Self Compassion

[Former-Member]

I use to think it was self indulgent, and didn't matter how we treated ourself, until recently when a therapist pointed out that we tend to treat other people the same way we treat ourself, especially those closest to us, our family 💕

[MoonGal]

@Former-Member I LOVE Molly Hahn's Buddha Doodles, they have pulled me back from the brink many times. ❤️

[Vanessa5]

Hi @MoonGal@grubbytoes@Former-Member@Ginny@Rusalkin and everyone else!

[Vanessa5]

Hi @MoonGal@grubbytoes@Former-Member@Ginny@Rusalkin

I was given a hand out at a Mental Illness talk I attended today at the Albury Base Hospital.

It is important to stand up to stigma and remember the following:

"Stigma stops people from putting their hand up to say they are living meaningful, purposeful lives. This is to the detriment of those newly diagnosed seeking hope for recovery, and society at large."

"Media portrayal of mental illness also plays a major role in determining public attitudes towards mental illness. To influence public attitudes it is important to improve the way the issue is reported and represented in the media."

"The Australian Government's Mindframe initiative takes a comprehensive approach to this challenge. The Sane Media Centre and StigmaWatch programs are integral to the initiative ....much of SANE's work in this area is conducted behind the scenes, ensuring that stigmatising attitudes do not appear in the media in the first place".

"Reducing stigma isn't easy but it is 'the single most important barrier to overcome' according to the World Health Organisation. In fact Dr Norman Sartotius, the President of Association for the Advancement of Mental Health, has said: 'Experience from all over the world proves that it is not possible to build satisfactory mental health programs without serious and continuous effort to reduce or prevent stigmatisation of mental illness'."

Do not limit or lower your life expectations because you are told to do so. You deserve a quality of life that is at the level as anyone else regardless of your disability. Follow your dreams.

[Former-Member]

[Former-Member]

Yeah @Moongal, Molly's drawings say it all, simple and poignant 💜💕

@Vanessa5, that's very interesting - thank you for posting it, good to hear they're trying. You could also post it in the research section.

💜💕

[avalynn]

Thank you sharing your post. I had to get some things out of my head because I feel so desperate to get it out. I've through a lot as many of us have. Since childhood I've suffered from depression. I've witnessed abuse as a child. I was in juvenile hall, group homes and a loving couple took me in. I then got heaviliy in drugs, alcohol, sex. I quit drinking 26 years ago and started on my journey of healing since then. I was in an abusive marriage. My ex divorced me after 30 years of marriage. I've had breast cancer been diagnosed with Bipolar 2. I've always been compassionate to others and caring. I was a good friend and you could count on me. Fast forward to today it is really hitting me hard that I need self compassion. I need to treat myself as I would a friend. Recently my new job in helping others with mental illlness I've been a scapegoat I feel with the HR manager because they are overwhelmed and stressed. I have asked questions and ask for what I need and I've been talked down to several times making me feel like a peice of nothing, like I don't matter. I'm 56 years old and I know now I deserve better. I'm not a victim. I'm a survivor. I'm trying to feel better about myself. I continue going to support groups, counseling trying to learn a way to peace and joy. I just had to post this outloud to remind myself that "I matter" and I am strong and I have fought and worked very hard. Now it's time to really focus on self compassion. If it wasn't for my precious dog Luke I feel like I would just check out. Life's been hard but I'm finding ways to fight back. Hoping to get some supportful and empowering feedback. I know there's a lot of us out there suffering trying to find our way. Love to you all. Lynn

[Shaz51]

hello @avalynn, @grubbytoes, @Former-Member, @Vanessa5, @MoonGal

[eudemonism]

@grubbytoes there's a thousand + ways you can look at any mental illness or any problems that an individual is faced with. The human condition is not much different then the changes in the weather. Nobody can change if the sky decides to be blue and sunny one day or cloudy and raining the next. I think the natural psychopathic element of all humans, have taken it way to far! And made it way to complicated...

[Elin]

I have loved all the Brene Brown talks which I have viewed thus far and also Kristen Neff's on self-compassion you mentioned above. Thanks for sharing here, I hope others are able to view what you have listed above and be helped also.