Welcome! Introduce yourself here 🙂

[ShiningStar]

Hi @Flower23 

I just wanted to reach out and welcome you to the forums - it’s great to have you here 💜

I’m so sorry to hear about some of the things that have been happening for you and just from what you shared, things sound really tough right now 💜

It can be incredibly frustrating, distressing and lonely when (despite our very best efforts) our families are unable to understand the mental health conditions that we’re living with and what we’re going through.

I’m really sorry to hear that your family are so judgemental and just from what you shared it sounds as though their behaviour is having a pretty detrimental impact on you.

As I listened to this part of your story, I felt really concerned when you mentioned that you’ve been forced to hide in your bedroom and as such, I just ever so gently wondered if you feel safe at home?

Being seen, heard and understood are healthy and important needs that we all have and as such, I just wondered if there is anyone outside of your immediate family (such as a Therapist or a friend) who could perhaps provide you with the care, support and understanding that you need at such a difficult time in your life?

Also, just while I remember, one of the things that really helped me when I was new to the forums and still finding my way around, was that if you would like to chat with another forum member, or reply to one of their posts, place @ in front of their username just like I did at the start of my post to you i.e. @Flower23 that way, they will receive a message that you have contacted them 😊

In the meantime, please know that you’re always welcome to reach out to us here whenever you need to 😊

Thinking of you 😊

ShiningStar 💜

[calmsoul]

@ShiningStar 

Thank you for your support xx

I'm doing ok. Have tried to let it go. I just cannot believe they would bluntly lie like this. To the Health Care Commission!!

And gas light a patient.

I've been knitting.

I finished my shawl 😎

[calmsoul]

 

[june23]

Hello everyone ^_^

I am new here and wanted to make my first contribution to the forum. I am thinking about making a discussion post about some challenges I've been having on my recovery journey. I'm interested in sharing my story, supporting and listening to others where I can, learning about recovery and trying to recover, and I also would love to learn more about peer work as I think I would like to become a peer worker one day.

Cheers!  🌻

[hanami]

Hi there 

@june23 

Welcome to the forums. It's great to see your enthusiasm for making a contribution and connecting with others on your recovery journey. Sharing your story can be a powerful way to provide support and inspire others who may be facing similar challenges. 

There are lots of different ways to look at getting into peer work. Do you have any ideas or have you looked different type of training? Would love to hear what you already know so I can maybe point you in the direction you might benefit from going. 

Hope to hear from you soon!

Hanami

[june23]

Hi @hanami 😊

Thanks for your reply!

I was inspired because I had a great peer worker this year and it really made such a big difference. Before this year I didn't really know peer work was an option. I asked my peer worker if she thinks it would be good for me and she did recommend it, however she did recommend waiting until I have some experience with recovery. I know there is a certificate in mental health that peer workers need but when I looked online it said that a requirement was employment in peer work, so from that I just assumed you can land a job as a peer worker without the qualification but your employer will expect you to get it eventually. Is that correct?

In terms of getting into peer work while I'm recovering, I'd like to do some volunteering in my community if I am able to. My community mental health worker suggested the local soup kitchen and she introduced me to the local safe haven so I could also talk to the peer workers there and let them know I'm interested in peer work and hopefully they could help me see if it's something I would be suited to.

[KyleeGabby]

Hi June, in regards to information about peer support the way I went about getting a position was to first do volunteer work in an organisation that offered support and advocacy to family members of people with mental illness. I started by doing general cleaning , office duties and brochure folding and organising. After doing that for 6 months I got a volunteer job working one afternoon a week supporting a young woman who had a disability. I would take her swimming and do crafts and other activities. This helped me get familiar with a supporting role and also keeping case notes which is a requirement of support work. I then got a paid position as a peer support worker. So my advice to you is if you start out volunteering try to volunteer somewhere that will give you relevant experience to what you want to do. Good luck. 😊

[Usernametaken]

G’day all. 
   New here and new to all this amd not really sure what to do, say or write here. Not even sure it’s right for me at this point but hey you never know if you don’t give it a go right?  Be good and be happy all

[hanami]

Hi again @june23

Yes that's right - you can often get a job as a peer worker without the certificate as long as you say you will work towards it once you're employed. That's the way it was for me with NSW Health. I got the job and then got the certificate while working. I did mine through here https://mhcc.org.au/training/courses/ 

@KyleeGabby has excellent advice too  (thankyou!) - volunteer work is a a great idea. And it sounds like you're onto that.

Looking forward to seeing you around the forums

Hanami

PS. Ask any more questions re peer work. One of use will be happy to respond 🙂

[hanami]

Hey there @KyleeGabby 

I just noticed you are new around here too and wanted to welcome you!

I will look forward to seeing you around.

Warmest wishes

Hanami