@MemphisBelle I'm so sorry you've gone through that. No matter what career you want to pursue, you should always prioritise your wellbeing first. It's totally valid to move away from something that is damaging your physical or mental health. ... View more

@MemphisBelle thank you for sharing this information, it's really brave of you to share it here. I'm sorry that the group of people and your lecturer treated you that way. They should've considered that meeting at midnight when you don't know them well wouldn't be the most comfortable situation. And I think a lot of other people would relate to your experience with Rogue One. Movies can have a huge impact on us, and honestly it's really cool that you felt inspired by that movie!    I understand why you would consider venturing outside the video production industry, even though it can be difficult. Life can be really unpredictable, so it's good to be flexible and consider other options. Practising self-care can help with your physical and mental wellbeing, which can then relieve the stress and anxiety of letting go. Some forms of self-care could be writing down your thoughts, going outside for some fresh air, or eating some yummy treats, amongst others. Again, feel free to send us more messages ... View more

Hey @MemphisBelle I'm so sorry you're going through that. Deciding to move away from something that you've been passionate about must be so disheartening.    @Sophia-RO made a good suggestion about other areas that might be close to the video production industry. Would freelance work be something you would want to consider? I think there are a lot of freelance video production workers out there, so maybe this could be an alternative to working with companies.    Something else I want to ask is: would you be interested in talking to a therapist or psychologist about this? You can talk to them about any issues you're having, and especially since you mentioned that you have anxiety and social phobias, it might be something you could consider.   Thank you for reaching out to us, please feel free to send more messages our way  ... View more

This was such an insightful and wonderful discussion! I'm sorry I couldn't make it last night, but I'm gonna answer the questions now and present my perspective on this issue:   1. What are labels, and who creates them? Which factors or criteria can influence labels? I think labels are ways to describe particular groups of people, and can either be positive or negative. Cultural and social norms have a big impact on attitudes towards particular labels,  2. What are some advantages or disadvantages of using labels for yourself and other people? Labels group people based on similar characteristics, so it's a quick way to identify and understand someone. However, labels contribute to generalisation. People often assume that identifying with a certain label means that you must act in a certain manner, which isn't necessarily the case. People are diverse, and I feel like labels undermine the unique attributes of a person. If a label has negative connotations, then labels can contribute to false and harmful perceptions of other people. 3. Can labels affect our thoughts, attitudes and actions towards ourselves as well as others? Absolutely! Labels carry connotations, which affects societal attitudes and perceptions of people with those labels. We can internalise these attitudes and perceptions, which affects our actions towards ourselves as well as others. Peer pressure, social acceptance, and other factors can contribute to our internalisation of labels, even if we become aware of the true meaning of the label. 4. How can we tell if a label is right for us? What are some signs that we belong in a particular community? What happens if you get rejected by that community?  If we feel positive emotions such as happiness, then I think that a label could be right for us. Likewise, if we're experiencing positive feelings when thinking or interacting with a community, then we might belong with them. 5. Have you ever had a label forced onto you? How did it feel, did it change things for you in any way? I personally can't think of any instances of labels being forced onto me. However, I think this would be a good time to explain the concept of stereotype threat. This is essentially when we feel as though our actions will confirm stereotypes about a particular group, which contributes to stress and anxiety. Numerous studies have shown that stereotype threat contributes to worsened academic performance, lower self-esteem, and other areas of life. As a Muslim, I feel obligated to avoid misconceptions of Islam as "violent, extreme, oppressive, etc.". Although I haven't had labels forced on me, I feel like I need to act a certain way, otherwise I'll confirm that Islam is "violent, extreme, etc."   6. Can the meaning of a label change over time? What about on a community level?  Labels can definitely change over time. Labels and slurs have been reclaimed by communities who were originally victims of them. That being said, I think marginalised communities should have responsibility over the meaning of labels with harmful connotations. They're the ones who've gone through the experiences associated with negative labels and slurs, so they should be able to dictate whether they want these labels to continue on. I personally don't believe that  communities who haven't been targeted should decide the meaning of labels on behalf of these marginalised communities. ... View more

Hey @LonelyLucifer I'm so sorry you're going through this. You don't deserve to be treated this way, and people shouldn't be acting that way because you're deaf. It saddens me to hear that your psychologist was not helpful, it does feel like many professionals only work for the money and don't care about their clients. Psychologists should be prioritising the wellbeing of the patient   Thank you for coming here and reaching out to us, we're here for you if you want more support or need to talk more ... View more

HI @Firebird6 , I'm so sorry you and your family went through that  And I'm incredibly saddened by the fact that your family won't accept you. Please don't feel as though any of this is your fault, you don't deserve to be treated this way. Thank you for reaching out to us on this platform, we're here for you if you want more support or need to talk more ... View more

How can we break the cycle of stigma (both at an individual and societal level)? What are we currently doing and is it enough? Have you ever challenged stigma and did it work? What would a society with less stigma around struggling look like? At an individual level, we can look for resources that analyse stigmas and challenges them. This will educate us, allowing us to understand the struggles people go through better. At a societal level, the media should present certain struggles in a more positive manner. For example, mental health is often romanticized in the media, which has probably contributed to stigmas. The media has such a powerful impact on society, so whatever they portray will have an enormous effect on how we perceive certain struggles. Additionally, perhaps there could be more education focused on stigmas and how to respond to struggles effectively.   I feel like we've recently been challenging a lot of stigmas, but more work needs to be done. Online is where I've seen a lot of positive talk about stigmatised issues and groups, and the media has portrayed them in a more appropriate manner. However, some forms of media continue to present certain struggles in a problematic manner, and stigmas persist in society.    I am aware of stigmas and their effects, but I'm not sure I've ever challenged them openly. This could be partially because I'm veerryyy conflict averse (not in a positive manner), so challenging people directly isn't my cup of tea. It's definitely something I should try to do tho, perhaps by sharing information on social medias.    A society with less stigma would be so nice. This is a bit of a specific example, but I can imagine work days with more breaks allowed for reasons such as mental health, menstruation, maternity leave, etc. ... View more

@Hozzles this is so true. I feel like society has designated certain situations and characteristics as "normal". Anyone who presents different circumstances or features may then be met with fear, leading to ignorance and stigmatising. ... View more

What brings about stigma? What kind of emotions does it generate both in society and in those that fall into stigmatised groups? How does the cycle of stigma keep going? Stigma can be brought about by a lot of things - how the media portrays certain issues, the people we surround ourselves with, the information we choose to engage with. If we continue to consume media that presents particular stigmas, or interact with people who promote these stigmas, then the cycle can continue. If we want to stop the cycle, we need to challenge these stigmas. Stigma presents a false assumption about issues, fostering a culture of ignorance, generalisation and distrust in society. In turn, this hurts those who fall into stigmatised groups.  ... View more

@Lost_Space_Explorer5 I've heard of this for mental health, but not physical health lol . It's a pretty conservative way of thinking, and this is based on my experiences of following an Abrahamic religion, so I don't think I can generalise this experience to all religions. I think people with the same stigma basically assume that you're being punished for not following the religion correctly. Another stigma could be that mental health problems are simply a sign of being flawed, since people who follow the religion correctly are supposed to be strong and resilient.  ... View more

How can people get help or help others who are facing stigma? Has anything ever helped you or someone you know deal with stigma around struggling? On Instagram, I see a lot of posts that validate struggles and provide positive affirmations. I enjoy reading them, as it normalises struggles and approaches them in a more positive manner. It helps to break down the stigma. If someone is facing stigma, I think it's important that we show them our support, and that we validate their struggles. We could probably try to educate others about stigmas as well, so that people can change their attitudes. Psychologists and therapists are trained to be non-judgemental, so we can approach them if needed. ... View more

@Lost_Space_Explorer5 I'm so sorry you went through that  ... View more

Have you (or someone close to you) ever encountered stigma because you (or they) were struggling? How did it affect you? What did you do? I've been told that my mental health issues are a result of me not being religious enough lol . I think this is based on the assumption that religion = morality, and that struggles are a sign that you are not behaving according to the religion. It treats mental illness not as an actual illness, but like a supernatural force. Thankfully, I wasn't hurt too much by this, and I know lots of other people going through similar experiences so I don't feel too alone. Having said that, I feel like religious groups need to talk about mental health more. I don't think it's discussed enough in these groups, and stigmas are allowed to flourish as a result. ... View more

How can stigma negatively impact on those who are already struggling  (e.g. barriers to help seeking)? Who is most vulnerable to the harmful effects of stigma? Are there any protective factors against stigma? Stigma invalidates the experiences people are going through, and it can make the struggle even harder. Stigma can also put the blame on the person, for example, people with mental illnesses are told to "get over it". This treats mental illness as a short-lived phase that can be easily controlled, when this couldn't be further from the truth. Yet, this stigma can make the person feel shameful for "not being able to get over it", worsening their condition. I think marginalised groups are most vulnerable to the harmful effects of stigma, as they already have to face discrimination and prejudice, and may not get appropriate access to resources as a result.  ... View more

Ahh sorry, I have to go for a bit! Hopefully I'll be able to come back later    ... View more

What is stigma? What kind of struggles are often stigmatised? Are there groups of people who are more likely to face stigma (e.g. based on their identity, what they do, etc.)? Stigma can refer to negative attitudes towards certain characteristics or features of a person. Stigma is founded on inaccurate and false beliefs, yet has a profound impact on our wellbeing. Mental health is highly stigmatised, for example people with mental illnesses are sometimes seen as wanting attention, which is completely false. Other groups of people, usually marginalised groups, face stigma as well. This includes LGBTQIA+ people, religious and ethnic minorities, women, and disabled people, amongst other groups.  ... View more

@ferdie22 yes, this is exactly what I've experienced as well! It's totally valid to feel jealous, and I rly admire the fact that you've been able to open up about this on ReachOut. I also admire the fact that you want to make something that has an impact and can be loved by people. It tells me that you want to make a positive change to people's lives, which is rly sweet    I try to tell myself that I will progress at my own pace, in my own way, and try not to compare myself to others too much. Perhaps you could try this out as well? Again, I rly admire your ability to open up about your experiences on ReachOut  ... View more

Hey @ferdie22, I'm sorry you're going through this. I've experienced what you're going through, and I think a lot of other people will understand what you're going through as well. Creative work can be so challenging, especially when we aren't too happy with what we've produced.   Honestly, I'm not very good at consistently working on something, and I work in spontaneous energy bursts as well. I listen to music when I've drawn art, and it keeps me energised, so this could be something you could try out if you don't do it already? Going out for a walk also heightens my energy levels, so perhaps this could be another way to manage creative energy? I think other forms of self-care could also help - treating yourself to some delicious treats, journaling your thoughts, talking to others, etc. I've found that journaling helps me to challenge negative thoughts I have, so this could be something you might want to try?   The ReachOut community is here for you if you want to talk more, or need more support  ... View more

I'll be free to help tomorrow! Can't wait to participate in a very important discussion  ... View more

I love eating bread and rice on its own. Apparently when I was younger, I ate rice without anything else. I am quite smol (156cm/5"1) I am slightly ambidextrous???? I write/do most things with my right hand, but I feel more comfortable catching with my left hand. When I played handball at school, I also played with my left hand lol. I love dogs, but I'm a cat-person    My MBTI type is INFP :D  ... View more

1. What are you looking forward to this year (big or small)? Probably going back to uni in-person. I haven't been since March, so I'm really excited! 2. What's something new you want to try this year? Or something you would like to change? Exercising more. I've been slacking off recently, and it's a great form of self-care, so I should try to do it! 3. What's your favourite thing to do in summer? Tbh I just like chilling at home, since summer is when the holidays are  4. What are your predictions for the year? They can be as realistic or silly as you want?   Oh gosh, after 2020, I have no idea what will happen lol. I'm hoping that society will kinda go back to the way it was pre-COVID. With vaccines being released soon, it is something that could happen.  ... View more

What are 3 things you can do to be kinder to yourself right now or in the next few days? I could: Go outside for some fresh air  Do some meditation/breathing exercises  Schedule a day where I just chill and not do much There are many things we can do to be kinder to ourselves, this is just mine. Participating in this chat has been a wonderful + insightful experience, I've learnt so much  ... View more

What kind of skills should we keep in mind when trying to be kinder to ourselves? How might we tackle resistance or obstacles to being kinder to ourselves? I think we should try to remember that different forms of self-care can work differently for everyone. For example, listening to relaxing music is often recommended as a form of self-care. However, I find that just listening to any song I enjoy will help with my wellbeing, whether if it is pop, rock or a bit more sombre. This is because I love to visualise things when I listen to music, so anything will suit me. Ultimately, we should be open-minded and willing to experiment with different forms of self-care. I think we should also be generous to ourselves. If you want to do lots of forms of self-care, that's great! We should allow ourselves those extra days off work, to have some alone-time, etc.   Having a supportive network of people beside you will help immensely with self-care. They can provide you positive affirmations and check on your wellbeing. If we're struggling with being kind to ourselves, we can also consider therapy. Therapists listen to you without judgement, and will guide you through your troubles.    Can you think of an example of when you would have liked to be kinder to yourself and how you think it would have helped at the time? Last year, I had a final exam for uni. As a first-year, I had no idea what uni exams would be like, so it was quite stressful. It was also worth a lot, so it added extra stress to an already stressful situation. I think I can confidently say that I didn't handle it in the best way . It was a 24 hour online exam, and I pretty much pulled an all-nighter to finish it. I didn't go outside for a walk, or to get some fresh air. If I could go back to that day, I would take more frequent breaks away from my computer, and go outside for some fresh air. I would also try not to pull an all-nighter. Tbh this one is quite challenging, because maintaining good grades can be a big priority, especially for people who need good grades for their course. However, I think we should be mindful that our wellbeing should always be prioritised, so we should aim to have a good night's rest before anything else. Finally, I would've been extra kind to myself the day after. For me, that would mean chilling at home, indulging in some tasty treats, listening to music and watching tv shows/youtube. That would've helped to reduce my stress from the previous day.   ... View more

Hey guys! Welcome to the fourth day of the SLOW-MO GR! The responses to the questions so far have been a pleasure to read through, they're so insightful and thoughtful    Here's today's question: Can you think of an example of when you would have liked to be kinder to yourself and how you think it would have helped at the time?   Looking forward to the responses for the next few questions! Wishing everyone a wonderful day    ... View more

Does how we talk to ourselves impact on our approach to different aspects of our lives (e.g. work/study, relationships, sleep, eating, etc)? It definitely can. Having beneficial and helpful thoughts can help us to have healthier approaches to things, such as work, relationships, etc. On the other hand, having negative beliefs about ourselves can lead to us having negative and damaging approaches. How we talk to ourselves is heavily linked to our physical and mental wellbeing, which is why being kind to ourselves is so important. ... View more

Looking forward to seeing the responses for this chat! Already loving what I've seen so far.   What does being kind to ourselves mean? I think it means looking after ourselves, and I associate it with self-care. Physically, we can take care of ourselves by exercising, eating well and getting enough rest. Looking after ourselves physically can also help our mental health. We could also listen to music, meditate, and have breaks from stressful things like work or school. We can be kind to ourselves in many different ways, and whatever way we choose is valid! Who we interact with can also have drastic effects on our wellbeing. Looking after ourselves can also involve setting boundaries, and surrounding ourselves with supportive and caring people.    Why is important? Being kind to ourselves is important for our mental health. Looking after ourselves ensures that we stay healthy physically and mentally. Although being kind to ourselves is important, there are a lot of obstacles that can prevent that from happening. In society, for example, I feel like there is too much emphasis placed on success and achievement. This can be a dangerous mindset, for people will feel obligated to sacrifice their wellbeing to achieve this.    Can you think of an example of when you've been kind to yourself? Last week, I bought a shelf for my bedroom. I've become stingy recently, so buying expensive items makes me feel uneasy. But, I haven't bought anything expensive in a while, so I decided to buy it. Whilst it's important to make sure we don't spend too much money, I should be more open to treating myself to a few items. ... View more

Hi @Macaria, I'm sorry you went through that. Going to the hospital by yourself is daunting, and I think many other people will agree with me. Being able to go there on your own, especially during these troubling times, is an amazing feat! I hope you have a speedy recovery, and the ReachOut community is here for you  ... View more

Thanks everyone for the chat! To everyone else who reads this chat later, hope you enjoy the thread. Hope you all have a wonderful new year!  ... View more

How will you look after yourself and people you care about in the coming year? (This could be what you will do, who you surround yourself with, how you manage challenges, etc). I should try and check on my friends more, and send more memes to them. I should also try to engage in more self-care, especially exercising since I've been slacking off recently.  ... View more

@Lost_Space_Explorer5 these gifs are great, definitely not going overboard with them    More broadly, what are your hopes and fears for the wider world in 2021? Is there anything you can do to address these concerns and hopes? What is something that is reasonable and in your control that you could do? This may be a v optimistic hope, but I want the world to become more peaceful in 2021. In 2020, I've learnt a lot about the injustices and oppression people are facing throughout the world. I hope that these can be effectively addressed, and that people will stop hurting others. I've been learning much of this from instagram, and sometimes it can be overwhelming. When this happens, I can take a break from insta and indulge in some self-care. To help people learn about the injustices others are facing, I can share the info. I've come across with others. I think sharing the knowledge I've seen can help foster tolerance and peace. I can't control their reactions to the info I share, and I can't control their attitude. But, at least trying to inform people about these issues will be useful. ... View more