Recognising anxiety and depression?

[smallwolf]

Got the email today for blue voices and one thing mentioned in there related to ideas and something else.

While I have not my this/my idea forward... It relates to recognising MI in the workplace. And how easy or hard is it?

For example there by have been days when I was at Uni classes and another student would ask me "are you ok? You don't seem yourself today" and this was from someone who I did not talk to that often. And others don't seem to notice or pick up on it.

Do we actively trying to hide our MI from others? Do people know what to look for in their friends behaviour? What steps or education is needed so that people can seek the help they need before it becomes a bigger problem?

[blondguy]

Hi Smallwolf

Thanks for this great thread!

I understand that some government departments have some understanding of mental health which is what we need to stop the stigma of mental illness

Your question is an excellent one......"What steps or education is needed so that people can seek the help they need before it becomes a bigger problem?"

Beyond Blue was created for that reason....to provide awareness. I am positive that message will 'get through' to the private sector...eventually. At present corporate Australia are more focused on their profit levels and mental health is not as high up the list of priorities....thus the amount of posts about mental health in the workplace on the forums

I think that repeated publicity re mental health is a great way to break through these barriers ...and then we get into funding the publicity...hmmmm

Early education re mental illness would be a huge start to 'stop the stigma'. Mental illness is still seen as a low priority/weakness in schools unfortunately.

Nice1 Smallwolf 🙂

My Best

Paul

[smallwolf]

Learnt something new about BB - on the education front.

Except for my current situation, about 2 years ago and around the time of my birthday I had this empty feeling. It passed after a few days. In that same year, at the beginning of the year, I had to make a call during a class break. The stress levels were rising until break, and I was in the red zone when I made the call. There would have been other times when I had that empty feeling that passes. I would put that down to being in a reflective mood. Not necessarily you are a failure thought. I had thought that my feelings were normal and that everyone went through this.

I think in the media the main time we hear about MI is when MI linked to the cause or associated with person going on a rampage.

When the reality is that would be the exception to the rule.

My own wife when I told her what was going on inside my head started crying. She did not really have an idea of what depression was or is. And she is highly educated.

It was only after I spoke to a few people about what I was going through then told me about their experiences.

I only found out about my father being on AD meditation when I broke down last year.

As much as I would hate to refer to this as a story, anxiety and depression appear to be one of the great untold or unknown stories.

To the person who saw something wrong in me before I did... Did she see something in my eyes? Voice? Mannerisms? What?!?

Situations are not helped when you are told to get over it. I don't remember asking to be this way.

Are we, as a people afraid to talk about it? The effect it has on our lives? Or is it because I look normal that I must be well?

While it might be more accepted in the Govt sector and some politicians have come out, why is there still a stigma attached with having an MI?

We can create newer and faster planes, send people into space, but don't care about the cost of advancement? This applies to any and every business.

Even more questions to ponder.