Icebreakers time!

[Cuddlebear]

@rav3n  That’s awesome you got rest over the weekend. It helps so much doesn’t it. Improves mental and physical health. 

At the moment I am finding everyday really difficult with physical and mental aspects preventing me from even looking after myself. I am overwhelmed and in a constant panic and dread.  I really don’t know what to do anymore. I’m scared and afraid and despite a lot of effort don’t have the right support. 

I would like to contribute something if that’s possible. Not sure exactly what maybe a short piece on my lived experience or something like that? 

[rav3n]

it definitely does! i'm a much nicer person when i sleep well hehe @Cuddlebear 

i'm sorry to hear how scared and overwhelmed you feel, i can imagine that the constant panic and not having the right supports would add onto the exhaustion. does your support worker know how you feel? are they able to help you find more supports?

if there's anything the forums community can do to support you, please let us know 💗

yes ofc!! we'd love for you to contribute - a piece on your lived experience would be amazing!! i'll make a lil note of it now, but we'll also reach out to you later to finalise the topic 😊

[Cuddlebear]

@rav3n  lol we are all much easier to get along with when we get decent sleep. 

Yes my support worker knows and after I found where I might get some help we’ve gone to seek support. I’m on a waiting list for a psychologist through the Mental Health and Well-being Local. I can’t afford the gap fee and this place provides it free. My support worker doesn’t really understand chronic mental illness or and is learning that the mental health area is severely underfunded. They thought that we just go into a service or emergency and everyone there responds quickly and provides quality help. They also don’t really comprehend poverty and not having $$$ for private treatment. But they are a really good person I’m just saying they think people just magically snap out of it and everything’s rosy. They do see the horrible things I’ve been through in the past year and a half.  I don’t have a lot of funded hours with them so it’s difficult in that way too. 

Yes I’d love to contribute a lived experience piece. Just holler when it’s time to get it together! 

[rav3n]

it's especially difficult when there's additional barriers limiting your access to the right supports, but given the circumstances, i can see that you're doing everything you can to look after yourself @Cuddlebear that takes a lot of strength and resilience, your efforts don't go unnoticed here.

i'm glad were able to find a psychologist that doesn't have a gap fee!! do you know roughly how long the wait will be? ahh i see, it sounds like your support worker is learning a lot about the mental health system through supporting you. i get what you mean, for some people who don't have lived experience, it can be difficult for them to fully relate and they might not understand the full extent of how challenging things are. i hope that the forums community here helps you feel more seen 💗

yes will do!!

[AlwaysMyself]

@Cuddlebear sending you care and supportive thoughts. Im sorry you're having a really rough time, and let me know if there is support I can give - listening, social, etc. 

I care.

Ps - yay for a bulk billing psych!! Hope the wait wont be too long.

[Cuddlebear]

@AlwaysMyself  Good morning friend how are you? How was work? You’re likely at work now so I hope it’s all going well today.

Thank you for reaching out. It’s really comforting knowing people are here and care about how I am. It’s hard being alone here at home and feeling like no one really cares. There’s times at the moment where I just need to talk things out. Keeping them inside is not healthy. Then there’s just being social having people to chat to. 

Im really hoping I don’t have to wait too much longer for the psychologist. 

[AlwaysMyself]

Yes, I was working today (and tomorrow). I'm feeling quite tired (worn out) this week- I think just a build up from last week and the weekend. This week is also looking to be busy, but hopefully Friday and the weekend I can get some extra rest. 😊 

Did you do anything interesting or for e joyment today for yourself @Cuddlebear ?

[Cuddlebear]

@AlwaysMyself  Good morning. How are you? You must be feeling tired after a big week last week and this week building on the new project. I hope today goes very smoothly at work and you can put your feet up once you get home. 

I did some errands yesterday mainly a quick shop, a small walk too. Nothing very exciting. Home today with just some messages to send out. It’s been raining here so not a great deal to do. 

[AlwaysMyself]

I am looking forward to end-of-work today, as its my "end of work week". 😊 work has gone well this week - learning lots of little details on areas i knew a little broadly about. Quite interesting! My manager seems happy that i've "hit the group running" with my prior knowledge. 🙂  I think my biggest challenge will be getting them to review my draft work when I'm not-yet-confident about things. But we will set up a weekly or fortnightly time to touch base and that will be good for that I think. 😊 I like have a high level of autonomy, it will just take time to build informal networks with other staff to know i can ask questions of people without hierarchy concerns of course lol.

@Cuddlebear Rainy day sounds like a good one to cuddle up with your dog (I assume you are allowed to do that with service dogs when theyre at-home and asked for cuddles?) And a blanket, and maybe a warm drink and a book (incl audiobook of course!) or tv or activity. 😊

[Cuddlebear]

@AlwaysMyself  It really sounds like you’ve got such a natural flair for this project. You will build awesome networks with staff and be able to implement user friendly templates etc for staff use. It takes a bit of time building the informal networks but I have big confidence in you that you will and that the project overall will be a huge improvement and success. Yes touching base is a good idea and I like you have autonomy. This really helps a project not get stuck and move forward! 

Would you believe the suns come out. Yes we are allowed to snuggle and get many pats and kisses when our dogs are off harness. 🙂 He’s currently enjoying some sun after we had a play with some toys.