Housing and mental health.

[calmseeker]

Hi All,

I have been thinking lately about the link between good mental health and housing. Yet again, I have a pending move, which I know is a trigger for my anxiety. I tend to get quite ill after a move, there have been too many moves for me recently. mostly because am in the private housing market and my owners always either move back into their property or sell the property. I yearn for a stable, long term home (I could never afford to buy). I am such a 'homely' person. I feel that if I could remain somewhere for a reasonable amount of time I could really relax and focus on my mental health, I feel like I never can, I am always moving or catching up financially from a move or trying to settle in somewhere new. The cost is phenomenal to rent now, it really blows my mind. What a person needs to come up with for a rental property is quite a lot, not just the rent itself but the moving costs, cleaning of previous property, etc.

I am aware of NRAS but those properties rarely come up. Housing Dep have told me 10-15 plus year wait. Private market ridiculously expensive.

I am very thankful to even have a roof over my head, don't get me wrong (not that I can afford that roof though). I realise there are lots of people who don't even have a home so I am really not ungrateful, just sick of the stress that comes with searching for affordable, decent housing where I can hopefully lay my hat for a few years. A home should be a place where a person can feel safe and relaxed and heal and survive - not feel like a hotel. My ranting was not meant to actually be a big whinge about my situation (sorry if its turned out that way!) more so just a comment on the link between good mental health and stable housing really.

[calmseeker]

Hanna - I am really glad now I didn't unpack all my books and movies when I got here. It will save me some hard work in the coming weeks I am sure.

I have been a bit quiet on the forums as I have been trying to spend some time on a cbt course I signed up for, and also because I have had some sort of weird pesky flu thing which has left me with zero energy as I cant breathe properly. I explained this in my response to Katy on this threada couple of hours ago.

Oh dear, I hope you don't start having one hot day and one cold day at your place as the seasons change. That's the perfect recipe for a cold which I am sure you don't need.

Best of luck with new GP. Good on you for trying to find decent help and trying new ones as I myself have all but given up trying to find one, it really feels like an overwhelming task.

Enjoy the casserole - sounds yummo xo

[Hanna3]

Hi calmseeker,

Sorry to hear you've been sick on top of all your moving worries - that's probably part of the reason you've become unwell!

I haven't unpacked quite a bit either and what I have I am culling as much as I can, figuring a move from here is going to be inevitable at some stage...

Trying yet another GP at a new practice is feeling overwhelming - and talking to people here it seems doctor shopping is something most people have had to do several times, oh dear. I haven't got my hopes up that this one will be any better....

We seem to be in for a cold week ahead with rain which will be welcome - it's just hard to adjust to a sudden change in temperature... I bought some multivitamins today, since I've come down with influenza two winters running - despite vaccinations - I figure I need to try to boost my immune system as much as I can!!!

I hope your course was useful.. did you find it any help? Best wishes, hope you feel better soon, take care of yourself x

[Hanna3]

I found a very interesting study of the experiences of some tenants in public housing in Victoria - if you Google

we can't go private - justice connect

it's worth reading the people's stories, particularly (from my point of view due to what has happened to me) the complete inadequacy of the housing in terms of space, repairs and ability to cope with hot weather...

[Hanna3]

Hi CS,

Do you have a thread anywhere where I can post to you? I was interested in a conversation you were having on Katy's thread, but I don't like to post in the middle of the two of you having a conversation together... it's just that I had issues with my former psychologist and psychiatrist, and was interested in what you were both talking about. Also my two best friends are also in other states, so my friendships are also phone ones unfortunately - I am missing them both a lot... anyway you sound like someone good to chat with, and I chat a lot with Katy and Paws on my thread... just not sure where to post. Cheers xx

[calmseeker]

Good Morning Hanna,

I have a thread called 'I feel like I have hit a brick wall' over in the depression section - that would be a good space I think to catchup/vent/chat/discuss stuff. I started it when I felt completely deflated in my recovery efforts and just down right miserable one day. Funny you mention this as there have been a few occasions I have felt like checking in with you on your thread but decided not to as I think your thread probably flows better and is more beneficial for you as it is - sort of didn't want to congest it up if you know what I mean.

Last night, I began reading the housing article you recommended but then I burnt the potatoes so I stopped reading! I am going to finish it off this afternoon but the little I have read of it so far I find a bit heartbreaking. It strikes me that unless you get really lucky, your mental health may very well be affected with the flaws in the housing system even if a person doesn't have mental health issues to start with, or if they do its likely to become worse. Concerning.

I hope your morning has started off well. Look forward to chatting to you soon.

CS x

[Hanna3]

Hi CS,

Thanks for replying and your're very welcome on my thread any time - Katy already knows you anyway and Paws is nice. I'll look up your thread thanks but anytime you feel like posting on mine, please do! Always nice to hear from you.

It's the end of that report that's so interesting, where people give their experiences of public housing - it's very bleak yes but maybe it's good for people to know what's going on....

I won't stay long here as I'm running late from grocery shopping and have to ring a friend interstate who has done me a favour to thank her etc etc - I had a laugh when I got to Woolworths, not a toilet roll or tissue packet in sight oh dear!!!

Anyway I had a long relationship with a psychologist that ended up messy as he got me involved in his life too much, and I also got too dependent on him - and a psychiatrist who turned out not good... so I was interested in your discussion you see!

Today is raining steadily but it's about the first rain we have seen in six months and desperately needed. I will find your thread and please post on mine anytime you want to pop by... you sound pleasant and I'm pretty much on my own here with good friends interstate or far enough away they might as well be...

So take care in the meantime, xx

[calmseeker]

Hanna, you have me super curious about this messy psychiatrist story now.

[Hanna3]

Hi CS,

Will have to chat with you on my thread sorry!

[Guest_1643]

Hey! hope you are well Hanna, just wandering when you mention the Home Improvement thread, where is that? am looking for help selecting an internet plan and some ideas about that. Hope you are okay.

[Hanna3]

Hi Sleepy,

I'm sorry I've taken so long to find your question!!! It's in the BB Social Zone - currently it's the thread underneath The Poetry Corner. Geoff there has been wonderful helping me. Best of luck, hope you can find it OK!