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Ermha Complex Mental Health and Disability Services

Spotlight

Ru-bee

1 day ago

How to Create a SANE Forums Account

Hello! For those who are interested in the SANE forums, maybe you have spent some time taking a look around and reading threads and are now wondering how to get involved, here’s a quick guide for how to sign up and sign in to the SANE forums. Let’s start with an overview of why you might like to sign up: The SANE forums are a free, anonymous space to access peer to peer support, and is accessible 24/7 on any device They are moderated by mental health professionals for safety and support Open to adults in Australia living with mental health issues, their families, friends, and carers How to Start an Account Go to the SANE Forums Website: saneforums.org    Register for an Account Click “Sign up” to create an account. Fill in the registration form: Create a unique username (do not use your real name or a name that might be otherwise identifiable for privacy) Provide a valid email address and basic personal information Set a secure password Agree to the Terms & Conditions and Community Guidelines Don’t forget to click “Sign up” Confirm Your Email Check your email inbox for a confirmation message (don’t forget to check your junk folder too!) Click the link in the email to activate your account. How to Log In Return to saneforums.org Click “Log In” Enter Your Username and Password Use the details you created during registration. Access the Forums Once logged in, you can: Read and join discussions Post questions or comments Connect with others for support Some extra notes: You can browse and read forum posts without registering, but you must create an account to post or interact. SANE Forums are anonymous and moderated 24/7 to ensure safety and privacy. Only one account per person is allowed, and you must be over 18 and living in Australia. If you have trouble registering or logging in, visit the site’s help section or contact SANE Support Services. Safety Note:SANE Forums are not a crisis service. If you need urgent help, contact Lifeline (13 11 14) or emergency services (000).

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rav3n

3 days ago

SANE'S INNOVATE RAP - What does reconciliation look like in our community?

Hey Forumites!!✨ A few weeks ago, the SANE Team attended a conference where @RachSANECEO shared SANE’s Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), which now we get to share with you! You can check out our Journey to Reconciliation, and read all about SANE’s Innovate RAP. To summarise, our goal for the next 3 years is to: End mental health inequality through systemic change Eliminate stigma, discrimination, and social exclusion We recognise the deep and lasting impact colonisation has had—and continues to have—on the mental health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. With many of the people we support living in regional, rural, and remote areas, developing an Innovate RAP is a meaningful step in advancing our vision and strengthening our commitment to genuine reconciliation.  We want our forums community involved in this step with us – we want you all to reflect on what reconciliation and closing the gap looks like for you.   Here’s our 2 questions to the forums community: What does reconciliation mean or look like to you? Show us by sharing photos or artworks (make sure to follow the guidelines when posting), or feel free to create your own artwork!As seen on the RAP (and presented below), ‘Heal the People’ by Kelly Marie Taylor is an artwork that incorporates symbols to express her journey. We’ve copied below some symbols you can use when creating your own art piece (and feel free to google some more symbols).   What’s one way you’re thinking about engaging with reconciliation moving forward? Feel free to also share meaningful ways you’ve engaged in the past and what you’ve learnt from those experiences.   We look forward to seeing everyone’s contributions 💖

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AuntGlow

about 17 hours ago

✨Sunday Intention Setting✨

Hello lovely people, I have been reflecting on some ways we can support you all through our recovery-oriented way of connecting on the forums, and thought that creating a weekly intention setting/reflection conversation could be really helpful. 🥰 Intention-setting can allow us to more mindfully focus our attention onto the things we would like to explore more of (without too much pressure!). And when we do so within community, it can help us to feel more supported as we go about exploring new habits and ideas. Now, this isn't about showing up perfectly or reaching all of our 'goals' overnight, but rather, exploring what is possible, what we enjoy, and how we can feel more safely connected to ourselves.  So, what will this look like exactly? 1. Set your intention for the week. For example, I am going to practice allowing myself 5 minutes a day to slow down. 2. Reflect. You can do this throughout the week via your notes app, a journal, or here on the forums. *Notice what feels good, what doesn't, and why.  3. Share the following Sunday. Let us know what you were able to explore and what came up for you/if you have any questions or need some support.  Remember - there is no right or wrong! It's so fine if all you did was hold the intention in the back of your mind - change takes time. I would love you all to have fun with this and to explore things from a place of curiosity and compassion. 💛 And... go! @Dreamy @MissinTooth @Bow @Shaz51 @Captain24 @creative_writer @avant-garde @Oaktree @ENKELI @Dimity @Semly @Appleblossom @MJG017 @Sunnyside226 @Blackcloud @PeppyPatti  @Jynx @tyme @Ru-bee @rav3n @RiverSeal 

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0ddsidian

5 days ago

Queer Joy! - Pride Week 2

Hello Forums friends, For those who haven’t met me, I’m 0ddsidian (with a zero, instead of the letter 'O'). I’m a background character here within the Forums. I am also a proud demi-pansexual woman and a member of the LGBTQIA+ community. For Week 2 of Pride Month, I’d love to flag the concept of “Queer Joy”. In THIS article, Queer Joy is described as “self-acceptance, community, power, and the vibrant celebration of identity” for LGBTQIA+ people 🌈   For me, Queer Joy really does link to the joy I feel in connecting with people in the rainbow community. It’s also about the way I express myself; through art, writing, language, music and my appearance (check out my Pride nails!) 💅   I’d love to know… What does “Queer Joy” mean to you? How do you express “Queer Joy”? Share the (queer) joy with us! Tagging people from the week 1 Pride thread (which you can find HERE) @Jynx @RiverSeal @Dreamy @MissinTooth @Cuddlebear @Captain24 @Appleblossom @Till23 @The-red-centaur @Glisten @Patches59 @Shaz51 @ale_inmelb

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Jynx

6 days ago

How To: Recovery Focused Posting

Hi there SANE Forums Fam!     This how-to guide was designed to help you post to the forums and create safety for yourself and others when talking about those tough topics, such as suicidal ideation and self-harm related thoughts and urges.    We hope that this guide will help you to share safely about thoughts of suicide and self-harm, and seek support from others who understand what you are going through.      What is recovery focused posting?    When we talk about posting in a way that is recovery-oriented or recovery focused, we are encouraging posting in a way that protects both you, and the community. We let the community know what we need, so that it means even on the tough days, we are all here to support each other's safety and well-being.    What it is -  a way to communicate our needs so we can get the right support all about keeping the community safe  a way for us all to keep working on building our resilience and capacity What it isn't -  about banning or forbidding discussion of the difficult topics a requirement to 'always be positive' or to pretend we're feeling okay when we're not a restriction on sharing big, dark, or difficult feelings Having a 'recovery focus' is all about highlighting our needs, what's worked for us before, and what may or may not be helpful for us now. It helps reduce confusion and concern, helps reduce anxiety for members reading along, and reduces the risk of us triggering or getting triggered. It can even be empowering for us, in helping us learn to identify our support and recovery needs and practice communicating them to the people around us.    Here are some examples of ways we can make our posts recovery focused:       For many members and readers here on the SANE Forums, thoughts of suicide and struggles with self-harm are a common part of their mental health or life journey. It's often difficult to talk about these topics, so we want folks to feel like they can be open about what they're going through - without the risk of accidentally encouraging each others rumination or risky behaviours.   If you are thinking about suicide, reaching out for support and talking about it is an important step to make sure that you get the right help when you need it most. The forums offers a judgement-free space to express ourselves, and we want to continue to encourage people to feel safe in sharing their story here. Creating a safe community starts with how we use our language.   Safe language is important because:   It allows others to feel capable and comfortable with providing us with support.   It can protect others from common triggers and help someone else who is sitting with thoughts of suicide too.   How we talk about suicide in the Forums is important for you, and for your fellow community members.      Before you post to the Forums    The SANE Forums are a peer support community where most of the support is provided by peers. This makes it a great place to seek support from others who understand what you are going through.    It's important to note though, the SANE Forums cannot provide crisis support. We have put together some questions you can ask yourself before posting to work out whether it’s the SANE Forums or a crisis service that might be the best option for you in the moment (adapted from the Chatsafe online resource).    Where is the right place/service for me to ensure I get the right help at the right time? If you are thinking about suicide, it’s important to get the right help at the right time.     We have a flow chart to help you decide where the right place or service might be for you to seek help. This includes when it is okay to post to the SANE Forums, or when crisis services or emergency support might be the best avenue get the support you need.        As a peer-to-peer support service, the SANE Forums can’t provide crisis support   This is because:  Most of the peer support that is offered across the forums comes from other members just like you. In a crisis, or when you are feeling unsafe, it is important that help comes from people who are trained to provide crisis support.  The nature of online forums mean that replies aren’t instant. This means you may not get the help exactly when you need it.  We do have Moderators and Peer Support Workers online 24/7 to monitor posts and offer support when needed, but the nature of forums means we can’t always be as responsive as you might need in a crisis. That’s where phone or webchat crisis supports are a good option to get timely support.   Language can be ambiguous or interpreted in different ways in online, which is why when we are concerned that someone might be thinking about suicide, we check in via post or email, and refer to crisis support  What am I hoping to get out of sharing my story? (aka: my purpose and needs)    People talk about experiences of suicide for many reasons. This includes seeking help and support for thoughts of suicide, to raise awareness, or to support another person who might be going through something similar. There are lots of different reasons. Understanding your reason/purpose will help you work out the right avenue to meet your needs.     What parts of my story am I comfortable to share and how will I feel when I share? (aka: my privacy and wellbeing)   We all have different boundaries around how much of ourselves and our story we feel comfortable to share in a public space.    Ensuring you feel safe to share when talking about thoughts of suicide is important, whether that is in an online space, a private space (eg: with a counsellor or mental health professional), or with a trusted person in our lives.       How can I write my story in a way that ensures I get the support I need AND is safe for others reading?   Think about how you would write your story and whether you are in a space to be able to write in a way that is safe for all to read.     We have some tips to help you do this. You can also look at our Community Guidelines.   How can I write about thoughts of suicide safely?    Let the community know that you are safe:  If you are posting about suicide, and are safe, then include that in your post.  For example: “I have been coping with thoughts of suicide, but I am safe. I am looking for support from my peers”;“Today has been really difficult, and I don’t know if I can keep doing this, but I am safe tonight and will reach out to a helpline if I feel I need to”  or; “I am someone who lives with thoughts of suicide each day, but if they get worse tonight I will go for a walk and speak with a friend. I am safe for now” If you aren’t feeling safe, it’s time to log off the forums and access crisis support.    Use safe language:  Our words have power, and it’s important that we use trauma safe language when talking about suicide on the forums. By trauma safe language, we mean language that is not graphic, upsetting or triggering for others to read. This includes staying away from graphic detail including means or plans, and making sure you are clear and direct about your current safety.   Use trigger warnings:  Help other forum members make an informed decision about whether to read on by including a trigger warning.  You might add TW: mentions suicide in your title, or include Trigger warning: mentions thoughts of suicide in the first line of your post.  Avoid mentioning methods of suicide:  Many members of the forums may have experience of suicidal thoughts, feelings or behaviours, and might be triggered, upset or impacted by mentions of methods.   Instead, remove the methods of suicide and replace with more general statements such as “I think about action to end my life”, or “I have had thoughts of methods before”. You can still get your story across without listing the method.    Let the community know what support you are looking for/what you need:  You know what you need best, and letting others know means they can provide more effective support to you when you need it most.     For example:  “I just need someone to sit with me right now”, “I would like some suggestions” or, “I need some distraction”    I often hear Moderators/Peer Workers ask the question “Are you feeling safe for now?”. What does it mean?    If we have reason to believe that you might be thinking about suicide, we will check in to see how you are feeling, and whether you are currently thinking about suicide.  You may hear us ask if you are safe, but safety can mean many things, so let’s define what we mean in the context of suicide.     “Are you safe for now?”:  If we are concerned that you might be thinking about suicide, we will ask you if you are safe for now. What we mean is, are you planning to act on thoughts of suicide now?    "I am safe for now":  If you are safe for now, we will encourage you to reach out and seek peer support through the forums. There are a lot of other people here sitting with thoughts of suicide too who know what it’s like to take steps towards safety.     For many people, thoughts of suicide can be ongoing, so we may ask a few times as safety might change from hour to hour, or day to day. That’s why we say safety for now, as we are trying to understand your immediate safety and offer appropriate support.     This is especially important in public online spaces where we don’t have the same communication options as we would in real life settings.     It can be really helpful to have a safety plan prepared for times when you might have thoughts of suicide, which will help you take steps to seek help or safety. Beyondnow is a great online tool to help you build a safety plan.    "I am not able to stay safe":  If you tell us you are not able to stay safe, we will ask you to confirm if you are planning to end your life and if you have a plan. This will happen off the forums and via email.     If you aren't able to or aren't sure that you can stay safe, this is when it is time to step off the forums and access immediate crisis support. In an emergency, the best place to seek help is to call 000, or go to your local emergency department.     As a mental health service, SANE can be a safe space to share if you are feeling unsafe, and we will get emergency help to you.    As mandatory reporters, if a forum member tells us or indicates that they are in serious and imminent risk of harm, including planning to end their life now, then we do contact emergency services. This is an important part of ensuring the safety and wellbeing of those who access our services.     Mandatory reporting is (as the name suggests) mandatory by law, which ensures that every health service, including SANE, are looking out for the safety and wellbeing of the people we support.      When might Moderators, Community Managers or Peer Support Workers step in?   The SANE Forums team may step in when a post breaches our safety guidelines, and could impact the safety of the person posting or the wellbeing of those reading.     We will remove or edit posts that mention or imply: A person intends to end their life, or doesn’t confirm safety in a way that could be upsetting for those reading. This includes where there are ambiguous mentions or inferences to suicide without confirming safety.  Methods of suicide or self harm  Graphic descriptions    Check out the suggestions earlier in this post to help you stay within the guidelines.  We will email members to:  Check in to see if a member is safe for now and offer referrals to crisis support  Check in with others who may have been upset by something they have read on the forums  Let members know if a post is removed or edited Offer suggestions of how to bring posts back in line with the guidelines  Let a member know if we are involving emergency services, if doing so doesn't put the person at further risk of harm SANE has a responsibility to keep the Forums safe for everyone. This means that there may be times we will need to make tough decisions to remove a post, email you about the guidelines, or pause an account.     If we are concerned about your safety, we want to make sure you have access to crisis services, and we will refer to options such as:  National crisis services such as Lifeline (13 11 14)  and Suicide Call Back Service (1300 659 467). You can find a list of crisis services at the top of every page on the SANE Forums.  000 in an emergency  SANE’s other support services  Other services specific to your situation (eg: 1800Respect, BlueKnot, Mensline…)   Summary Here are the key points:  It’s important we can talk about topics like suicide and self-harm here on the forums  How we talk about suicide is key to creating safety for the person posting, and those reading  Using safe language, trigger warnings and letting the community know you are safe, and what you need, can help ensure you get the help you deserve, while also looking out for the community  SANE staff may reach out to ask if you are safe and offer referrals to crisis supports. We may also remove posts that breach our safety guidelines around talking about suicide  If you are unsafe and at imminent and serious risk of harm, we are required by law to get emergency help to you  Thanks for reading along folks 😊

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Jynx

5 days ago

Happy Pride 2025!!!

  HIYA FORUMS FAM, IT'S YA BOY JYNXY, HERE TO QUEER UP YOUR LIVES THIS PRIDE MONTH!!    This month's theme is 'Love, Respect, Empower'.  I got maaaaad love and respect for my community, and boy oh boy do I wanna help empower them!    Each week this month we are gonna kick off some discussions, and hopefully facilitate some lovely connections amongst the queer community here on the SANE Forums 😊   So for our first discussion topic, we are gonna chat about queer connections!!    How do you connect to the Rainbow Community? What has been your experience of queer connectedness? The good, the bad, and the in-between?    Tagging a few folks I've chatted to about queerness, or who have jumped into queer threads in the past - but please do feel free to tag anyone else who you think would wanna get involved!!    @Oaktree @wellwellwellnez @Shaz51  @Eden1919 @The-red-centaur @MissinTooth @Till23 @Appleblossom @Adge @outlander @eth @Captain24     

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ArraDreaming

18 days ago

National Sorry Day

Sorry Day is today and is the 26th of May every year in Australia. It’s a day to remember and reflect on the pain and hurt caused to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people especially the Stolen Generation. The Stolen Generations were Aboriginal children who were taken away from their families by the government and church. My own family are a part of this. 🖤 Most never saw family again they were disconnected from family, culture and community    Sorry Day means a lot to me and my community It’s not just about saying sorry it’s about recognising the truth of what happened, respecting our Elders and continuing to heal. Saying sorry doesnt fix it all , but it is a step toward reconciliation and justice.   On this day we remember those who were taken and those who are still healing, including family members who are suffering from trauma passed down as a result and we hope for a future where our culture and people are respected and heard    

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Ru-bee

13 days ago

Recording // Mental Health Webinar 10 // Substance Use, Mental Health and the Recovery Journey

“Substance Use, Mental Health and the Recovery Journey”  In this FREE 60-minute community webinar, Benn Veenker; Manager – Lived Experience and Advocacy at Turning Point will share his lived experience with co-occurring mental health and substance use challenges, and reflect on the impact of stigma associated with alcohol and other drugs. This webinar is a safe and welcoming space where you will have the opportunity to connect with our community and hear valuable insights about:  The relationship between mental health and substance use issues.  How substance use can effect everyone, including family, friends and supporters.  The impact of stigma on alcohol and other drug use, and power of language.  About Benn  Benn Veenker is a passionate recovery advocate who is consistently working at breaking down the stigma associated with substance use and mental health. Benn has been sharing his lived experience over the past 12+ years with the goal of shortening the time it takes for individuals to seek help for their substance use and/or mental health. Currently Benn is employed at Turning Point – Addiction, Treatment, Research and Education Centre – as the Manager for Lived Experience Workforce and Advocacy. Prior to this, has held various roles within the AOD/MH sectors.  Benn is also a devoted father and family man who loves to run to support his recovery and maintain positive mental health.       Watch the Recording here: https://youtu.be/z_NBoqYtvc8

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Ru-bee

about 2 months ago

Recording // Mental Health Webinar 9 // The Big 5 in Mental Health

    Mental health recovery webinar: The Big 5 in Mental Health  ️Featuring: Professor Nick Titov – The Big 5 with Mindspot    We all agree that our mental health is as important as our physical health. Unfortunately, most people are not aware of the things we can do to support our mental health, or how often we should do them. Research involving more than 20,000 Australians has identified five key actions we can do each day, the Big 5, which are strongly linked to mental health.   This presentation summarises the research evidence for the Big 5 and provides simple examples of how we can apply the Big 5 in our daily lives.    Includes a 20-minute Q&A.    About Professor Nick Titov  Nick Titov is a Professor of Psychology at Macquarie University, Australia. He has been involved in more than 100 clinical trials of psychological interventions across five countries. Nick has developed and led several digital mental health services which have deployed the interventions tested in trials into routine clinical care. He is the Founding Executive Director of the Australian MindSpot and MindSpot GP Clinics. MindSpot delivers psychological assessments and treatment via telephone and internet to more than 30,000 Australians each year. His current research interests include identifying the everyday actions people can take to support their own mental health.   

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DaeSayuki

about 1 month ago

Punny Puns UNITE! ‘Dad’ jokes are welcomed (along with any other parental guardians)

So I’m a lover of a good pun, ‘dad joke’, and the drier or more painful the joke the better.   *** Im sure there’s policies around references to discrimination so please refrain, as I hope to spread the love of a good pun.   To start…   1. I went to buy coffee beans and asked them to grind it.They asked “How fine a grind?”I said “Fine”They asked “Are you sure?”I said “Yeah that’s … fine”I made the cashier cry that day 😆   2. Did you know mango has the highest sugar content out of all fruits?   It can really make a … man go.   3. I went to pick up my niece from school. She apologise for being a bit late because she’s waiting for her friend. I asked her “is your friend a bat?… because she’s hanging around.”   3. My cousin went to get her arm pit hairs lasered off. I asked her “how’s your pits? Are they … pitiful?”   4. I bought eggs at the local market. The seller help me choose out of 10 + varieties and said “I hope you enjoy them”.   I said back “you would know since you’re the EGG-spert”   ~ I hope the cringe was painful. Please bless me with more puns ~

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tyme

2 months ago

Coping with Grief

Grief is a natural human emotion that can arise from loss. Whether it be the loss of a loved one, an opportunity, a job, a possession, your health, a pet or anything else.  Whilst the feelings that come with grief can be painful, it is important to make space for these feelings. Pushing them down, pushing them away, or pretending that these feelings don't exist may in fact do more harm than good. It may inhibit the healing process, cause the grief to manifest as physical symptoms, or you may feel a lack of control over your emotions. So what are some tips for grieving? According to Griefline, here are some tips for grieving: 1) Seek Help and Comfort from Others 2) Take Care of Your Mental, Emotional and Physical Health 3) Continue the Bond with Your Loved One While Coming to Accept That They Have Gone 4) Establish Safety and Build Self-empowerment 5) Gain a Better Understanding of Yourself and a Healthy Future Outlook  We encourage you to read about the above tips here: https://griefline.org.au/resources/coping-with-grief/   As a Community: - What have you found helps with grief? - Are there any experiences of grief you'd like to share?  

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Paralyzed

about 1 month ago

What your nervous system would say about living in Functional Freeze!

Hello to all Sane community members,   I hope life is being kind to you and that you are well. It is a little after 5am and I am wide awake, after an unfortunate relapase but I am doing okay. I was scrolling through instagram and I came across this post and wow, did it hit home for me. I know a lot about functional freeze but I have never quite read anything so informative and so true, about what it is like to be me. I had to draft the post into a word document for furture reference and I thought I would share it. I relate to every single word the author has written about the freeze response and its devastating long term effects on the mind, body and soul!!   What your nervous system would say about living in functional freeze:   I can't be rushed to change. This feels like too much pressure. But when you meet me with patience instead of frustration. When you offer atonement instead of force. When you stop trying to 'fix' me & learn to listen. That's when I'll soften. That's when l'll begin to trust that it's finally safe to feel alive again. The numbness, the heaviness, the emotions that seem to come out of nowhere, this is the stored energy asking to get unstuck, move through and be transmuted. I'm not trying to pull you backward, even though it might seem this way. I'm trying to find a way to bring us back to balance. I don't do this to punish you. I do this because, for so long, this was the only way to get through overwhelm. But the survival energy & trauma cycles never had the chance to move through me. And now they're waiting for the right time to be sensed and completed. Staying functional no matter what came at a price. That's why these days, joy feels distant. Why rest doesn't restore you. Why it's easier to think than to feel. Why you crave closeness but struggle to let it in. Because even though you're not in the past anymore, I'm still holding onto it. So, I helped you push it down. I made sure you could function no matter what was happening inside. And now, those around you might see or even admire your strength and resilience but they don't see what it cost you. I made you look calm, capable, and composed-because you had to be. This way, you became exceptional at solving problems, at carrying on, at doing what was expected. Not because you were always okay, but because for me this was the only way to help you survive. So I froze. To help you move forward, I numbed the parts of you that were hurt. I disconnected you from your body to protect you from overwhelm. I gave all my energy to keep you functional. And I buried everything you couldn't make sense of and process deep inside. You grew up in confusion. The people and communities who were supposed to make you feel safe also caused you harm. Love and relationships felt unpredictable. Connection came with a cost. I couldn't let you feel it all. Feeling it all would have been too much for the younger version of you. I know you wonder why you feel disconnected and far away from yourself. Why you can do all the 'right' things— work, socialize, take care of others-but still feel numb, exhausted, like you're just going through the motions. It's not because you're broken. It's because / had to protect you. If your nervous system could speak to you, this is what it would say about being stuck in freeze after trauma:   Be kind to yourself, and others. Stay safe and take care.    P 🤗

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avant-garde

4 days ago

Women's health (TW)

Hello fellow forum dwellers,   I had no idea where to put this or what to call it but I think it needs a space... (so yes feel free to edit or move, but I don't think I've breached any guidelines @Ru-bee @rav3n @tyme not sure who else)   This is a place where you can talk all things specific to the female reproductive system or body... Periods Cervical Screening Tests (new name for pap smears)  Menopause Hormones Fertility issues ---------------------------------------------------- So here I'll go first    I'm due for a cervical screening test and I'm booked in for about 12 hours from now... They have these home kits but I can't be on my own after so I opted to have a female doctor do it, that and to check something else out... I can't even handle tampons without completely being triggered... let alone anything remotely medical!  Yeah I'm scared... There's a library next door almost and so after I'm going to either start a new sheet on my spreadsheet for the upcoming election or work on my photobook project... as a way to settle... and probably play bubble shooter...  

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rav3n

3 months ago

Roots & Resilience – Mental Health through Cultural Lens

Hello fellow forumites! 👋   As a daughter to first gen immigrants, I've found it difficult (and still do at times) to find my identity and navigate what it means to be brought up in a western world while also being ethnically South Asian. And then you throw mental health into the mix, and sometimes there's different challenges to face (i.e. language barriers, lack of cultural understanding, intergenerational trauma, religious and cultural stereotypes/discrimination, etc).    From the discussions I’ve had with others from multicultural backgrounds, a lot of us tend to share this feeling of ‘conflict’, where something in the western world may be viewed in one way but culturally, it may be the opposite – and sometimes dealing with cultural clashes on our own can be difficult. So, this thread here is a space for us to feel less alone and share things that have helped us feel more empowered in our mental health journeys. Even if you yourself haven't experienced any cultural clashes or challenges, feel free to engage - maybe there's a media representation that opened your eyes to mental health from a multicultural lens? or maybe you know someone who's overcome some cultural hurdles in their journey?    You’re all welcome to share any thoughts you have but in case you're stuck, here's a few prompts to get you started: What’s helped you deal with cultural stigmas when reaching out for support and/or talking about mental health? Share a quote/piece of advice/story that’s been impactful in your recovery journey. What are some books/movies/tv shows/celebrity stories/any other type of CALD representation that’s helped you feel seen or inspired?

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RachSANECEO

3 months ago

We did it! SANE secures 3 year funding for forums and guided recovery

Hi SANE Community  It is my absolute pleasure and privilege to be able to share with you that SANE has successfully won sustainable funding to continue to deliver these forums and expand our guided recovery program to open to ALL postcode regions in Australia from 1 July.  I can’t even begin to describe the effort over the past four years that has gone into this and the enormous team effort behind the scenes, there have been times in the last four years where I have been genuinely worried about whether we would succeed and felt the huge weight of responsibility to you all to make sure your community would continue.  I am so, so thrilled to share that we did it - and this week Minister Mark Butler MP and Assistant Minister Emma McBride announced $27.3 million in funding to continue and expand nationally SANE’s digital mental health support for people and families with complex mental health needs.   

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MJG017

29 days ago

The Sane Cattery: Because normal is overrated

Welcome to The Sane Cattery, the totally rational, completely normal place where we - totally sane humans - gather to admire our feline overlords. This is a judgment-free zone (unless your cat is the one doing the judging, which, let’s be honest, they always are). Feel free to share photos of your majestic moggies, chaotic kitties, and everything in between. Whether they’re plotting world domination, defying the laws of physics, or simply loafing like sentient bread, we want to see them. Because nothing says "sane" like dedicating an entire discussion to our tiny, furry dictators.@tyme @avant-garde @Ru-bee @Former-Member  Allow me to begin...Here is our oldest, Roughy who is 9. Ryker, who is 7.  Trying to convince himself he still fits in this thing like a glove! And the latest edition, Luna (14 weeks)...and another one of Luna, 'cause she's so damn cute.  I have been instructed to say that she was in no way stuck, and was just testing my responsiveness. 

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Ru-bee

4 months ago

Recording // Mental Health Webinar 8 // The Power in Lived Experience in Mental Health

   The Power in Lived Experience in Mental HealthFeaturing: Tim Heffernan – Lived Experience Deputy Commissioner, NSW Mental Health Commission.   In this 60-minute community webinar, Tim Heffernan; Lived Experience Deputy Commissioner, NSW Mental Health Commission, shares his experiences as a Lived Experience leader within Australia’s mental health system and beyond. Gain valuable insights about:    How our healthcare system could look with more lived experience peer workers.  What lived experience peer workers are doing to drive policy and legislative change in Australia.  The different ways that lived experience peer workers are contributing to societal change and stigma reduction.      Includes a 20-minute Q&A session.     About Tim  Tim is the Lived Experience Deputy Commissioner at the Mental Health Commission of NSW. He is an experienced Consumer Peer Worker and is current chair of Being (NSW Consumer Advisory Group). He was co-Chair of the National Mental Health Commission’s National Stigma and Discrimination Reduction Strategy Steering Committee and Deputy co-Chair of the National Peer Workforce Development Guidelines Steering Committee. This year Tim joined the Official Visitor's Program.     Tim worked for five years in an identified Lived Experience position as Peer Coordinator with COORDINARE, the South Eastern NSW PHN and he is a founding member of the Illawarra Shoalhaven Suicide Prevention Collaborative. In 2013 he was awarded a scholarship to attend Boston University’s Global Leadership Institute to develop a seclusion and restraint reduction project, Safety for All.      An award-winning poet, Tim co-edits on online space for ‘Mad’ writing, ‘Clozapine Clinic – The Frater Project’ in the influential Australian journal ‘Verity La’. He has published widely and performed his poetry at the Wollongong Writers Festival, the Queensland Poetry Festival, the Big Anxiety Festival and at Mad Pride.     

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rav3n

3 months ago

Come celebrate the 10-year anniversary of SANE Forums!

Hey there fellow forumites! 👋   As we wrap up 2024 with our contemplation caps on, we invite you all to reflect on your most meaningful moments from the past decade. Why the past decade? Because SANE Forums is celebrating its 10-year anniversary! A decade of sharing stories, making connections, and learning and growing together.🫂   Whether you joined the community 10 years ago or just this morning, we want to hear from you! Sharing our experiences is one of our favourite forums staples after all.   As part of our way of showing thanks to the community, we wanna shower you with gifts! All members who contribute to this 10-year Anniversary discussion thread will be entered into a draw for a chance to win a $50 gift card - there’s a total of 10 gift vouchers up for grabs!       If you’re a stuck on what to talk about, we’ve got some lil prompts here for guidance:   What experiences have brought you strength over the past 10 years?   What lessons have you learnt over the past 10 years that have had a positive impact in your life?    Share a piece of advice or support you’ve received, or perhaps a post you have read on the Forums that has stayed with you?  Share your reflections on what was happening in your life 10 years ago, or some reflections on where you were at when you first joined the forums - or both! Can’t wait to hear from you all!✨

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tyme

8 months ago

RECORDING // Carers Week Special Webinar // Navigating the path together: a Carer’s experience

      🗣️  Navigating the path together: a Carer’s experience.🎤  Sarah Martin – Mother, Carer, Author     Watch this FREE 60-minute recorded webinar, where we have an open, heartfelt conversation with Sarah Martin about her experiences caring for her daughter, Alice, and navigating complex mental health challenges together. Sarah shares her powerful story, from Alice’s first psychotic episode overseas in Istanbul to her later diagnosis of bipolar disorder. As the author of Dear Psychosis, Sarah speaks with honesty and courage about the guilt, fear, and grief she has faced as both a mother and carer.This special event is an opportunity to connect with others in the carer community and gain valuable insights about caring for someone with complex mental health needs, including:   Navigating grief and guilt as a carer   The impact of complex mental health issues on the whole family   Overcoming stigma and advocating for your loved one   Finding the right support for carers and families   About Sarah: Sarah Martin (sarahmartinauthor.com) is a perioperative nurse, mental health advocate, carer peer worker, and peer ambassador for SANE.    Her mission and passion is to break the silence and stigma of all mental health concerns, which is why she wrote Dear Psychosis, her first book, a narrative nonfiction about a family’s journey with mental health, psychosis, bipolar and depression.  Sarah is an international award-winning author, receiving first place in the Journey category of the Chanticleer Book Awards 2023. A winner in Self Help Memoir and a finalist in Health and Psychology at the Goody Business Book Awards 2023. 

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