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Topic Tuesday // Your mental health and the recent bushfires // Tues 28 Jan, 7pm AEST

Unknown userMember15 Jan 2020, 11:08 am AEDT

Topic Tuesday // Your mental health and the recent bushfires // Tues 28 Jan, 7pm AEST

The discussion has started, scroll down and keep refreshing your browser to see responses, and keep and eye on the page numbers as there is only 10 posts per page, then a new page will be created.

This event is open for everyone: for people with a direct experience of mental health issues as well as family, friends, loved ones and carers.

A range of impacts across the country

Ringing in 2020 might have felt confronting, complicated or downright tough for Australians as we have all felt/watched/been impacted by the current unprecedented bushfires across multiple states. Between being either close, directly in line with the fires or watching through the media - we want to use this online Forums event to talk as a community through the feelings around this as well as strategies to manage now and address the medium to long term impact these kind of events can have.

Online discussion with a mental health professional

We will have the wonderful @Daphne returning as our special guest who is a counsellor at SANE Australia and leads our counselling team both clinically and operationally. @Daphne has extensive experience as a counsellor in the mental health sector and has worked with both people whom live with mental health issues and their carers or family and friends.

Content warning & further support

Please be aware that this discussion could be triggering relating to trauma and PTSD. SANE Australia is committed to supporting people navigate the lasting impacts of the bushfire crisis and other traumatic events.

For access to ongoing support, the Australian Government has recently announced a mental health support package for people affected by the bushfires. If you have been affected by recent bushfire events and would like to access these supports you can call the Australian Government bushfire disaster assistance line on 180 22 66 or visit: https://www.lifeinmindaustralia.com.au/mental-health-support-for-bushfire-affected-communities.

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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.

What time does this event start in my timezone?

AEDT- 7pm
AEST- 6pm
ACDT- 6:30pm
ACST- 5:30pm
WST- 4pm

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108 replies

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In response to: Topic Tuesday // Your mental health and the recent bushfires // Tues 28 Jan, 7pm AEST

Unknown userMember28 Jan 2020, 8:50 pm AEDT

Re: Topic Tuesday // Your mental health and the recent bushfires // Tues 28 Jan, 7pm AEST

@greenspace @Shaz51 Yeah doing this sort of safety planning in advance can help us with a sense of having some control in situations where we feel really out of control. it's important to focus on the things that we can still control and stay in the moment.

In response to: Topic Tuesday // Your mental health and the recent bushfires // Tues 28 Jan, 7pm AEST

Unknown userMember28 Jan 2020, 8:51 pm AEDT

Re: Topic Tuesday // Your mental health and the recent bushfires // Tues 28 Jan, 7pm AEST

As we have also seen tonight - connection doesn't have to always be face to face. Its equally rewarding to share and connect with people in a safe online space like this!

Talking about ways to connect with people or community, has anyone seen some of the ways you can help out that don't involve money like crafting for some of the animals? That kind of thing can help bring connection, support and joy in one go as an option 🤗

In response to: Topic Tuesday // Your mental health and the recent bushfires // Tues 28 Jan, 7pm AEST

greenspaceSenior Contributor28 Jan 2020, 8:52 pm AEDT

Re: Topic Tuesday // Your mental health and the recent bushfires // Tues 28 Jan, 7pm AEST

@Former-Member wrote:
@greenspace @CheerBear @Adge @Shaz51 - you have all shared some really insightful things here. What do you think are the kind of strengths can you draw on to help manage the feeings we all been sharing?

I think my memories of past traumas and my vivid imagination can both be strengths or weaknesses, depending how I use them.

Remembering that I've survived a lot can help me believe I'll get through the difficulties now.

Being able to imagine that I'm somewhere safe, and that every living thing that needs help is getting help, calms me when I'm overwhelmed with distress for others.

In response to: Topic Tuesday // Your mental health and the recent bushfires // Tues 28 Jan, 7pm AEST

Unknown userMember28 Jan 2020, 8:53 pm AEDT

Re: Topic Tuesday // Your mental health and the recent bushfires // Tues 28 Jan, 7pm AEST

That is a great step to take @CheerBear ! Well done!

In response to: Topic Tuesday // Your mental health and the recent bushfires // Tues 28 Jan, 7pm AEST

Unknown userMember28 Jan 2020, 8:53 pm AEDT

Re: Topic Tuesday // Your mental health and the recent bushfires // Tues 28 Jan, 7pm AEST

That's great @CheerBear that you had some 'aha' moments from the chat tonight. I think it's always good to remember too that everyone is doing the best they can at the time - helps us be more compassionate and tolerant too I think

In response to: Re: Topic Tuesday // Your mental health and the recent bushfires // Tues 28 Jan, 7pm AEST

Shaz51Senior Contributor28 Jan 2020, 8:53 pm AEDT

Re: Topic Tuesday // Your mental health and the recent bushfires // Tues 28 Jan, 7pm AEST

I realised it could help my anxiety if I had an emergency kit, with tinned food, water, important papers, etc., same here @greenspace , @Former-Member , @Former-Member , @Former-Member , @CheerBear

In response to: Topic Tuesday // Your mental health and the recent bushfires // Tues 28 Jan, 7pm AEST

Joy139Casual Contributor28 Jan 2020, 8:54 pm AEDT

Re: Topic Tuesday // Your mental health and the recent bushfires // Tues 28 Jan, 7pm AEST

Hello back @Shaz51

Community and someone to talk with are so important as. As emergency service workers I would be typical in not wanting to traumatised others by talking about what I've seen and done so finding someone appropriate has been absolutely gold.

In response to: Re: Topic Tuesday // Your mental health and the recent bushfires // Tues 28 Jan, 7pm AEST

Unknown userMember28 Jan 2020, 8:55 pm AEDT

Re: Topic Tuesday // Your mental health and the recent bushfires // Tues 28 Jan, 7pm AEST

@greenspace - wow, that's such a great insight "Being able to imagine that I'm somewhere safe, and that every living thing that needs help is getting help, calms me when I'm overwhelmed with distress for others." It's not always easy being able to sit with discomfort although having this practice, I'm sure gives you a lot of peace

In response to: Topic Tuesday // Your mental health and the recent bushfires // Tues 28 Jan, 7pm AEST

Unknown userMember28 Jan 2020, 8:55 pm AEDT

Re: Topic Tuesday // Your mental health and the recent bushfires // Tues 28 Jan, 7pm AEST

@CheerBear That's great to be able to use the insight you have and to tread carefully. We all need to tread carefully and Without judgement as we learn that people experience these situations in all different ways. We don't know what people's histories are and just have to trust our own experience, honour that and look after ourselves in order to be able to stay connected with others or to withdraw as we need.

In response to: Re: Topic Tuesday // Your mental health and the recent bushfires // Tues 28 Jan, 7pm AEST

CheerBearSenior Contributor28 Jan 2020, 8:57 pm AEDT

Re: Topic Tuesday // Your mental health and the recent bushfires // Tues 28 Jan, 7pm AEST

Totally agree @Former-Member and @Former-Member 🙂

I like the idea of craft too @Former-Member. My daughter and I crocheted some nests. She was struggling with that sense of helplessness to an extent too. It felt really good to do something, even if it was just a tiny something.

Thanks heaps for this discussion tonight. It's been really helpful 🙂

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