Looking for others experiences talking to loved ones about your mental health?

[Jack2021]

Hi guys,

I've been a part of these forums for a few days now, but I feel already its making a huge difference in my management and recovery of severe depression, stress and anxiety.

Without rambling or going in depth of my own issues which isn't my aim of this thread I guess, I was wondering what opinions, advice, and/or experience all of you have had in regards to talking to friends, family, and loved ones about your mental health?

For me, even though I have suffered from depression about 6 months now, it has been very slow and gradual, however becoming quite severe and debilitating since around Xmas and new years of 2020/2021, lots of feelings of hopelessness, lots of sadness, lots of tears, no suicidal thoughts thankfully, but just a general lack of desire and passion to live life.

My parents, 2 close friends, and wonderful girlfriend of 6 months are really the only people who have known about it, though since last week I am trying to get as much help and support as I can from others, with my counselling finally resuming next week, and enrolling myself in a online mental health well being program that is set to start this week hopefully.

One of my recent major concerns is with my girlfriend, I have the closest relationship with her than anyone else, and trust her the most, therefore I share a lot of my troubles with her, which I am so worried about, as I don't want it to be pulling her down or worsening her mood, as I have already seen it happen twice the past 2 weeks, when I was dealing with very severe anxiety and depression and breaking down quite a lot, it did affect her wellbeing seeing me like that

As a result of this, as much as I'd love her support, I think I'm better off not telling her so much and instead talking to my counsellor and the forums here, as much as It pains me to do so...she is the most wonderful girl and is so supportive and mentally strong, but I can see it is affecting her talking about and trying to help with my issues...

Have other people been in similar situations here? I have tried looking for other threads with this sort of topic, but came up with nothing, would love to hear from you guys 😊

[Guest_4643]

Yes it is easier, and yeah you'd have to see your GP to get the MHCP changed.

Thank you. Yes I'd suggest emailing the Psychology company, or calling them, some are easier to call and it's quicker sometimes.

Best of luck, I wish I could recommend some but we can't do that here unfortunately 😞

[Jack2021]

Ahhhh I see I see....

Ahhh alright, looks like something I'll be looking into then...

Thanks so much 😊😊 ahh damn haha but nah all good, just about everyone has recommended headspace to me, but since I'm a few years over 25, apparently I'm not eligible for it...sounds like a bad joke but ah well..it is what it is..a service for young people I guess....

[Guest_4643]

Yeah, I personally wouldn't recommend Headspace, it was terrible. Some centres sound ok, that one was awful, a few people have complained about the one I went to.

Their webchats are ok though, sometimes.

[Jack2021]

Ahhhh damnnnn.... Heard nothing but good things from there, though of course I realise some sites are probably worse than others...sorry to hear you had a bad experience at that one....

Hmmmm interesting...I've only ever tried a webchat thing once, but didn't find it helped at all ..sounded scripted, plus the counsellor on the other side of the website practically told me time was up after about 30minutes??

Just didn't seem like something I could get any help from really...

[Guest_4643]

Hi Jack, sorry I didn't see your comment until now.

Maybe each Headspace centre is different, I don't know. I've heard good things about a few of them, bad stuff about others, etc. So who knows.

I thought it sounded scripted too, and I don't like how as soon as you tell the chat you only have 30 mins. Kids Helpline you have an hour, Lifeline as much as you like really, but I think the most is a bit over an hour.

Sorry you didn't find it helpful.

[Jack2021]

Hiya mb 😊😊 all cool all cool, sorry for the late reply here too, been a few days since I've been online 😱

Mmmm yeah that makes sense...

Mmm yeah it's a really weird approach I think....don't think I'd ever try it again

Allll good all good....how've you been anyway?? 😊😊

[Guest_4643]

Hey Jack, no worries. I hope you're ok.

Yes it is a weird approach, but if it helps you then I'd say go for it, your decision though. Sometimes they're ok, helplines, eHeadspace or not. I never call since I don't like talking on the phone, so I use webchats. Sometimes I have bad experiences with any helpline.

[Jack2021]

Thanks mb 😊 trying, trying.....at least I think I've decided to try and go back to study later this year, so hopefully that'll be something to work towards I guess 😜😜

Ooooh no it doesn't work for ..me at all 😂😂 (the webchat..or helplines,) counselling not sure yet, but yeah putting it on pause when I go next session...lol

Hope you've been well btw 😊😊

[Guest_4643]

Sometimes the helplines are ok, it varies from person to person, the helpline, who's on the helpline talking with you, etc. Sometimes I've felt worse after talking to them, sometimes a bit better.

I've been ok, been physically sick (no not COVID) and mentally. You?

[Jack2021]

Ahhhhhh I see I see...yeah I can understand that...only ever used the helplines once, but the lady on the other side of the line, (of no fault to her), but had a very think accent and didn't seem to speak English very well, so it wasn't the best....she was very nice at least 😊

Ahhh damn that's no good, pretty much the same here...jobless for about 3 weeks now and finally emotionally and mentally feeling better enough to start thinking about trying to get a job again, but trying to get a few volunteer roles sorted first ( to give me experience in the industry I want to try to get into)

But yeah...probably last few days/ week, feeling physically sick (aches and pains) has probably been my main concern for me 😱😱