Depression and Mental illness..What can we do

[Ms Sue]

This might be a downer post however I think we really need to look at our Health system for depression and also Mental illness…

In the last couple of weeks we have witness the death of a young boy Luke Batty killed by his own father who was suffering from mental illness... It was great courage that Luke’s Mother Rosie was able to come out and discuss how Greg mental health deteriorated over the years…

Yes he was offered help but refused it…

When does the health System step in….

Charlotte Dawson took her own life she had suffered from depression for many years and the depression won…..

Did these people not know where to turn to …..

What would make someone take their own life or kill their own son….

I would love a way to help not donate money but do something that could make a difference in some one life….

Ms Sue

 

[Tania Admin]

A great way to help is be supportive of those around you, give credit where its due, be good to people, see outside the square you never know what hell people have been/are going through. Helping people with mental illness/depression starts at home, work and out in public. If someone seems unhappy, a positive word or a smile can change their whole day.

Our mental health system is over loaded but each and every individual has the ability to care and to help others if that's the kind of soul they have. REMEMBER, it starts at home with friends and family, neighbours, work colleagues, the lady/man walking past with the sad face. Being perceptive enough to realise someone has had enough and really caring about their situation.

Bullying needs to be stopped. We can never truly get rid of all the bullies, but those who aren't being bullied need to step in and say "hey this is unacceptable, leave them alone", this needs to be done by adults and also taught to our children.

Awareness and acceptance that people suffer from these conditions and that it's not a weakness, majority of the time it's because they have needed to be to strong for to long.

There was a Forum thread on depression yesterday, being able to talk about and knowing others feel the same and have made it through is a big step in helping..

 

[homer]

Truly tragic with these unnecessary deaths.

 

[Driver Harry]

In years to come our mental health system will not be able to cope with the folks using Meth as the long term effects will be horrific due to the chemicals that the brain can absorb.
All chemicals within our lifestyles whether be food, drink or pharmaceuticals has affects to your mental health. There is no blood test that can diagnose these issues. You will not even know you have a issue until it's too late but it's how you cope and seek help is key and friends recognizing you may have a problem and be supportive.
When Ms Sue brought this up last night we had a good discussion on some matters about these problems. Sleep is important to your mental health, no self medication (booze, drugs) is essential and seek a good GP is always the best place to start.

 

[Ms Sue]

Dick Diamonde wrote on my Facebook page so I thought i would share it on the forum...

Read ur post...its a super complicated and difficult nut to crack...maybe their is NO solution that will put an end to the two very different examples you mentioned...Society must realize it cant fix everything for others. The breakdown of family units has a lot to answer for in creating the conditions which cause the type of incidents u mention. I dont think we'll ever see the eradication of depression, suicide or mental illness simply because of the complex issues behind them as surely each individual has their own set of circumstances. Life and feeling good about is a daily battle of the mind, you can succumb to the dark thoughts of negativity or not...your choice! Its about personal responsibility and strong caring relationships. The absence of those leaves one vulnerable to a loss of hope....this is truly the crux of the matter. How can one restore hope for another individual, particularly if they are so lost in a sea of prolonged negativity. If they dont want to help themselves, no one else can do squat! An example of Darwins law of natural selection...its survival of the fittest on a mental and emotional plane.

 

[Tania Admin]

I was under the impression this thread was asking how to help people with depression,,not condemn them!

 

[Ms Sue]

I do agree but it is always good for others to share there thoughts even if they don't agree with our thinking...
Since posting this it is amazing how many have come and spoke to me regarding there own experiences or were they have helped someone...
Until recently to be honest I have never given it a thought ... Because I have never suffered from depression and just thought to myself people must be weak not to take control of there own thought however now I know how wrong I was ... I am sure that I am not the only one who would think that way .... I have been looking at Lifeline and it gives better understanding and also helps lots of people in WA..
Ms Sue

 

[honestman]

My rules in sustaining humility, and unconditional awareness & understanding - which I believe would make a difference:

1. never, ever give out unsolicited advices in front of anyone no matter what they've been through. Simply smile and toughen up remarks would drive anyone further in distress. I am a living proof of this continuous remarks upon me.

2. Never compare someone else's "beginnings" to someone else's "middle" for favour of attaining superiority. Yes that includes our own "middles". We can of course lightly describe what we've done, but we should never impose our influence of superiority over those who are lower than us.

3. Be on a level with someone whom you wish to put forth your care, be compassionate in hearing all what the victim in distress believes in - even if they are at first wrong or politically incorrect. If hostility which leads to wounding of the caregiver is reached then unfortunately there is nothing we can do but to restrain the victim.

4. Gently be in agreement and fullfil to the victim's base or list of interest/s. This is more or less similar to "be on a level"; as in we have to bring ourselves down to a level which they can relate to on an equal base, but this is more specifically in discussing over what the victim/in question really wishes to communicate. The key interest here is to bring some spark of relevant communication over a certain topic or issue for the victim to comfortable and most importantly - confidently relate to. You may or may not discover a lot more than you'd previously realise about a certain paradigm that person's gone through.

5. Of all, stay on a level with them unconditionally for as long as needed be. Now, nobody is a God, neither am I - but if there is one thing that I can fail to attest to from A VERY HONEST points of experiences - I can fail at times for being not so patient. The old adage; whilst heavily abused is still painfully true - "patience is virtue".

Hope the above certainly rings some bells to those who are struggling, or those who are seriously considering to help someone in need...

 

[Ms Sue]

Great advice Honestman....,

 

[Tania Admin]

I just thought the other thread was personal experience....it seemed this one was non financial ways of helping...It seemed sad/bad when a condemnation appeared on a help thread,,,that was all......

 

[honestman]

I do apologise that I can at times go off the rails when it comes to giving a possible system of advice/s based on my first-person beliefs - but getting back to the topic for answering what can we do? or what can we really do for the public to raise awareness is really the question of how much can we bring the initiatives in ourselves on things that are easy at first.

I honestly struggle to find out what would else be the easiest thing instead of just "donating" our $$$ straight to the depression foundation etc.., but our efforts need to be somehow noticed by others within immediate vicinity.

We could start being more aware of helping the "direct" needy - in this case - such as the youth homeless. Buying groceries would be what I'd do to bring forth that initiatives to at least be noticed.

This may not be related to the depression itself, but it at least brings a notice to around us that we do care.

Unfortunately of course - I struggle for more ideas, hopefully others can chime in.

 

[Driver Harry]

There has been in recent times a lot more adverts/education in regards to mental health. Would be awesome if a pill could fix it, but i'm not sure if we will ever find the triggers or gene involved as I said the brain is so complex. The best we can do is be there for family/friends that show signs and work through hopefully a treatable condition.
Sue said about Ms Dawson (have to go gets girls brb)

 

[Happy2]

Until the stigma of mental issues is dealt with in society People with issues are far less likely to come forward with their health problems And general society still seems to have a movie like understanding of mental problems He's gone nuts hes mad or Pull yourself together man

Its like we see something and we jump to conclusions A near neighbour His wife was in a wheelchair people might smile but rarely made eye contact But she fell out of her chair one day and had to wear a huge cast People would come up to her Total strangers and say you poor dear let me help you Come 2 months later with the cast of she was back to being a person to pity
'So all we can do is try to be more accepting If society doesnt brand people Then the disease may lose its stigma and just be another ailment that can happen to us and its time to go to the doc
I mean I have a loved one with Alzeihmers When people ask after my mum If the A word is mentioned you can just about see the eyes glazing over And worse thing for me is I always wonder if I used to do the same thing once

 

[Dallas]

It's a shame that clinical depression shares the same name as the day to day affliction because they have as much in common as cancer and a tooth ache.

I've been depressed like anyone can get and took control and got myself back on track.

I got clinical depression and I got panic attacks, chronic fatigue syndrome, pain in all my joints, chronic insomnia, reoccurring nightmares, low self esteem and no enjoyment from anything and it took me over a year to get well again.

 

[honestman]

I got clinical depression and I got panic attacks, chronic fatigue syndrome, pain in all my joints, chronic insomnia, reoccurring nightmares, low self esteem and no enjoyment from anything and it took me over a year to get well again.

Read your insight from your experience on SSRI's. Sounds like hell mate.

That is one group of medicines (Citalopram, escitalopram, fluoxetine, etc...) that hopefully I would never touch one day, even when I'll be a lot older.

However, I've seen generic Viagra tabs NOW INFUSED with SSRI (fluoxetine variant) for online sale...well that is one thing I don't really want to know whether it works "as a combination" or not. May need to do more reading.

But one thing for sure (add this to the list of what can we do) - avoid SSRI's whenever possible.

 

[Dallas]

Read your insight from your experience on SSRI's. Sounds like hell mate.

That is one group of medicines (Citalopram, escitalopram, fluoxetine, etc...) that hopefully I would never touch one day, even when I'll be a lot older.

However, I've seen generic Viagra tabs NOW INFUSED with SSRI (fluoxetine variant) for online sale...well that is one thing I don't really want to know whether it works "as a combination" or not. May need to do more reading.

But one thing for sure (add this to the list of what can we do) - avoid SSRI's whenever possible.

I agree honestman, I know these drugs are essential for some people in severe cases but my view is that if at all possible personal support, exercise and diet are the best way to over come it. I never had the personal support but the other two made huge difference.

 

[Driver Harry]

Finding the right medication for a person's mental condition is experimental most times.
Mood swings, nausea, headaches and so on. Then there is a lot of difference between name and pharmacy brands, believe me they clowns behind the counter don't know how much the difference makes.

 

[garibaldi]

My brother just has been diagnosed as being/with psychotic depression. He has been depressed.. and struggling a lot since mum passed just over a year ago.. (had a bit of break down a few months after that, and his relationship with his gf was on the rocks, but appeared to have recovered somewhat).

Then at around December broke up with the girlfriend. for the last time.. (the "she is the one, only one for me") , she ended the relationship. he recently started some meds.. had trouble sleeping still etc.. and trying to get a hold on things.. tho it now is revealed in the past week or so he started spending up.. (had gone to see some self help/had (psyic) readings done etc.. maybe was a trigger).
On friday (just gone) he had a break down, thinking people were after him .. wouldnt tell people where he was .. eventually (dad) got to him.. he hadn't eaten for a day or 3 and had stopped taking his meds..... seemed ok saturday/sunday... another brother had asked dad to call some support services.. for whatever reason that did not happen.
I then get a call today that dad went out to check on him this morning... he wasn't there, house was fully open/unlocked, he had thrown stuff out (good stuff too...) into a rubbish pile... but no sight of him. eventually the hospital called (dad).. turns out he had been found walking down a road into town (he lives about 8kms from a small town) .. in the middle of the road and causing havick with traffic.. someone called police <thankfully>.. police needed to pepper spray him and took him to hospital. (side note: appears they made no effort to ID him , just left him at the hospital from reports I got).
On the advice of the hospital etc he was taken to Bendigo for an assessment.. they gave him some sleeping pills.. and have sent him back home. telling him he must obey his doctors orders, eat and sleep (he has lot of trouble getting sleep.... for long time now). we were expecting him to stay there for a few days atleast...

Hopefully my wall of text is not too bothersome.. need to get it off my chest. Being over here in the west makes things a little harder.

 

[Happy2]

All the best to you and your family Garibaldi There is nothing I can say as I know little about this terrible disease . all I can say is I hope your brother gets the medical support he needs as it seems he already has his families support

 

[Dallas]

Thanks for sharing Garibaldi, sorry this has happened to him, I know first hand how it can be although this is far worse than what I've experienced. I hope he gets the help and treatment to get him home again and able to lead a normal life.

 

[garibaldi]

Thanks for the replies.
Spoke to him a bit today. His words were not flowing normally. bit disjointed (understandable). but he is still tired. Been told he has an appointment tomorrow. So hopefully he will get the help that he needs.

 

[Tania Admin]

Thanks for the replies.
Spoke to him a bit today. His words were not flowing normally. bit disjointed (understandable). but he is still tired. Been told he has an appointment tomorrow. So hopefully he will get the help that he needs.

I hope your brother is doing much better now.

Any mental health issue, depression etc is important. I still see so many people sweeping it under the carpet. The more we talk about it and our own experiences (I am presently winning my battle against depression) the more aware it makes others.

 

[Bambi]

 

[Bambi]

 

[User184]

hahaha, I hate R U Ok day.

I woke up in hospital once after a suicide attempt. There for 3 days. My family visited once. Since then we've never really talked about it. Then a month ago my mum asks "r u ok?" I pretended to be warmed by her concern and said "yeah, doing well." I felt like slapping her and telling her to go fuck herself.

So I'd say, if all you are going to do is ask "r u ok?" once a year. Best bet is to just STFU. If you are going to put in the yards and build the trust that makes that question mean something. You have every good vibe I have to send.

 

[Happy2]

I can't say I have been in your shoes user184 But I can see where your dislike of R u OK coming from
Genuine concern and love is one thing Doing what sounds good for the sake of it is another

 

[Morgan Sapphire]

I'm normally a really strong hearted and strongwilled person. However , in the past couple of months I've just felt like breaking down in tears and I don't know why. I haven't really told anyone because that sort of behavior is not expected of me and I don't think anyone would believe the state of mind I'm in. I'm trying to keep it together around my kids because they shouldn't really see me in this state and people around me have their own problems to deal with without me adding to them. I don't want to take antidepressants . I just want to feel alive again. Anyone with any suggestions ?

 

[HappyPirate]

Ahoy Morgan, check out the thread below
link not working so taken down
If you have the time and money, check below

I'm normally a really strong hearted and strongwilled person. However , in the past couple of months I've just felt like breaking down in tears and I don't know why. I haven't really told anyone because that sort of behavior is not expected of me and I don't think anyone would believe the state of mind I'm in. I'm trying to keep it together around my kids because they shouldn't really see me in this state and people around me have their own problems to deal with without me adding to them. I don't want to take antidepressants . I just want to feel alive again. Anyone with any suggestions ?

 

[Pleasure Chick1]

The best solution is to talk xxx

 

[bushseeker]

More than a few wl ive come to spend time with have almost certainly been schitzophrenic once you know them well enough to open up or get 2 in the same room thier nental illness just pours out.
and before the usual suspects bleat out... a major outcome of szohna is ..... homelesness..... and surprise surprise being homeless/uunder housed is a major impetus for working...
it is common practice on this forum for holier than thou ladys to deny there is a MASSIVE underbelly in the industry. drugs. Mental illness homlessness addictions etc etc. ..
it involves sooo many ladys that really need professional support and the ladys disagreeing with me .... and they will DO THESE LADYS LESS THAN ZERO FAVOURS