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Topic Tuesday: The positive side of mental health difficulties closed

NikNikSenior Contributor08 Sept 2014, 12:18 pm AEST

Topic Tuesday: The positive side of mental health difficulties closed

Hi everyone,

Welcome to Topic Tuesday!

Last week when we closed the poll we found that overwhelmingly people wanted to discuss the “gifts” or “positives” that have come from their mental health difficulty or experience with mental illness.

Around the forums I have seen many discussions about these 'gifts'. Some have discussed how mental illness has increased self - awareness, other discussions have touched on how their experience has helped others.

What have some of the positives or gifts that have come from your experiences?

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In response to: Topic Tuesday: The positive side of mental health difficulties *closed*

deckofdreamsCasual Contributor09 Sept 2014, 7:57 pm AEST

Re: Topic Tuesday: The positive side of mental health difficulties NOW OPEN

I like what you said there Alessandra1992 and agree:

"I am grateful that my life would not be this good if I hadn't been unwell"

In response to: Topic Tuesday: The positive side of mental health difficulties *closed*

Alessandra1992Senior Contributor09 Sept 2014, 8:00 pm AEST

Re: Topic Tuesday: The positive side of mental health difficulties NOW OPEN

It is ridiculous that people would think it helpful to say there are others worse off than you.
Really insensitive and I would be offended if anyone said it to me.
However, when people said to me in group, it's going to be ok, you are not alone, we are here for you..well that made all the difference😄

In response to: Topic Tuesday: The positive side of mental health difficulties *closed*

BatGuanoSenior Contributor09 Sept 2014, 8:00 pm AEST

Re: Topic Tuesday: The positive side of mental health difficulties NOW OPEN

sorry karma, i raved a bit there

what you might be saying is

self-worth, self-esteem, goal setting

believing in yourself

having achievable plans

hope

In response to: Re: Topic Tuesday: The positive side of mental health difficulties *NOW OPEN*

JTSenior Contributor09 Sept 2014, 8:02 pm AEST

Re: Topic Tuesday: The positive side of mental health difficulties NOW OPEN

Life is a journey from begining to end. I may not always like what I find in each "town" I visit but at least MI keeps things interesting so I'll never fall asleep at the "wheel".

In response to: Topic Tuesday: The positive side of mental health difficulties *closed*

Alessandra1992Senior Contributor09 Sept 2014, 8:06 pm AEST

Re: Topic Tuesday: The positive side of mental health difficulties NOW OPEN

The positives take a while to emerge, but often we get an inkling from other peers who spot the changes in us before we do..it's hard to believe in yourself when you don't trust your feelings or your thinking.

But when other people start saying, I really like that idea, or thanking you for your suggestion last week, well heck, I think your self esteem starts a tingling that maybe, just maybe I am not as hopeless or as helpless as I thought or especially what other people have been telling me that I am crap or useless...

Mutual support is where we get this positive cycle that we care for each other..it is a great gift..

In response to: Topic Tuesday: The positive side of mental health difficulties *closed*

DebbiCasual Contributor09 Sept 2014, 8:10 pm AEST

Re: Topic Tuesday: The positive side of mental health difficulties NOW OPEN

By saying 'you are not alone' Iwas meaning if it's said by supportive people who are going or have gone through MI themselves😊

In response to: Re: Topic Tuesday: The positive side of mental health difficulties *NOW OPEN*

NikNikSenior Contributor09 Sept 2014, 8:17 pm AEST

Re: Topic Tuesday: The positive side of mental health difficulties NOW OPEN

Well! What an interesting discussion.

In wrapping up tonight & reading over all of your posts, I feel inspired.

Alessandra concluded the discussion nicely:

"The positives take a while to emerge, but often we get an inkling from other peers who spot the changes in us before we do..it's hard to believe in yourself when you don't trust your feelings or your thinking."

Thank you all for your contribution tonight.

I want to leave you with the story of Juan Mann. Some of you may know him has a "Free Hugs" guy. I thought he was an interesting example of someone who has found a positive in their tough time.

You can see his original video here

And hear his story here

Havea great night!

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