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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.

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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

Unknown userMember14 May 2019, 8:08 pm AEST

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

Thanks @Former-Member

the other area I find needs a lot of work is the workplace. I lost my job due to discrimination and even now I find it difficult to deal with insurances sending me forms that are suitable for people who break their hand or something but not targeted for mental health. Even my case worker is not trained in mental health and it is upsetting. We need a lot of education in those areas.

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

Zoe7Senior Contributor14 May 2019, 8:09 pm AEST

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

For me stigma is looking at something or someone in a negative light - a feeling of shame is often associated with it @Former-Member

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

AdgeSenior Contributor14 May 2019, 8:09 pm AEST

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

Thanks @oceangirl I really appreciate what you said.

Last December I experienced the ED of a hospital, as a possible MI admission - for the 1st time in my life (at age 50).

Being sent there at all was directly brought about by my estranged siblings, who live interstate.

I felt like a prisoner, under observation for 10 hours.

Those were some of the most traumatising experiences that I have ever had.

When the staff were finally convinced that I can capably run my own home (& am safe), I was allowed to go home at 3am in the morning.

Adge

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

OwlunarSenior Contributor14 May 2019, 8:10 pm AEST

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

I managed to keep my voice down @oceangirl

I would not have dignified the discussion with an argument

Dec

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

Unknown userMember14 May 2019, 8:11 pm AEST

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

Thanks so much for your input tonight - I hope you've garnered a little insight into what the StigmaWatch team does. We'd love if you took a moment to sign up to become a StigmaWatcher - https://www.sane.org/services/stigmawatch and if you haven't had a chance to view our latest video explaining what the program does and how you can contribute, you can do so here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZtVhPRz_Go

Thanks again - this is such a wonderful, supportive community.

All the best - Stigmawatch team

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

Unknown userMember14 May 2019, 8:12 pm AEST

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

@Former-Member @Former-Member

I’ve created a post about stigma the other day forgetting about this event. I would really like some how we can break down stigma in our day to day life.

I have complex ptsd and bipolar 2. I always feel I have to explain myself and struggle to explain to people how difficult my everyday life can be, even with my partner. When I mention complex ptsd people either assume I’m a veteran or police man etc. explaining complex ptsd is for me to personal and triggering. So I mainly stick to bipolar 2 as a diagnosis. I know there’s a lot of self stigma within me and I feel defenceless and ashamed. And it makes me really tired to explain and defend and explain people that were not crazy...

It’s great to have the Sane stigma programs, but it’s so hard to live in an ignorant world. Discrimination at the work place has made me feel even more vulnerable and worthless. To be honest, I just don’t know if socialising is any helpful for me. I am just over people.

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

FracturedlightSenior Contributor14 May 2019, 8:13 pm AEST

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

@Former-Member stigma from my experience is based solely on judgement from looking at the outside without knowing what inner turmoil that person is experiencing. I think alot of stigma is based also on fear of the unknown

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

Unknown userMember14 May 2019, 8:14 pm AEST

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

Hey @BlueBay - this is lovely to hear. As so many have shared here, which I really do hear and very much validate that those are unfortuntately all to common experiences, it is nice to hear of some okay ones too. It's a little bit of hope, that maybe as we do educate more, feel more confident, work more with organisations and programs, we can break down those stigma trends in those support areas that can occur.

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

Unknown userMember14 May 2019, 8:15 pm AEST

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

@Zoe7 wonderful definition. That feeling of shame from the negativity is important to highlight too, thank you!

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

BlueBaySenior Contributor14 May 2019, 8:15 pm AEST

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

@Former-Member The stigma of my mental illness feels that I’m not normal. I don’t fit in. I feel embarrassed and really hate BPD

nit sure this makes sense. I’m nit good with explaining

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