Good morning @CheerBear,

I'm so sorry you are still muddling through your muddle. I'm super glad it was a nice caring woman from catt who called you and I'm also super glad you have your psychologist in your corner. It sounds like as horrible as this situation is, it most likely won't get as bad as it possibly could have without those supports. There ARE good people out there doing their best in a broken system. They aren't ALL like the peanut you spoke with the other day. I super hope that as this situation runs its course the caring supportive people outnumber the peanuts.

Reading your posts, it sounds like you are thinking that a bit of extra support and/or a bit of a rest in a safe space might be helpful so long as you feel that you have some control and choice in the matter, is that right? That makes a lot of sense to me. For me, the trauma of "the system" is the sense of powerlessness. If I knew I could just ask for help and help would be forthcoming, then I would definitely engage with the system. Alas, my experiences sound similar to some that @Former-Member seems to have had - when I have tried taking myself to hospital and asking for an admission, I have always been turned away. Thus, when I know I need help and I seek it, help is not forthcoming. When I know I can ride it out myself, I get dragged into hospital by the police. VERY frustrating. That is why I will never engage with the public system now. However, you are in a very different space to me and it may end up being super helpful to engage with the catt if the nice caring woman is anything to go by.

I'm not planning to be on the forums too much over the next few days, but I will continue to check in here. Your nest reminded me of this picture that I super like. I'm right here sitting beside you. And if it is what you need right now, then I will even sit beside you in the way that is shown in the picture - which makes you SUPER special - cos I don't sit that close to just anyone you know!