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Support groups

Sequester Senior Contributor

Support groups

I don't think I'm alone in feeling aggrieved by community mental health treatment and yet to express that with others seems like hard to find. I've tried in the bipolar community to meet likeminded people but I've got to accept just to go onto online web groups where I'm looking for something more organic, real and uplifting. Just to feel you are not alone is sometimes the only thing that orientates you. Is there anyone else that feels like letting their hair down and say it how it is about how community mental health is often harmful and wrong? The system says they provide a forum to share experiences but they don't want to know the negative. I've been asked to join one of these groups but I don't feel like identifying myself in the system for fear of further harm. Anyway I don't think they want to know what really harms people. I'd be interested in hearing what others think about ways to vent, to grieve, to acknowledge, and to support one another more importantly.

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In response to: Support groups

Nala2022 Moderator

Re: Support groups

Hi @Sequester,

Thank you for sharing this. It sounds like you’ve been carrying a lot of hurt and disappointment from your experiences with the mental health system, and it makes sense that you’d want a space where you can speak openly and feel truly heard

You’re certainly not alone in grieving difficult or harmful experiences with services, and it’s okay to need to acknowledge those feelings. I hope this space can be somewhere you feel comfortable sharing, and that other members can join the conversation too 💛

In response to: Support groups

Sequester Senior Contributor

Re: Support groups

Great! I will feel free to express it here. I was very sorry to have tried to contact Bipolar Australia who said they only do webinars which I feel does not do justice to people wanting to build trust and connection. I have no problem online but the medium is the message. Are there anyone else out there with bipolar who want to connect?

In response to: Support groups

Sequester Senior Contributor

Re: Support groups

So I have decided I will start a group organically because I find noone wants to set up one online. It is going to be for likeminded people -- and supported by a local organisation. I am worried that the community mental health team will say I'm having a relapse if I speak up. Does anyone else feel the same fear for speaking their truth when we are just expected to be what they expect of us. I think I'll call the group "Revolving Doors" where people can speak their truth and open up into new areas of life which is more exciting than being turned around back into hospitals and more medications. What do you think?

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