As a person with a mental health issue, it is important for me to have a support system. I have an excellent support system in my real life. My mother is the anchor of that support system. She is the person I call when I have good news, and the person I call when I feel like life is going down the crapper. As much as I love her and appreciate all that she does for me, sometimes I need more.
I need support from people who have been where I have been, are where I am now, and are where I want to be in the future. I need people who can understand what I am trying to say without me having to explain it. Unfortunately, for several reasons I am not in a position where group support systems will work for me. That is why I have sought people on the internet to provide me with the support I need.
I realize that seeking out total strangers to create a support system with is risky. However, I think I have managed to create one. They have been kind, gentle and tough and full of laughter and encouragement when I have needed it. At least one or two of them are always available on twitter when I need someone to talk to. They have been a positive influence on me, although some may be struggling with their mental health issue, it is obvious that they are doing everything they can to turn things around.
If you are interested in meeting any of these lovely people, they can be found on twitter:
@bipolarette @somebodyhealme @SusieKline @germaninalabama @NAMIMass @unxpctdblessing @countersuicide @dlwdillon @Princess_L_88 @800273TALK @zebraspolkadots @VoiceinRecovery @JustaGuyinNY @woundedgenius @moritherapy @SusieKline
I wrote about bascially the same thing today, except I also included in-person support groups. But having an online support system has been in some ways more invaluable than real life (other than my family, of course). Someone is always online and willing and able to help. And you're right–there are plenty of laughs, comaraderie, and other discussions going on. It is not an online pity-party. It is a group of strong-willed people who genuinely want to help themselves and others.
Great post!
My recent post Bringing Jack to the Table
Thanks! I love my online support system. I am not sure if I would be able to have such an effective one set up in real life. You are right about it not being an online pity-party. Yeah people are struggling, but they are trying hard at the same time. I like how we can share other things together besides our mental health issues. I also like the opportunity that it gives me to associate with people who have a different mental health issue than I do. In real life the support groups are so specific, geared toward one particular illness, that you do not have an opportunity to see how many things the various mental health issues have in common.
I wrote about bascially the same thing today, except I also included in-person support groups. But having an online support system has been in some ways more invaluable than real life (other than my family, of course). Someone is always online and willing and able to help. And you're right–there are plenty of laughs, comaraderie, and other discussions going on. It is not an online pity-party. It is a group of strong-willed people who genuinely want to help themselves and others.
Great post!
My recent post Bringing Jack to the Table
Thanks! I love my online support system. I am not sure if I would be able to have such an effective one set up in real life. You are right about it not being an online pity-party. Yeah people are struggling, but they are trying hard at the same time. I like how we can share other things together besides our mental health issues. I also like the opportunity that it gives me to associate with people who have a different mental health issue than I do. In real life the support groups are so specific, geared toward one particular illness, that you do not have an opportunity to see how many things the various mental health issues have in common.
Pingback: Tweets that mention Online Support System • Sugar Filled Emotions -- Topsy.com
New Blog Post – Online Support System http://www.sugarfilledemotions.com/2010/… #FF #MentalHealth
@MelissaMashburn Loved your post today. Left a comment just now.
New Blog Post – Online Support System http://www.sugarfilledemotions.com/2010/… #FF #MentalHealth
@MelissaMashburn Loved your post today. Left a comment just now.
Awww I made it onto your list! 🙂 Bless you!
As you know I'm big on the online support systems, I'd say I get the majority of support from friends online. It's so much easier when you can just babble like an idiot and they just know how you feel, as you say, there's no explaining or trying to get a grip, they just nod alone in that knowing way.
My recent post Hope House Event
What I also like about my online support is that we can tease each other about our particular label and no one gets mad. Like the time I told @bipolarette that the next time she was manic, I was going to give her a list of books I want from Amazon. It means a lot to me when we can joke around like that. It takes some of the seriousness out of our thinking.
Totally agree! It makes it far less scary when you can joke about it
My recent post Hope House Event
Awww I made it onto your list! 🙂 Bless you!
As you know I'm big on the online support systems, I'd say I get the majority of support from friends online. It's so much easier when you can just babble like an idiot and they just know how you feel, as you say, there's no explaining or trying to get a grip, they just nod alone in that knowing way.
My recent post Hope House Event
What I also like about my online support is that we can tease each other about our particular label and no one gets mad. Like the time I told @bipolarette that the next time she was manic, I was going to give her a list of books I want from Amazon. It means a lot to me when we can joke around like that. It takes some of the seriousness out of our thinking.
Totally agree! It makes it far less scary when you can joke about it
My recent post Hope House Event