Live GR: Discrimination, 18th of May, 7:30 pm AEST

How can you support someone who is being discriminated against? What are some good ways to be there for someone who is facing discrimination? Maybe something you've done before and recommend to others!
I think that active listening is really important. You could validate their feelings, summarise what they are saying and try to show empathy by identifying their emotions. Sometimes, people who are being discriminated against think that they are just being overly sensitive, so acknowledging how they feel can go a long way. I think that it's also important to recognise that sometimes, we just want to vent and don't want to take any action at the time. So, it's good to let people have that space to vent before we jump into offer solutions or make any decisions. If they want to report it, you could also go with them or help them write a report or a letter explaining the situation and how it affected them. They also might not be aware that they can report it, so if they feel like doing so, you could show them some relevant resources.

If it is safe to do so don’t be a silent bystander, try and help people and be supportive, ask if there is something they need from you instead of making assumptions. Make an effort to make them feel accepted and welcome. 

How can you support someone who is being discriminated against? What are some good ways to be there for someone who is facing discrimination? Maybe something you've done before and recommend to others!
What @Eden1717 and @WheresMySquishy said!  Completely agree with both your points! It can really be hard sometimes, but stepping in if it's safe to do so can really mean a lot, sometimes there's strength in numbers. And active-listening is a really important point, I feel like if someone's been discriminated against repeatedly they can definitely come to think the way they're being treated is the 'norm' and that they're silly for being upset. 

How can we take steps towards change in society to make it a less discriminating place? Can you think of any other ways to be an ally for groups facing prejudice?
I think raising awareness of discrimination, laws against it and ways that people can get help are great places to start. As a society, we need to send a message that we don't tolerate discrimination. I also think that we should examine our own behaviour, try to educate ourselves about differences and more ways to be inclusive and continue growing as individuals. We can take small steps like mixing and learning about people from different groups. Volunteering with different organisations and with people from different or marginalised groups is also a great learning opportunity and can help you become a better ally.

What a cool thread!!

I'm on mobile so I'm not able to get all the questions in one place.. is anyone able to help out?

@Tiny_leaf Here! 

@Hozzles magic!!  thanks!

LGBTQIA+ people. There's a lot of that. Atm trans and bi people seem to be particularly popular targets 

@Tiny_leaf  What you said about discrimination in the medical field and pointing out issues is so true. I was at the hospital today and since I had last been there, they made it so that the lift only went up to the ground floor, when my specialist is on the next level up. There is no other way to get to that level unless you take the stairs. I don't know how people who are post-op or have mobility issues are going to manage.
There was also a really great report about consumer and carer experiences with FND. I was so sad to read about everyone's experiences, but it was also validating that we were not alone in having them and feeling discriminated against.

@WheresMySquishy as someone with mobility issues who has had appointments that were only accessible by stairs.. yup..

@ecla34  @Hozzles  @WheresMySquishy  thank you so much for running such a fantastic GR, I have loved reading through all of your responses - @Tiny_leaf  @Eden1717  @Saltwaterdreamtime  @Bananatime04  it's been so valuable to read different perspectives on this, and thank you for sharing your own experiences as well. Awareness of microaggressions and implicit bias is something that I've become much more attuned to in recent years, and I think being mindful of implicit biases that you may carry is incredibly important.

I feel like it can be easy for people to be totally blind to barriers that can exist for other people in society - I know that when I was a parent of a small child and suddenly navigating public transport with a pram I was suddenly aware of how many accessibility issues there were that I simply hadn't noticed, I'm ashamed to say. 

I also love the points people have made here about calling out prejudice when you see it, and being a good ally. 

Thanks so much for the thought provoking and interesting discussion! 

@Saltwaterdreamtime  you're more than welcome to continue the discussion here, or make another stand alone thread if you'd prefer - it would be incredibly valuable to hear about your experiences. 

I also wanted to mention before but forgot that within mental health care there is a lot of gender based and racial discrimination. Often symptoms are based off white males this is particularly true for autism and at other times the needless gendering of male vs famale symptoms makes it very difficult for people who aren’t cis gender or male to receive an accurate diagnosis. Women with autism usually receive their diagnosis 10+ years later than males and people of color are also often diagnosed later. I also think that for me having to play white all the time makes me extra good at looking like there is nothing wrong with me but also there is this thing drs do where if you are a pretty white female they take you are lot more seriously and don’t try and rush you out of the hospital as quickly when you are still unwell. It happens so often and black males are often assumed to have aggression issues, but any non attractive women are just labeled attention  seekers. There is honestly so much discrimination within mental health care it is ridiculous but I am going to stop here for now.

@Eden1717  yep, I totally agree, say it louder for the people in the back! This experience is unfortunately not unique or isolated; none of us are alone in this!

@Saltwaterdreamtime  yep, what you said about discrimination about being subtle is so real... it can be as simple as not been seen or heard, I think. 

@WheresMySquishy  The part about your neighbours, yep! Same here!

@Hozzles what about you said using neutral pronouns, I'm going to take that on board!

@xXLexi_Lou122Xx  I'm so sorry people thought you were attention-seeking when asking for help, that sucks!

Thanks for a great convo as always my good people! Til next time!

@Hozzles  I think making a petition is a great idea! Another thing I've tried to do in the past is participating in surveys focusing on views about certain issues. I remember an organisation did one to send a report to the Mental Health Commission regarding consumer and carers' experiences of the healthcare system in relation to my sister's condition.
Some other ways of having our voices heard can be through writing letters and starting campaigns.

@WheresMySquishy exactly! Advocacy can be really important! 

Hey everyone!

It's been awesome having this chat tonight! Reading everyone's words was really inspiring, and it was great to support each other. I think just by having this chat, we've provided the forums with an amazing resource for anyone experiencing discrimination, or for members who are supporting another person who is experiencing it.

Thanks so much to everyone who took part! @ecla34  @Hozzles  @Tiny_leaf  @Eden1717  @Saltwaterdreamtime @ApplesRoses (sorry if I've missed anyone). Also a big thank you to everyone who worked behind the scenes to make this GR possible! 🙂

For sure @WheresMySquishy! Such a great variety of valuable information from everyone, thank you so much! I look forward to any additional insights later, if anyone else would like to add their thoughts at any time!

Goodnight, all!