Mental Health.

[Lolly]

For many of the year 12s on AN, the last ten weeks of school are well underway. In the meantime, I've seen a lot of you starting to crack under pressure, and it got me thinking: Mental health should be taken far more seriously in VCE.

I'm not the best example. This year has been difficult, to say the least; a close friend of mine has struggled with something they've labeled "Borderline Personality Disorder". Then again, that label seems to always be changing. In any case, she's not well.  She's finally getting admitted to the adolescent clinic every fortnight on a regular basis, which was a real relief for me and my friends. Last week, though, she ended up in high dependency, for reasons I probably shouldn't elaborate on at risk of sounding overly morbid. I will say that the fact that it happened in the clinic, where I thought she was safe, is utterly incomprehensible to me.

Anyway, in the meantime it's been hard to focus on the next SAC or stupid assessment or deal listening to people's first world problems.

I just want to know if anyone's in a similar position and how that's affected them, plus I'm sick and tired of this kind of stuff being taboo. I think it warrants a discussion.

Look after yourselves guys. <3

[Stick]

Ok I'm regretting having made this thread....

Don't regret it - I think it's good we all got this out in the open. Perhaps we could focus our discussion on how to deal with our stresses from here onwards, rather than debate whether or not VCE is a problem (because it clearly is, even if it is not a 'rational' problem).

[paulsterio]

[pi]

Cleaning up the rest of the posts to the recycle bin. Next time ask a Mod to clean things up, the tread looks very messy now.

Moved your deleted posts to the recycle bin so those who missed can see the whole rest.

[paulsterio]

Don't regret it - I think it's good we all got this out in the open. Perhaps we could focus our discussion on how to deal with our stresses from here onwards, rather than debate whether or not VCE is a problem (because it clearly is, even if it is not a 'rational' problem).

OK, well considering I've been the source of a bit of racket on this thread, I'll start off then.

I think we need to see that how smart we are and how well we do in VCE isn't what our self worth is based upon. We are all capable of great things as people and we should be looking towards our strengths as things to be proud of. If you're not academic than maybe you're a very good music player, or maybe you're good at making things or you're compassionate. We have to remember that even though society and our friends view VCE as important - it's not so - there are many other things which determine our self worth.

Secondly, I think we also need to see that there are many paths and roads we can take to get to where we want to get. Our ATAR is not the end of the world and if bad things come to bad, we can just sit year 12 again and try our best to do better this time. If not, there are always transfers, graduate degrees or just working in another profession you'd be happy in. It's not so much about the here and now but the long run. So if you look towards the long term future rather than the short term, you'll see all the possibilities that are available for you.

Thirdly, the last thing I want to add is to keep doing things that make you happy, whether that be playing guitar or playing video games or watching your favourite TV show or whatever, it's important that you maintain a normal life throughout year 12, you don't want to make VCE the centrepiece of your life, just go on living life as if it were any other year, but of course, focus more on your studies, but don't make that the centre of your world.

[ninwa]

Mental illness is a serious issue and a lot of sufferers are already discouraged from speaking out about it because it is trivialised. No, it's not just a matter of "go outside! smile! cheer up!", it's an actual fucking illness, and I am fucking disgusted, Paul, that a medical student of all people would fail to recognise that.

I really hope this thread can get going again without that kind of bullshit cluttering it up.

lozmatron I'm really glad your friend is getting help, but it must be difficult for you (and her other friends) as well. How are you dealing with all of this?

[Lolly]

Mental illness is a serious issue and a lot of sufferers are already discouraged from speaking out about it because it is trivialised. No, it's not just a matter of "go outside! smile! cheer up!", it's an actual fucking illness, and I am fucking disgusted, Paul, that a medical student of all people would fail to recognise that.

I really hope this thread can get going again without that kind of bullshit cluttering it up.

lozmatron I'm really glad your friend is getting help, but it must be difficult for you (and her other friends) as well. How are you dealing with all of this?

Hard question to answer. I had my first counselling session on Friday. I'm trying to get my friends to have sessions too. I go for jogs. I listen to ABC Classic FM. And I guess there are days when I don't cope, but the main thing is that I'm damn well trying to be ok.

[Limista]

Hard question to answer. I had my first counselling session on Friday. I'm trying to get my friends to have sessions too. I go for jogs. I listen to ABC Classic FM. And I guess there are days when I don't cope, but the main thing is that I'm damn well trying to be ok.

Gut fuer dich - das ist ein gutes Qualitaet! 
p.s: I'm sorry lozmatron, but I couldn't be bothered adding the umlauts

[s.ay]

Mental illness is a serious issue and a lot of sufferers are already discouraged from speaking out about it because it is trivialised. No, it's not just a matter of "go outside! smile! cheer up!", it's an actual fucking illness

^ this, one hundred times over.
Many people with mental illnesses hide away behind a smile, build up an impenetrable barrier in a bid to not appear weak, to not be stigmatised or shunned by a society so ignorant. Through doing so, they become reclusive, feel as if they have no one when in fact they distanced themselves in the first place. Furthermore, by telling everyone around them that they are great, that everything is sunshine and rainbows and ponies, they may start to believe it. Start to believe that whatever it is they are going through is normal, that things are meant to be the way they are, thus there is nothing to change. This mindset is dangerous, and is a product of the "sweep it under the carpet" way mental illnesses are dealt with.
In regards to VCE and stress, it's all well and good for some who have already been through the process to see it as something minor, something not worth losing sleep over. And yes, for many, years 11 and 12 are not incredibly stressful. But one must remember that for someone with the propensity for a mental illness, a part time job may be stressful. A family gathering may be stressful. Eating may be stressful. So of course, VCE is going to be stressful. A mental illness effects all facets of someone's life. Of course, it is nothing like a famine or a war zone, but given the fuel, it can kill with just as much ease.

[thushan]

Mental illness is a serious issue and a lot of sufferers are already discouraged from speaking out about it because it is trivialised. No, it's not just a matter of "go outside! smile! cheer up!", it's an actual fucking illness, and I am fucking disgusted, Paul, that a medical student of all people would fail to recognise that.

I really hope this thread can get going again without that kind of bullshit cluttering it up.

lozmatron I'm really glad your friend is getting help, but it must be difficult for you (and her other friends) as well. How are you dealing with all of this?

My sentiments exactly - Paul you should seriously know better than that.

As for mental health - mental health illness is seriously debilitating. No matter what the trigger is...

And I'm absolutely in favour of discussing these issues; I remember a lecture given by Australian of the Year Patrick McGorry on mental health. I remember him saying that mental health is seriously prevalent amongst people especially in our age group. The worst thing is, stigma like this means that people can't discuss these issues...and lack of discussion hampers development of preventative measures.

As for being a carer of someone with mental health illness, I've been there. I think the main thing is being loving/caring and genuine (don't come across as fake) and also being non-judgemental and just being there for them. Also...it's also debilitating on the carer and is a risk factor for depression itself - so carers need to look after themselves as well...

I wish I was able to do something in psychiatry and work in mental health, but I unfortunately don't have the capacity for it - my understanding of people isn't very good...

[Special At Specialist]

I know what you mean. I'm feeling really stressed at the moment, mainly due to the fact that I raced through VCE like it was a 100m sprint and now I'm practically in holiday mode. I have no motivation at all to do homework. All I can think about is going out to parties and nightclubs with my friends who recently turned 18.
I want to get a part-time job as well, but my parents won't let me until I've finished my exams (which I probably shouldn't complain about because it would only add to my stress), so I've been using up a lot of money from my bank account. In the past 4-5 months, I've spent about $500 from my bank account on a whole lot of useless stuff that I didn't need: food, alcohol, online subscriptions, computer games etc. I was lucky that I didn't buy Diablo 3 because it was hard enough for me to quit my addiction to Diablo 2...

If mental health is a mundane problem, then my worries are probably the most pathetic excuse that anyone could think of. I have no reason not to succeed except for a lack of willpower. I've never really been one to do homework on a regular basis. I had really bad study habits from years 7 to 11, and no matter how much I try to change, they are staying with me through year 12 as well. Being invited out to places every second week doesn't help. Last year, I barely saw my friends and spent most weekends at home. This year, I've been going out heaps of weekends. Why couldn't it be the other way around?

I'll try not to go off-topic too much, though: lozmatron, you are a very nice, caring and considerate person, and I'm sure that your friend would appreciate your company very much. Whilst I may not be the best person to offer advice, I will try to give you some: don't forget about the big picture. In everything you do, you are working towards something great. The small things do matter, though they are just building blocks in a castle. Your friend's worries can be fixed, and I hope that she can recover timely and understand all of this.

When it comes to life, mental health is more important than VCE. Getting a bad ATAR score isn't going to kill you, though clinical depression might. It is important to remain calm and occasionally do something that is not school-related in order to give your mind a rest. Do not stay up too late either: having 5-6 hours sleep every week night isn't particularly healthy for your mind or body. When things seem hard, take a break from what you are doing to contemplate matters, then come back to them later when you are feeling well. Taking a break is not the same as quitting. Do not quit: only allow yourself a sufficient amount of time to recover. This applies to everyone, not just you and your friend.

Good luck and take care.

[thushan]

When it comes to life, mental health is more important than VCE. Getting a bad ATAR score isn't going to kill you, though clinical depression might.

Exactly. Hence the reason why addressing mental health is SO important.

[Eriny]

Mental illness is a serious issue and a lot of sufferers are already discouraged from speaking out about it because it is trivialised. No, it's not just a matter of "go outside! smile! cheer up!", it's an actual fucking illness, and I am fucking disgusted, Paul, that a medical student of all people would fail to recognise that.

I really hope this thread can get going again without that kind of bullshit cluttering it up.

lozmatron I'm really glad your friend is getting help, but it must be difficult for you (and her other friends) as well. How are you dealing with all of this?

Hard question to answer. I had my first counselling session on Friday. I'm trying to get my friends to have sessions too. I go for jogs. I listen to ABC Classic FM. And I guess there are days when I don't cope, but the main thing is that I'm damn well trying to be ok.

I know it probably doesn't feel like it, but it seems like you're being a really good friend and doing a very good job at managing your own problems. It must be very frustrating so close to final exams, but you're right (in the op and also echoed By SaS) that it puts things in perspective.

[ninwa]

Hard question to answer. I had my first counselling session on Friday. I'm trying to get my friends to have sessions too. I go for jogs. I listen to ABC Classic FM. And I guess there are days when I don't cope, but the main thing is that I'm damn well trying to be ok.

Upvote for ABC FM <3

Maybe encourage your circle of friends to talk about it openly? If they're not comfortable seeking counselling (perfectly understandable), at least they'll have SOMEONE they trust to talk to. Don't make it into a taboo topic...

[Biceps]

I really hope the best for everyone else doing VCE right now. I am in year 12 now as well. I know it is difficult but in the end the result is merely a 4 digit number.
PRIORITIZE MENTAL HEALTH OVER ANYTHING ELSE.