What do you do if you don't have family or friends to talk to or help you

[smidgen]

My long term depression and anxiety has got me into the situation that I don't have any friends and no family close enough to help me in any practical way. Any ideas about who can give me support?

[Sophie_M]

Dear smidgen,
 
Thank you for coming to the forums to ask this question, it is unfortunate that you feel you have no personal supports in your life that you can turn to and we hope that we can offer some professional alternatives.
 
Firstly, we would always encourage you to engage with your local GP they can often be a valuable point of first contact for mental health issues. A GP can offer a professional outlet and potentially provide referral to appropriate support services if recommended.
 
We would also like to recommend Someone Health, it is a varied team of Bulk Billing Psychologists who are available for video and telephone Counselling 7 days a week. And, for most Australians it's free under Medicare. Visit Someone Health to find out more.
 
Please remember we have a team of counsellors available 24/7 that would be happy to discuss your concerns and possible options. You can contact Beyond Blue either via phone 1300 224 636 or through Beyond Blue Online Chat. The Beyond Blue safety planning app might be worth looking at, too. You can read about how it works and where to download it here.
 
Thank you for trusting our supportive community and sharing your experiences, we hope you find the shared insights and advice of our members helpful.
 
Warm regards
Sophie M
 

[Magenta_Mulberry]

I hear ya smidgen. I feel the same. As Sophie said there are professionals that can help,but remember that all professionals aren't created equal and if you don't click with a person, find someone else. It's really difficult when you're not in a good place but remember you're playing the long game. You've joined BB

so you're on the right track!

[smidgen]

Thank you for responding. My GP is aware of my mental health condition and she has referred me to a psychologist and psychiatrist. They are therapists and they don't provide practical help or friendship. Here is an example: Yesterday I cancelled an appointment with my psychiatrist who only works one day a week. That was because I rely on community transport to get me to the hospital where he is. I was told by community transport that they couldn't provide me with transport on the day of the appointment. I didn't want to pay taxi fare which would be at least $80 because my only income is Disability Support pension. In the area that I live in nearly all the psychiatrists work at the hospital which is not accessible by public transport.

[Beeee]

Hello smidgen, 

I'm so sorry your mental health has affected your relationships in this way. Is there anyway you could reach out and mend relationships with friends/family to build your support system? There are also a lot places to connect with others online, this forum is one such place. There is a 'BB Social Zone' where people can socialise and support each other in their everyday. 

I'm not sure if you have accessed the NDIS before, but they support individuals with psychosocial disabilities. This might be an option to explore, perhaps by calling the NDIS. There are also a number of associations such as Afford, which provide support services under NDIS. 

When it come to the specific issue of not being able to see your psychiatrist due to not having transport, does your psychiatrist provide over-the-phone or online sessions? 

Hope you are able to find the support you need,

Beeee

[smidgen]

Thank you for your response. Past friends, no. People move on with their lives, move house, change phone numbers, leave the country, people change. Family, some care but are too busy, some die, some have their own problems, some don't understand, some I don't want to talk to, some say hurtful things. NDIS, I have tried to understand multiple times and just give up. Psychosocial disabilities? Who came up with that term? My psychiatrist has never offered me the option of phone sessions but I don't like that option anyway. I find talking on the phone too awkward. I have a problem with talking because of dry mouth. If I get emotional I can't talk. I think good communication involves facial expressions and body language. Online sessions, I have enough trouble understanding my computer already. 

[smallwolf]

hi,

When you feel there is nobody who is able to help or support you, it can feel as though you are all alone and nobody understands.  I don't know anything about situation or where you live and what resources are available for you... but I wonder if there is a local group of some sort you might be able to join and perhaps find people with similar interests to you. 

Or... what sort of things do you like to do? 

Perhaps your GP might be able to refer you?  

Listening...

[Resilience21]

Dear Smidgen,

I am sorry you haven't got anybody to talk to at the moment.

Please look forward to tomorrow for you can change your situation.

First of all  there are always the councillors from Beyond Blue who are

always there for you and they will listen to your concerns. So you are not alone!

The biggest insight I have experienced is: HELP DOES COME FIRST OF ALL FROM

YOURSELF, FROM INSIDE OF YOU. YOU ARE STRONGER THAN YOU THINK AND YOU

NEED TO ACKNOWLEGE THAT DEEP INSIDE OF YOU - YOU POSSESS COURAGE. WITH THIS COURAGE

YOU CAN TAKE YOUR POWER BACK, TAKE STEPS TOWARDS HEALING AND ASK FOR HELP

EVERY DAY. 

One way of healing and experiencing a new direction can be, by just doing one thing different each

day. For instance, try to recognise your thoughts ... are they helpful or are they

projecting you in the wrong direction. 

You have the power to make the first step to feeling better! You will see, once you

have done that, your life will improve!

Start tomorrow. Just do it and make it happen!

I have experienced 32 years of Mental Ill-Health and I have learnt many different ways to ask for help, help myself, receive help, take medication and each day I practise choosing helpful thoughts with tremendous result.

Please Smidgen, when you get up tomorrow ... sit up in bed an think ... TODAY IS A NEW DAY ... AND SOMETHING IS DIFFERENT.

My heartfelt wishes.

[Mark Z.]

Hi smidgen,

I'm sorry for your challenge, I do understand the feeling of loneliness.

You can feel free to share your story here when you're ready, we're more than happy to share our experience.

I also want to encourage you to develop some hobbies and look for relative clubs in your community. You can have a look at your council's website. You local library also provides some information.

If you want, you can also attend a mental health support program or peer support group. Here's some relative information that might be helpful:

https://www.peerconnect.org.au/peer-networks/peer-support-networks-and-mental-health-sector/

https://www.mhfa.org.au/CMS/online-support-groups

https://nwmphn.org.au/news/vmiacs-check-in-peer-support-program/

Mark

[smidgen]

Thanks for your response. I am feeling like there is nothing I would like to do apart from watching TV. My psychiatrist knows this. He is not like psychologists I've seen before as he has not told me to challenge my thoughts or rate my activities. He has said antidepressants don't make you happy. But it seems like he is relying on the antidepressant to make a difference. I have been taking a tricyclic antidepressant for at least 3 years and for a time took the maximum dose but every day I hate waking up. I want to trust my psychiatrist and he is in his 60s so I expect he has a lot of experience and knows what he is doing. But I still wonder if he knows what is best for me.