Mental Health - Everyone has it

empirical and andecotal evidence suggests a rise in mental health issues, particularly in Western societies.

this is an issue close to my heart, and the hearts of many others. i recently finished the Mental health first aid course. it is quite logical, and is similar to emergency first aid. mental illness, afterall, is a medical condition.

feel free to discuss what you have experienced or seen first-hand or vicariously, or post some info you think would like to share.

here are the five steps in emergency mental health first aid:

First Aid Strategies
The five steps in providing Mental Health First Aid are:

Assess risk of harm to person or others.
Listen non-judgmentally.
Give reassurance and information.
Encourage person to get appropriate professional help if needed.
Encourage self-help strategies.

How to help someone going through a mental health crisis:
A mental health crisis may occur when a person may feel suicidal, a person may be having anxiety attacks, a person may be in an acute stress reaction or a person may be out of touch with reality in a distressing psychotic state. Here are some general strategies you can use to help:

Introduce yourself and explain why you are present.
Remain courteous and non-threatening, but be honest and direct.
Listen to the person in a non-judgmental way.
Avoid confrontation at all costs - be prepared to "agree to differ" with the person's perspective.
Clarify and address what the person sees as the major issues first (not what you, the helper, see as the major concerns).
Do not attempt to manhandle the patient, except to prevent serious assault or suicide attempts.
Encourage / assist person to receive professional mental health help.
Finally, if the incident was traumatic for you, or you feel anxious or distressed, discuss these issues with a friend or a professional service.

*gives alana foil lined hat for comfort*

i was watching something the other night on SBS on the stresses of modern life, how it affects parents and childhood, the dramatic rise of mental health issues and the increasing numbers of suicides.
was disturbing stuff to say the least.

I try to use my 'circles of control' whenever I have the urge to punch some muppet in the face.

They work wonders.

  was waiting for someone to crack a joke.

i don't care if People want to have fun at my expense. i just hope that if People read this, they might remember it, if they find themselves assisting someone who is ill, given the increase of these debilitating conditions.

and jokes aside, there are People on this board who take drugs and who knows? someone might experience psychosis in a public place. i felt it was good to know what to do just in case; the same way i felt about doing the seniors first aid certificate.

Not bad, on the second reply!


The risk of mental health is 0 once you've killed yourself from substance abuse. It's true.

I wasn't joking. My 'circles' are influenced by Eastern philosophy.

You have the 'inner circle of control' and the 'outer circle of influence'.

You only worry about what you can control, or have control over, and not worry about what other people think/feel/say/act etc

It's very calming.

  that book; 'seven habits of highly effectively people' was written by a yank.

i liked the circle of influence/control. i really liked his point about synergy to effect greater goals and to mobilise people collectively.

I didn't get it from that book. I would say he took it from Eastern philosophy as well...

I have the '7 Habits...' book at home though. I might have to read it.

Back onto mental health...

Alana, can you help me with my mental health issues?

shall we talk over icecream?

I think the humiliation of ice cream in my face, coupled with being berated and abused by yourself, would most likely, in all probability, add to my mental health issues.

Everyone else is here to support you Rob.

You cannot begin to imagine the comfort that instills in me.

I am pretty sure if everyone had the chance, they would all throw ice cream in my face.

you sound down and out Rob, and we are there for you.

why would everyone waste their icecream, i think they'd much prefer to eat it!

I'm just attention seeking...

It's hard to accept that the world doesn't revolve around me.

But I am getting there.

My next big step will be to put someone else's feelings and considerations before my own.

It's harder than it sounds...

some more links:

http://www.beyondblue.org.au/index.aspx?

http://www.mifsa.org/

We studied that book in my Wholistic Psychology class, good stuff.

Mental health issues may have increased, but it's more likely it's due to the concept of Mental health/ illness being relatively new, it's only over the last 5 years depression has been accepted as an 'illness'. Everyone has mental health, (or lack of).

yeah, and statistics are always squewed and/or are dependent on how many people disclose mental health issues.

still a lot of stigma and barriers to disclose in the community, so that is another variable to consider.

I agree that our perception of mental illness has changed so it may not actually be increasing, but depression has been accepted as an illness for at least 15+ years.

Why can't people just prescribe themselve a cup of harden the fuck up?

fair point. and hey, yeah, People with mental illness have always been with us. it's a pity society too often lags behind the times....


  that whole 'just pull your socks up' attitude is cracks me up every time.

How about we prescribe you with a cup of ice cream on the head?

 

Touche

I agree but it's so hard not to think that sometimes... "just get over it"  

It's always the people who haven't dealt with any issues first hand that say that though...

you beat me to it Oli 

It's those people who actually say it, but people who have dealt with it may still think it. I think it sometimes but I know it's not that easy in reality and it would just make the problem worse if I said it.

Well that's weird because when I was depressed I used to say that to myself all the time and it was part of what made the situation worse!

So you had depression, you told yourself to 'harden the fuck up' (or something to that effect), and it made it worse?

Isn't that proof that that attitude doesn't work or help at all, whether you're dealing with your own problems or forming opinions on other's?

Yes, I wasn't saying that it's a useful thing to think

Well in that case I retract this:


Instead I'll just say that the 'harden the fuck up' attitude doesn't help anyone.

yeah, it sure can. i guess you can't look at solutions until you fully understand the problem. and the 'pull ya socks up' attitude detracts away from what the problem is. im not suprised it made it worse.  

Is anyone here a qualified psychiatrist or psychologist?

If not, you are not qualified to tell people what should or shouldn't work to help them overcome their mental issues.

this is an open forum for discussion. DISCUSSION, not diagnosis.

Pople who have experienced it may have some idea of things that help or hinder even if they don't have a qualification.

I've completed a major in psychology and I don't think it really gave me any more insight into mental illness than I had already obtained by living life!

WERD *claps*

i take inspiration from Michael Franti's newbie; 'the more i see, the less i know'.

I thought the phrase was "The more you know, the more you know you don't know"...

yeah, it is. im just digging his new stuff atm 

there are no social stigma attached to my personal views on mental health.

that is all.

And pray tell what are your personal views on mental health?

I'd rather not hear them to be perfectly honest

I was waiting for you to post in here.

i'm banning myself, just like the politricks thread. i know what's bad for me.

Hahaha

that's a shame, but completely understandable mate.

i am controversial. and stubborn. like a fox.

x eleventy billion.

and hairy. like a fox. 

don't then. Just. Don't

and hairy like a yetti!

takes one to know one.



don't worry. i understand.

What the hell is that?

It's a spelling error 

It means holistic, only with an accidental W at the start.

The letters are like right next to each other.

Like yeah, I reckon I like, agree like.

it is an approach which the bio-medical model is beginning to incorporate in treatment. holistic is spiritual, physical, emotional, psychological, environmental, social, cultural and medicinal treatments for mental health and other health issues.

it is vital we understand and be inclusive of holistic treatments. for instance, Indigenous Australians may not access basic treatment or seek assistance because of the homogenous western health system. to ensure that all People get equitable access to health services, they must be culturally competent.

 

I'm aware. It's just that Bec and I have significantly differing views, and I couldn't possibly pass up the opportunity to point out that she doesn't know how to spell holistic.

I seriously want to know Kurko's thoughts and opinions on mental illness.

Could send this thread over the moon!

i am sorry. really.

consider the post full of fallacies deleted!

 Gonna have to narrow it down there mate.

badlove

 Smileyicon_cry =

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That fucking sucks man confused I got depression so I know what the lows are like, have had some pretty bipolar moments at times too. Used to be on Zoloft as well but same as you that stuff fucked with me head, made me feel like a shell of a person, so I decided to be med free...Its a good way to be I reckon but harder to deal with shit sometimes.

Eccys never really used to help anything for me as the comedown would far overshadow the fun of the night, but I guess that's your decision to make Smiley I get that sometimes you need em to have a good time. If I hit the booze too hard for a few nights in a row my depression is noticeably worse...doesn't stop me though haha. We all gotta have at least one vice!  icon_wink

As far as advice man I'd say one of the main things that helps me is spending as much time with mates as possible (unless I really don't feel like it) and trying to avoid the triggers that tend to pull me down (certain people, lots of booze, doing nothing for days in a row etc) cos focusing on the good shit in life always makes me feel better, at least for a time. Pretty common sense stuff i know but sometimes you just gotta force yourself out of the depression and do something...fresh air helps too man, spending all this time on AM might be making ya feel worse!  teef

Best of luck mate, keep ya head up

 bows

Very good advice right there Smiley

I'd also say that something that works for me if I am feeling really down is watching my favourite tv show. If you have one, like one that you really really LOVE. Download the new episode (or hire it) and get watching. You'll be amazed what a distraction can do for your mental health, as sometimes you just need to get out of that headspace Smiley

thanks guys 

just reading that shit made me feel better

strangely enough, when James(best mate) died, i found one of the things that helped me get through the darkest times, was actually dark,heavy, "evil" music. It was around that time my fire for metal was re kindled but re finding that music, helped me immensely

Hey guys, thought I'd ask for some advice.

I've been sleeping like absolute shit for about 6 months now, which has culminated in me being prescribed Benzos today. Now I know a few people on here use them, lets say recreationally but I'm just wondering what kind of side effects people have found using them for a few weeks at a time for sleep related problems? Cos I've been feeling pretty fucking flat lately and I don't need them making my depression & anxiety worse than it already is...

Any info would be appreciated 

from what ive *think* heard (i have a few Dr mates) they should be viewed temporary only, some risk of addiction for longer term use?

dont quote me though... good luck with it man.

what are Benzo's?

I thought that was the dude that bastardized the Source Mag lol

Thanks mate

Yeah from what I've read they are hugely addictive and like you said should only be used temporarily which I shall try to do. Took some last night and fuck they make you feel like a zombie when you first wake up


That's Benzino, and he's a fuckhead haha...

Benzos are basically hardcore sleeping tablets, like Valium, that are recreationally used to counter the effects of drugs like Meth and Coke...

Seriously though, FUCK this insomnia Making my life so much harder...

ive always been a pretty average sleeper, but these things have helped me sleep alot

*hard work
*excercise ( dont leave it till late at night, do it early)
*limit sugar intake/caffiene before bed
*write whats bugging you down on a bit of paper and deal with your probs tommorow, most of the time the seem like a bit less of a problem after a good night sleep.

dotn forget porn

porn, and a good hard poo mast before bed also knocks me out

I find a combination of weed, porn & having no conscience works wonders.

Oh, and staying awake for 3 or 4 days at a time also helps me sleep on the odd occasion I feel the need.

Brilliant advice Noddy, thanks


Cheers for the ideas man, I've been trying to get more exercise but it's just not always what you feel like doing you know? Don't drink coffee or energy drinks anyway but still good advice. That thing bout writing down the problems actually sounds like a really good idea though, as my mind tends to run on overdrive worrying about every fucking conceivable thing until its like 3am...Shall give that a shot  Thanks bro, hows your shit been lately anyways?

Aahhhhhhhhhhhhh....Utter fucking CUNT of a mood 

turn the light's off, put on a fave album and deep breaths, holding for a second or 2 at the points of full breath, and no air

If this fails, metal mast lml!!

I hear ya bro.

-

Does anyone here suffer anxiety? (or know anyone) like severe anxiety? ive been getting it for quite some time now... and it seems to be getting worse, I always used to get major stomach cramps, then it changed into epic heart burn, its now starting to get to the point where ive thrown up on a few occasions.

It usually happens if i'm going out to parties or meeting new people or public places..

So I really dont enjoy going out anymore

Also got some serious sleep issues happening and dark circles around the eyes.

what do? is there medication for this shit?  

see a good dr dude. There's definitely things you can do. Medication and others

Thanks man, the feeling passed...just all my shit getting on top of me. Punching bag helped in the end, but I do appreciate the advice mate.

And Strider, a few things

I'd say the first thing to do is see a doc as Q mentioned, because they can properly diagnose it...and yeah there are tonnes of meds you can go on and most of them have been proven to make a difference. If you google anti anxiety medication there's heaps of information on it. I get panic attacks occasionally, and there's really nothing worse. Another thing I'd recommend though its totally up to you man is maybe seeing a counselor or therapist or something, as while a lot of people think that they're useless and that it's "gay" to see one, I gotta say the counselor I saw helped me a fucking staggering amount...He was a total legend. Each to their own though, start off with seeing a doctor I reckon mate, cos they can tell you what's going on in your head much better than a self-diagnosis...good luck with everything bro

Insight are doing a show about anxiety tomorrow night at 7:30pm on SBS...Thought some people may be interested

Any Ideas anyone??

I am summing myself up here in ten steps, if I could avoid doing this, I feel I would be happy.

1. Comparing myself and my abilities with others around me (I'm always worse off in these).
2. Berating myself for not being as good as or as competent/accomplished as I want to be.
3. Feeling inadequate and generally like a big waste of space and time and energy in the world.
4. Feeling like I'm going nowhere.
5. Engaging in self-destructive behaviour (eg binging on food and alcohol, laying in bed all the time, getting angry or ODing on television)
6. Generally feeling like giving up and running away where nobody can find me.
7. Feeling like my life will be a failure -- financially, emotionally and spiritually
8. Always looking at the worst case scenario
9. Feeling I'm a fraud and a failure
10. Feeling others will recognize this about me and look down on me.

I spend so much of my time keeping tabs on and being aware of others that I hurt myself. I DON'T want to be like this. I want to be able to get up, do my bit and go to sleep without this internal turmoil that is self-inflicted.

I REALISE that different people have different strengths and weaknesses yet I still continue to do this. When it all becomes too much I escape into a world of television or morbidity. I can spend whole days asleep. I constantly judge and hammer myself from how witty I am, to the quality of my mixing to how I dress.

I WANT TO BE FREE OF THIS. I need it now and I need it to be successful in life. I am CONVINCED that I am my own worst enemy, I hurt my performance the most and by constantly doing this I get no joy at all, and hurt the work I do. I realise that if the worst-case scenario is true -- and all of this is indeed true (all the points listed above) I can still make my life a lot more liveable by just accepting it and being happy.

The funny thing about this is that I really honestly feel if I could kick this internal turmoil not only would I be much happier and enjoy life more, but I would also be better than most at what I do, because it would stop being a self-critical task to one of pure love and enjoyment.

Any ideas on how to stop being my own worst enemy? All of this is killing my relationships with loved ones, my job and everything i want in my life..

Its giving me depression and anxiety attacks, i have booked in for a shrink but its two months away, my girl just told me then she can not deal with me like this for the next two months.

The only people who really know this are my missus and family, but a few weeks ago I ended up in hospital for trying to jump in front of cars and shit (from which my missus saved me) and going in there and learning that I had been using drugs to deal with depression/anxiety/bi polar (which i have been diagnosed with all 3) which treat the symptoms, but not the cause. (IE low self esteem, feelings of worthlessness)

2 months is a long time to walk the plank.


Lately I have found myself jealous of nova-listening-pink-shirt-wearing footy players who seem to have no conscience, laying there wishing I was ignorant. Wishing I could find bliss.

I REALISE that this comes from having no coinfidence, how do I ever get this back?

Check your PMs mate 

Step 1) GET OFF THE INTERNET AND INTO THE REAL WORLD... your depression will reduce by at least 40% if you give yourself a decent break from the net, tv, radio and general noise that blocks out your inner wisdom and creates more mind chatter.

Step 2) See a GP, you pay them good money so shop around until you find someone you gel with and then stick to them. Ask for a mental health plan and take medication until your symptoms are manageable. You can not work on the causes to your symptoms until your symptoms are manageable.

Step 3) Shop around for a well recommended Clinical Psychologist, take your mental health plan so that your appointments are covered by Medicare. When you find a good GP they will generally know of people they can recommend. Contact the Flinders Anxiety Clinic or Beyond Blue for further advice. Whilst you are on the internet use google for something more productive than searching for porn and begin researching your symptoms and ways you can improve your health and wellbeing.

Step 4) After you have done your research you will find there is alot of information around nutrition and natural supplements you can take to help support your mental functioning. Taking a decent omega supplement is so important, your brain does not produce what it needs to function on its own it relies on your nutritional input! To get back ontop of things take x3 1500mg Fish Oil tablets morning and night and then reducing that to x3 per day.

Step 5) Once your mental functioning has stabilised dont chicken out on the Psychology because you are feeling better. If you dont work on the underlying self beliefs and thought patterns that form your understanding of yourself and your identity then you will always come back to where you are now. Retraining your thought patterns and creating new neural pathways takes time and you have to have the self awareness and courage to do the hard work.

step1 > stopped watching porn

step2 > anti sex drive pills

step3 > win

step4 > get married and have sex weekly forever

step5 > TAKE PILLS UNTIL YOU FEEL YOU NEED THEM

step6 > Go back in time and have less sex with Avril Lavigne so I wouldn't be so sexually active all these long 13 years I lived in prison

bec

1 - Im on the net f all these days..

2 - Im on a mh plan

3- Ive found one that is highly reccomended (all of them are booked out for a long time, all of them)

4 - i will start with some fish oil

5 - I have not gotten that far yet...

thanks shadowline, you make me feel like way less of a nut bar than what i am.

I cant relate to alot of your thought preocesses in terms of being highly critical of yourself and becoming your own worst ememy. Learning to care what you think about yourself, above and beyond what other people's interpretation of you is a very hard lesson to learn.

The Omega supplement will help so much, paired with some of the supplements for anxiety and depression such as St Johns Wart if you arent on Medication, if you are then you can safety take other supplements. Look up Chinese Herbs for anxiety and depression and get familiar with the ingrediants then you can go down to your pharmacy or health food store (priceline is an excellent place!) and search their supps range looking for the key ingrediants. Look up Sandra Cabbott - she has an extensive range of supps available online that are really effective. Also google Super Foods for Anxiety and Depression and head down to the markets to do a big shop. A healthy eating plan paired with exercise and supplements will help give your brain boost. High protien is the key and purchasing a protein powder will do you the world of good too, its also great for your immune system.

The worst thing you can possibly do is to take ANY recreational drugs, including the more natural home grown one!

Hope you feel better, the mental fog will clear. Goodluck x

my whole family is on anxiety meds. My old duck is woeful. Has hard core anxiety just at random.  driving along she'll just freak out and have to pull over for no reason. My sister freaks the fuck out in a car. I get hardcore claustrophobia/anxiety if I cant wind a window down or if im in a basement where I cant see out.  Sucks catchin a bus everyday.

I am new to Adelaide and never had any such mental health problems. However, whenever I do get a little down I go for a walk in the park or visit the sea. The fresh air rally helps.

It may sound trite but Adelaide is such a beautiful city with its beaches, parks, nice weather (except the winter!) and native birdlife (the feathered variety), you should try and make the most of it.

Other than that, listen to an uplifting piece of music. For me, I find that reggae artists like Beres Hammond have some lovely lyrics and beats to lift the fog. Others may find it cheesy tho...