Exclusion

[StanD]

Hello SANE,

Please make allowances for my dialogue. My autistic mind is distracted. I think,  I am in a mood, as well.

Upon catching up on correspondence (snail mail), 🐌 😎 I noticed words from CEO @RachSANECEO Rachel Green.

I have highlighted the important bit. 

« .......mental health inequity, and social and economic exclusion.»

 

I think this is first time,  i have seen in words, what it is I am experiencing  - & not only now, but, for my entire life. 

...And I know I am not alone. 

I know that I am part of the problem as well,  because I have lots of stigmas, & judgements about other people.  I know this comes from a place of deep insecurity within myself. 

I am saying , THANK YOU to everyone who works at SANE.  Keep fighting for us,  🙏 

Thank you to all the members, or visitors passing through.

We know who we are.  We know our own values. We get it, and demand more.

I hope, that all came out correctly.

Kindest Actions

StanD XOXO 😘 

[RachSANECEO]

Thank you @StanD i really appreciate this feedback. 
Rachel. 

[StanD]

You are more than welcome @RachSANECEO & I appreciate your kudios @Shaz51 & @StuF 

I will probably never get the opportunity to meet all my SANE friends,  in this life.  It makes me be sad. 

Knowing that there are people at the helm, steering us through rough seas,  taking the wheel,  helping me through waters I dare never to navigate alone,  - I think it has kept my alive.

I am not so naive that I don't have awareness,  of varied red tape, politics, egos etc etc.

I think it starts with recognition. 

A person who has lived experience with mH dx, may have worked harder throughout there life, than , apparently functional adult. 

I think it is about recognising that people who have fight their way to recovery,  or continuing to fight,  & choosing careers in mh, because it is personal , need to be seen for all that they have truly accomplished. 

It is about the worth that comes from within oneself (easy to say with food & housing)

.... unable to afford ridiculous housing,  unable to work - or having to mentally weigh up the rewards, vs, the loss. 

I want to be recognised for my personal story.  I don't want to feel like,  I am embarrassed,  or humiliated,  because I am beneath those with impervious power, money. 

In my experience,  the rich don't see us.  

I tend to be over grateful. For the most seemingly benign offerings. I can feel other judging me,  as naive,  or foolish. I don't often feel respected, that this is a conscious choice. 

I thank you for your reply. SANE has been a mixture of support & the pain of being separated from people who may be my kind. SANE has taught me,  that there are awesome,  amazing people in this world. For reasons, I can't explain,  have decided,  that I am worthy of StanDIng in solidarity. 

I feel humbled, & long , overdue,  Recognition.

It comes from within. 

The outside positives, can be night and day,  ....to me. 

I'm going on a bit. 

Maybe happy to connect with friendz ..... I shared a side of myself here,  that the 'rool world' was not privileged to. 

Cool 😎 

@ everyone 

Our tools are our own.  No two people have identical needs.  My wish, is that,  crazy,  is not only cool,  but,  celebrated . As it is possibly the most beautiful expression of life, love,  heartbreak,  church,  community and solidarity. There IS strength 💪 in numbers. 

[StuF]

Great post/s @StanD 

Hope you are doing ok 🙂

[MJG017]

Hi @StanD, I think you said it perfectly.  I am so appreciative of the work SANE does since I found them earlier this year.  Not sure how I would have got through it all without this place, the wonderful people keeping it ticking, and the other services provided.  So my sincere thank you to everyone at SANE and all the amazing people I've met on the forums.

As someone who is not working due to chronic health issues, the options for support sure run out very quickly when you don't have a lot of money to spare, so Ive gotten a very strong sense of how big the problem of exclusion is during my experiences over the past couple of years, especially with mental health. 

[tyme]

@MJG017 "I am so appreciative of the work SANE does since I found them earlier this year.  Not sure how I would have got through it all without this place, the wonderful people keeping it ticking, and the other services provided.  So my sincere thank you to everyone at SANE and all the amazing people I've met on the forums."

Awwwww. This melted my heart because I feel the same way.

I'm not sure if you know, but I was a regular forums member before I started working at SANE. I used these very forums for my own MH and found it so beneficial in my recovery. I later volunteered to be a Community Guide and whilst doing so, the call came out for Peer Workers to join the team, and that's exactly what I did 🙂 It was the best things EVER! And I'm still here.

[MJG017]

@tyme

I'm not sure if you know, but I was a regular forums member before I started working at SANE. I used these very forums for my own MH and found it so beneficial in my recovery. I later volunteered to be a Community Guide and whilst doing so, the call came out for Peer Workers to join the team, and that's exactly what I did 🙂 It was the best things EVER! And I'm still here.

---

I didn't know that, but I can completely relate to wanting to take it further, it's such a positive and supportive environment.  What a great opportunity to come along for you.  I'm not surprised you jumped at it!  Like all of the peer workers here, it seems you were born for the role. 

A friend of mine recently started studying a Cert IV in Mental Health online.  It's gotten me thinking the past few weeks that maybe I should look into it myself.  I feel like I want to do something in this area.  I don't really have the interest to go back into IT if I had a choice.  So it all of bit of a mystery for me at the moment as I know nothing about this at all apart from posting lots of overly lengthy replies.  I find it helpful to finally have some sort of vague idea of a direction to look towards.  Even just thinking about the future at all has been a big improvement for me.

[tyme]

Absolutely @MJG017 ! You certainly have the skills and capability. 

[StanD]

Hey @StuF so good to see your message.  Thank you. 

It is 8.13am. I feel scared. This is my normal.  My meds will start working soon & then I will want to do art. 

People care about us, even if we feel alone. 

I think, that even though there's no one here but me & the cats- all those people,  create a new place for me to feel safe.

Thoughts & intentions hold power.

I think I am OK 👍 

And I certainly didn't do it on my own. 💙🩵💜

I hope you are well too, & choosing the best of you. Because I know,  you are a freaking awesome,  magical person.

I appreciate your feedback. 

I hope everyone on SANE is, 

👍 OK 

And if not,  please ask for help,  because, you are not excluded - you are loved ❤️ 

Enjoy your day friends 

[StanD]

Hi @MJG017 nice to meet you.  Very interesting username - you will have to give me insight.  I have a thing for number plates - your name is a number plate to me!

I loved so much about your reply.  We sound similar in the way we express ourselves, & abilities to remain calm in narrow roads.

I smiled at your gentle self depreciation , re: 'other than writing lengthy replies." Yep, we are basically twins.

Maybe,  this stuff needs to come out. Maybe,  we are looking for connections? Writing feels good - it is my turn to talk,  without interference or interruption.  I don't even care what I'm writing about!

I am grateful for your reply. The first line you wrote,  about expressing it perfectly.  I know,  you are the type of person who uses that word, sparingly. 

OMG - The relief.  

To be understood.

I don't think everyone understands me.  And that is OK.  I was only diagnosed a few years ago surf Autism (I am almost 47) Everything suddenly clicked. Flashbacks of ps & h school.  Feeling different.  Growing up as an outcast,  or strange alien 👽 

It feels like we are quite similar,  & I feel like I get you too. 

When I read that you were in IT - my mind said , no,  that is not you at all. 

I think you are a natural at humanities, or sociology.  I don't know correct term - I have always been drawn to this too. 

It is not that I don't enjoy sciences, - it feels more natural,  & rewarding, to connect with people.  Especially people who need,  a small hand up - to let them know,  that they are OK,  & will get through this - that you are on their team. In fact - they are the team captain! And we are there to support them in their goals. 

Like you - I have not decided what I want to do in the future.  If it is a career in psw, then,  I need to get myself healthy & strong, before I can even attempt hearing someone else's sad story.

I believe the correct term is vicarious trauma.

It makes me pleased to know you are looking at the future. And I think we are basically at the same spot.  More of glance! Or peeking over neighbours fence😊 And that is perfectly acceptable & OK 👍 

Recovery works on its own terms. We are like the passengers,  with everlasting patience (not!!) , learning how to be kind & gentle to oneself,  whilst the body does its miraculous healing. 

I think that is ultimately what human beings are.  We are delicate healing machines, for our spirit to rest inside.  

One day,  our bodies will give out.  Sadly, we all come with expiry dates.  Our mission, is to allow our spirits, mind, bodies to live the most beautiful life possible.  And, maybe, help others along the way.  (Which is quite a selfish act really- but the good type of selfish, because it empowers you & the other person)

OK, I am all out of words.

I do my best talking in the mornings,  & late at night.  Weird

Thank you XOXO 😘