Sad

[the ski man]

being involved in scouting as a leader for kids between 14 and 18 I see alot of kids opening their eyes to the big bad world. Part of my job so to speak is that I spend alot of time listening to their problems and issues and generally provide guidance and help them wade through what looks like a world ending issue. I am certainly one who values a talk and believes that the power of words and support is far greater than any medication. dont get me wrong im no Doctor, but i do know medication may be required in some cases.

On another note, given the number of replies to this topic it looks like this issue is quite passionate for most of us, as an online community perhaps we should show our support to a mental health organisation, we all have vans, we are in all positions of this wide brown land, surely someone smarter than me can think of a way we might be able to collectively offer something to a support organisation

I did have a quick look around the web this arvo and the following has been sourced from the Beyond Blue website:
http://www.beyondblue.org.au/index.aspx?

Mental Health week 9th to 15th of October 2011 http://www.beyondblue.org.au/index.a...nk_id=104.1379

During Mental Health Week, beyondblue will be encouraging everyone - individuals, community groups and workplaces - to help raise awareness of depression and anxiety, and reduce the associated stigma by ordering free beyondblue information and displaying it in your workplace or local community centre. Information resources for Mental Health Week can be ordered from our website from September.

Movember, facial hair for a cause during November http://www.beyondblue.org.au/index.a...nk_id=104.1265

The funds raised by Movember participants have been dedicated to improving men's health in rural, remote, regional and metro areas across Australia, by supporting beyondblue men's health projects

If i can get approval through work i'd happily take on a Movember challenge, as part of a mySANDMAN team...

some food for thought anyway.


ski man

[Mazdragon]

believe it or not, but i can't grow a mustache, BUT i would happily forego the "hidden area" waxing instead and donate the cost to support whoever wants to do the Movember thingo....

[hj308]

Currently off work diagnosed with PTSD (Post traumatic stress disorder) unfortunately in my line of work I have witnessed the worst of human behaviour and what they are capable of doing, see my share of death and carnage. You think your relatively unaffected even after 20yrs until your asked to go back to something you know you can longer do. My choice was to continue on and block it out or admitt I had hit the wall and seek help which is where I am now working with my GP, Psychologist etc. Fortunately I have family and some ex-workmates who have been down the same path. My outlook is to try and remain positive and keep busy go to gym etc and hopefully in about 6 weeks will have a new shed up and can focus on a sandman rebuilt which would be great. Its one of the hardest things I have ever had to do admitting I could no longer do my job and in the end my doctor made the decision for me. I think that is the break through moment for all men as we find it so hard to admit what we probably see as a weakness in that we need help or assistance to cope, all I can say is dont be talk to your partner or your gp before your in a hole too big to get out of, cheers.

[agr071]

I'm very happy to read all the positive comments that are coming out of this terrible problem.
I too had a few issues but i mainly kept them to myself (and still do with some issues) and tried to deal with them in my own way.
It was when we had a business of our own and the kids were only 3,4 & 5. Yes it was hard to cope with but i also have a stubborn side to me which i used to my advantage to not let it beat me.
I had 3 kids that depended on me and would be stranded if i was not there for them.

So fortunately, this site has wonderful people who would be willing to support/help anyone at the drop of a hat.
Congrats to you all and chin up to those who are suffering as it does get better even though you may not think so.

[wbute]

I will have a crack at Movember. Good idea Skiman.

[Paddy_77HZ_Ute]

Mauser, Epic_Dragon, Gaddy, Hj, all of you that have been that far in, or that close to some who has, and can talk about it, I too take my hat off to you. You are real people, actually you are more than that.

I've done the Movember thing a couple of times now, once befor and once since, and as a Rio Tinto employee, we get our sponsorship matched dollar for dollar by Rio, hence doubling the impact of a donation, so if there's any interest in chanelling a group donation through Rio for the sole purpose of getting your donation doubled, you can search for Paddy McCoy from Kestrel Coal on the Movember website to make a donation. If there are prizes for fundraising (not sure if there is or isn't) I'll pass it on to the highest MySandman sponsor.

In the meantime, keep on looking after yourselves, family and friends. When it's all said and done, ourselves, our family, our friends are all that we have that really matters.

[Epic_Dragon]

a lot hwo have been through it, dont talk about it, and i think sharing it with others helps. helps those who are silently struggling to speak about it, especially with people who really do understand and who will not judge. it helps a lot. showing our support is a really good idea would help spread awarenessa nd reach those in need who are too afraid to speak up. cruises for charities is an awesome idea too