Who to contact in Victoria for non-emergency help?

[hanami]

Agree @down_not_out , men's sheds have their place but you need something other than that right now.

[down_not_out]

@hanami 

I'm thinking of ringing the men's helpline. Or  1800-respect.

I need a foot up the backside to do this though. Procrastination is not helping me at all.

This is really hard to do.

[hanami]

I hear you re procrastination @down_not_out 

I do it too but just have to say to myself, right, just do it. Don't think about it....just do it.

[down_not_out]

@hanami 

@hanami There is also the fear of not being believed as well. 

I have been wanting to contact my close cousin for months now and I can't make myself sit down and put it all into permanent, tangible words. My inner dialogue runs wild all the time.

When I did open up to a very close friend the other day, I was freaking out for the rest of the afternoon. This stuff happened 10 years ago but I chemically suppressed the memories.

[Appleblossom]

@down_not_out 

Congrats on getting off meds for a year.  We are working on it in our house.  

Serious SA happens to men too. Outrageous that people in positions of power can get away with it, but they often do. Happened to 2 of my loved ones, and partly why I keep a fire going in my belly and stay active on the forum.

Finding someone to work through trauma is difficult but keep trying, and do your own research online.  That has been way the most helpful for me.  That way you will recognise more easily when you do find someone you can trust enough to do the work.

This year I have more headway in integrating my trauma, but it helps to be finally in a relatively safe place.  It sounds as if you may be ready to work through it with a few ups and downs and dealing with triggers ... and still get through it.  Having done one's own research about it, helps the subconscious gradually absorb the information and process it as it does its things in our dreams and in our general thinking.

Peter Levine

Bessel van der Kolk

are good with trauma theory

Polyvagal ... and understanding the human nervous system ... eg Rest and Digest aspect ... seem to be relevant too....

What resonates for you may be different than what resonates for me, but going into it in an informed manner is helpful for  ... all health issues ... we should not be expected to be totally passive trusting patients ... with the expert doctor put on a high pedestal ... that is partly what can lead to the outrages that have occurred ...

Good Luck

Apple

Institutional abuse ... Hmmm 

[down_not_out]

@Appleblossom @hanami 

Thanks for taking the time to write a detailed reply and sharing some of your personal experiences. I'm sorry that some of your relatives have been through a similar thing.

My auntie was in Sunbury back in the bad old days and suffered greatly due to institutional abuse. 

I tagged you @hanami because I just wanted to point out that females have always suffered SA and me stating that I feel invisible, was not meant to take anything away from that grim fact. If only people would respect others.

Anyway, I have done enough complaining for one day. @Appleblossom I know that you love gardening and I often think about the 3 houses I lived in that were all on the traditional 1/4 acre blocks. Two were on bush blocks with large gum trees and abundant wildlife. The third was an older established garden (circa 1940s) and had the most beautiful Jacaranda tree on it. I had a dear old friend who was an amateur botanist who delighted in identifying all of the species planted in the yard.

[hanami]

Awww, @down_not_out all good. I understand why you did that. It's hard hey. Especially in written communication. In verbal you can just slip in what you actually mean or how you mean it. Much trickier in written. Even though I do love the written word!

Never think you've complained too much! We are always here for you and I'm happy to listen.

[down_not_out]

@hanami 

Hug with a pat on the back.