Mental Health Week 9th to 16th October

[Paul]

Hi everyone.

It's a tough time at the moment. The amount of ill educated opinion being thrown around about our lives. A group of conservative , some right wing, some Christian fundamentalist, making a decision on our behalf whether we have the same human rights they do.

What else can we do during mental health week to support our community of gay, lesbian, bi, transgender, queer, intersex, cisgender, asexual and HIV+ brothers and sisters?

How can we feel comfortable enough to reach out for help?

Can we spread the word of our plight and have the discussion about the impact on our mental health?

ABC and SBS usually have some amazing content during mental health week, there might be a particular show that you choose to watch with your family that conveys a message you feel you couldn't or it could be a stepping stone to a discussion.

Is there something you want to say on the forum here just for the hell of saying it? Please do, we're here to love and be loved.

What will you do during mental health week?

What do you want others to know during mental health week?

Paul

[MsPurple]

Hi Paul

I am not sure what I am going to do this coming Mental Health week. I am starting to work at a hospital next week and I will be surprised if they advertise and support mental health week.

I also thought October the 11th was national coming out day. Not sure if it is just a USA thing. We should support our fellow LGBT+ members in their coming out process if they so choose to do so during this week. We should also support them if they chose to not come out this week. I am not sure if I would be willing to come out on social media and tell everyone I am B but I feel supported by my friends regardless of whether I tell the whole world or not, which feels great.

I think that togetherness and support should be shown to everyone this mental health week. We should also try and educate everyone on different types of mental illnesses. Many people don't understand that those in the LGBT+ community have a higher incidence of mental health issues than hetrosexual people.

What are you doing this coming mental health week Paul? ANy suggestions?

[Just Sara]

This thread was created a yr ago by Paul; our BB-LGBTI+ go-to man who's presence is sorely missed, especially at this crucial time.

I thought I'd revamp it to focus on Mental Health Week theme, (8 - 14 October 2017) 'Stronger Together'

In my own case, I've suffered at the hands of this stupid plebiscite postal vote social media frenzy not only as a bi woman, but one who feels deeply concerned about human rights and fairness.

More than anytime in Oz history have issues regarding 'our' community, been so nationally relevant and recognised. For many it's a pressure cooker waiting for something to give; good or bad. This strain, fear and apprehension (as well as HOPE) affects us all, but for some it's a minefield of psychological torture.

It annoys me how statistics of suicide for instance, come out thru media re youth, farmers, men/women, but fail to recognise devastation to the LGBTI+ community, (Including HIV issues - thankyou kindly MsP) their family, friends and advocates.

If anything, hopefully this voting situation is alerting people to the severity of suicide/MH statistics among our community. A life is a life, regardless of numbers or category. Even one is too many!

Please engage with your comments keeping in mind this is not a thread to debate gender/sexuality/marriage equality. It's to consider the ramifications for 'people' who've been treated by factions as a behind-the-scenes MH minority.

Let's get 'Stronger Together'!!

Sez x

[startingnew]

thanks for bumping this up Sez xoxox

[Quercus]

Hi Sara and everyone reading,

Great idea.

I was surprised actually when someone mention mental health week recently that I had only heard one ad on the radio.

But then again I don't watch tv or read the news so that's on me.

Driving to swimming lessons this morning though there was an ad.

It made me angry. Really angry actually.

It was advertising seeing a psychologist. But it was so polished and fake. A soothing female voice with the sounds of a couple fighting in the background. A baby crying.

It made me angry. Since when do we "sell" mental illness? It's not a bloody joke. It's things like this that make people embarressed to speak up.

Like on RUOK? Day when friends told me at work blokes were making a huge fuss of asking everyone. Making it into a joke. Making it almost impossible for someone who was struggling to admit... "No I'm actually not".

I feel like advertising is a double edged sword. Mental illness is serious. It doesn't need to be fluffed up and made ridiculous. Just the facts are enough.

And then there is the side that makes me sad. That ad would have cost money. Money that could have gone into actually helping someone.

For the cost of that ad I could have photocopied hundreds of pamphlets for the women's health centre and taken them to local playgroups all over the city. Spread the word about a local place that does a hell of a lot of good helping people develop support networks and help themselves!

Sigh. Rant over. Sorry Sara.

❤ Nat

[Peppermintbach]

Hi everyone,

I think this thread is a great idea 🙂

I am a straight woman but I'm highly supportive of the LBGTIQ+ community.

I'm not 100% sure how to answer Paul's questions but briefly, I would like to see more awareness raised about the challenges faced by the LBGTIQ+ community including discrimination, MH stats, etc (it's an important conversation).

Ultimately, I would like to see their full inclusion and acceptance in society as I believe it's a fundamental human right. In other words, my hope is for the LBGTIQ+ community to have what people like me- heterosexuals- get to take for granted.

Hopefully I'm making sense and hopefully I haven't said anything that offends. My advanced apologies if I have done so.

Kind thoughts,

Pepper xo

[MsPurple]

Wow. Time has flown. I didn't remember this thread till I re-read my post from last year

Well a lot has happened since then hey. Now both my dad, mum, step-mum, sister and possibly brother (well not sure if he heard or just didn't react) all know I am bisexual and as expected they were ok with it. They just want me to find love in whatever form. They believe this for everyone

I am hoping that everyone can love and accept love in any form. Why hide who you are and be a fake you? Why marry someone just because they are the opposite gender, just to meet societies expectations at the expense of your happiness? I am hoping more people can see that sexuality/gender is not a choice.

Pepper I am so glad a fellow alley to our community has come to this read. I think it is great to get support from everyone even if they are not LGBT+ . Just showing support and love is all we want. 🙂

[Just Sara]

Thanks for your comments SN, Nat, Pepper and MsP 🙂

Here's a media 'snapshot' of info on suicide released by the ABS (Australian Bureau of Statistics) two weeks ago. I've summarised it to fit characters in.

• In 2016, preliminary data showed a total of 2,866 deaths by suicide - 2,151 males and 715 females.

• In 2016, preliminary data showed an average of 7.85 deaths by suicide in Australia each day.

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People was approximately twice the rate of non-Indigenous

• For males: The highest age-specific suicide rate in 2016 was observed in the 85+ age group with 61 deaths.

• For females: The highest age-specific suicide rate in 2016 was observed in the 50-54 age group with 82 deaths.

• Suicide rates in Australia peaked in 1963 - 17.5 per 100,000, declining to 11.3 per 100,000 in 1984, and climbed back to 14.6 in 1997. Rates have been lower since 1997.

• Consistently over the past 10 years, the number of suicide deaths was approximately 3 times higher in males than females. In 2016, 75.1% of people who died by suicide were male.

• Of all causes of death, 1.81% was attributed to suicide in 2016. The proportion of total deaths attributed to suicide was higher in males (2.62%) than females (0.93%).

(Highlighted text is by me) Anyone wishing to look thru the entire snapshot can use this link;

http://www.mindframe-media.info/for-media/reporting-suicide/facts-and-stats

Are these Stat's acceptable?

Sez

[meercat]

Hello Quercus. How are you today? Just wondering, Why is there such a stigma about Mental illness?

Fake actors making tv ads and spending lots of public money to make people recognise MI. What next!

Why have some of us hidden away from society? People do not seem to or want to understand MI. If we had a walking stick would a passerby help us across the road. Mmm. Why is MI such a mystery?

Bp was a "gift" at birth, still trying to tame the beast. Its taken years to come out and accept i have MI, bipolar. Yeah!

Feels good that hubby now knows why my moods are up and down and its not his fault, and my next door neighbour is now there for me just to listen or take me appointments.

Also its good that i can drop into chat with you guys on BB forums. Im not so alone anymore.

Does the public really need to (or ever could) understand?

A hug (virtual) and someone to listen makes a difference!

Cheers

meercat xx

[meercat]

Hi Paul.

"Hat Day" for mental health, an idea of Rotary, was celebrated yesterday.

We were asked to wear a funny hat and share our MI issues over morning tea with friends or colleagues. Who could i invite? I know no-one in my town who would could or would come.

I called my BB chatmates. I put on my silly hat, cooked some muffins and invited them to my "virtul tea party" for a cuppa /smoothie.

With the help and understanding of BB members over the past weeks im coming out of my meerkat burrow and I am now able to talk about MI and the rollercoaster, my bipolar life.

meercatxx