Topic Tuesday // Healthy Relationships in Lockdown // Tues 31st August, 7:00-8:30PM AEST

[cloudcore]

Hi SANE community,

This fortnight we will be having a discussion on healthy relationships, but specifically in the context of lockdowns, which affect many of us across Australia today. Our guest speaker, a relationship counsellor, will be here to speak on boundaries, communication skills and conflict resolution to guide those of you who may be struggling to sustain harmony and connection with family, partners or roommates when stuck in the home.

The last two years have been really tough with a novel virus circulating the world, and extended and frequent lockdowns being snapped in place. Mental health organisations, like SANE, Lifeline and 1800 RESPECT have shown that lockdowns have caused significant hardship and stress on individuals whether that be financially, physically or emotionally, and the effects of that hardship and stress are becoming more apparent in the home and in relationships.

This Topic Tuesday will hold space for us to discuss boundaries and ways to communicate with those in our lives to mend and/or maintain a healthy relationship dynamic when we’re stuck sharing the same space. It may be an important and valuable topic for those who have experienced, might be experiencing or could experience a relationship breakdown in lockdown.

Please join us here on Tuesday the 31st of August 2021 from 7:00pm-8:30pm AEST to follow this conversation.

Want to receive a reminder on the night? Hit the 'Support' button below.

New to the forums or want to get involved in this discussion? Check out the How To Guide for Topic Tuesdays.
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We recognise that situations at home and in relationships are at various stages, and we welcome everyone to bring their experiences to this space. If you are experiencing a situation at home puts your safety at risk, please contact emergency services or contact 1800 RESPECT for referrals and additional support. This discussion will more generally discuss ideas around boundaries and relationship communication skills, however we will also provide information on resources that may be available to you.

[cloudcore]

Hi @Sophia1 , @Fluttershy1 , @jamtart @Peri @adaptiveechidna @Shaz51 @LostAngel @Snowie @Redwolf ! Just tagging everyone that has liked this post as we will be starting this Topic Tuesday in 10 minutes 

[Daisydreamer]

Evening all! Just tagging those who were involved in our 👥 BOUNDARIES: Week long discussion 👥 last week and who might be interested in joining us tonight 🙂 

@chibam @NatureLover @Faith-and-Hope @Shaz51 @Appleblossom @Powderfinger @Sophia1 @Corny @TideisTurning @LostAngel @Kermit @WildGypsyRose @Lyra_reachout @jem80 @Owen45 @frog 

[Faith-and-Hope]

Thanks @Daisydreamer, but flat-out with an assignment tonight, so I can't make it.

[Former-Member]

Evening everyone, 

It is great to be here with you all tonight. I would like to take a moment to introduce myself. I have worked as a relationship/marriage counsellor and thoroughly enjoyed it. I am looking forward to our discussion tonight about boundaries, ways to communicate boundaries and how to reinforce healthy boundaries with yourself and others.

[cloudcore]

Welcome to Topic Tuesday! I am cloudcore, a peer support worker. I will be leading this discussion today with our guest counsellor @Former-Member 

Before we get started I want to acknowledge that situations at home and in relationships are at various stages, and we welcome everyone to bring their experiences to this space. We have planned a discussion that we hope will talk about boundaries, communication skills and conflict resolution but also about resources that may be available if anyone is in an unsafe situation.

If at any time you feel distress, or want to speak to someone, please feel welcome to contact the SANE Helpcentre for support. For urgent help, please see our crisis support page for some services.

We also want to draw attention to the community guidelines before we get started. This is a space for us to hold space for every person's experiences 

[Daisydreamer]

Completely understand @Faith-and-Hope, good luck with the assignment!

[cloudcore]

To get us started, let's have a look at why we're discussing healthy relationships in lockdown.

Question 1: What is happening in lockdown and how is it affecting relationships?

[Former-Member]

Question 1: What is happening in lockdown and how is it affecting relationships?

Since March 2020, Australia has seen numerous and extensive lockdowns come into place, causing more than 12 million people to stay at home for weeks at a time. This has proven to have great impacts on not only individual’s mental health and financial status, but also on interpersonal relationships.

An Australian Bureau of Statistics survey has found that in the last year from March 2020, around one in six (18%) Australians aged 18 years and over reported using at least one mental health or support service, and this is a notable change from previous years. The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) reported in the month of April 2021, Lifeline received almost 82,000 calls (an increase of 18.4% from April 2019) and Beyond Blue received over 22,000 contacts (an increase of 30.7% from April 2019).

This may, in part, reflect the fact that in April 2020, 1 in 10 people reported having relationship difficulties in lockdown and 1 in 5 people experienced loneliness and poor levels of support from family or friends when needed. Further, more than two-thirds of DFV agencies surveyed reported an increase in new clients, comprising of “people who had never had a history of domestic violence in their life”. In my personal experiences as a relationship counsellor there has also been an increased demand for relationship counselling.

This goes to show that lockdown is affecting our ability to create and sustain healthy relationships at home, which in turn affects our ability to cope with other personal stressors. Therefore it is important to discuss boundaries, communication skills and conflict resolution, as we are today

[JungleGiants]

Is this starting? 🙂