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

[demonblaster]

Hey all thx Sez for bumping this

Before I knew I was Bi I have never had an issue with Gay + , don't understand why people do. Choice and it's about like/love, everyone's need.

MH needs to be spoken about, community announcements would be a good start too.

I talk a lot to people openly about it. I hope with understanding there may be more tolerance and less pain. Yes judgement too of course, this is people we're talking about, it is happening slowly but every issue people have should imo be openly discussed.

That's my take on it all 🙂

[Just Sara]

Hi Nat, SN and DB;

Looking over stat's on your referred site, I found a large gap between that of ABS stat's and their own. Their reference to the general populous see's females as the predominant gender for suicide/attempts/ideations.

This directly opposes ABS outcomes. The only rationale I can rely on for this gap, is their sources which are based on mental health services instead of the 2016 Census.

This isn't unexpected as questions on Census forms aren't equipped to deal with all minority groups. LGBTI Health Org on the other hand deals with MH directly in their results.

The ABS results don't offer cultural distinctions apart from Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islanders which claims to be double the national average. Though, this group is notorious for not returning Census forms so a clear % is unlikely to be accurate for this reason.

IMO, it's far more devastating than reported. I've mentioned cultural aspects for a good reason. Many sufferers with diverse cultural backgrounds, may not approach MH services or disclose info on Census forms for fear of being recognised.

In 1990, a 'blind' study was done in all NSW prisons; both male and female. The results were staggering! 97% of A&TSI females and 98% A&TSI males who were incarcerated at that time had been sexually abused as children.

As we know, the incidence of MI after SCA is extremely high. Therefore stat's on A&TSI suicide/attempts/ideations are probably much higher than reported. Suicide/attempts while incarcerated or in custody for this group is also staggering in ratio to 'all other' groups.

I hope I'm making sense. I've probably veered from the LGBTI sector to A&TSI a lot. I did this to alert to the fact that studies are only as accurate as the people they research.

It's like watching US movies. The incidence of an all white cast with a few token African/American, Asian and Sth American well placed faces/bod's, makes me cringe and is clearly not representative of the national populous.

Research can be like this unfortunately, but then LGBTI Health Org accepts and discloses there's probably inaccuracies in their stat's and definitions.

Yes, I'm a numbers freak for sure. Sorry if I've bored you to tears. It's important to me though ok...

Sez xo

[Quercus]

Hi Sara,

No worries I'm pretty suspicious of stats that don't show the margin of error. Maybe if you search in journal articles you might have some more luck?

I like that you make this discussion not just about the LGBTI community it makes it more inclusive.

I wonder this time next year do you think anything will have changed for the better? I really hope so but I'm not optimistic unfortunately.

[startingnew]

i did write a response earlier but its not up yet

[startingnew]

hi everyone as part of MH week, today is Blue Knot Day

[meercat]

You are right Just Sara. However i didnt have any friends to invite. iv been too scared to socialise with people in case they guess im bp.

Im starting to get better at communicating now iv accepted bp, thanks to BB people like you. I used to be outgoing and friendly, running a social group and laughing and confident. I can see a glimmer of the old me trying to emerge now but baby steps.

Thanks for your understanding.

meercat xx

[Just Sara]

That's a blessing Meercat!

It's so nice to read those types of comments. I applaud your resolve and self insight. Well done!

Although bp can and does present many challenges, it's 'individuals' who acknowledge themselves as priority who benefit the most.

What a great way to end Mental Health Week!

Kudos from Sez x