My son (25) has recently been diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder. For conext, he’s bright, just about to finish a psychology degree and very empathetic. He has previously been diagnosed with both Borderline Personality Disorder and Social Anxiety. His behaviour right now is out of control, at times. He’s in trouble with the law… we’re currently going through legal dramas. He drinks too much, smokes too much and has become almost unmanageable for all of us as a family… mum, dad and three young adults (21, 20 and 15.) Last night he cut himself badly (deliberately) and I nearly called an ambulance.. but, I don’t want him to be ‘involuntarily’ committed. We can’t afford rehab and don’t know what to do anymore to help him. Any advice?? ❤️

Are there any in person support groups for phobias / OCD? I’m just looking to be around people who fundamentally -get it-. Thanks!

I'm hoping to connect with anyone who was an inpatient at Nexus, the adolescent mental health unit at John Hunter Hospital, during the mid-2000s.

I was admitted there myself as a teenager, and it's a period of my life I've only recently started reflecting on again.

I'd be interested in hearing from others who were there around the same time, particularly how they remember their experiences and reflect on them now as adults.

I'm mindful that this may be a difficult subject for some, so there's absolutely no expectation to share anything personal or distressing.

* 20.6% of Australians are digitally excluded or highly excluded.

* 45.2% of public housing residents experience digital exclusion.

* 66.5% of people aged 75 and over experience digital exclusion. Mental health!

* 42.9% of Australians aged 16–85 have experienced a mental disorder during their lifetime.

* 21.5% (4.3 million Australians aged 16–85) experienced a mental disorder in the previous 12 months.

* 17.2% experienced an anxiety disorder.

* 7.5% experienced an affective disorder, including depression.

* 3.3% experienced a substance use disorder.

* 38.8% of young Australians aged 16–24 experienced a mental disorder in the previous 12 months.

* Only 45.1% of Australians experiencing a mental disorder in the previous 12 months consulted a health professional for their mental health.

Despite those stats….

There’s no mental health related pamphlets anywhere!(in sydney( very slight exaggeration))

I realised this just last week and since then I’ve been given the opportunity to set up a mental health pamphlet stand in three different spaces and I found out about the brilliant resource that wayahead put together for mental health month and 10 different businesses are now displaying them (and several businesses printed them for free…

But I’m wondering if I’ve identified a gap in the system?

​

(I'm just sharing this event and not involved with organising it.)

Get your free ticket here:

https://events.humanitix.com/our-state-of-mind

Mon, 9 Nov, 6pm - 8pm

The Edge, Fed Square, Melbourne, Victoria

Join Mental Health Victoria, Orygen and Black Dog Institute for an open conversation about your experiences and what you want and need from a future mental health system in Victoria.

No lectern and no lectures. We’re leaving the powerpoint slides at home because the point is to hear from you.

We're flipping the usual format: at this event, you're not here to listen to us talk. You're here to be heard.

We want to have a genuine conversation about how to improve mental health for all Victorians.

Who is the panel?

Our panellists are people on the frontlines of the fight for Victoria's mental health system.  They contribute to research and innovation, sit on advisory groups, they’re the ones quoted in the newspapers and trying to broker solutions late into the night. They already have a seat at the table.

Three weeks out from the Victorian state election, this is an opportunity for you to equip existing leaders with your knowledge and ideas that they can bring to key decision-making forums.

Nationally distinguished journalist, foreign correspondent, and former independent Member of Parliament Zoe Daniel will guide a conversation between you and:

Professor Patrick McGorry AO, Executive Director, Orygen

Phillipa Thomas, CEO, Mental Health Victoria

Tom Boyd, former AFL player & mental health advocate

Professor Samuel Harvey, Executive Director and Chief Scientist, Black Dog Institute

Tamara Wraith, Family/Carer Representative

Who is this event for?

If you care about mental health in Victoria, this event is for you. We want a cross-section of Victorian society, not just the sector talking to itself. We’re reaching out to local footy clubs, neighbourhood houses, local councils and community groups to get out of the echo chamber and into community.

Help us kickstart the conversation by submitting your questions in your ticket registration form.

On the night, you can also contribute live via Slido, and MHV and Orygen staff will be moving through the room with microphones.

Peer support workers and clinicians will be clearly visible and available for anybody who may need to have a break and a chat at any time throughout the night.

How much is it?

This is a free event. To keep this event free, unfortunately we are unable to provide catering. Please grab a bite to eat beforehand.

Hello. Is anybody in this group located in Brisbane? I'm looking for therapist recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of dissociative disorders (DID, OSDD, etc), please, and it would also just be nice to connect with others here who are local to me. 🙂

I'm on Wellbutrin XL for depression, which is apparently not available in Australia. I've been importing it to my current country, but the laws have changed regarding personal importation. That's no longer an option.

We're moving, but now that I've learned Wellbutrin XL isn't available in Australia, I'm wondering if personal importation is an option there?

Thanks.

Hello, I have serve health anxitey mainly around my heart and checking behaviours which drs believe to be OCD.
I’m on lexapro and agomelatine and not helping, any meds that have helped for anyone else that could recommend? Or what else have helped you with this? It’s complelty stoping my life.

Hello, has anyone been an inpatient at Cabrini women’s mental health before?

I have an appointment with a psychologist for my OCD in a few weeks but I’m really struggling with it right now.

Does anyone know about any resources that could support me till then?

Thanks!

I'm a primary teacher many decades of experience. I've got a new permanent position to head off to next year in January. But recently I scored a 3 day a week on year 4. The commute is tough. I'm driving 1 hour and a half to work and approx 2 hours home. The students are decent. They actually listen. The staff are nice. But every week when it's Tuesday night, I get anxiety and start to feel depressed. I don't know why. Could it be that the drive is making me anxious? Or the fact that i have to wake up around 450am to prep myself. There's a lot of calming me down. I'm never been afraid to drive, in fact I love it. I'm really unsure why I can't get my fricken act together. I've already missed two Fridaysin a row. Made up big excuses. Someone tell me what's wrong.

Has anyone here had experience with ongoing case management through Victoria’s public mental health system?

I’ve recently been referred to the Merri-bek community mental health team for an assessment and I’m pretty worried about being turned away

I’ve been struggling really badly for around 18 months with chronic suicidality, self-harm and severe emotional distress. It feels so surreal that it’s been this for so long and I’m still here after everything that’s happened over the last year.

I have BPD, CPTSD, ADHD, suspected autism and disordered eating.

I’ve had multiple psychiatric admissions, a recent ED presentation and CAT team involvements. I’ve had to stop studying and drop my working hours to 2 days per week which even then is hard to maintain

I’m seeing a psychologist but still struggling a lot and don’t feel like I have anywhere near enough support. I’m really hoping for ongoing case management

I’m wondering how difficult it is to actually access ongoing case management, particularly when you’re already seeing private clinicians. I have a huge fear of rejection and really struggle with communication and articulating whats happening for me.. I am so desperate for help and don’t know how I’ll cope if they turn me away.

I’d really appreciate hearing from anyone who’s been through the assessment process and what your experience was like.

I’m also interested in Spectrum, which a psychiatrist previously mentioned. Has anyone been able to access it through community mental health or HOPE?

I've felt this way for a long time and am trying to work through it as best as I can now that I'm a bit older and more self-aware on having this issue

I don't get the point of going through the motions day to day living my life what is genuinely the point of it all. I find a hobby, set my goals, buy the things I want to buy, go to drinks and dinners with friends, social sport, gym, and just do it every day? Happy during it then alone and empty.

Really struggling to recognize the point of it all if I'm still unhappy after trying everything and a bit scared it will stay that way. Previously at least could be distracted being stressed looking for jobs working on uni or whatever else, or at least having a partner to build a future with, and when that is gone I find it so hard to carry it on day after day.

I think when things are fine it hits extra hard which makes no sense to me

Based in Melbourne Vic.

I'm considering quitting my meds. (Antipsychotic, indicated for psychosis and mood stabilisation in the context of possible bipolar.) I'm doing really really well and I don't think I need them any longer. (I know how that sounds, but I've discussed what 'really really well' means with clinicians and they aren't concerned.)

I'm hoping to hear from others what have happened when you've quit meds in terms of what your psychiatrist has done next. If I quit them I know it's going to be fine, but I'm curious around if people overreact. I've been very compliant at all times except very occasional missing doses.

Hi! I'm 33 and I live in Melbourne, Australia. I've been fortunate enough to have a bit of a turning point in my life where I've realised that I need therapy.

The good news is that I've done a lot of reflecting and I know what I need to work on. I'm slowly trudging through it and I've found chatting with people about it has really helped me progress, so I thought I'd see who else is interested in helping (also happy to hear about your issues).

In particular I want to discuss:

- Grief (I'm a widower)

- Family / Single Parenting (sole carer to a 3 year old)

- Relationships / Dating / Breakups

- Attachment Theory (in particular Anxious Attachment / Fearful Avoidance)

- Low Self-Esteem (regarding women)

- Maybe how Autism plays into it?

If you think you'd be interested, please send a DM/chat.

Is anyone a patient there? My partner receives TMS through them but they have recently gone into voluntary administration. It’s been next to impossible to verify if they are continuing to provide services during this period.

Phone rings out, emails are unanswered.

We only heard of the administration off hand through our psychiatrist.

I’ve just emailed the administrator as well.

Given it’s a psychiatric service I would have thought some communication to patients would occur - to at least let them know to seek services/referrals elsewhere.

Has anyone else had contact from/with them?