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Topic Tuesday // How to support yourself while supporting others // Tues 18 June, 7pm AEST

Unknown userMember

Topic Tuesday // How to support yourself while supporting others // Tues 18 June, 7pm AEST

When we have lived experience of complex mental health, it's natural to want to reach out and support those who are also navigating the recovery journey. Connecting and engaging with others who understand our narrative is a powerful tool to self-healing. But sometimes it's easy to become overwhelmed and at times anxious as we try to manage our own symptoms alongside someone else's.

Join us for this Topic Tuesday as we feature special guest - Senior Clinician, Julia from @eheadspace to discuss maintaining our own mental wellbeing whilst supporting others. Please note whilst this event features some youth related topics, it is open to members of all ages.

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.

How do I get involved?

Topic Tuesday takes place right here! It's text based, so no software is needed. During the session, to keep up with the latest posts hit the 'refresh' button on your browser for the latest posts (it doesn't automatically update). Keep an eye for page numbers at the top & bottom of the page, and jump to the highest page number for the most recent post.

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.

If you have any questions about how to use the Forums, check out our Guides.

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In response to: Topic Tuesday // How to support yourself while supporting others // Tues 18 June, 7pm AEST

eheadspaceSenior Contributor

Re: Topic Tuesday // How to support yourself while supporting others // Tues 18 June, 7pm AEST

Hi @Shakeelah25 Thanks so much for your question! I can imagine that it must feel impossible to find time for self care when you are the sole carer of a terminally ill parent and trying to maintain studies. I am really glad to hear you have some support in place for yourself in terms of at your local headspace centre and at eheadspace- this forms a very important part of self care, so as much as you can try and continue attending your appointments. Sometimes finding even 5 minutes in your day to make yourself a cup of tea, go outside and breath in some fresh air or just walk around the block, I know it might not sound easy but really trying to do at least one nice thing for yourself each day is important. You may even like to talk to your counsellor about developing a self care plan that is manageable and achievable amongst your busy schedule, hope that helps!

In response to: Topic Tuesday // How to support yourself while supporting others // Tues 18 June, 7pm AEST

Unknown userMember

Re: Topic Tuesday // How to support yourself while supporting others // Tues 18 June, 7pm AEST

@Former-Member @eheadspace

Ive had to deal with several people who were suicidal. The first time I talked to some helpline after to make sure I had done enough.

I care for people, I’m very empathetic, people like me, but I often feel like a door mat because I help and help but don’t get help - I’m not saying it’s all their fault because I’m not good at asking for help to start with and I’m very careful to share my story because I don’t want to trigger people.

Ive been hurt heaps. I’m at the point where I wonder if I should have friends with mental health problems. I’m exhausted and I can’t deal with my own shit.

In response to: Topic Tuesday // How to support yourself while supporting others // Tues 18 June, 7pm AEST

greenspaceSenior Contributor

Re: Topic Tuesday // How to support yourself while supporting others // Tues 18 June, 7pm AEST

Hi @Shakeelah25

That is such a tough situation to be in.

I was a working carer for my mum for several years, then full-time carer for her last month. I was very lucky to have my sister's support, whether long-distance or being there too. Being the only carer is a lot for you.

Is there a carer's support group you can get to? I found it helpful to meet once a month with other carers who were going through similar things, and who also used dark humour sometimes to cope with it all.

In response to: Re: Topic Tuesday // How to support yourself while supporting others // Tues 18 June, 7pm AEST

Shakeelah25Senior Contributor

Re: Topic Tuesday // How to support yourself while supporting others // Tues 18 June, 7pm AEST

Thanks. It is difficult but I can try. I really have to stay home but sometimes scrolling through FB kind of works as a distraction

In response to: Topic Tuesday // How to support yourself while supporting others // Tues 18 June, 7pm AEST

Kylie2Casual Contributor

Re: Topic Tuesday // How to support yourself while supporting others // Tues 18 June, 7pm AEST

Hello everyone

I am new here. Sometimes self care in itself can feel like a burden. That's because we mistake self care as being task focused. Instead, we need to consider self care as being frequent choice making and thus process focused.

In response to: Re: Topic Tuesday // How to support yourself while supporting others // Tues 18 June, 7pm AEST

Unknown userMember

Re: Topic Tuesday // How to support yourself while supporting others // Tues 18 June, 7pm AEST

Hey @Kylie2 Yes I love this notion! Integrating self-care as almost a practice, not so much an outcome driven task. Thank you so much for sharing. Also welcome

In response to: Re: Topic Tuesday // How to support yourself while supporting others // Tues 18 June, 7pm AEST

ethSenior Contributor

Re: Topic Tuesday // How to support yourself while supporting others // Tues 18 June, 7pm AEST

Hi everyone @Former-Member @eheadspace @Adge @greenspace @Former-Member @Shaz51 @BlueBay and anyone I've missed (sorry)

Great topic, much needed by lots of us. And off to a racing start. I'll just follow along for now, but want to say I've been a carer at home and at work for a few decades (yes I'm an oldie). I also have my own mental health challenges. I think it would be great to talk about 'compassion fatigue' and how to prevent it.

In response to: Re: Topic Tuesday // How to support yourself while supporting others // Tues 18 June, 7pm AEST

Shakeelah25Senior Contributor

Re: Topic Tuesday // How to support yourself while supporting others // Tues 18 June, 7pm AEST

There really aren't any groups nearby. I usually use a helpline or chat online because my peers don't understand

In response to: Re: Topic Tuesday // How to support yourself while supporting others // Tues 18 June, 7pm AEST

Kylie2Casual Contributor

Re: Topic Tuesday // How to support yourself while supporting others // Tues 18 June, 7pm AEST

For example, instead of thinking of self care in extravagant terms like getting a massage or having a session in a float tank... All sort of tasks. Self care is more like saying no to someone's request, then offering an alternative to achieve that person's goal nut on your terms. Or even choosing to change your bed linen on a particular day so your rewarding yourself instrad of thinking of breaking as a task.

In response to: Re: Topic Tuesday // How to support yourself while supporting others // Tues 18 June, 7pm AEST

Shaz51Senior Contributor

Re: Topic Tuesday // How to support yourself while supporting others // Tues 18 June, 7pm AEST

@Former-Member I always seems to be running on empty . how can i helpmyself @greenspace

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