::blush:: thanks for the kind words and wow, thanks for having me as part of the conversation tonight, so much really great stuff being spoken about ... View more

@Birdeye sometimes other youth services can advise you on counsellors/services/programs you're looking for ... View more

@DD making sense! ... View more

@graphiqual you're right, it goes a long, long way when someone makes you feel welcome simple. effective. ... View more

so, this is the final question that was submitted to us this week, does anyone have any final thoughts on this?   Last time i saw the school counsellor she pushed me to go see a doctor and caused a mess at home. How can i get her support without her pushing me to see a doctor? I just need someone to talk to!   School counsellors are bound by their duty of care to you. Your school counsellor should have the guidelines they adhere to available to you so make sure you read them before you go. The other thing is that sometimes different workers will refer you on to another professional because it is beyond them and someone else could give you better help. So in the case of sexual health and self harm – for example – a school counsellor will strongly encourage you to see a doctor.   Do your best to articulate your concerns to professionals (e.g. my parents will flip out at this and kick me out) so that they understand what is going on for you. You can also arrange and access your own Medicare card to see drs on your own. Here is the link to the Law Stuff page http://www.lawstuff.org.au/nsw_law/topics/medical that gives more info on how to go about doing that   If you wanted to, you could call Kids Helpline for someone to talk to about anything – 1800 55 1800.   ... View more

@birdeye if you're unsure what the person wants from the question they're asking, get them to clarify! also, yess! search the internet for info on the dr/professional you're seeing. often they have FAQs to help with some of the 'first time' stresses ... View more

@graphiqual it's so much easier with someone to help make that appointment. sometimes trying to access a youth worker, case manager type professional to make those hard appointment calls can be helpful. even a back-up buddy, like you mentioned, a friend, family member or other *grown up* can help. also, possibly nerdy, but nerdy is good - it can help to write a phone list to help you say what you need to ... View more

@Twenty10 wrote: @MM Do you have any experience making sure your letters to your psych to help you open up, stay constructive and don't turn into just venting sessions? @_sagira_   Any ideas too?   ... View more

@MM Do you have any experience making sure your letters to your psych to help you open up, stay constructive and don't turn into just venting sessions? ... View more

@DD my intro 'open question' often looks like "Whats happening for you today?" ... View more

@_sagira_ good point! its really important to factor in time after your apt to process what just went on and re-enter the world at large. its great to, just as that great school counselor who was mentioned before, decide 'what nice thing you're going to do for yourself' after you leave ... View more

I thought what we're talking about relates pretty well to this question that was submitted this week, and I wanted to hear what ideas you folks have. After all, you're probably better placed to answer this one than me...   How do you start the conversation when asked what is wrong? When you've 'bottled it up" for so long!   It can be really hard to open up after not talking about something for so long – but do remember that you don’t have to tell everything all at once. You can start with the small, surface stuff. Talk about what’s going in your life, for example for someone who is dealing with an underlying issue of social anxiety, they might start by talking about being behind in school; or for someone who might be feeling suicidal, they can start by talking about feeling isolated and finding it hard to make new friends.   There are practical things you can do as well – like making a list before you go can be useful – or showing them a diary entry that you feel comfortable with.   Does anyone else have ideas? ... View more

@Birdeye what a good list: - friendly -give me options -help carry thru with decisions i make -be ok to go back and make changes to the plan -practical things i can do on my own -be real about where they are at when you're in session (tired, sick, off day etc..) -someone who has insight into what its like (i.e. scary!!!) to talk to professionals i changed my mind, its a great list :) ... View more

@Bee hey its really ok to not say anything, or just um or yes or i dunno, in a session. your professional has had the training to support you to start talking when you're ready, and, to help you figure out the way(s) you feel most comfortable to talk ... View more

@MM its so useful right, to be able to start with some general stuff, to warm up, and then to leave by doing some more 'everyday' chatting to get you used to being back in the world again after being in the 'safe' bubble you just created to talk about some often hard stuff ... View more

@Bee me too! you're not the only one :) ... View more

@dd its hard to say goodbye sometimes. perhaps its good to know, speaking as 'professional', its hard for us to say goodbye too. we get to know our clients so well and feel all kinds of proud moments seeing them process, grow and make change ... View more

@DD your post ties in really well with the 3rd question that was submitted to us:   How do you know your problem is worthy of the professional's time? How do you deal with waiting (in my regional town there's a wait of 5 months+ for a mental health assessment so the courage you had when you originally went to the gp and got a referral may well have disappeared by the time the appointment comes around)?   If you identify a problem that is important enough for you to seek someone out to talk to about it - that means that it’s worthy of the time. If something is affecting the way you are in the world, the way you cope with things, then it’s important to talk with someone about it. Most professionals are patient and are trained to listen well and be non-judgemental.   As for courage – you are right there is the initial courage to make contact, and then to keep the courage up until the appointment comes around. But in the meantime there are great things you are already doing that can keep your motivation and courage up like being linked in with ReachOut. You could also think about making links with other services that may be able to support and/or connect with you around other things in your life (i.e.your likes and interests) both in town, or online. ... View more

@Birdeye you're right hey, when you see more than one professional, it makes a big difference if they can all talk to one another about all the supports you're getting so everyone, esp you, knows whats going on. its good to hear that one of the things you got from it was to learn from some of the explanations they have you you list a great combo of emotions about your thoughts around your first contact ... View more

@dd whoah, really good insights you've got into the process there! It can often be just as hard to finish up with a professional as it can to start up. it is a very different kind of strength and courage you use ... View more

Here's the second question that was submitted earlier in the week, it kinda relates to the second question we're about to discuss   I think I'm getting worse. The world seems a dark scary place, and my thoughts only exaggerate this. I need to see someone, though I'm too scared. I don't know how to verbalise it, or how to even accept it. I also don't want anyone else to know about it. I want it kept secret. How can I do this?   You should be really proud reaching out to us through this question. The first step is really hard so you were smart test it out by using this anonymous Q&A. I also want to reassure you that even though you say you don’t know how to verbalise it - you’re doing a really great job of articulating yourself so far.   This is really good practise for when you’re ready to someone, and it sounds like it might be helpful to take small steps towards help like sending an email with what’s on your mind to the counsellors at www.eheadspace.org.au or even web-chat. Kids Helpline also have email and webchat.   As for keeping it secret – almost every service that you are going to talk is bound by confidentiality laws to protect your privacy. Any professional will talk to you about their confidentiality policy before you talk to them about whats on your mind.   Were impressed you’ve taken this step, keep on reaching out.     ... View more

@mischiefmanaged good point! it makes so much difference when professionals are 'human' like making a joke, admitting they don't know all the answers and agreeing to look stuff up, sharing opinions and ideas on day to day stuff like cute pets, tv, or movies ... View more

@_sagira_ wow that's a really posi experience. it really goes a long way when counsellors are able to go that extra mile for you like yours did ... View more

so, @graphiqual, what kinds of things made it a 'safe' space for you? ... View more

@graphiqual yeah it can be like entering a new world sometimes, new space, new way of talking about things. does take a bit of getting used to. you're right tho, once you spend a bit of time it feels a bit less distanced and more connected ... View more

To kick things off, here is the first of the questions that were submitted during the week (thanks heaps for that btw!)   #1 What if I don't like the person I'm supposed to talk to?   People have their favourite hairdresser because they like the way that they work, style that they use, feel like they listen to them etc. It's actually not so different with mental health professionals.  It is important that you feel comfortable them so that you trust them, can speak openly and genuinely feel a connection that this person wants to help you. That it's not uncommon to not 'click' with the first counsellor etc that you see and it's possible you'll need to try a couple of professionals first before you find one that you click with.    Having said that, I do think it's important to focus on the behaviour - not the person. Think about what it is that you don't like that they are doing and try and talk to them about what it is you don't like about the way that they are working. They may be able to change their approach. Or they may be able to offer you some insight about why it is that they are doing things in a particular way.  There are many kinds of Mental Health professionals, and many work as a part of a bigger team and have a particular role within that team.  It can be really helpful to have a conversation with the worker about what their role is – and what the roles are of the other people that they work with.  It may give you a better idea of how the service works as a whole and whether it is the right place for you to be or whether you are spending time with the right worker.  Having said all of that, as the client or consumer it can sometimes be hard to be assertive with a professional and tell them what it is you like and don't like about the way they work with you. But you do have rights, and your professional should be open to a conversation about what is you don't like about the way they are working. More info on your rights.  ... View more

Hi Everyone!   thanks for such a sweet intro. Tho i've been a youth worker for over 10yrs (gosh saying that makes me feel like a nanna!),  i've done a bunch of youth work jobs. Right not i'm a 'Drop-in Worker' - which means I'm the worker in the drop-in space, so it means that more often than not, I'm the first worker someone will see and chat to when they're seeking help from a professional. ... View more

here's a little summary of what we talked about:   We started talking about what our highlights were from watching the film, and then asked what struck a chord, or got us thinking. This sparked some great comments about the using people’s preferred names and pronouns – how it’s a really easy way to show respect and be supportive. Also, it helps if someone is open to new things!   There were comments around gender being a spectrum and that people’s identities can sit anywhere along that spectrum. Also folks spoke about gender being just a part of the many identities and interests they have. That its not ok to assume someone’s gender by the way they present.   We rounded up our discussion by offering advice about how to respect trans* and genderqueer friends in our lives:  don’t assume – ask; try; educate yourself; show respect; be a good friend; seek out more information; ... View more

thanks for chatting, so great to see so many voices talking about this! thanks ReachOut, FC! ... View more

@Dani the new booklet is so great! ... View more