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Topic Tuesday // Stigma// Tues 14 May, 7pm AEST

Unknown userMember02 May 2019, 3:49 pm AEST

Topic Tuesday // Stigma// Tues 14 May, 7pm AEST

SANE Australia has just launched a video campaign to promote its StigmaWatch program (check it out here) and encourage the public to report stigmatising content that they see in the Australian media. StigmaWatch was established back in 1997 to promote responsible reporting of mental illness and suicide in the Autralian media.

We thought it would be a great time to have a chat about stigma. For the first hour of this event we will have special guest @Former-Member with us to chat about stigma in the media. For the second hour @Former-Member will lead a discussion on stigma more generally in our lives, how it affects us and how we approach it.

Want to receive an email reminder on the night? Hit the 'Support' 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.

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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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126 replies

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In response to: Topic Tuesday // Stigma// Tues 14 May, 7pm AEST

FracturedlightSenior Contributor14 May 2019, 8:50 pm AEST

Re: Topic Tuesday // Stigma// Tues 14 May, 7pm AEST

@Former-Member I try everyday to think and act in ways that serve me well rather than focusing on lies that my mind is telling me. Cancel, clear, delete anything that doesn't serve me well.

In response to: Topic Tuesday // Stigma// Tues 14 May, 7pm AEST

TeejSenior Contributor14 May 2019, 8:51 pm AEST

Re: Topic Tuesday // Stigma// Tues 14 May, 7pm AEST

Thank you for very kind words @oceangirl . I have had some not so great experiences in the past.

@BlueBay I gave up telling my diagnosis because it was too hard. Sometimes I think it’s easier to say things like I struggle with huge emotions, fear of abandonment etc. Once you describe how you are affected I think it gets easier. Having said that it has taken me years of experience and an understanding that I am not my diagnosis. I am a person first who happens to struggle with emotion regulation, anxiety and ? XYZ. It depends on the person as to what I’d say. I might mention to what degree I experience those symptoms (like self harm) or not. I think it helps people to understand that we are seeking help to overcome it but it is a long process.

In response to: Topic Tuesday // Stigma// Tues 14 May, 7pm AEST

Zoe7Senior Contributor14 May 2019, 8:52 pm AEST

Re: Topic Tuesday // Stigma// Tues 14 May, 7pm AEST

I personally chose to rise above all the neagtivity around me and just do what I had to do in my job. I then had to make a very big decision to move from where I had been for so long to get away from what had become a toxic environment. That was the best decision I could have made as it brought me to an environment where looking after our mental health is not just supported but celebrated. It has - for me - been a real turning point in my progression forward. Beeing able to have those conversations around what I need and having supportive people to actually ask 'how they can help' is something that has really changed my persepctive on what a supportive workplace can be.

In response to: Topic Tuesday // Stigma// Tues 14 May, 7pm AEST

FracturedlightSenior Contributor14 May 2019, 8:53 pm AEST

Re: Topic Tuesday // Stigma// Tues 14 May, 7pm AEST

@BlueBay I know it does. There's a huge difference in alone and lonely. Both hurt but both are temporary emotions. Always here!

In response to: Re: Topic Tuesday // Stigma// Tues 14 May, 7pm AEST

OwlunarSenior Contributor14 May 2019, 8:53 pm AEST

Re: Topic Tuesday // Stigma// Tues 14 May, 7pm AEST

Hi @Fracturedlight

I notice that you are a fairly new contributer here and I would like to take this chance to welcome you to the forum family - I am really glad you have joined the discussion here tonight

Dec

In response to: Re: Topic Tuesday // Stigma// Tues 14 May, 7pm AEST

BlueBaySenior Contributor14 May 2019, 8:53 pm AEST

Re: Topic Tuesday // Stigma// Tues 14 May, 7pm AEST

Thankyou @Teej ❤️

In response to: Topic Tuesday // Stigma// Tues 14 May, 7pm AEST

AdgeSenior Contributor14 May 2019, 8:54 pm AEST

Re: Topic Tuesday // Stigma// Tues 14 May, 7pm AEST

Journal writing helps me, as an emotional outlet @Former-Member

When I'm feeling overwhelmed, or misunderstood (& not acknowledged).

No one gets to hear it, or to read what I write - it still does help.

Adge

In response to: Re: Topic Tuesday // Stigma// Tues 14 May, 7pm AEST

BlueBaySenior Contributor14 May 2019, 8:54 pm AEST

Re: Topic Tuesday // Stigma// Tues 14 May, 7pm AEST

Me too welcome @Fracturedlight ❤️

In response to: Topic Tuesday // Stigma// Tues 14 May, 7pm AEST

Unknown userMember14 May 2019, 8:56 pm AEST

Re: Topic Tuesday // Stigma// Tues 14 May, 7pm AEST

I try to distract and self soothe when I get impacted by stigma and discuss it in my next therapy session. As I mentioned before it increases my feeling of worthlessness and then my suicidal thoughts. I find dealing with stigma paralysing especially when I’m unwell. And I find it so unfair. I have complex ptsd from childhood and I needed love and support then which I didn’t get and when it happens with stigma now I feel so much shame and guilt for something I didn’t cause, but I can’t help feeling like that.

In response to: Re: Topic Tuesday // Stigma// Tues 14 May, 7pm AEST

FracturedlightSenior Contributor14 May 2019, 8:57 pm AEST

Re: Topic Tuesday // Stigma// Tues 14 May, 7pm AEST

@BlueBay @Teej I'm slowly learning too that not everyone has a right to know your story. We can pick and choose who are lucky enough to hear it. We are all unique individuals with amazing stories and our strength and courage should be celebrated with those we feel would benefit from hearing about what goes on in our lives. I am still learning and have learnt the had way that not everyone values your story.

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