How have the forums helped you?

[Zoe7]

Hi everyone. We would like to know how the forums have helped you.

Please share a sentence on when/how the forums have helped you.

For example: "The support from the forums helped me to have the confidence to change my offline supports" or "the support from the forums helped me prepare for a hospital admission".

For me, the biggest impact the forums have had has been helping me through those times when I did not see any hope, SI was high and the members and staff at SANE sat with me to get through those times.

Tagging a few people @Faith-and-Hope @Shaz51 @Snowie @Eve7 @Judi9877 @BPDSurvivor @ArraDreaming @Oaktree @TAB @chibam @Emelia8 @StuF @ENKELI  You all have great networks so could you tag others here please 😁

[TAB]

I joined the forums 9 years ago now. 

I was pretty much losing hope as have said on here before. I had some money and a car , but nowhere to live and no income. Being here helped me pick myself up and keep going.

Its not all smooth sailing, but nothing like just prior to coming here.

I had probably been in worse situations before, but it was how it was affecting me.

@Meowmy  @StuF @Bill16 @Glisten @ENKELI @StanD @Emelia8 @oceangirl @Former-Member @Oaktree @Mustang67 

[Oaktree]

The forums have helped me in a few ways. Firstly they have alleviated the feelings of loneliness I would often get.

Also they have promoted my mental health recovery. I am in a much stronger and more resilient state and I credit this largely due to my interactions here on the forums 

[Oaktree]

@Captain24 @Louie333 @Birdofparadise8 @sheba30 @Ainjoule @ArraDreaming @Dimity @NatureLover @Appleblossom @Pattycake @Owlunar2 @tonys @LeChuck @Sophia1 @Rockdog @Historylover @PeppiPatty @ENKELI 

@MJG017 

Hey guys,

How have the forums helped you?

[Shaz51]

@Zoe7 , @RachSANECEO , @tyme 

The forum has helped me to help my loved ones more 

And to help others 

And for growth in myself since 2015 when I came here 

@Bunniekins , @Healandlove , @Determined  , @Mustang67 , @Abner. @Patches59 , @The-red-centaur 

[MJG017]

I found the forum during a really difficult time for me mentally, when I had tried a psychologist for the first time and found the first few sessions weren't helping me.  I immediately felt heard, understood and supported. I became more and more involved which gave me confidence and positive feelings about myself for the first time in quite a while.  This in turn helped me to feel in a better place mentally and inspired me to try and help people who were new here themselves.  This helped me even more, giving me a sense of worth and more confidence. 

While I am in a better place now mentally than I was when I joined in about March 2024, I still use this forum to keep myself on a good and positive path for which I credit a large part to the support I've found on SANE.  Both in starting it off and in maintaining and improving it over my time here so far.

[The-red-centaur]

Hmmm...where to start 7 years is a long time. 

My life is radically different then when I joined. I was so lost and alone back then. I really appreciate all the support that sane has given me along the way to turn my life around. 

One thing that stands out to me is that I accept my self, my identities and have more insight into my various mh issues. 7 years ago I hadn't been out as trans long. My diagnosis was constantly changing. I was constantly suicidal. I hated life and myself. That's so different now.

I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for SANE. 

[chibam]

Hey @Zoe7 ! 🙂 Good question!

I guess for me, the forums show me how much more awareness there is these days of the real-world tolls on peoples' mental health (as opposed to the problems that are 'just in our heads'); and how it's become much more acceptable to actually talk about these things and their significance now.

That's important, because public acknowledgement and discussion of a problem is always the essential first step towards a remedy. So seeing these sorts of discussions often gives me the sense that progress is being made.

[Rockdog]

The forums have really helped me a lot because I have found some really supportive people who help share my hopes and dreams with me. They have become friends so it is so nice to have an online family to help get me through the rough times. It also feels good if I get to help encourage anyone else. 

[Bow]

The forums have helped me in so many ways. I have found some amazing friends who accept me and get me. There is so much misunderstanding and stigma around mental health issues, but there is none of that here. The forums are a safe place to talk, vent, seek support and just be. 

I have often also found the forums to be a safe place to get my head in order before I go and seek support offline. There are folks here that help me make sense of the mess, find the right words and put it all in order. 

There’s so many other things, but I’m heaps grateful