Lived Experience Forum

[ShiningStar1]

I suffer from anxiety and depression.

I feel very overwhelmed having cared for my mum who passed away from cancer and I am struggling to comprehend how fast and the lack of family support. 

[ShiningStar1]

I have set boundaries with my family and I always seem to be the punching bag. I tired mentally, emotionally and physically

[Historylover]

I'm feeling rather overwhelmed myself at the moment, @ShiningStar1 but I just wanted to welcome you and send you best wishes. I am sorry for the loss of your mother. It hurts to lose a loved one, doesn't it? It takes time to come to terms with such loss. Take care.

[Ct8]

My brother just rang up and asked for things. Never came to help and my Aunty said the whole house was junk so no point so I through out all my childhood family photos causal its a lie. Hang in there u will get thru it

[ShiningStar1]

Thank you for your kind words. I am only new to this, so a bit unsure how it all works.??

[ShiningStar1]

Thank you.

Just looking for like minded people that have been through so much trauma. I was directed to this site as a safe place to  converse with others that have been through tramatic times.

Kind Regards 

[tyme]

Hey @ShiningStar1 ,

You're doing a great job. When responding to people, if you want to tag someone in, you can type "@" in front of their name. Like this @tyme . Then choose their name from the drop down menu. That way, they will get a notification.

So if you were responding to @Ct8 @Historylover , you tag them like so.

See you around!

[Dayspring]

@ShiningStar1 My father died last year, my mother in 2020 and my sister about forty years ago. I have a supportive family. I am glad you are here and can reach out. I like to play nice music when I feel stressed.  

[ShiningStar]

Hi @ShiningStar1 

I just wanted to reach out and welcome you to the forums - It’s great to have you here and I really like your username 💜

I’m so deeply sorry to hear that your mum passed away from cancer and it’s completely understandable that you’re feeling overwhelmed and struggling to process everything that’s been happening to you 💜

Just from what you’ve shared, it sounds as though you’re incredibly isolated and doing your very best to find the care and support that you need 💜

In my experience, grieving the loss of our loved ones is a deeply personal experience and as such, I just ever so gently wondered if there’s anything in particular that would be helpful for you right now?

For example, some members of our community find it comforting to be able to connect with people who share similar experiences to their own, whereas other members of our community enjoy participating in threads that are a little bit more social and light hearted 💜

As I sat here thinking about some of the things that you’ve shared with us, I wondered if one of our special events called Topic Tuesday may be of interest to you?

Basically, Topic Tuesday is a live online discussion that’s facilitated by a guest speaker who has expertise in the topic that’s being discussed.

A little while ago now, our Topic Tuesday focused on grief and loss and as such, the conversations were guided by a guest speaker from an organisation called Grief Line 💜

During this time, our Community Manager and our guest speaker created a safe and respectful space whereby they gently invited us to share some of our experiences in relation to grief and loss.

Although this particular event was held last year, I just ever so gently wondered if you may like to read through the conversations and the information provided by our guest speaker 💜

I’ve just included the link to this particular event below, just in case you would like to explore this further:

https://saneforums.org/t5/Special-Events/Topic-Tuesday-Grief-and-Loss-Tues-3rd-August-7-00-8-30PM-AE...

Following this particular Topic Tuesday, one of our wonderful Community Guides Zoe7, created a thread in relation to grief and loss, where members of our community could continue to support each other.

Although these conversations occurred last year, you’re still more than welcome to read through them and join in 💜

I’ve just included the link to this particular thread below, just in case you would like to take a look:

https://saneforums.org/t5/Our-stories/Grief-and-Loss/td-p/1079667

Given everything that’s been happening to you, I also wondered if SANE’s drop in service may be helpful for you 💜

Basically, ‘SANE drop-in services are staffed by qualified team of counsellors and people with lived experience of mental health issues who will provide you with free digital and telehealth support, information and referrals.’

I’ve reached out to this service numerous times and I’ve always had a really positive experience where I felt listened to and really well supported 😊

As such, you’re more than welcome to contact them Monday to Friday from 10.00am until 10.00pm (AEST) on: 1800 187 263.

I’ve just included the link to this particular service below, just in case you would like to explore this further:

https://www.sane.org/get-support/drop-in-service

Also, just while I remember, one of the things that really helped me when I was new to the forums and still finding my way around, was that if you would like to chat with another forum member, or reply to one of their posts, place @ in front of their username just like I did at the start of my post to you i.e. @ShiningStar1 that way, they will receive a message that you have contacted them 😊

Please know that you’re always welcome to reach out to us here whenever you need to 💜

Take kind and gentle care of yourself,

ShiningStar 💜

[ShiningStar]

Hi @Dayspring 

I just wanted to reach out and welcome you to the forums - it’s great to have you here 💜

Oh Dayspring 💜 I’m so deeply sorry to hear that you’ve experienced so much loss throughout your life and my heart goes out to you 💜

In my experience, being surrounded by family during some of the most painful times in our lives can be incredibly comforting and as such, I’m so pleased to hear that your family is supportive 💜

I really love how you play nice music when you’re feeling stressed as this is something that I do too!

Last year, a few members of our community created a thread titled Everything Music and as such, I just wondered if this is something that may be of interest to you 😊

I’ve just shared the link to this particular thread below, just in case you would like to take a look and join in some of the conversations 😊

https://saneforums.org/t5/Social-Spaces/Everything-music/m-p/1135919

Please know that you’re always welcome to reach out here whenever you need to 💜

Take kind and gentle care of yourself,

ShiningStar 💜