Not in a good space

[Katyonthehamsterwheel]

It's like a feeling just bubbling up to the surface. It's panicky and disgusting and I dont' know what to do with it. There's no thoughts associated with it. It's a feeling. A really gross one. I called the Suicide Call Back service. I didn't find them helpful. What do you do? What helps you?

[Paw Prints]

Hello Katy,

I hope you managed to get out in the sunshine yesterday spending some quality time on your board... I'm sure the lovely Stormy would be more than happy to drag you out of the house into some fresh air...

I did ask on Hanna's thread.. but I'll ask again here (which is probably more apt)... How did you hear of the homeless event you attended? Was it a local council event or run by a NGO? I'm really curious because I have never heard of anything similar here in Vic & I do think it is important giving the homeless a voice.

I saw a promo on the ABC for a show next Monday at 8:30pm you might find interesting... it's called Brazen Hussies & is about the early women's rights movement here in Aus. I think I will give it a look.

Hugs

Paws

[Katyonthehamsterwheel]

Hi Paws (hi everyone!)

I'd love to get out on my board, but gosh life's been busy. We're fitting in early morning and evening walks at the moment. Hope you're doing ok over there x

The WA state government recently launched a homelessness strategy, based around the principle of 'housing first'. Which literally means - get people into a home asap, and then help them work towards meeting their other goals. The initiative has had success in other countries. The first step was to undertake a 3 day survey to identify the local homelessness situation - yes, undertaken by an NGO. The sharing of people's stories (data) was an opportunity for all interested parties - shire, NGO's, govt agencies etc to come together and from there form a co-ordinated response. I agree in the philosophy of "nothing about us, without us", so yes, people's voices need to be heard. This is exciting, and I hope it works here, as it has elsewhere.

Thanks for the heads up on the tv show - I'm definitely keen to watch.

Hugs to you and Woofa xo

[ecomama]

Hey Katy and everyone

WA has some made some AWESOME initiatives happen and I hope and Pray this one works 100% and everyone who WANTS to be in a home can be!

I wondered what the opposite word to "homelessness" would be?

I prefer putting things in positive terms. "Homing" people sounds weird, like we're talking about pigeons.

I don't like naming some "popular" figures that said awesome things, since I've heard not so good things about them too but one sentence sticks in my mind...

"I won't attend an Anti-War rally but hold a PEACE rally and I'll be there".

So many homeless ppl have had such huge traumas... having suffered from C-PTSD myself, I had terrible issues managing "high level" things like Courts, Lawyers, Barristers etc.

I liken those years of challenges of mine back then similar to the challenges ppl have when trying to manage STAYING in a home. IT'S HARD!
SO many triggers all day all night.

I've often thought a mentoring program would help. Can't see how that would come into fruition and it's wrought with social issues... but there seems to be a real need for constant support ie "co-regulating" ppl when they're really wanting to stay housed but can't for very real reasons.

No simple answers.... but to have homeless ppl in our society is disgusting.
God forbid we end up like the U.S.

I'm enjoying the cooler weather!
Sad for those with no homes or money for heating.

Love EM

[Katyonthehamsterwheel]

Hi EM

Definitely no simple solution. There are deep structural issues in society that really need fixing. Someone at the meeting asked about those people choosing homelessness, and the apt response was "when you're offering someone the frying pan or the fire, that's not a choice".

On a positive, I was reading that there has been an increase in paid peer support worker roles, both in government and non-government agencies, and I think that's a good thing. There's huge value in someone understanding your experience. People definitely need to be given as much support as they need, while being able to maintain their independence, for sure.

Katy

[ecomama]

Hey Katy

Sure I understand that POV... I would think and hope that the vast majority of ppl without homes are NOT wanting to be in this situation.
The weirdest thing happened on a live interview I listened to once and the radio station said they didn't expect ANYONE would want to be homeless - this entire group was saying they wanted to be camping out on the bush - no rent, no landlords, no bills.

Then I saw a TV show too that were hoping to represent what happens on the street etc and those ppl were happy too...

But it is a horrible problem and I know that many suffer from multiple other issues too.

It's all sad.
It would be wonderful to see streamlined systems of support in many sectors.

Love EM

[Hanna3]

Hi Katy,

How's things going? I'd think getting people housed before anything is a no-brainer - they can't get a job or do much of anything if all their energy is spent trying to simply stay alive and safe. Good that the WA govt is maybe trying to do something about the problem (especially bad for older single women - we got much lower wages etc ect - and no superannuation for much of our lives).

I have a friend in another state who has been in a very bad mood for days now - literally jumping down my throat if I send a text asking if she's OK - now turns out she texted her sister died two days ago and if I don't like that she's angry go deal with it ... I haven't come across grief as anger towards a friend before - she only has a couple of friends including me here... anyway I've texted I am so sorry to hear that and let her be... it's tough being on the receiving end of all the anger!! Oh dear.

Wonderful weather here for Good Friday and little Sam and I are enjoying it with some nice strolls - have a friend coming over tomorrow. Hope your Uni reading is under control and that Stormy is doing OK - how's here face now?

Sending hugs.

[Katyonthehamsterwheel]

Happy Easter all 🙂

Hope you're all enjoying some yummy food, whatever it is you're into. I bought some chocolate eggs yesterday and stress ate a half pack. I'm facing a looming deadline for my writing, and although I'm close to done, I'm struggling to just get the final bits written. At least the weather is stormy and full of gloom, so I can't avoid my work by hanging out in the garden lol

Hanna, I'm sorry to hear about the situation with your friend. Hopefully, given a bit of time, she'll realise it wasn't appropriate to direct her anger towards you, and apologise. It sounds like you handled the situation very empathetically though. That was a nice thing to do. I hope your back is healing up nicely, and you and Sam are going ok.

Sorry I'm in and out. I'm also busy with prac, which is super challenging. Someone once said to me "just do the next indicated thing", and I think bearing that in mind is helping me get through this. Yesterday I was so knackered from it all, I dragged myself through the day, and went to bed at 6pm. Anyway... the next indicated thing is to write another 100 words, so off I go!

Hugs all round xo

[Hanna3]

Hi Katy,

You sound a bit like I felt at the end of my graduate diploma - it was really hard to get through all the work bit by bit... you're right to just take on little bits at a time, looking at the whole lot can be overwhelming. Funnily enough, I used to start my essays with the conclusion - it used to make me feel like I knew where I was heading, and also that at least the conclusion had been done!!!!

My friend isn't replying, I texted her just to let me know she was OK, as she gets depressive episodes, but no reply. Not much more I can do. We've been pals for years. Oh well.

A hot day here, really too warm for Sam and me - weary after having a friend over all yesterday afternoon, so taking it easy tonight.

Good luck with all the Uni work, sounds like you're doing well there with managing it all... just do one chunk at a time...

Pats to Stormy!

[Guest_1643]

Hey Katy

Amazing to hear ur bsuy with ur prac - good on u girl 🙂

Following ur earlier chat about peer workers.... there are more peer worker roles popping up but from what I understand they are still seen somewhere low on the pecking chain in the hospitals they work at....

Peer work is crucial. I wish they were paid so much more.

A MH nurse makes 1/10 of what a psychiatrist makes... and gosh do the nurses do so so much as well.

All this and more in the complexities of the MH system... sending hugs to all.

[Katyonthehamsterwheel]

Hi all

Yes, I imagine that would be the case that peer workers are not so valued within the system, Sleepy. Hugs back, hope you're going ok x

I spent a full day in bed again yesterday, just so tired from everything. This morning I've been to early morning yoga, and now I'm knackered again. A shame as it's a lovely, breezy day and I'd like to enjoy it before the giant rain band we're expecting comes through. There's a cyclone to the north of here. I'm not sure when it's meant to make land, but I'm guessing tomorrow if that's what's bringing the rain.

So turns out this honours thing is challenging (well, duh!). Every time I write something and think it's fabulous, my supervisor lets me know it's not as fabulous as I imagined. I've got a whole lot of prettying it up to do, ready for final submission in a week's time - and this is only the research proposal stage. It's going to be a long year!

Well that's me. How's everyone?