Mod. Notice Mental Health Thread

[caesar88]

Yesterday was World Mental Health Day, but really, every day should be mental health day. It's a serious issue that millions of people go through, and it should be talked about more so that people can get the emotional or practical support they need without feeling ashamed or alone.

In light of World Mental Health Day and the issue's importance, this will be a thread for all things mental-health related. Feeling anxious or depressed? Alone or isolated? Just want to share your day-to-day experiences with your mental health, good or bad? This is the place for you to share.

The mods have discussed this and we will ensure this thread is a judgment-free zone. It's purely for honesty, vulnerability & support. Any controversial opinions on mental health, or any criticisms or negative personal comments, will not be tolerated.

If sharing in an online forum isn't for you, or you feel you need additional support in your life, we've provided a list of resources below that could be useful, and we here at Bigfooty strongly encourage you to seek this support and assistance if needed.

FOR EMERGENCY SUPPORT

Call 000 if your life is in danger.

Beyond Blue - https://www.beyondblue.org.au/ | call (03) 9810 6100 | Email is listed at https://www.beyondblue.org.au/about/contact-us

(For deaf community assistance, connect to the National Relay Service (https://www.accesshub.gov.au/about-the-nrs) and ask for 1300 22 4636, or call TTY on 1800 555 677 and ask for 1300 22 4636)

Lifeline - https://www.lifeline.org.au/ | call 13 11 14 | For enquiries, see the online chat available 24/7 on the website.

Suicide Call Back Service - https://www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au/ | call 1300 659 467

FOR GENERAL MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES

ReachOut - https://au.reachout.com/

Headspace - https://www.headspace.com/ (Requires online registration)

Griefline - https://griefline.org.au/ | call 1300 845 745

Black Dog Institute - https://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/

FOR CHILDREN SUPPORT

Kids Helpline - https://kidshelpline.com.au/ | call 1800 55 1800 | admin@kidshelpline.com.au (available 8am - 5pm, Monday to Friday)

FOR ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER SUPPORT

13 YARN - 13YARN.org.au | call 13 92 76 (available 24/7)

FOR DOMESTIC & FAMILY VIOLENCE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT SUPPORT

1800Respect - 1800respect.org.au | call 1800 737 732 (available 24/7) | Online chat services available 24/7 on the website.

Mensline Australia - https://mensline.org.au/ | call 1300 78 99 78 | Online chat available on the website.

Relationships Australia - https://www.relationships.org.au/ | call 1300 364 277

FOR SUBSTANCE ABUSE SUPPORT

National Alcohol and Other Drugs Hotline - call 1800 250 015

Family Drug Support - call 1300 368 186

Stimulant Treatment Line - call 1800 101 188

Counselling Online - https://www.counsellingonline.org.au/

Alcoholics Anonymous Australia - https://aa.org.au/ | call 1300 222 222

Narcotics Anonymous Australia - https://www.na.org.au/multi/ | call 1300 652 820

FOR EATING DISORDER SUPPORT

Butterfly Foundation - https://butterfly.org.au/ | call 1800 33 4673 | Online chat available on the website.

FOR LGBTIQA+ SUPPORT

Rainbow Door - https://www.rainbowdoor.org.au/ | call 1800 729 367 (available 10am - 5pm everyday) | support@rainbowdoor.org.au

QLife - https://qlife.org.au/ | call 1800 184 527 | Online chat available on the website.

FOR DISABILITY SUPPORT

Disability Gateway - https://www.disabilitygateway.gov.au/health-wellbeing | call 1800 555 677 and 13 14 50 for interpreter.

FOR GAMBLING SUPPORT

Gambling Help Online - https://www.gamblinghelponline.org.au/ | call 1800 858 858 | Online chat available on the website.

Feel free to share any more resources you find in this thread.

 

[Ceehook]

A few years back for RUOK day , somebody set up a session to discus, I had to laugh , everyone there were strong independent types , future managers

By the time the session was almost over raised the point if there are people at work struggling they are come to one of us.

That seemed to have general agreement , so I raised , how do we help ?

Active listening was pretty much the only idea, which is important .

I have recognized a problem with a staff member struggling with a partner with MS so I got a number for a work organized counselor . It had some success and gave him some coping mechanisms . So worth doing and a shouting out to Caesar for posting

 

[Rory Walkerfield]

Great initiative.

Everyone, and I mean everyone, will have some degree of mental vulnerability at some point in their life.

You are never alone, even when you feel that you are.

 

[Verdun]

Got a minute to Take a minute? - Take a minute

takeaminute.com.au

MH is about what is available to us not only about what is wrong similar to physical health

 

[cairo tiger]

You have my support for this one, lets keep the MH vibe going, look out for each other, look out for ourselves, dont be scared there is help out there

 

[Kiama Chris]

Thanks Caesar, having those resources close to hand is valuable. My wife did a few years as a Lifeline counsellor and says that it is terrifying what is out there where people have no support and are scared and lonely. We've had some experience in our extended family and it ain't no picnic. So our best to all those dealing with it.

 

[Cleric]

Great to see. There's lots of help out there people. You will get through it, and there will be good times after that bad pass, and they will pass.

 

[MALTSY]

Developed crippling anxiety after a trauma many years ago and it was the scariest thing I’ve ever been through. Never thought I’d make it back. But here I am, stronger for the experience with loads more empathy for those suffering with a mental health condition. Supportive people that are non judgmental and able to reassure you that things will get better are the best! Avoid or at least filter advice from self professed gurus and untrained counsel.
You will get through.

 

[Ceehook]

Over the past 12 months or so I’ve had more than a few chats with my adults sons about mental health type issues , they are 29 , 32 & 34
For young adult males many if not all run into trouble with grog , drugs or gambling and the prevalence is frighteningly common

We know of two guys in their 30’s have ruined their lives thru gambling , that might sound like a throw away. , but one involved drawing down big amounts from a mortgage to play pokies and casino gamble , of course marriage split turmoil in broader family , he seems like he might be tracking ok but it has ruined his life and another case a guy , non drinker totally absorbed by pokies and sports betting , has zero to his name , marriage break up , took deposits on jobs and didn’t buy the materials , gambled instead , he has multiple court cases being brought against him so has fled the country

These more extreme cases need professional help not a chat over 5 or 6 schooners
For these two cases I’d rate the people as very decent but they have an illness

There is a third case where the guy has gone off the rails with all 3 , he owes a lot of money to a lot of people and one being the ATO so I suspect jail time there . I don’t rate his morale compass as too great before he got into trouble

The message I’d put out there is if we have family , friends or work colleges needing help we encourage and support them seeking professional help and don’t let it feel like a stigma

 

[4Seasons]

When I read the bulldog gameday threads, and threads after a loss, I feel for some of our players. I feel people caring about MH has a long way to go, and is currently just all talk.

 

[Ceehook]

Hmm people liking but not contributing

Here’s one for people to comment
I have twins that are now late 20s
The girl landed what looked like a good job in a hospital only to find out she had a toxic micro manager as a boss , a week into the job a team mate quit with no job to go to because she couldn’t stand the manager anymore , my advice to my daughter was to leave , look for a job elsewhere , your well-being is to important
DONT try and fight for justice

My son comes to just a few weeks ago , he works in a political party but not a political role , he has had a woman come to him and ask to put in a bullying complaint because she was too scared to
It weighed heavily on him as he thought the manger in question was very toxic and a handful of female staff had quit citing similar reasons

My advice was to leave as soon as he could , pick your battles and this was not one , the right to bully is a core value of that place and you can die trying to change it , for your sake go and do t look back

This had cone on the back of another messy situation in that workplace

My advice was look for the exit door and critically important don’t let them live rent free in your head

I’ll get people can say I’m a coward and are teaching my kids to be cowards

Comments ?

 

[Kiama Chris]

Hmm people liking but not contributing

Here’s one for people to comment
I have twins that are now late 20s
The girl landed what looked like a good job in a hospital only to find out she had a toxic micro manager as a boss , a week into the job a team mate quit with no job to go to because she couldn’t stand the manager anymore , my advice to my daughter was to leave , look for a job elsewhere , your well-being is to important
DONT try and fight for justice

My son comes to just a few weeks ago , he works in a political party but not a political role , he has had a woman come to him and ask to put in a bullying complaint because she was too scared to
It weighed heavily on him as he thought the manger in question was very toxic and a handful of female staff had quit citing similar reasons

My advice was to leave as soon as he could , pick your battles and this was not one , the right to bully is a core value of that place and you can die trying to change it , for your sake go and do t look back

This had cone on the back of another messy situation in that workplace

My advice was look for the exit door and critically important don’t let them live rent free in your head

I’ll get people can say I’m a coward and are teaching my kids to be cowards

Comments ?

Absolutely the right advice. Don't rage quit but find a better place to work as soon as possible. You're on a hiding to nothing trying to change those people or workplaces regardless what is said. Someone close to me did this just a month ago and says the relief is amazing even though the new role has its challenges.
These people get inside your head and damage you. Leave.

 

[caesar88]

Hmm people liking but not contributing

Here’s one for people to comment
I have twins that are now late 20s
The girl landed what looked like a good job in a hospital only to find out she had a toxic micro manager as a boss , a week into the job a team mate quit with no job to go to because she couldn’t stand the manager anymore , my advice to my daughter was to leave , look for a job elsewhere , your well-being is to important
DONT try and fight for justice

My son comes to just a few weeks ago , he works in a political party but not a political role , he has had a woman come to him and ask to put in a bullying complaint because she was too scared to
It weighed heavily on him as he thought the manger in question was very toxic and a handful of female staff had quit citing similar reasons

My advice was to leave as soon as he could , pick your battles and this was not one , the right to bully is a core value of that place and you can die trying to change it , for your sake go and do t look back

This had cone on the back of another messy situation in that workplace

My advice was look for the exit door and critically important don’t let them live rent free in your head

I’ll get people can say I’m a coward and are teaching my kids to be cowards

Comments ?

Nothing cowardly about looking after yourself and your loved ones. An unhealthy/toxic work environment can be so emotionally and mentally draining that it can spill into other aspects of your life. That speaks to your point about not letting people live in your head rent-free. Once you're thinking about it while at the shops, while filling up your car, while walking the dog, etc. then you have let them in, and you have let them win.

Regarding people liking comments but not contributing, that is OK. People can share as much or as little as they feel comfortable sharing, even if that is nothing. But this thread is simply here to exist if anyone ever chooses to, and thank you for doing so. Hopefully things work out for your kids.

 

[Madas]

Over the past 12 months or so I’ve had more than a few chats with my adults sons about mental health type issues , they are 29 , 32 & 34
For young adult males many if not all run into trouble with grog , drugs or gambling and the prevalence is frighteningly common

We know of two guys in their 30’s have ruined their lives thru gambling , that might sound like a throw away. , but one involved drawing down big amounts from a mortgage to play pokies and casino gamble , of course marriage split turmoil in broader family , he seems like he might be tracking ok but it has ruined his life and another case a guy , non drinker totally absorbed by pokies and sports betting , has zero to his name , marriage break up , took deposits on jobs and didn’t buy the materials , gambled instead , he has multiple court cases being brought against him so has fled the country

These more extreme cases need professional help not a chat over 5 or 6 schooners
For these two cases I’d rate the people as very decent but they have an illness

There is a third case where the guy has gone off the rails with all 3 , he owes a lot of money to a lot of people and one being the ATO so I suspect jail time there . I don’t rate his morale compass as too great before he got into trouble

The message I’d put out there is if we have family , friends or work colleges needing help we encourage and support them seeking professional help and don’t let it feel like a stigma

Gambling is a scourge