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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.

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

MoonGalSenior Contributor18 Sept 2018, 7:45 pm AEST

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

Yes! But how? I am so unreliable due to physical or mental ill health that I might line something up but then be having a bad day.week whatever and end up reneging, people stop asking. When I do catch up with my former crew round some event that we all attend, everyone says "You look SO well" and "We must catch up". But we never do. I don;t KNOW how to reconnect - should I start volunteering sowmehere, but then know I might not be able to do my 'shift' or whatever. I don;t want to let people down.

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

PinkyContributor18 Sept 2018, 7:46 pm AEST

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

I would 100% agree that we need people in an offline world. Although, it should be recognised that for some people with SMI, connecting face-to-face may not be an option. It may be too daunting a task, and so the on-line world is incredibly necessary and helpful for providing connection

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

Unknown userMember18 Sept 2018, 7:46 pm AEST

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

Nice to see you here at Topic Tuesday @TAB 🙂 Not sure if we've ever crossed paths at one of them before. Is this a topic close to your heart?

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

utopiaSenior Contributor18 Sept 2018, 7:48 pm AEST

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

I'm trying to make a connection with community @Former-Member. I had a good friend I met here but she died nearly 2 years ago. Now it's trying to find who are my people. I don't think I trust my own instincts on this anymore.

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

TABSenior Contributor18 Sept 2018, 7:48 pm AEST

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

Hi @Former-Member yeah 1st time caller .. not long time listener ..lol um yeah and its very topical atm re subject

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

YabithaContributor18 Sept 2018, 7:48 pm AEST

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

Just got here!

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

DeepseaCasual Contributor18 Sept 2018, 7:48 pm AEST

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

I have eventually thought too that if people didnt need me then I would just have to learn to live without them (even though they were around). I have spent most of my life alone. Raising children alone (while married). I have close friends who I can call on for help but I am not part of their life...not included in their family life.

I dont have any parents, nor do I have siblings that I want to have anything to do with. Family and inclusivity is a big thing to me but Im always kept an arms length away by my friends. I once included friends in my family functions but not now.

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

Unknown userMember18 Sept 2018, 7:49 pm AEST

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

@Jonty8 I think you've described the crux of how living with a mental health concern can isolate people. It's hard to be out of step with people discussing work and family life. But I wonder if the isolation comes at a cost?

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

BunniekinsSenior Contributor18 Sept 2018, 7:50 pm AEST

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

@MoonGal Hi MoonGal I have looked at many places to volunteer and the majority have waiting lists!!! I would love to get back into the work force some how but at the moment with a mind like mine it is not possible .... but I haven't given up 🙂

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

Zoe7Senior Contributor18 Sept 2018, 7:50 pm AEST

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

This forum is certainly a great place to connect with people that are similar to each other in respect of having or living with someone who has a mental illness - and that sense of community is very apparent here...but I agree with you @Former-Member that those connections in the off-line world are very important. I think a lot of us connect on here because we don't have that outlet in the offline world and therefore the forum becomes our 'safe place' - here we form very real connections and become close to people - and that is invaluable in many f our lives. I can say that some of the connections I have made here mean more to me than those I have in the offline world - maybe that is because of how much easier it is to share what is really going on in my life here without any judgements and maybe it is because of the very real sense of compassion and caring shown - whatever the reasons - this community matters a great deal to me.

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