Ask Anything Monday: Have a question you feel too apprehensive to ask?

[Louise]

I chose Aged Care because there is plenty of work in the industry and you don't need a lot of training. I am getting plenty of casual work, there is a lot of flexibility, if I need to opt out at some point it should not be too difficult to get back on board later on. There is also a lot of movement between Aged Care and Disability work. In my first interview, I was asked "Describe a recent stressful experience and how you coped with it". My first reaction was to describe my sons recent psychotic episode! I thought " well, this will probably put them off employing me, but what the heck!!!"  Turns out I got the job anyway.

Good luck

[Peter_Pan78]

@Louise I work in the disability sector and absolutely love it. I think my lived experience actually helps me to connect and build a genuine rapport with vulnerable people.

[Francis]

My husband and I both work for small businesses locally which is of great help. At times we have both had to leave work on different occasions at short notice to attend our sons needs and it is a blessing to be so close to home. We also have very understanding bosses whom have families and know the importance of caring for our children ( even when they are iof adult age!)
I think my advice would be to stay local and choose a job that would not compromise the businesses daily operations if you had to leave urgently or for a duration of time. I always work with someone else so in an emergency my collegue can step up and cover me until a replacement comes in. I imagine it would only put stress on you if you could not leave when required if you were working solo. I believe that if you put some positives thoughts of what you want on a piece of paper on the fridge and read it every day and believe it, the perfect job will come to you!
All the very best.

[Desi]

Hmmm that's a good question and has made me realise that as individuals we all need 'family' friendly workplaces. Whether we are parents (single or coupled) having to stay home to care for a sick child, caring for ageing parents or family member with mental ill health.

We need managers, bosses and supervisors who understand that employees have lives that might mean they occasionally need time off at short notice. Perhaps this is achieved by honest and open conversations to build that trusting relationship.

If only it was so simple! Best wishes and good luck with your job hunting

[Shaz51]

Hi welcome to the forum , my Husband and I have our own small  mowing and  domestic house cleaning business, My husband has GAD, Depression and Anxiety  . So working for ourselves has been good , and I try not to be overbooked , and we try not to work on the weekends , so I would say to pick a job that is near you , with being our own bosses, we are now cutting back even more due to my husband`s depression

best wishes and lots of luck

[NikNik]

Hello Monday! It's that time of the week again!

Thanks @Louise , @Peter_Pan78 , @Francis , @Desi & @Shaz51

Such interesting insights and practical advice. It was also great to read that there are wonderful managers out there AND that your experience caring for your loved ones has actually helped get jobs. We gain so much knowledge and many skills from being a carer - so it's great that it's being recognised.

Okay, so another week, another question. While many of us may have not been in the situation with the travelling, I'm wondering if anyone knows of resources that this wife might find helpful. ( @Former-Member - sorry to drag you into this discussion, I thought you might have something to share re: appointments with professionals via skype/online...)

I am travelling long term around the world with my husband and I am looking for help managing and understanding my Bipolar II.

Is there a way to access the Australian Mental Health system from overseas? For example: Skype conversations with a professional, or some kind of online e-resource course.

[coffeegirl]

Hi there,

This is a great resource to keep track of how you're travelling. It's a Wellbeing Plan to manage bipolar through the Black Dog Institute. It might be helpful to have written down what you need to do to look after yourself, particularly if you're always moving around and there isn't much of a routine.

I'm the type of person who likes to write everything down and have it handy to look back on - so if you're that type of person too, you might find it handy 🙂

There seems to be some private practices that offer over the phone / skype sessions with a psychologist. I think you will have to pay though - but I'm not 100% sure, so worth contacting them and asking. If you google  'online psychologist appointment Australia' some options pop up. I haven't used any of them and we can't make recommendations on this forum anyways - but might be a good place to start.

I hope this helps and I hope that you are enjoying your travel!

[grubbytoes]

@coffeegirl Thanks for the link to the black dog tracking page tool thingy. This hit on all the questions I am trying to figure out to be a bit more on top of things. Is this page part of a bigger resource from the Black Dog institute? I know I have clicked around on their website before but haven't come across thus little resource.

[NikNik]

Happy Monday!

Thanks @coffeegirl who shared a great referral last week 🙂 and great question from @grubbytoes - lets see if we can answer your question this week too regarding resources!

Here is this week's question:

I'm struggling to cope with my wife's BPD traits, which often comes through as addiction problems. What is some advice you'd give to handle the ups and downs associated with these problems? It's so hard seeing her go from happy and intelligent to intoxicated. She seeks help for some problems, but never the full scope. As her husband I seem to come across as a nag more than supportive. 

[Baboo]

Have you asked your wife what she wants you to do to help?

i think helping a loved one is one of the hardest things to do- you can offend them more easily than others and you can also cop the back lashes from when they are upset.

I have found bringing in another family member or close friend to help offer support and advice more excepting.

How do you help her now at home?