Support for parents of teenagers with mental illness

[PeppiPatty]

Great news ..... congratulations on your really hard work
Hope and care from me to you
Please stay in touch -
Anne

[Ruth]

Hello again Anne. Thanks for your good-wishes message I saw this morning.  I was really tired last night and couldn't write. 

This morning it's been good to receive "likes" and lovely to know that there are people out there in the ether who care. 

For a long time I have been looking for a group like you've described. I initially started this thread by asking if anyone knows of a parents' group in Sydney.... I so much want to hang out with other adults experiencing similar dramas in their life, for moral support. A few months ago I think I found a place, at Burwood, and I spoke to someone on the phone about going to a particular event.  But the day came, and Kate was in no state to leave her at home alone, so I didn't go. Now I've forgotten who those people were!! lol

I'm glad you found that place in WA.  

You asked me about volunteer work. Yes I've been thinking about this... I feel I would like to give something of myself. I'm an independent film maker and I'm waiting for the seed of inspiration to grow. Kate and I have talked about making a short film about depression and anxiety. I know that when she stabilises, she will be a wonderful support and help to other people who are suffering. This is what she wants to do. 

Thank you again Anne, and thank you to the other lovely people who keep writing. Thank you SANE 🙂

[Ruth]

This message is for IVANA ... I received email notification of your post to me, but I can't find your post on the thread.

Thank you very much for those phone numbers!! Appreciate it 🙂

[Appleblossom]

Glad to hear that Kate is having a bit more insight and taking more responsibility.  Good Luck with the support groups and her treatment.

[PeppiPatty]

An independent film maker that is so cool. There's a wonderful author : someone who I feel is a great mentor for older women ( 40 yrs old and over) with children who struggle with times of mental ill health and her name is Ann Devenson. She wrote a book about her son, Johnothon. The book is called 'why I am here,' ..... Something like that ..... And she wrote also about making a film while caring for her son. She flew to London and she met a Paychotherapist called Laing too

..... I'm about to go on another tangent so I better finish the story

What makes her a good mentor is that she writes of an example ..... ..... A family with say 3 children and how one breaks out with MI while the others don't and it's not about how well you lived and adore your children but how one trauma affects that one child .... Say the middle one and the one trauma was divorce and the Father left the house .... Then that one child while being very loved by the parents finds it difficult not having his father around and when he experiments with stuff ... Or just gets the emotions of being a teenager.... Mi is Kickstarted
And how it's not your fault

It certainly helped me
On .... Past tv interviews .... She is interviewed on channel 24

[Ruth]

Hey PP Anne ... that is terrific information. I will look that up. It sounds a bit like my story. My Kate started her self harm etc and began this awful roller coaster of anxiety at the time when her father suddenly left our family when she was 12.  He was living a double life and dating women from an internet dating site. Incredible stuff, for a man in his 60s! We had no idea. Everything was happy and I can remember thinking how good life was. I loved him so much, so his sudden abandonment was quite left field. There never has been an explanation. It commenced years of trauma and depression for me too, but I always kept positive in front of Kate, although she knew I was in terrible pain. So I was struggling with my own stuff whilst trying to focus on what was happening to her too. Her father has missed out on all her teenage years, in favour of some 62 year old woman he met on the dating site, a lady who emailed me and told me I had no right to my husband. It's a long and complex story. So I am very interesting in looking at the interview about which you spoke.

I'm going to be without a computer for the next few days, so if you reply, I won't see your message until next week. 

Thanks so much for writing. You, Appleblossom and others are so wonderful 🙂

[PeppiPatty]

Thank you Ruth
I'm always looking up stuff online and anything to further my small brain.

WATCHED

14:43

Everything You Think You Know About Addiction Is Wrong | Johann Hari | TED Talks

by TED 

• 4 months ago

What really causes addiction — 

This is a good "ted,' talk by Johann Hari on addiction which I will think will interest you. I'm by no way someone to think I have it worked out, it's a journey for myself. Im just very lucky in that I can forward proper information while dealing with my own stuff.

Ann Devenson is truly someone who I was....oh, whan I read her book.....then years later...I read her daughter's.....you can just understand. I'm very into those words that our society have issues doing. Compassion and being kind. I think her book might be called "Wish You were," 

WATCHED

18:47

The Power of Addiction and The Addiction of Power: Gabor Maté at TEDxRio+20

by TEDx Talks

• 3 years ago
• 333,434 views

Canadian physician Gabor Maté is a specialist in terminal illnesses, chemical dependents, and HIV positive patients. Dr. Maté is a ...

This is Gabor Mate. Im getting his book for my Birthday in 3 days time.....so excited....

, I dont think they worked. @Maritza , can you help?

Anne

[PeppiPatty]

Its shows your dedication to your daughter 

I am so here for you. I think, not that I can say anything but this forum is for strength for us the carers.

When I started deciding to 'care for my son, when he had his first psychosis, I could only fly over and visit him for one week. He was in Queensland and I'm in the other side of the universe in Western Australia.....

.lol

But 4 years ago, I wasnt so relaxed and fortunately, I had the exteremely good fortune to get support by joining a group of parents trying to change state laws in the state for people suffereing times of mental ill health.

Please tell me about your daughter?