Mental health services and tobacco

[Bullied]

I have noticed that many people who attend mental health services also smoke tobacco. The fact that these facilities are designated smoke free has no effect and a blind eye is shown to those who smoke.

I am extremely hypersensitive to tobacco and just being close to someone who has smoked in the previous half hour or so can give me a severe migraine. This has been the case when I have tried to get assistance.

It seems that the high level of tobacco smoke will preclude me from availing of mental health services.

[white knight]

Hi bullied

I ptesume that means also that supermarket shopping and many other venues are a no go zone also? Centrelink? Studies prove low income earners smoke more than high incomers.

Ive seen people smoke before entering take away outlets, airports, taxis, buses and the list goes on.

Smoking isnt illegal yet in the outside air only near places of danger eg fuel. So as it stands no one has the power to stop someone smoking before they enter any building/complex including a location of a mental health service.

Tony WK

[Bullied]

Yes - it affects me everywhere, I hardly go out anymore.

Smoking is not allowed on any NSW Health Campus but the staff seem to just ignore that and let their clients smoke inside if they want.

[white knight]

Hi Bullied

Thats the problems with minority groups.

Society cayers mainly for the majority.

But I know two people that are reactive to perfume and some women wear perfume that knocks us flat! But can we ban perfume? Nope!

So I'm sorry to say that thete is no remedy with your problem but to rearrange your life to process focumemts by mail....and other methods.

Tony WK

[Bullied]

There are no Perfume Free Zones.

Smoke Free zones do exist but they are often ignored. This will prevent me from accessing Mental Health Services. So be it. I don't really need to use them as they are pretty useless anyway.

[Just Sara]

Hey Bullied;

I find this an interesting topic. I smoke and have been trying to find the solution to 'not' for many yrs.

I took it up 5 yrs ago after abstaining for 14 yrs, but since this dreaded MH problem's surfaced, it's harder than ever.

I do empathise with you. I'm sorry you feel disheartened by smokers and how it limits your access to mental health services, as they're better now than any time in history. At least that's in my view; I'm not expecting everyone else to agree.

I'd like to hear more of your story if you're up to venting, as this's a safe place to do so. You seem disillusioned and defeatist which isn't a nice place to be; we've all been there in one way or another.

Anyway, I just thought I'd say 'hi' and give you an opportunity to chat with someone from the other side of the coin.

Kind thoughts...

Sara

[Bullied]

Thanks Sara,

I am having a very hard time of it lately. There are laws which should make safe areas but many smokers just ignore them. A small whiff of their poison and I have a migraine for about 4 hours at least. You try to ask them to not smoke and many will get abusive and some violent. I have been assaulted by one man when I asked his friend to stop smoking in a prohibited area. He apologised and put it out but his mate carried on and then started hurling racist abuse at me. When I objected to that he knocked me out. The police were reluctant to pursue it as he was Aboriginal.

These sort of things make it very hard to do normal things. This coupled with the PTSD and I am not having a very good time of it. Lately I find myself feeling violent urges myself which so far I have been able to control but then I crash down into a deeper depression. It has been causing a spiral down. When I try to access services the smokers make that difficult. This has me wondering if it is really worth carrying on much longer. Lately I have felt very close the the edge quite often. I then beat myself up for being too gutless to actually take that step. I also think that I am likely to stuff it up and then I would end up is a Psych Ward which would be a living hell for me.

[Just Sara]

Dear Bullied; (Could you make up a name like Bob or Fred so I don't have to call you bullied? It's demeaning and you deserve better)

You know, there's masses of info in your post I picked up on; mainly self harm thoughts, PTSD and smoke being a trigger. That's because I care...a lot. I'm also sorry to hear of the incident you mentioned.

You're a courageous man for fronting up on here as you have with a story very individualised and specific. I hear your cries for help hun; I'm no stranger to PTSD and the effects on life. It's an insidious disorder and comes with frightening and disempowering feelings that seem to be in control of us.

I called your response to smoke (migraine) a trigger because it seems this way from my perspective. Headaches and migraines are usually caused thru emotional issues. I have them when I'm confronted with really positive opportunities and/or lack of sleep. The premise is being afraid to back myself up thru fear of consequences. (Feeling out of control)

It took me yrs to work this out and understand what I could do about it. However, that experience gives me insight I can share with others to help them on their way. Is there a past experience that's particularly memorable re a smoke filled room or anything to do with others smoking?

You mentioned anger and pushing it down, then becoming depressed. How well I know this one B. Anger is one of my biggest triggers; I have major anxiety thru fear of what it'll cause. Specifically, conflict that ends with me being targeted down the track without warning.

I've got multiple trauma's in my past, one of which is being bullied in my workplace for 7 yrs. This climaxed in a breakdown that ended my career and ability to work. I contribute many hrs on this forum because it gives my life meaning, purpose and; it's safe.

I hope I've instilled trust that my attempts to support and encourage you are genuine. Please continue engaging with me; you never know, it might end up being the turning point in your life as it has been for me.

Kind thoughts;

Sara (Hug...it sounds like you need one)

[Bullied]

The tobacco smoke is not a trigger. It is a physical thing. There is no trauma to do with a smoke filled room etc. It is a major barrier to me getting out of the house and doing anything which is pleasurable. Mental Health facilities seem to be some of the worst places as so many of the clients smoke. I tried raising that with staff there by phone but they said they turn a blind eye to the law being broken as so many of their clients use tobacco for stress relief. So it looks like I am the minority that gets sacrificed.

I was systematically bullied by an individual to the point that I had a breakdown at work which resulted in me being on sick leave for over six months. I engaged and asked for a return to work plan with separation from the bully. The person I spoke with complimented me on being so proactive. Her senior vetoed that plan and said "We will not be dictated to by the likes of him. He will return under our conditions. His sick leave will run out and we will starve him back" That was a direct quote from someone in the meeting who was horrified, but that is what the management is like here. Eventually I did return and settled my claim for 80% of lost wages. The bully had four other victims in our dept of 12. One of the others eventually took his own life. They have moved him from place to place with a trail of other victims in his wake. One eventually took it to court and won. The bully is still there and that victim has gone into early retirement at a huge financial loss.

I eventually escaped to work overseas for a year, which became four years. When I had to return I was under a new manager who was OK. That only lasted a few weeks and the manager changed. This guy is a clever bully. He knows how to do it and keep inside the legislation. The job I had ended and I moved back into a role for my expertise and was away from him, but once again that was only a few weeks and another shuffle meant I was back under the clever bully again. As my symptoms get worse my performance has dropped off and I am now hardly able to do my job anymore. I escape online and keep having terrible fantasies both as nightmares and bad thoughts during the day. Any contact with either bully will set these off. I am spiraling down. I have fought that for so long but now I have succumbed to the inevitable. My physical and mental health are failing and can see that the battle is all but lost.

[Just Sara]

OMG I had no idea! I'm sorry for misinterpreting the smoke thing, but your last post makes it pale in comparison.

I often read of workplace issues on BB, but yours is as close as it gets to my own story it's eerie. People who bring things out in the open aren't popular or treated fairly; mainly because of ill trained or psycho managers and a system that supports them. It fails workers rights dismally.

Do you have regular psychological support? You mention the MH place you visit, but is there an option for private consults? I'm lucky to have a woman who completely gets me. She wrote reports for my previous employer (not to work with someone) as part of my RTW plan, which had them running around like chooks with their heads cut off.

It took 18 months of torturous back and forwards crap, but eventually they moved her. I proved my case but they never put a word of it in writing...therefore it doesn't exist right?

It's no wonder you're having a trial of a time hun. Are you on a mental health/medication plan from your GP? Are there resources close by other than where you've been?

I spent nearly 2 wks in a mental health ward, and it's the best decision I've made since my breakdown. Please don't be scared of that sort of help ok. There's also Lifeline and BeyondBlue for real-time chats when ruminating or thoughts are out of control.

Do you have anyone personal in your life to turn to...family, friends? In my case, trauma really changed me so my family steered clear of me until I settled. It hurt, but I now understand their response. No-one's trained to get the gist of depression or anxiety in loved one's unfortunately.

Stick with me B; I do hope venting on here is positive and keeps you engaged in things other than what's going on in your mind. There's light at the end of the tunnel ok.

Here for you...

Sara