Not Coping

[Snowie]

I remember you telling me about your Aunt and Uncle. I am glad that you have that support close t you @Birdofparadise8 It really does make a difference when we have people around us that can offer that support.

I hope your catch up with family goes well. Might be nice to get out and mingle with others.

I don't really see my extended family.

[Birdofparadise8]

Yes, they are great @Snowie 

It will be nice to see them. 

Oh, why is that @Snowie 

[Blackbird11]

Hi @Birdofparadise8 

How are you today?

I'm doing ok, got ready for the day and will head out into the world.

I have a psychiatrist, case manager and peer worker through the community mental health team. I see them once a fortnight. 

I finished the peer guide program through SANE, it has been such a blooming experience ✨️ 

I am now studying through a scholarship certificate IV Mental Health Peer Work 

[Snowie]

Glad they are great @Birdofparadise8 

My mum lives with my family (in an independent unit) and my father is deceased.

I have one brother whom I haven't had contact with for about 4 years. There is a lot of history behind this which I won't go into. I only have a few cousins which I rarely see. Most of them live interstate. I see my husbands side of the family at family catch ups, like birthdays and christmas. 

I am not really the sociable type anyway. I would much rather just be on my own and in the company of myself. I don't really have any friends, but I am comfortable with that.

Do you have many friends?

[Birdofparadise8]

I'm alright @Blackbird11 

Ah okay. I don't know why I can never get comm MH. How did you get it? 

Is that the ACT Hobart? They were awful to me. 

That's great to hear. 

[Blackbird11]

Different to ACT, I had them for a little while when I was homeless, they were good to me. I was referred to them through the hospital staff at RHH @Birdofparadise8 

[Birdofparadise8]

Ah, okay, I'm pleased you're happy with that, but I am sorry you don't get to see everyone. 

I love seeing family. In Melb I have one friend. It's so sad I wish I had more it's been really hard. @Snowie 

I've signed up for a gals brunch, and they have 25 other girls, and you sit with four others, so I'll do that next year.  

I have more in Hobart from dancing. I'm looking into dancing for next year. 

[Snowie]

It's hard to have friends when you have a mental illness @Birdofparadise8 I find people stay clear of me. I don't think they know what to say or how to act. Not blaming them though.

That gals brunch sounds interesting. Might be a way to meet new people.

I hope you are able to get back into dancing. Might be a good way to meet people too. My daughter used to dance and was talking about doing it again next year too.

Better go have a shower. Still in my pj's here!! Better get of my butt.

I hope you make it to the gym.

[Birdofparadise8]

OMG you were homeless @Blackbird11 

I'm so sorry to hear that. That would have been so hard. 

[Blackbird11]

Yes @Birdofparadise8 it was a very hard start! When I moved down here just over two years ago. I had an episode which I withdrew into myself. I had a place to stay going into hospital and they wouldn't have me back out of hospital. I stayed in a shelter for a while until I found a place to stay... that was not a good experience either. Eventually I ended up back where I started and things are safe now.