If you are in Wellington area and wanting support

I discovered this group a few months ago and have found it really good.

Anxiety/depression meet up

And it's for people with varying mental illnesses, not just the 2 listed in the title.

Will check it out. Looks positive. What kind of people usually come along?

People with various mental illnesses. Anything from Depression, Anxiety, to Social Phobia, Bipolar, BPD. You know, most of the various mental illnesses.

Most of us are somewhat shy and some of us feel anxious. It's normal to feel a bit of anxiety if you are new. I know it was for me. Having a little freak out LOL!

I know some people still can't bring themselves to make meetings, due to their degree of social phobia or anxiety.

So I have meet at least 1 person privately, who has not yet been able to pluck up the courage.

Hmm. I have been removed from that group.

Coordinator claiming my behaviour is overtly negative and effecting others well-being.

I was like wtf?!

As all I have ever been was encouraging and supportive to others and friendly.

Only 1 person I didn't gel with and I feel they have caused this.

How can people have me so wrong?!

It's really hurtful, that I went there for support and to be supportive to others and now I can't access that support.

I wouldn't say don't join though, because this is just my experience and most people get a lot out of the group.

It just sux I can no longer access that support.

But if any of you are in Wellington and want support. I am happy to chat with you

i can understand and support you totally!!!

Oh thankx Aidenrock

If anyone is interested. I have created my own meetup group now.

http://www.meetup.com/Like-Minds-Support/

i am really interested in your group.....can you allow me to join.

yeah. I'm pretty sure all you need to do is make a profile on the meetup website and go to my meetup group and click 'join us'

Let me know if you have any trouble

Hi,

My sister suffers from depression quite severely and has done so her entire life (she is 30 years old). We are both from the UK and have been here in NZ for nearly 2 years. We have an excellent relationship and she talks to me daily about her mental state. But of course no matter how much I listen or how much I sympathise I can't KNOW what she's feeling or going through. The other day she told me she thought she should just 'give up' and accept that this is her life and it will always be miserable and pointless and she will hate herself forever.

I'm at a complete loss. I've realised that whilst she always speaks honestly with me she's been holding alot back and this terrifies me. As helpless and sad as I may feel following one of our chats I would not change this if it meant she would stop talking to me altogether. It seems we both put on a brave face.

She's expressed that now is the worst she has ever felt. I am leaving NZ at the end of June and I've realised I can't leave her here on the otherside of the world on her own. She doesn't want to go home because she feels like to return home and not be happy and healthy would be a failure and that all those friends and loved ones who want nothing but happiness for her, would be disappointed. Still she has an element of self preservation in her, despite waking up every day hating her existence - and that's all it is, an existence. She is here, she is present, physically aware - she wouldn't take her own life. Something I'm obviously thankful for but to be honest the only thing stopping her I think is that 1) she believes she is a horrid human being who deserves to suffer miserably and 2) she suffers heavily with guilt. She feels guilty about everything - starvation in Africa, natural disasters in Asia, you name it! I honestly don't think she could let her family go through it. But she's distancing herself from family back home and when I leave she'll be truly on her own with no one to talk to.

She has visited a therapist back home and has tried various medications but the one thing I think that would be of some help would be to talk to people who are going through or have been through the same thing. I know I'm supportive and she says I help her but even I know I can't truly empathise.

We are in Wellington and she is useless with computers so I don't think online is where she can get this help or support. I'm calling out to anyone who thinks they can help or perhaps know of a support group that she may be able to attend. If anyone can help I would be so so grateful,

Thanks in anticipation,
A desperate Sister

There are a couple of support groups mentioned on this page, if you want to inquire on her behalf: http://mentalhealthservices.org.nz/page/113-advice-and-support

I do understand at least some of what she goes through. Though these days I am in a better place. But when I do go through my periods of depression, I do feel pretty similar feelings to her. What keeps me going and has stopped me from doing anything stupid is the fact I have children and supportive friends, who get it, since most of my friends do suffer from mental illness at times.

I am happy to be of support to her if there is anyway I can do that. As I know how reassuring and comforting it feels, to know you are not the only person having these feelings.

You are an lovely sister for caring like you sister as you do and reaching out for help/support. That is a great thing. As I myself can find my family can be a bit unsupportive and I hold back telling them where I'm at when I am going downhill.

Here is a number you might like to call and ask if they can offer any suggestions for support for your sister: 0800 745 477

escadachic wrote:There are a couple of support groups mentioned on this page, if you want to inquire on her behalf:
I do understand at least some of what she goes through. Though these days I am in a better place. But when I do go through my periods of depression, I do feel pretty similar feelings to her. What keeps me going and has stopped me from doing anything stupid is the fact I have children and supportive friends, who get it, since most of my friends do suffer from mental illness at times.

I am happy to be of support to her if there is anyway I can do that. As I know how reassuring and comforting it feels, to know you are not the only person having these feelings.

You are an lovely sister for caring like you sister as you do and reaching out for help/support. That is a great thing. As I myself can find my family can be a bit unsupportive and I hold back telling them where I'm at when I am going downhill.

Here is a number you might like to call and ask if they can offer any suggestions for support for your sister: 0800 745 477

Thank you so much for the reply it is greatly appreciated! I really do feel as though speaking with like minded people will help her. I'll certainly look at some of the support groups and thank you for the offer of help yourself. Of course there is only so much I can do the rest will be up to her but I will pass on the details of this site so she might reach out to your or others herslf. Thank you so much again for responding.

You are going good through this forum.