[Special Guest] Sexual Health with Nurse Nettie from Playsafe Australia
Have you got a question about sex? Not feeling comfortable with asking someone in person?
Never fear, Nurse Nettie is here!
On Wednesday the 29th of March at 8pm AEDT Nurse Nettie, a sexual health nurse from Playsafe Australia will be here to answer all your questions anonymously and to talk about sex, sexuality and how all of that relates to our mental health.
Whether you're wondering how anxiety affects erections to whether or not zits can cause STI's - or anything in between- Nurse Nettie knows the answer!
If you'd like to ask Nurse Nettie a question, head over to Playsafe now and they'll get back to you ASAP (usually within 24hours)
Join us on Wednesday the 29th of March at 8pm AEDT to talk about sex, sexuality and mental health!
Great responses, guys! For our next question:
At first glance, mental health and sex can seem like pretty unrelated parts of your life. But is that really true? How do you think mental health comes into play when it comes to play with a partner?
At first glance, mental health and sex can seem like pretty unrelated parts of your life. But is that really true? How do you think mental health comes into play when it comes to play with a partner?
I think I'm similar to @N1ghtW1ng... don't have much experience or interest actually.
Someone may have more or less interest in sex because of a MI
Next question!!!
Dealing with mental health issues can sometimes make exploring sex and sexuality a tricky situation, how can you make sure you look after yourself in that journey if you’re having a hard time with your mental health?
Dealing with mental health issues can sometimes make exploring sex and sexuality a tricky situation, how can you make sure you look after yourself in that journey if you’re having a hard time with your mental health?
Making sure that you use supports that are available to you is really important. Whether that be a doctor, a psychologist, or a trusted friend. Also talking to your partner of course, if you feel comfortable doing so. However sometimes it is helpful to talk about these things with someone who isn't your partner to get some perspective and you might find someone else is going through a similar thing!
Also The Action Centre in Melbourne CBD is a great resource for young people in Melb (not sure if other states have the same thing?) - it is almost free service and they have sexual health specialists.
Ah the end of that question is confusing me so much 😛 I keep thinking I've misread it.
So yes, they are related. It's important to feel completely comfortable with what you're doing and if you're feeling anxious or stressed, that won't help things. It'll only worsen things, especially if you feel particularly pressured or upset.
@Ben-RO it's not easy for sure, because I'm also very repulsed by sex stuff, so it's kind of awkward for me especially. I know not all aces are the same, and some are absolutely comfortable with this but I am not one of them.
It makes it difficult for me trying to fit in as well, because it's the expect social norm to like, or want to try, this sort of thing. Throw back to high school when one guy was saying something about porn and I, of course, looked confused because I've never watched it on purpose (I have on occasion accidentally seen snippets and nope nope nope, not for me) to which he said "oh everyone's seen/watched porn". Yeah, no. Having that social norm can also make it difficult in relationships because if one side feels like they don't want sex, and might find it difficult to properly convey that feeling without "offending" (I say it like that, because as sex is a social norm, not wanting it is more like not wanting your partner rather than sex. At least, I hope it's not really like that, I don't know for certain).
So I've completely lost my train of thought. But I'm sure I was pretty much done anyway 😛
At first glance, mental health and sex can seem like pretty unrelated parts of your life. But is that really true? How do you think mental health comes into play when it comes to play with a partner?
A few ways I think
- You could feel pressured by your partner and that's not ok and could make you feel pretty crap
- Certain mental health conditions can decrease your desire for sexual activity and that might be frustrating or upsetting
@j95 @may another There are public sexual health clinics( which are free, even without Medicare) across Australia. They have nurses, doctors and counselors who can support you in navigating testing or new diagnoses or even building tools toward healthier or less risky sexual experiences in the future.
We're getting towards the end....
Starting to explore your sexuality can be a nerve-wracking time and it’s understandable if you might feel a bit anxious or stressed out by it. What advice do you have for someone nervous about a potential new sexual experience?
My advice would be to take it slow. Again communication with partners, but also connecting to communities like this one to learn about other people's experience can help. If you are struggling with a particular sexual orientation or identity, there are specific websites, community groups, peer support services, and more out there! You can always email nurse nettie or call the Sexual Health Infolink if you want to talk some of it through with a nurse or want some directions about organisations out there...
Do things when you feel ready and with someone that you trust :). It's good if you can communicate that you both want the same thing out of the situation. However I do think there is waay too much pressure on "first times" being "perfect" (well I know I felt this pressure - not sure how others feel about it).
I agree @May_ I think a lot of us put a bunch of pressure on ourselves and it becomes about our performance and some idea we've kind of dreamed up of what "good" sex and intimacy should look like. If we're worried about things being "perfect" we're not really going to pay attention to the person we're being close to, their needs and our own.
Well that's about all we have time for, although i might just leave this question here in case people want to share a few resources.
Bye for now! And thanks SO MUCH for coming along to chat @NurseNettie!
P.s your answers to the anonymous questions can be found at the verrry start of this thread 🙂
There's a couple more to go, I'll slip them into the post with the rest when @NurseNettie has a moment 🙂
Night all! Thanks again to @NurseNettie and everyone else for joining us 🙂
Having support from a partner can be a huge help in dealing with your mental health, so what do you think partners of people with mental health issues should know to make sure they look out for their partners through a sexual relationship?
It's up to you what you choose to disclose to another person, but i reckon communication is always helpful! I think its also really great if you are with a new partner to make sure your new partner knows you're totally down with talking through anything and everything that they might want to talk through 🙂
Agree communication is the foundation, isn't it? I would also add patience and sensitivity are really important to bring to any communication about sex. It's normal to feel vulnerable talking about sex as well as mental health. We need to be careful about the words we use. Some quick rules of thumb: avoid assumptions and judgement. Use "I" statements. Ask questions.
I keep saying communication....but it is super important. Things that could be helpful if they sound like something that would work for both parties: making a care/recovery plan together, regularly checking in every now and then about how things are going and how you are both feeling, and most importantly to ask them how you can best support them.
Next question....
Having support from a partner can be a huge help in dealing with your mental health, so what do you think partners of people with mental health issues should know to make sure they look out for their partners through a sexual relationship?
