BeyondNow - Suicide Safety Planning

Had a post from beyondblue show up on my Facebook page a few minutes ago. It could be something a few around here could find very useful.

"Today we’re proud to share our Australian-first suicide safety planning app, BeyondNow.

Safety planning is exactly what it sounds like – creating a plan to stay safe during those really difficult moments. The BeyondNow app makes this suicide prevention tool even more valuable by putting your plan in your pocket – you’ll always have it on hand if you need it. It can be hard to think clearly when you’re in a suicidal crisis or having thoughts or feelings about suicide. Having all your warning signs, coping strategies, reasons for living and support listed in one place means you can focus on working through the steps until you feel safe. We hope that you and your loved ones will never need this app. But if you do, we hope it can guide you through the tough times.

You can download the app from the App Store or Google Play."

You can find our more on the BeyondNow web page.

I haven't looked at it fully myself but it looks good & perhaps it can be used for other types of crisis or distress too. Hopefully this is something that will help when we need it most.

Take care all.

The information contained in this blog can not be considered medical advice. These are only my own thoughts, feelings & ideas. If you or someone you know are having problems with mental illness please seek qualified medical advice.

Internal Acceptance Movement!

I ran across this site the other day for the Internal Acceptance Movement (I. A.M.). It was started by a young woman, Daniell Koepke, and has the simple motto of You exist, and therefore, you matter. I'll let her describe about it in her own words:

I came up with the idea while I was in treatment for an eating disorder in the summer of 2009. My initial goal was to spread eating disorder awareness and promote body positivity.

After creating a space on Tumblr, I decided that I wanted the I. A.M. to encompass something more broad — I wanted the blog focus on helping people heal from any struggle; to offer encouragement and validation; to remind people that they aren’t alone and that the things they struggle with don’t have to be a source of shame; to provide self-care tips and coping skills; and to offer hope that things can and will get better. 

Daniell is studying psychology with the goal of becoming a therapist. I think she will make a great one. Her own writings & thoughts have some great insights and are full of encouragement & support for all. Highly recommended.

The information contained in this blog can not be considered medical advice. These are only my own thoughts, feelings & ideas. If you or someone you know are having problems with mental illness please seek qualified medical advice.

Supporting a friend with a mental illness.

The daughter of a Facebook friend of mine posted a fantastic little piece on supporting someone close to you who has a mental illness. While it specifies depression and anxiety, what it says covers so much more. I just thought I would share it here.

Take care, stay safe.

The information contained in this blog can not be considered medical advice. These are only my own thoughts, feelings & ideas. If you or someone you know are having problems with mental illness please seek qualified medical advice.

Mental Health In The Workplace

Came across this article today on news.com.au dealing with mental health in the workplace. Looks like it's part of a recent series called Minds at Work. The series is being written in partnership with Australian mental health support organisation beyondblue.

Sadly this and associated articles seem to be hidden away a bit. I could only find them by using the search function. There seems to be no easy way to access them. To make it a little easier you can find the links here.

The articles also link to a website called Heads Up. This site is for both employers & employees and deals with mental health within the work environment. For employers there is information about creating a mental health friendly workplace. For employees there is information about your mental health and how to interact with your employer. And for everyone it also covers working with someone who has a mental illness.

Some good stuff there for people dealing with mental health issues in the workplace.

The information contained in this blog can not be considered medical advice. These are only my own thoughts, feelings & ideas. If you or someone you know are having problems with mental illness please seek qualified medical advice.

Is there a better way to respond to a mental health crisis?

This item from the Sane Australia blog discusses a different approach to handling a crisis using a Scandinavian approach called Open Dialogue. This method uses the patients current support network including family & friends as a central part of dealing with a crisis. The idea seems to be for the professionals to support, strengthen & increase the role of the patients own network in the treatment & recovery process. Everyone, including the patient, is involved in discussions about the issue, helping to create a much better care & recovery plan.

It sounds like an interesting approach and may help many people. It can make the recovery process much better, provide ongoing care and support and even reduce the chance of a re-occurrence of the crisis. Definitely worth a look I think.

The information contained in this blog can not be considered medical advice. These are only my own thoughts, feelings & ideas. If you or someone you know are having problems with mental illness please seek qualified medical advice.

While not a new article, The Roads To Wellness over at Sane Australia provides some good information, ideas & tips for those dealing with mental health issues. It doesn't matter if you've only just started dealing with your illness, have been battling with it for years or just want to know more it's a great read.

The information contained in this blog can not be considered medical advice. These are only my own thoughts, feelings & ideas. If you or someone you know are having problems with mental illness please seek qualified medical advice.

Dealing with having bipolar isn't easy. Not only do we have our issues, we have to face the stigma & misinformation that exists in the world. Often dealing with this extra burden of trying to make sure those around you know what's real about it and what's not is both exhausting and stressful.

Over at The Glass House Girls Norah Mann recently made a guest post, I'm Not Crazy. I'm Bipolar. In the article she talks about her life, living with bipolar & dealing with the stigma that surrounds it. If you live with bipolar or know someone who does I encourage you to read it.

So why did I write this? Because you need to know, everyone needs to know, and hopefully it will help those living with the illness. But the main reason I wrote this was to tell you that those with Bipolar are not crazy. It’s time to end the stigma surrounding Bipolar, understand it, accept it and respect it. - Norah Mann

The information contained in this blog can not be considered medical advice. These are only my own thoughts, feelings & ideas. If you or someone you know are having problems with mental illness please seek qualified medical advice.

Happy to say that Suzie Grogan mentioned to me on Facebook the other day that there is going to be a reissue of Dandelions and Bad Hair Days! This is great to hear. I was so honored to be a part of this & hoping this release is even more successful than the original.

Great work Suzie!







The information contained in this blog can not be considered medical advice. These are only my own thoughts, feelings & ideas. If you or someone you know are having problems with mental illness please seek qualified medical advice.

Back with the music, at least it's a start for now!

Everybody Hurts - something that we can hear a lot from people that don't always understand what's going on in our lives. Doesn't help much. But to me this great song is more about fighting on, never giving up or letting your emotions overwhelm you.

I liked this one when it was released, but it was only as I spiraled deeper & deeper down that it's true meaning  became clear to me.

The information contained in this blog can not be considered medical advice. These are only my own thoughts, feelings & ideas. If you or someone you know are having problems with mental illness please seek qualified medical advice.

Maybe it's time to try again & get this happening.....

The information contained in this blog can not be considered medical advice. These are only my own thoughts, feelings & ideas. If you or someone you know are having problems with mental illness please seek qualified medical advice.

Dandelions & Bad Hair Days: Now on Kindle

Dandelions and Bad Hair Days, a collection of poetry and prose edited by Suzie Grogan, has been mentioned here several times in the past. Released in October 2012, the book is finally available on Kindle from Amazon.

For those who don't know, the book is a collection of pieces written by sufferers of various mental illnesses. I am lucky enough to have two contributions in the book, a copy of a guest post I did for Suzie's No More Wriggling Out of Writing site & a poem, 'Loneliness', which Suzie found in my Scribd collection.

The book is a look at the world as seen by those that live each day with mental illness. It's not just a book for other sufferers, but for carers, friends, family & the community. It may help people understand our daily struggles better.

Additionally all profits from the sale of both the paperback & digital versions of the book go to SANE UK & other nominated charities. So by purchasing the book, you not only get a great read, but are supporting mental health charities.

I hope you will take the time to spend a few dollars for a good cause and some enjoyable, insightful reading.

Take care
Mark 

The information contained in this blog can not be considered medical advice. These are only my own thoughts, feelings & ideas. If you or someone you know are having problems with mental illness please seek qualified medical advice.

NSW Mental Health Services Cut

New South Wales Mental Health minister Kevin Humphries says the federal government has drastically cut new treatment services for the mentally ill in the state.

NSW Mental Health Mister
Kevin Humphries

Funding had been secured to create four Early Psychosis Prevention & Intervention Centres in NSW, which would haven given a large portion of the population better access to treatment if they began to develop a psychotic disorder.

But two years of planning & negotiations were wasted when the now former federal Minister for Mental Health Mark Butler announced in a press release last month that NSW would only get one centre to be run by the charity Headspace - the National Youth Mental Health Foundation.

It is thought that difficulties in negotiating agreements has led to the federal governments decision. This was despite already approving four centres in NSW & opening negotiations for two more.

Source & full article: The Sydney Morning Herald (01 July 2013)

The information contained in this blog can not be considered medical advice. These are only my own thoughts, feelings & ideas. If you or someone you know are having problems with mental illness please seek qualified medical advice.

Just For Laughs

We all need to just laugh sometimes, it can make life seem a little less serious. Saw this & just had to share. Don't hold back, just enjoy for the sake of enjoying.

The information contained in this blog can not be considered medical advice. These are only my own thoughts, feelings & ideas. If you or someone you know are having problems with mental illness please seek qualified medical advice.

Bipolar Research Subjects Needed - Sydney

Early next week I'm off to Sydney to participate in a bipolar research study at the CADE Clinic, an outpatient service based at the Royal North Shore Hospital in Sydney. The study 'Thinking Clearly With Bipolar Disorder' is being conducted by Dr Genevieve Curran.

She is seeking adults with bipolar disorder to participate in a research study that investigates how bipolar & lithium alter brain cognition (memory, concentration, attention, etc). It doesn't matter if you use lithium or not, subjects from both groups are needed.

From what I understand the study involves a session talking with Dr Curran, a session on a computer playing games, solving puzzles, etc & then possibly an MRI scan.

More information on the research study can be found on the CADE website, by calling Dr Curran (02 9462 9900) or by emailing her at grcurran@nsccahs.health.nsw.gov.au.

I you feel you could suitable for this study please participate. In the long run the study could benifit us all, you never know.

Until next time, take care.

Mark.

The information contained in this blog can not be considered medical advice. These are only my own thoughts, feelings & ideas. If you or someone you know are having problems with mental illness please seek qualified medical advice.

Music - At Times Life Can Feel Like A Prison

At times life for those suffering from any mental illness can feel like a prison. Often it can be almost in a literal sense with, locked inside their own world, their own home. The following song by a great Australian band sort of describes how I feel at times.

Cold Chisel with 'Four Walls', enjoy.

Take care until next time.

Mark

The information contained in this blog can not be considered medical advice. These are only my own thoughts, feelings & ideas. If you or someone you know are having problems with mental illness please seek qualified medical advice.

Dreams, Nightmares & Screamscapes...

I have dreams & nightmares, everyone does. But 99.9% of the time I can't remember them on waking and the rest fade from memory in minutes. I think often it's a good way to be, you forget the good ones but also no memory of the bad.

But this morning was different. For the first time ever I awoke shaking & physically ill because of a, to me, very distressing dream. And I have to admit I have no idea how to deal with it or what to think of it.

The subject of the dream touched very heavily on my past, something that devastated my life, even as a toddler. It took the event, twisted it & expanded it to a very disturbing degree. And now I just can't shake it.

So I'm opening this up to ideas, thoughts, stories & suggestions. If you have ever had dreams or nightmares that have shaken you to the core, how do you deal with them? How have you coped with the mental anguish they can cause?

I really am all at sea with this one.

Take care until next time.

Mark.

The information contained in this blog can not be considered medical advice. These are only my own thoughts, feelings & ideas. If you or someone you know are having problems with mental illness please seek qualified medical advice.

Music - To Feel, To Hear, To Learn

As I've said previously, music means a lot to me, something that can touch me when nothing else can. So I'm going to start posting songs that mean something to me in one way or the other.

Every now and then a song comes along that seems to be directed at those suffering depression or feeling life is not worth the effort. Not love songs, but ones that seem to go directly to those feeling lost in the world.

Nickelback is one of my favourite bands and their last album 'Here And Now' contains a song called 'Lullaby' which seems to be one of these songs. Forget the video, just listen to words. Just remember, there is someone there for you, whoever you are.

Take care & enjoy.

Mark

The information contained in this blog can not be considered medical advice. These are only my own thoughts, feelings & ideas. If you or someone you know are having problems with mental illness please seek qualified medical advice.

Getting Back Onto The Horse

Not posting as much as I should be. Always feel at times I'm not only letting myself down but others as well when I go quiet like this. I know I 'shouldn't' feel bad not posting but we all know how that goes.

So for now I will just content myself with trying and post something every few days, no matter what it is. Hopefully it will be something fun, interesting or informative, but no guarantees.

Take care everyone.

Mark

The information contained in this blog can not be considered medical advice. These are only my own thoughts, feelings & ideas. If you or someone you know are having problems with mental illness please seek qualified medical advice.

Cancer Claims Aussie Music Icon - Chrissy Amphlett Dead at 53

Music has always been something special to me, the one thing I've always been able to connect to emotionally when nothing else could touch me. Sadly, today it is bringing me nothing but tears.

In New York on Sunday, Chrissy Amphlett, lead singer of the Australian band The Divinyls, passed away after a long battle with breast cancer. She was 53. Chrissy also suffered from MS which meant she could not receive many of the normal cancer treatments such as radiation therapy & chemo.

The passing of Chrissy has touched me deeply, probably because her voice was a big part of my late teens & twenties as The Divinyls rocked their way through the 80's & early 90's. From "Boys In Town" (1982) to their biggest international success "I Touch Myself" (1991 - No1 in Aus, No10 in UK & No4 in US) and beyond, Chrissy's voice always seemed to be there.

Rock-in-Peace Chrissy, you are an inspiration to many, remaining a part of the Oz music scene even as you battled for your own life. You music will live on forever. Thank you for the pleasure your voice gave us.

For those who haven't heard The Divinyls, here's their prophetic 1984 single "The Good Die Young".

The information contained in this blog can not be considered medical advice. These are only my own thoughts, feelings & ideas. If you or someone you know are having problems with mental illness please seek qualified medical advice.

Small Irish Poll Shows Depth of Stigma.

An article by Paul Gilligan (CEO, St Patrick's University Hospital) published in the Irish newspaper Sunday Independent has highlighted how bad stigma can be and that it is costing lives. The stigma surrounding mental illness makes people reluctant to discuss their problems and they often feel they cannot seek help.

A small poll of 300 people at St Patrick's University Hospital in Dublin produced some shocking results, even for those used to seeing how bad stigma can be. The poll showed that:

• 20% of people believe that those suffering mental health problems are of below average intelligence.
• Over 40% considered seeking help for mental health problems is a sign of personal failure.
• Two-thirds expressed reluctance to hire someone with a history of mental illness, believing them to be unreliable.
• Over 30% admitted they would not willingly accept someone with a mental illness as a close friend.

Considering that there is a probability that some participants in the research wouldn't want to admit to having a negative view, it is quite possible the true levels of stigma could be much higher.

Gilligan goes on to discuss factors that go into creating (and maintaining) the stigma. These include human factors such as fear and a lack of understanding/knowledge. Then there is denial, both by the sufferer refusing to believe they could have a mental illness, and those who don't even believe there is such a thing as mental illness.