LONG TERM SUPPORT PEER GROUP

[1113]

Hi all,

I haven't formally meet anyone yet.

I was going to go through ever thread to introduce my self but instead came up with this peer group thread.

"a group of people, usually of similar age, background, and social status, with whom a person associates and who are likely to influence the person's beliefs and behavior."

Seeing as we are all in the same thread area I think that makes us suitable for peer status.

A place to get to know each other in a safe calm environment.

It would be preferable if poster are from the "long term support over the journey" but I won't object to others posting.

Please chat............I'll leave it open.

Peace

Matt.

[Lost_Girl]

Other than this year, I write letters at xmas time and pop them in my xmas cards to my interstate family and friends. My Mum was 1 of 13 children and now she has passed I write to all my Aunts and Uncles in her stead.

Matt, you sound a bit of a renaissance man. Nice! I will find your thread to learn more about you.

If only we could just rub deep heat into our brains hahaha

[Guest_1055]

Hi everyone,

I already know you Carol, Mary, Taurus. And hello Matt.

And Matt, I actually wanted to work as a chef, when I was in my teenage years and did school work experience in a RSL club bistro. The thing I most remember about that is peeling and peeling potatoes. What sort of food do you cook?

I originally became a member of BB, because I didn't know what else to do or who to talk to. That was in early November 2015. I felt like I was living in a dream and not real. I also felt very worthless, insignificant and like I didn't matter to one single person on this earth. Currently I feel like not real again, but sort of know why now. So I guess I have learnt that.

Anyway so as to not bring along sadness too much to this cool thread. This is a bit about me. I worked and lived in Sydney for 3 years when I was 18 years old. Worked at Concord Hospital mainly in the wards there nursing as an enrolled nurse. I went overseas for 8 months after that. And came back with a British accent. Long gone now though.....

I also studied a nanny course at TAFE a couple of years later. I don't work as a nanny though. But I did look after some young relatives for a time. Anyway that is a bit about me. It is now quite a few years later....

A special hug for you Carol and Taurus. And a gentle friendly shout out to you too Mary. And Mary I haven't forgotten about that book you mentioned and suggested for me to read. It is on my list. And this is a good idea of yours Matt.

And I sometimes write letters, mainly to older relatives around Christmas time, that is about it.

Shell xx

[1113]

Its a pleasure to officially meet you shelly,

Its nice to read your words.

I hope you have been getting out of that deep hole you where in not long ago. Depression is so hard. You have a inspirational ability to pick yourself up when things look better.

I am so glad you have joined us here. It would be nice if everyone could get along. Sometimee I feel like an outsider, watching in on the cube.

I find people and personalities interesting. I think my journey to discovery is going to continue. I think that social studies is what I like best.

I thankyou for joining us here.

This thread belongs to you too.

Peace and equality

Matt.

[Kazzl]

Great idea Matt! There are quite a few of us old timers, I mean long termers, around and to have a place to catch up, share our stories and things we've learned along the way is wonderful.

I can see that reading this thread might be useful for newcomers too - to see our journeys and our progress.

I know you all and you know me, but for those who don't ... I'm Kaz, 53, from Canberra. I joined BB in February 2015 when I was in a bad way with depression. I didn't post much then but I got a lot out of reading the forum. I became active in November that year following the suicide of a colleague. I needed support but it also spurred me on to get involved with mental health.

At that stage I was still being treated for depression, as I had been for 15 years. But things started to change, I started noticing I was rapid cycling between the lowest lows and highest highs. Long story short, diagnosed with bipolar disorder type 2. It's been a hard road but I am now stable and mostly well.

BB has literally changed my life and given me purpose. I've found my passion - helping others with mental illness. Until September I was a federal public servant. I was made redundant and although that shook me terribly, it also made me realise I hated what I was doing and never wanted to go back. In a way it was the best thing that could happen, because it gave me the chance to change direction - into working in mental health.

Next Monday I start a new job, a policy and project role in the MH sector AND I start studying for a certificate 4 in mental health too, so I will eventually be qualified to do support work.

Funny thing is, the job pays nothing like I was earning in the APS, and I don't care. The knowledge that I will be doing something very worthwhile and meaningful - something I've never had in my career - is enough.

Why I'm telling you all this is because it's my way of paying tribute to BB, the forum and all you great people I've met here. I feel that by being here I've come to terms with being bipolar (and a non-practicing alcoholic), I even embraced it as something to learn from and use to help others. And I believe I've found my place in the world, my role in life.

Time will tell, but for now, that's how I see things. And thank you all my lovely friends for helping me on the way - more than you could possibly know.

Cheers

Kaz

[Guest_9809]

Good morning everybody.

Oh fun ... I see we have some new visitors. Great to see the overnight addition of Carol, Shell and Kaz.

Matt - your new profile picture - is this one of you? I hope it is, because I like it. Although I am unable to make out what the tool(?) alongside you is. Perhaps you can explain. I've also been meaning to ask how old your son is. Although I understand if you'd prefer not to say. I dont recall reading anywhere on your thread what age he is, only that you are a single Dad.

You are multi talented arent you? Obviously creative as well, as cheffing is a creative thing, as are all those other hobbies you mentioned. Not great on the finer motor skill set? No use asking you if you do needle point then? My attempt at humour! Farmer aye? I know you currently live on the land. Do you run sheep, cattle, cropping or perhaps something a little less run of the mill? I have lived on the land all my growing up years and most of my adult years as well. Mainly fine wool sheep and some cropping.

Matt, you asked me if I do any work? I thought I explained that in my intro. Yes I have worked all my adult life. Currently only part time, at 3 days per week. But within 3 weeks I will be finishing up, after having resigned a month ago. I am lucky though that about half of my work I am able to do from home, which makes my life a lot easier. So yeah, you're right - sometimes I do a bit of Foruming and a bit of work at the same time. But I am not paid by the hour, I am paid a set amount each month, irrespective of the hours I work. So if you were my Boss I dont think you should have any reason for complaint.

Well Matt, we have some new posters hear overnight, so we may no longer need to go on a recruitment drive. People will slowly filter through here. We just need to keep the thread 'active' and people will see it and come on in.

Do you think it would be worthwhile to have certain topics to discuss occasionally, or a certain day for a specific function? Something like that? What do others think? Suggestions I'm sure would be most welcome. As Matt says, this is OUR thread, lets make it into something we can all be proud of, and at the same time something we can all benefit from.

Thoughts?

Taurus xx

[1113]

Afternoon all,

Welcome Kazzl.

My day has been pretty good. It's extremely hot, dry and very windy. I hope there's no fires today. We had 2 close by in the last few days. Lucky for those massive water helicopters. Dealt with it very quickly.

I'm physically and mentally exhausted tooday due to heat.

Yes..thats me...this morning during my morning peace walk.

The tool is my walking staff. Its made from liquidamber (red gum) with a bull horn on top fixed with cooper.

Symbolic;

Copper is a chemical element with symbol Cu (from Latin: cuprum) and atomic number 29. It is a soft, malleable, and ductile metal with very high thermal and electrical conductivity. It is the 3rd oldest metal in the world. Its mentioned although out history. They found boats made of copper from the Egyptian time. It was more wanted than gold. Its funny how time changes things. Atomic weight 63.3. I like numbers . lol The elemental alchemy symbol for copper is also the planetary symbol for Venus. .

The bull horn looks cool, i think anyway. Horns are used although out history too. Biblical; Horn : The word "horn" is often used metaphorically to signify strength and honor.

Walking staff; Biblical; often carried a cane or staff, which would be ornamented at the top, but it served the useful purpose of protecting them ... Thus the sceptre, or rod, of the king became a symbol of protection, power. Other historical beliefs; Because of this, the walking stick can represent needing to meditate and be one with your environment. The cane or walking stick is frequently associated with masculinity.

I enjoy walking that much. Lol.

Not only that.......its really cool for flicking snakes away. There bloody everywhere at home. One went past my front door last week.

I want to find a job that I can do. My boy will be back at school tomorrow and I'm feeling well atm. I could slowly re-enter the work force. I'm constantly confused what to do because of all my interests/skills and the ongoing management of mental health. It's a variable to hard for my mind to get around. I have a few options....but I'm no good with options. Procrastinate a lot.

Signing off now. Chat later. To tried and my boy wants to go for a swim. I can't wait for tomorrow. Freedom. For awhile anyway.

I truly appreciate this open space for people to just be themselves without a mask.

Peace to all.

Matt.

[Kazzl]

Morning all

Taurus I like your ideas, though I'm not awake enough yet to give any suggestions. I'll ponder.

Matt thanks for the welcome. How are you today? Is all well? Thank you for explaining your walking staff. I had been trying to work out what it is. And I'm waaaay impressed at you flicking away snakes! I had one in our yard a couple of weeks back - an enormous (gets bigger everytime I think of it) eastern brown. My sensible head knows it's long gone now but my other head still looks for it each time I go outside. Scared the bejebus out of me.

Have a good day folks

Kaz

[Jugglin_Strugglin]

Hi all,

I'm Newbie posting, been lurking for a while, so feel as if I 'know' a lot of you. It seems I bump into a lot of the same people in surfing here, so we must be like-minded...amazeness! My 1st post was 'long term consequences' in depression. This is happy 21st! Now to overshare. Openness is NOT a prob, does cause some tho.

Im 55 yo single mum to 16yo son. Live in remote coastal area in old renovators delight on 10 acres. A dream for a lot of people, and it WAS mine, but now feels like a rock around my neck. We have strange family setup. Still friends with ex who lives 10km up Rd, so he's here most of time, goes home at night. Good for son as I have no living relatives, but probably stops me from moving on. I have absolutely no interest in new relationship, so that's why it's come about like this. Will have to change when schools done.

Ive had loony (feudian!spellcheck haha) looooong bouts of depression since teenager. This one close to 10yrs. Most depression info says 2 yrs....WHAT'S WITH THAT????..... enough already. Oh well. Comforting to see on BB that many in this boat too, so the experts should revise that bit!

Have always worked. Colourful job history, done lots of very different stuff. Main ones were Nurse then 20yrs ago, fulfilled my lifelong dream to become a vet. So only done that since. Dream job for lots, I have loved it but emotionally taxing, finally cracked & can't work atm. Physical issues too. Long hrs, always on call, no holidays, just making ends meet, now no savings, no work, no sick pay. Its probably time to do something different, but world has changed so much since I've been living here,so don't know/want to get back on roundabout. I enjoy these forums and feel/hope I can contribute, perhaps I should take leaf outta Kaz's book (you are inspiring Kaz, way to go girl) and do something in mental health. I enjoy helping people (too much, as I'm now finding to our detriment), should give it some serious thought.

So I have learnt : careful what you wish for!

I am living the dream, dream job, dream house. I have never been more unhappy. Long term depression, caused by circumstances, has led me to neglect my health, my house, my business, so now spiralled down out of control, so consequences now unrepairable. Gonna have to make major changes soon/NOW but have NO idea what to do. Can't cope mentally or physically with any of current options, so just getting thru each groundhog day atm, head in sand. Grass is greener.

Lee x

[1113]

Hi all,

Welcome Lee.

Kazzl,

I'm doing ok. I walked it off a bit. I think this thread could do with some sort of flow to it.

Most people in this area have tried everything to get better. The unfortunate thing for some of us is it doesn't go away. I've suffered well over 20 years now and I am still suffering. It definitely helps for us to get out of our own world and converse as a community to aid with acceptance and informing the general public of this terrible health issue.

I'm going to start a rant of about how the health system works and how Dr's sometimes dismiss our problems as not real.........

I'll leave it open

Peace

Matt

[Jugglin_Strugglin]

Thanks Matt,

Is real to insurance companies tho.

As a nurse I've seen too much. Also cared for mum over 6yr complicated medical story. God help us all. Sadly, it is not only mental health that is poorly dealt with. It seems any health issues are too much for the system. Is it cos it is underfunded, understaffed, or do health workers become burnt out, uncaring? If you go into hospital for any reason, you really need a knowledgable advocate to keep things sailing smoothly. There is so much miscommunication and misinformation, it becomes like Chinese whispers & everything becomes twisted. You are lucky if you aren't discharged worse than when you were admitted. And this is with physical illness so we can only guess as to what is written in our mental health notes.

One of the best dr.s I've ever had was genuinely excited after my visit. She said 'I think you are ACTUALLY depressed', as if she saw so many people who thought they were depressed, but only probably were a bit down, or melancholic naturally but I was a needle amongst the haystack. They must hear it time & time again, so that must be draining for them. It would become difficult to seperate the grain from the chaff (not sure which of those we are?)

On the other side, after my mother passed away, I went to dr for a physical problem. He was mums dr, so knew my story, and got me to do a k10 type test which showed chronic depression. I didn't feel depressed at the time, just coping with grieving as expected 3 mths after her death. I said as such, but he said often with chronic depression, you don't realise you are suffering, so he suggested I start on ADs. This was the 1st time I'd been medicated, and looking back, I probably didn't need them then, but over the next few yrs went on to develop major depression, while still on those ADs.

Looking at above stories, I must radiate depression?!?

Maybe it comes down to the individual personality of the dr. Even to what sort of day they are having. The stigma is lifting as the numbers skyrocket. So there are more people who understand how physically debilitating mental ill health can become. It is becoming a 21st century plague. The more knowledge, the more technology, the worse it gets.

It is good to see some GPs 'specialising' in mental health. I think we will see more of this. Research is advancing (one good thing about tech age) so hopefully better understanding & treatment options will follow. Soon.

Otherwise, get a new doctor.