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When fighting stigma is too hard

Unknown userMember13 May 2019, 10:12 pm AEST

When fighting stigma is too hard

Hi all,

i believe in fighting stigma and and I want to make a difference, it I’m tired. Stigma is all around us, whether it’s mental health, gender identity, ... and I am tired. Sometimes I think it’s better to pull my head in and hide. I haven’t got the energy to explain, explain again, explain all over again and try an make someone understand. I try to go out, I know I shouldn’t isolate, but there’s so much stigma and outright discrimination.

how do you feel and how do you deal with it?

4 replies

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In response to: When fighting stigma is too hard

Ali11Senior Contributor13 May 2019, 10:20 pm AEST

Re: When fighting stigma is too hard

Hi @Former-Member, we agree with you that we need to fight the stigma. Have you seen SANE Australia's Stigma Pledge and StigmaWatch? You can find out more information on both of these programs here: https://www.sane.org/stigmapledge and here: https://www.sane.org/services/stigmawatch.

In response to: Re: When fighting stigma is too hard

Unknown userMember13 May 2019, 10:33 pm AEST

Re: When fighting stigma is too hard

Hi @Ali11

yes i I know about the SANE campaigns, but it doesn’t change what people say to me directly. It’s a start if the media and politicians get (at some point) a grip of dealing with these issues, but there is a large proportion of the population who don’t care, not one little bit. And if I need to live in this world and with people, I’ll be confronted with this all the time. And I’m tired of it. Really tired.

In response to: Re: When fighting stigma is too hard

Ali11Senior Contributor14 May 2019, 7:48 pm AEST

Re: When fighting stigma is too hard

That's understandable @Former-Member, society can be a cruel and confronting place at times. Every conversation helps! There's a quote at the end of Cloud Atlas where a lawyer decides to devote his life to abolishing slavery, and his father-in-law (trying to discourage him) says "Nothing you ever do will amount to any more than a single drop in a limitless ocean." The lawyer replies, "But what is any ocean other than a multitude of drops?"
It's a good reminder that even if our individual actions seem small, they add up and can float our ships or wash away the dirt. Sending you love

In response to: Re: When fighting stigma is too hard

frogSenior Contributor14 May 2019, 8:00 pm AEST

Re: When fighting stigma is too hard

@Former-Member sometimes I feel the same... the ignorance and lack of compassion we have to confront is demoralising. There is nothing wrong with retreating for self care. I try to be conscious of when that option is beneficial, but also aware of when isolation is harmful. It can feel like being between a rock and a hard place. Just wanted to say that you're not alone. Take care.

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