Topic Tuesday // Stigma// Tues 14 May, 7pm AEST

[BlueBay]

@Former-Member @Former-Member The times I’ve gone to horpital in an ambulance because of my MI I have been treated good. With respect care and privacy. From the paramedics to the hospital staff. 

[Former-Member]

Thanks @Former-Member 

the other area I find needs a lot of work is the workplace. I lost my job due to discrimination and even now I find it difficult to deal with insurances sending me forms that are suitable for people who break their hand or something but not targeted for mental health. Even my case worker is not trained in mental health and it is upsetting. We need a lot of education in those areas.

[Zoe7]

For me stigma is looking at something or someone in a negative light - a feeling of shame is often associated with it @Former-Member 

[Adge]

Thanks @oceangirl I really appreciate what you said.

Last December I experienced the ED of a hospital, as a possible MI admission - for the 1st time in my life (at age 50).

Being sent there at all was directly brought about by my estranged siblings, who live interstate.

I felt like a prisoner, under observation for 10 hours.

Those were some of the most traumatising experiences that I have ever had.

When the staff were finally convinced that I can capably run my own home (& am safe), I was allowed to go home at 3am in the morning.

Adge

[Owlunar]

I managed to keep my voice down @oceangirl 

I would not have dignified the discussion with an argument

Dec

[Former-Member]

Thanks so much for your input tonight - I hope you've garnered a little insight into what the StigmaWatch team does. We'd love if you took a moment to sign up to become a StigmaWatcher - https://www.sane.org/services/stigmawatch and if you haven't had a chance to view our latest video explaining what the program does and how you can contribute, you can do so here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZtVhPRz_Go

Thanks again - this is such a wonderful, supportive community.

All the best - Stigmawatch team

[Former-Member]

@Former-Member @Former-Member 

I’ve created a post about stigma the other day forgetting about this event. I would really like some how we can break down stigma in our day to day life.

I have complex ptsd and bipolar 2. I always feel I have to explain myself and struggle to explain to people how difficult my everyday life can be, even with my partner. When I mention complex ptsd people either assume I’m a veteran or police man etc. explaining complex ptsd is for me to personal and triggering. So I mainly stick to bipolar 2 as a diagnosis. I know there’s a lot of self stigma within me and I feel defenceless and ashamed. And it makes me really tired to explain and defend and explain people that were not crazy... 

It’s great to have the Sane stigma programs, but it’s so hard to live in an ignorant world. Discrimination at the work place has made me feel even more vulnerable and worthless. To be honest, I just don’t know if socialising is any helpful for me. I am just over people.

[Fracturedlight]

@Former-Member stigma from my experience is based solely on judgement from looking at the outside without knowing what inner turmoil that person is experiencing. I think alot of stigma is based also on fear of the unknown 

[Former-Member]

Hey @BlueBay - this is lovely to hear. As so many have shared here, which I really do hear and very much validate that those are unfortuntately all to common experiences, it is nice to hear of some okay ones too. It's a little bit of hope, that maybe as we do educate more, feel more confident, work more with organisations and programs, we can break down those stigma trends in those support areas that can occur. 

[Former-Member]

@Zoe7 wonderful definition. That feeling of shame from the negativity is important to highlight too, thank you!