tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19602209727868437912024-09-12T09:58:29.912+10:00Initially this blog was to be a record of my personal experience living with mental illness. But it has expanded to include news, articles and resources pertaining to mental health issues from around the world. I hope you find it both entertaining & informative.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger80125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1960220972786843791.post-27451727075412235012016-03-15T17:59:00.000+11:002016-03-15T17:59:47.949+11:00

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

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1960220972786843791.post-22431632473359076442016-03-13T06:41:00.000+11:002016-03-13T06:44:02.179+11:00

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

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1960220972786843791.post-44998972227530024312016-03-09T08:05:00.000+11:002016-03-09T08:05:33.707+11:00

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.

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1960220972786843791.post-68326314173887295542016-03-08T23:18:00.000+11:002016-03-08T23:27:06.694+11:00

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

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1960220972786843791.post-48146599611902076102016-03-05T10:55:00.000+11:002016-03-08T23:20:58.485+11:00

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

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1960220972786843791.post-44501096873512925272016-03-01T12:04:00.000+11:002016-03-01T18:56:27.213+11:00

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

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1960220972786843791.post-30565934623053080042016-03-01T11:19:00.000+11:002016-03-01T11:19:21.696+11:00

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

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1960220972786843791.post-90470203783107036462016-02-28T16:29:00.003+11:002016-02-28T16:29:36.473+11:00

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

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1960220972786843791.post-32131254042358189312016-02-28T16:03:00.002+11:002016-02-28T16:03:35.211+11:00

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

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1960220972786843791.post-14087198861767802552016-02-25T08:44:00.001+11:002016-02-25T08:44:04.100+11:00

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.

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1960220972786843791.post-92016355375909308712013-07-01T23:51:00.002+10:002013-07-01T23:51:52.551+10:00

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

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1960220972786843791.post-73596895376588606872013-07-01T22:08:00.001+10:002013-07-01T22:47:13.162+10:00

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 MisterKevin 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

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1960220972786843791.post-27208712429245123822013-06-30T02:51:00.000+10:002013-06-30T02:51:06.387+10:00

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

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1960220972786843791.post-68951482436247719992013-06-11T23:56:00.000+10:002013-06-12T00:00:26.675+10:00

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

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1960220972786843791.post-6902136837085515232013-06-03T18:01:00.000+10:002013-06-03T18:01:04.074+10:00

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

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1960220972786843791.post-57005983788297683052013-06-01T14:18:00.000+10:002013-06-01T14:18:45.765+10:00

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

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1960220972786843791.post-54110649869313132932013-05-28T00:29:00.000+10:002013-05-28T00:29:29.191+10:00

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

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1960220972786843791.post-58845386167034557702013-05-27T23:50:00.000+10:002013-05-27T23:50:10.619+10:00

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.

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1960220972786843791.post-60367913896518082652013-04-23T12:31:00.001+10:002013-04-23T12:31:54.638+10:00

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

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1960220972786843791.post-60806234649664455902012-09-23T23:03:00.000+10:002012-09-24T12:07:07.203+10:00

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

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1960220972786843791.post-48950561288641567442012-09-14T12:17:00.002+10:002012-09-14T12:17:21.354+10:00

Over the last few weeks we've been having some fantastic spring weather here on the east coast of Australia. Brilliant sunny days and crisp clear nights. It really has been wonderful. At the same time I've been feeling a little more alive, things seeming a little easier. I suppose that many people feel like this, with warm summer days making it easier to get going than cold, wet winter days. &

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1960220972786843791.post-83405948114452740042012-09-06T21:49:00.000+10:002012-09-06T21:49:22.252+10:00

The University of Queensland Law Student Society (UQLS) will delve into the reasons for a high rate of depression, stress and anxiety among law students at a mental health forum this month.  UQ and law firm Allens will host ‘Mental Health in the Australian Legal Profession,' forum at the University on September 12.  The program has a line-up of expert speakers including

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1960220972786843791.post-88129859738143972842012-09-03T21:33:00.000+10:002012-09-03T21:33:08.991+10:00

Irish singer Sinéad O'Connor is teaming up with Cork-based mental health campaign group Mad Pride Ireland to play a fundraising concert at the Triskel Arts Centre in Cork on October 19th. The concert is the first of a series of high-profile associations to promote more understanding of mental health in Ireland. Mad Pride Ireland's chief executive David McCarthy said he hoped the concert

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1960220972786843791.post-18700812715832072682012-09-01T18:33:00.000+10:002012-09-01T18:34:49.904+10:00

Sunday September 2nd is Fathers Day here in Australia and, as normal for me around special occasions, it has had me thinking about what my mental health problems have cost me over the years. Not in terms of money, but in other ways. My conclusion: it has cost me plenty. Dealing with mental health costs everyone financially; sufferers, families, friends & the entire community. But for

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1960220972786843791.post-65040125230184437562012-08-28T17:31:00.000+10:002012-08-28T18:11:03.643+10:00

Suzie Grogan, the driving force behind the upcoming release Dandelions and Bad Hair Days, has made public an image of the cover for the anthology. The cover artwork is by Ingrid Eva Creative and is a brilliant pictorial representation of the title. The book is a collection of articles, stories & creative writing from sufferers of mental illness (including me!). Due out early October,

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0