Mental Health.

[paulsterio]

Ahh, I'm probably not the best person to talk about it to because I wasn't actually present for that speech, but I think it was a part of some convention or careers evening or something like that which was organised by our medical society.

(and I'm also curious; in what context relating to med?)

Could you expand on this, I'd love to be able to answer it, but I'm not sure if you're asking like what parts of the medical curriculum relate to mental health or...?

[pi]

And pi, Thushan, Paul; wow. How did you get to witness this? (and I'm also curious; in what context relating to med?)

It was part of a "Surviving Medicine" special lecture organised by our med soc (community and well-being sub-committee). Other guest lecturers included Prof P. McGorry and Prof J. Kulkarni. It was an amazing night, I really learnt a lot

Moderator action: removed real name, sorry for the inconvenience

[paulsterio]

I know this is derailing a little though, but in hindsight, I wish I went to that "Surviving Medicine" thing, my perception on things (notably my course) might be a little different

[Lolly]

I know this is derailing a little though, but in hindsight, I wish I went to that "Surviving Medicine" thing, my perception on things (notably my course) might be a little different

Not derailing at all:p at least you have more of an understanding of mental health now. Or are you referring to your course in a broader sense?

[paulsterio]

Haha, I'm no longer an MBBS student (well, I still am, but from next year onwards), but you're right, having an awareness and understanding of mental health is something that's important and difficult as well and it's something which a lot of the public don't know much about.

[Dejan]

It's really good to see that this topic has been discussed on this forum which effect and impact many people in VCE which can better understanding of mental issues or conditions, better and greater support for mental health in general to raise awareness as this is one of the topics that is less spoken about in the general public. As for lozmatron I really hope you can pull through year 12 because you seem like a very nice, caring and very good person overall. I can't understand or even begin to think what It would be like to be in your position but I really hope everything will get better for you and your friend and wish you all the best.

[Genericname2365]

I'm going to add my voice to the chorus supporting what you're doing - it disappoints me that there are still many people who dismiss depression as being "Doctor's BS" that you can just think your way out of.

[Lolly]

Thanks Dejan - year 12 is in 2013 for me. I plan to have a fair crack at it, and anything could change between now and then It'll be okay. And if even if things don't go well, I'll find a way.  This kind of stuff is far more common than most people think -  I'm not the only person who has encountered this at all. Hence why I want to talk about it.

[Felicity Wishes]

I'm going to add my voice to the chorus supporting what you're doing - it disappoints me that there are still many people who dismiss depression as being "Doctor's BS" that you can just think your way out of.

Mhmmmm.
A conversation I had at school and someone asked 'what are you sick with?' and I said 'some mental health problems' and they said 'oh, you'll be okay then, no need to worry about that'  Did not like that dismissal solely because my problems aren't visible.

[thushan]

This kind of stuff is far more common than most people think.

Amen.

[paulsterio]

It disappoints me that there are still many people who dismiss depression as being "Doctor's BS" that you can just think your way out of.

After being around such people and having similar sentiments in the past, I understand why it occurs though. This is an example told to me by someone else, who's lived through many hardships in the past, not word for word, but essentially this is the story.

Imagine this, you're a university student and you're on your own, you don't have any parents to support you, you work every holidays in order to get enough money to last the whole year, you rely on Centrelink payments, which is hardly enough to pay the rent, the bills and to fund for your food. You have a flatmate so you can actually manage to make ends meet financially, now you have to cook, clean and worry about all the finances yourself. You can't afford to take your car to the mechanic, so you buy a book and learn how to fix your car, change the oil, spark plugs...etc. all by yourself. On top of that you have to do your work for uni as well. Even though this might seem like a bleak view, many people have to live through circumstances such as these. I know of one such person. When I tell him about those going through mental illnesses, he will (of course) dismiss it as rubbish - why? Because, according to him, they have beds to sleep on, they have food to eat, they don't have to fend for themselves. In many ways, the circumstances which he has had to live through have given him the mentality that those who have good mental strength are those who will survive and those that crack under the pressure are those that have in some way or another "failed" - this is why certain people dismiss mental illnesses (such as depression) as a "rich man's illness", something that can only be afforded by the rich.

It's hard to change that mentality though, but that's just an example of why the negative view in the public exists.

[Felicity Wishes]

It disappoints me that there are still many people who dismiss depression as being "Doctor's BS" that you can just think your way out of.

After being around such people and having similar sentiments in the past, I understand why it occurs though. This is an example told to me by someone else, who's lived through many hardships in the past, not word for word, but essentially this is the story.

Imagine this, you're a university student and you're on your own, you don't have any parents to support you, you work every holidays in order to get enough money to last the whole year, you rely on Centrelink payments, which is hardly enough to pay the rent, the bills and to fund for your food. You have a flatmate so you can actually manage to make ends meet financially, now you have to cook, clean and worry about all the finances yourself. You can't afford to take your car to the mechanic, so you buy a book and learn how to fix your car, change the oil, spark plugs...etc. all by yourself. On top of that you have to do your work for uni as well. Even though this might seem like a bleak view, many people have to live through circumstances such as these. I know of one such person. When I tell him about those going through mental illnesses, he will (of course) dismiss it as rubbish - why? Because, according to him, they have beds to sleep on, they have food to eat, they don't have to fend for themselves. In many ways, the circumstances which he has had to live through have given him the mentality that those who have good mental strength are those who will survive and those that crack under the pressure are those that have in some way or another "failed" - this is why certain people dismiss mental illnesses (such as depression) as a "rich man's illness", something that can only be afforded by the rich.

It's hard to change that mentality though, but that's just an example of why the negative view in the public exists.

That is a really good explanation and it honestly helped me quite a bit in terms of seeing it from the other perspective but that opinion on mental illness doesn't account for these who live in poverty and suffer from a mental illness.

[Lolly]

Yes but mental illness isn't just for the "rich man." Poverty takes its toll on the mind as well. I see it in the people who come to the community meals kitchen I volunteer at.

[paulsterio]

Yes but mental illness isn't just for the "rich man." Poverty takes its toll on the mind as well. I see it in the people who come to the community meals kitchen I volunteer at.

Of course, I'm not arguing though haha, it's actually not even my opinion, but I just thought that it'd be helpful to see it from another perspective

[Lolly]

Yes but mental illness isn't just for the "rich man." Poverty takes its toll on the mind as well. I see it in the people who come to the community meals kitchen I volunteer at.

Of course, I'm not arguing though haha, it's actually not even my opinion, but I just thought that it'd be helpful to see it from another perspective

Yes, I understand

 Also, those uni students you're talking about are probably in denial of their own issues. I can imagine the kind of strain that kind of lifestyle would put on a person.