983 replies to this topic

[Fill the Dill]

With the sudden death of Charlotte Dawson, I hope it reminds us that people with mental illnesses don’t often conquer it but learn to live with it the best they can.

 

She was very public about her battles with depression and mental issues and that was a brave thing to do, trying to shed some light on an issue a lot of us tend to ignore.

 

There shouldn’t be a stigma attached to mental health issues as it no different from other health issues.

 

She was bullied by trolls on twitter and the internet a few years back and this lead to her being hospitalised.

This did not stop her from talking about her issues.

 

While we all enjoy taking the piss and being internet heroes from time to time.

We should all remind ourselves that it can take the smallest thing to tip someone over the edge.

 

Often it is people like Charlotte who are suffering.

The people who are extroverted, funny, life of the party.

This can just be a front to hide the pain the feel.

 

I heard an interview with Billy Birmingham where he said he has battled depression for years and has been medicated for 20 years to cope with this.

 

I think it is important to remember that on the internet when attacking people, it has made me have a good think about things.

When someone is in a dark place it can be the tiniest thing that makes them crack.

 

It’s extremely important for us to make sure our family and friends are ok.

With most of us here being male, we can feel to embarrassed to admit we have a problem or just feel down.

 

We must talk about this and remove the stigma.

 

Let’s all ask the people close to us if everything is alright.

Or if you feel down then talk to someone close to you, no one will judge you.

 

In these hard times, financial, work related and family stresses are the most common causes of people becoming depressed or being tipped over the edge.

 

I battled servere depression for years and wasn’t till my late twenties that I got the help I needed and haven’t looked back.

I have not beaten my demons, but I'm on top in the fight.

[dave_1_]

If you haven't seen the movie "disconnect" I urge you to rent it or download from net

It's not a new release

I deal with people all the time whom have been bullied by others and it leads to massive self esteem issues with what drug use, self harm, suicides and relationship break ups a result

I think best way is to limit our online time ....we need to connect with our freinds and family in the real world where we control what happens , there is simply far too any variables online for it to be ever declared safe in my view

I have twitter feed I check once a week if I'm lucky and this forum and a kayak forum I visit once a week .....that's enough

It's very sad what's happened ....condolences to her family friends and fans

In terms of tackling depression it needs a multi pronged approach

1 reconnect with friends....find a solid friend whom understands
2 counselling
3 community re-connections ...ie join a club, play sport, exercise
4 change your diet and exercise ...this is so underrated in tackling depression
5 explore medication and get sound advice from a psychiatrist if the problems are really complex ...GPS are limited in their knowledge ...
6 change the environment you live in if environmental factors are adding to it ...ie change jobs or career path if this adding to it ...that's a difficult one I know but you spend 1/3 of your life at work ....that's a lot of time to be unhappy it it's making you unhappy or even sick
7 try meditation, yoga and mindfulness which is what I do with my clients as part of treatment for addictions ..eastern medicine has been around for thousands of years ....I think they have a fair understanding of depression also.
8 watch comedies is and read funny books, stop watching the news and violent films ....you'd be surprised how it makes you feel. Laugher is good solid medicine
9 get outside more .....we roamed the earth when we first got here ....it's how we learned to survive ...it's vitally important to increase our outside time
10 last of all...try saving for something special and the reward of a holiday or new toy will brining you happiness and the saving part keeps you on track

Edited by dave_1_, 23 February 2014 - 12:45 PM.

[The good Egg]

I think last weeks episode with that young boy being killed by his father is a far bigger wake up call.
I don't have kids but that definitely touched a nerve inside me.

[Fill the Dill]

I think last weeks episode with that young boy being killed by his father is a far bigger wake up call.
I don't have kids but that definitely touched a nerve inside me.

Another tragic event.

[dave_1_]

Yes

When I heard that I was driving...I had to pull over and stop on the side of the road ...I couldn't function

I have children and work with young people....I was mortified by it and still am

[Fill the Dill]

He was another person who had a long battle with mental demons.

Hard to comprehend what sought of mental space he was in to be able to carry out what he did.

[Fill the Dill]

And Ian Thorpe is battling his own issues.

These things can strike all walks of life.

[Francie]

I think last weeks episode with that young boy being killed by his father is a far bigger wake up call.
I don't have kids but that definitely touched a nerve inside me.

 

I was working that night.......unfortunately his actions have had sweeping affects on more than just his demons.....life long affects that he would  never realise/consider. 

[Fill the Dill]

Think the only positive Francie is to get people to talk about these things and not turn a blind eye.

But there are no winners.

[dave_1_]

He was another person who had a long battle with mental demons.
Hard to comprehend what sought of mental space he was in to be able to carry out what he did.

Depression mixed with anger

[Francie]

Think the only positive Francie is to get people to talk about these things and not turn a blind eye.

But there are no winners.

 

Yep......it does get it out to people that their treatment needs to be enhanced.    Unfortunately there's too much of the revolving door at hospitals and treatment centres.

[Fill the Dill]

Yep......it does get it out to people that their treatment needs to be enhanced.    Unfortunately there's too much of the revolving door at hospitals and treatment centres.

Treatment is one part, having support when returning to your normal life with everyday pressures is also important.

[Jaybam]

Well said in your opening post maxxon. I commend you for it. Whilst some people are still making jokes about it all is just disgusting. Unfortunately these trolls have undoubtedly contributed to another person's death. I wonder how the ones that told her to top herself are feeling today? They won't care though they will just move onto their next target.

[dave_1_]

The people that make jokes about will do so until their best friend tells them to stop or their best friend suicides

We know that a set of aligned circumstances causes depression ....lifestyle, bullying, sense of hopelessness as in no reason to go on

The key is the unlocking what'd causes our set of circumstances .....because the way to get better (not cured I might add) is reverse the things that made us depressed

It's not easy, I too battled it for a short period in my early 20's when a friend and house mate killed himself over a girl he'd known for 8 weeks dumped him

[Schmuck]

Really sad to hear this news yesterday.

I thought Charlotte was someone who lived in the 'beautiful world' but also had a real side, not unlike Lisa Wilkinson. She had an honest and frank way of calling it true.

Looked pretty good too for mine even with the work that such models endure.

 

I admit I don't have 1st hand experience with depression, but I feel for those who do, its not fair to spend life in a state of torment and loneliness.

 

We are all here together in the same race and to  'live happy' should be possible for all.