topic Tuesday // Exploring Loneliness // Tues 18 Sep, 7pm AEDT

I think we all need to make a real effort to make connections when we can. Small steps

In response to: Re: Topic Tuesday // Exploring Loneliness // Tues 18 Sep, 7pm AEDT

utopiaSenior Contributor18 Sept 2018, 8:11 pm AEST

Re: Topic Tuesday // Exploring Loneliness // Tues 18 Sep, 7pm AEDT

@MoonGal. Definitely have a look at some groups you may like. Volunteer, join a group. It's all about trying to get out there and socialise.

In response to: Topic Tuesday // Exploring Loneliness // Tues 18 Sep, 7pm AEDT

Unknown userMember18 Sept 2018, 8:12 pm AEST

Re: Topic Tuesday // Exploring Loneliness // Tues 18 Sep, 7pm AEDT

I like the buddy idea @MoonGal!

In the UK they're reallly recognised the extend and impact of loneliness and they now have a loneliness Minister who is responsible for addressing it nationally. I think it's a great step forward and one we should implement here.

But you've reminded us that even when programs exist we need to take an extra step to be inclusive and to help people become involved.

In response to: Re: Topic Tuesday // Exploring Loneliness // Tues 18 Sep, 7pm AEDT

MoonGalSenior Contributor18 Sept 2018, 8:14 pm AEST

Re: Topic Tuesday // Exploring Loneliness // Tues 18 Sep, 7pm AEDT

(Minister for Loneliness - sounds like an Aldous Huxley novel. Don't know whether to laugh or cry.)

In response to: Re: Topic Tuesday // Exploring Loneliness // Tues 18 Sep, 7pm AEDT

Jonty8Contributor18 Sept 2018, 8:14 pm AEST

Re: Topic Tuesday // Exploring Loneliness // Tues 18 Sep, 7pm AEDT

I think my own situation with loneliness is further complicated by age factors. I've noticed a steady drop off of friendships after my mid 20's (I'm in my mid 30's now). The vast majority of my peers are married and have kids. Finding people my age who are not committed to partners and children is getting increasingly difficult.

In response to: Re: Topic Tuesday // Exploring Loneliness // Tues 18 Sep, 7pm AEDT

Unknown userMember18 Sept 2018, 8:15 pm AEST

Re: Topic Tuesday // Exploring Loneliness // Tues 18 Sep, 7pm AEDT

There's a great book out at the moment called "Lost Connections' that looks at the social reasons for depression and anxiety. The author tells a great story about how a GP in the UK got sick of prescribing so many anti-depressants and so wanted an alternative approach. So he started prescribing patients to join a community garden. It was essential a scrap of dirt outside the surgery that gradually got turned into a lovely garden. And the impact on the patients was huge - less isolation, better health, less loneliness. And less need for meds. It's inspiring stuff. But not common enough yet.

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