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

FracturedlightSenior Contributor14 May 2019, 8:28 pm AEST

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

@Former-Member most of the time I find I just need someone to sit in the silence with me. That panic in your mind can be eased by someone just sitting in 'it' with you. It's very hard to explain it to someone when you don't understand it yourself. A lot of the time I explain what I am feeling in reference to trying to talk underwater if that makes sense?

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

Unknown userMember14 May 2019, 8:31 pm AEST

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

Thanks @Former-Member - its lovely to hear of supportive and postive experiences where stigma has not existed when expressing your own mental health.

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

TeejSenior Contributor14 May 2019, 8:32 pm AEST

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

I think I would like to tell people that everyone with a mi is different, even with the same diagnosis, we experience things differently. I would tell people to ask me questions so they can clarify their own myths or misunderstandings. Education is key to reducing stigma, ignorance breeds it.

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

Unknown userMember14 May 2019, 8:32 pm AEST

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

@Former-Member

I have severe anxiety from complex ptsd. I ask people what they are scared of, heights, spiders etc and ask them if they have fallen, been bitten by a spider etc or if their fears are ‘just fears’ and I ask them how strong that fear is. Once I know what they are scared of and that it is a fear ‘without evidence’ I use it as an example when I feel fear and say, I now feel how you feel when you’re scared of spiders. That helps.

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

Zoe7Senior Contributor14 May 2019, 8:33 pm AEST

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

Agree @Teej Education and reducing the myths around MI is key.

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

Unknown userMember14 May 2019, 8:34 pm AEST

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

That's so frustrating @Owlunar - have you found other instances in your life where you have had good experiences when talking about or expressing your health? How have those conversations happened?

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

FracturedlightSenior Contributor14 May 2019, 8:34 pm AEST

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

@BlueBay I'm so sorry you feel all that. From what I have researched about BPD it's very intricrit and complex. More needs to be done in this area for sure. You are not alone ever.

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

Unknown userMember14 May 2019, 8:35 pm AEST

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

@Fracturedlight and @BlueBay you both speak about describing your emotions or feelings to others, rather than focusing on explaining exactly what 'it' is or your diagnosis - have you found that has been a good way to start off feeling comfortable to educate others around you a bit?

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

AdgeSenior Contributor14 May 2019, 8:36 pm AEST

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

I had prolonged traumatic experiences spanning about 20 years - that's why I have complex PTSD.

That's very difficult to explain or get across to people, because mention of it seems threatening (to some).

Adge

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

BlueBaySenior Contributor14 May 2019, 8:37 pm AEST

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

@Fracturedlight

Thankyou

because at times it does feel very lonely 😢

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