Mental health awareness

[LARTIS]

As inclusivity in relation to lgbtq plus matters and disabilities, so far in form of autism, related topics was adressed on this plattform, I wanted to start a thread giving mental health related issues a voice.

I am very thankfull that society and zoochat as well has become more open to these subjects.

Might be my autism, that forced me to adapt the ability to read situations and people, or that I was raised in a family with several therapists, but I felt like there might have been others on this forum who have struggled with mental health related issues, but might have held back mentioning due to stigma.

It is allways a bit of a struggle to more or less publicaly to have an outing, but it is simply coming thru and affecting my online account.

I suffer from an anxiety disorder and ocd as a result of such and posting on here can be difficult for me.

Many times have I held back, because of my anxiety. Only when something bothered me that much that the frustration overshaddowed the fear, was it possible for me to overcome the blockage and post.

That is the reason, why my statements are so often of a loaded tone.

If anybody else feels able to talk about this topic, know that at least one person would be empathetic and supportive.

Beside that I also wanted to ask, if there are any example of figures in the community that have publicaly spoken out about such issues?

 

[LARTIS]

To give the benefit of a doubt I genuinely believe nobody goes by certain rhetoric out of an intentional ignorance, and it can be hard to get rid of out dated behaviour, but I wanted to talk about reoccouring experiences, that made me believe there could be a need for an insight of the issue.

Any way. I am aware that mental health problems can affect the discussions, but one does not act out on it on purpose. It is intimadating to participate with such a disability. As much it can be a challenge for those not affected being confronted with something they were maybe not used to before.

In no way do I want to create riddles for others to solve just to get an idea thru.

My account could be benefitial to the community, or just be a desire of a person to interact. Either are valid.

I am incredible thankfull for the plattform of zoochat for being enabled despite my difficulties.

As much as the professionality intimidated me, does it also mean the foundation of a progressive accepting community.

Sorry if I repeat myself or post stuff somewhere it did not belong, I just try to make my way.

Also sorry if this is so me topic heavy for now

 

[Fallax]

I think ZooChat is a very inclusive community, there is many people here who have suffered from mental health problems in relation to disabilities and being LGBTQ and more so I think people can be very understanding and sympathetic as a result of that. Speaking from my own experience as someone who is openly queer and has discussed this with users on ZooChat in the past I have always felt very comfortable with sharing my own experiences and issues. I think spreading mental health awareness and general positivity is a great thing and it should be greatly encouraged, some people do not have the opportunity or courage to talk about these things openly in real life so having a safe, welcoming outlet to be able to talk about things is important. Of course, nothing can or should replace real therapy if need be and any mental health discussion should remain within forum rules but I think talking about these topics would be very helpful and comforting, as long as nobody feels pressured to say things they don't want/need to.

 

[LARTIS]

It might have been my autism or mental health issues but the number of posts on zoochat simply overwhelm me and create that brain fog where I can no longer remember who said what where when, so please forgive if I might say something that does not align with things stated somewhere before.

First of all do I think that the world of zoology part of the world of science is probably one of the most accepting and progressive spheres there are, so I did not mean to point out a lack of willingness to understand, but felt sad that there was not any representation of people that would more or less struggle like me.

Mental health issues are a multidimensional spectrum, some might have genetic disorders, some have developed a condition or even several due to experiences, in other cases its a mix of both.

Its not just representation, I did also long for role models, that showed me that beyond just a space within society maybe even the zoo world could offer be acces.

One thing I have learned is that my sjmptoms from both autism and mental health issues got much better when I no longer felt under pressure. I often felt as if I had to juggle so many thoughts I felt needed to be included in a statement of mine so that I would not create a false impression.

To this day is going online and especialy posting more or less nerve wrecking for me. And not that I would want people to applaude me for daring to tackle the issue, but I genuinely think people who dont have mental health issues or even those that do but not the forms I and others have could not even imagine the dimensions of the thoughts and emotions.

Think both the broader public can profit from accounts like these, as well as those also impacted by the issues, feel seen heard and represented so that more and more would speak up.

So to get back to where I originaly started this post with, when I created both the thread over autism and mental health awareness there did not seem to be truely a space for these things, they were mentioned in other forums but rather as a side note. This is not meant to praise myself, but to help people understand how much I felt as if I would lose my credibility if I was to admit these issues, but then I seemed to crash over and over, with the stuff I posted, and thought well I have pretty much lost everything and might as well say my last bit before I entirely go under.

I think criticism is important, but more often are autistic and disabled targets of such in forms that are unintentionaly invalid, whilst the things we say get dismissed, for most I have seen lots of empathy and a sense of community in many threads, but not exclusively, so maybe noting a need for more acceptance might have been needed. My autism literaly disables a lot of stuff including proper perception and evaluation. Cant speak for others, but I constantlj feel the lack of filter, and trying to work things out felt as if tons of voices metaphoricaly speaking talked over one another in my head, so please dont read this as an attack.

My only intention is to offer something of value to the discussions but I might fail to do so properly, please be understanding, I can very much see how annoying and exhausting this could be. Thanks

If I should have repeated myself, I did not intentionaly do so. I simply felt as if I could lose track of what iI wanted to say, when I go back and read all the previous stuff.

 

[LARTIS]

Wanted to also ask the community what I but also others could do to further achieve more awareness and understanding on all sides, I always fear that I might accidentaly irritate others.
What might have not just people with mental health issues participate

There were two reasons why I posted this thread in general discussions, I neither understood then nor actualy realy now what to post where because in my head stuff can feel similar but that might be due to my autism, but also because I feared that the topic could end up entirely ignored. Not that I could give any quote now but every now and then have I read comments on zoochat that hinted in a direction that many members would not even look into certain subforums because they would not be related to zoos.

So please interact, I think it would be helping me and others if some members would for example write about their personal experience with people with mental health issues or disabilities, you dont even need to specify what relation that was to protect their privacy. But I think reading about how many have interacted with the topic might feel those who struggle more welcomed to speak up and share their stories. Of course should nobody feel pressured.