support group

[shanaeden]

There's a support group meeting tonight. The past couple weeks I've felt like giving up on it, but I know this isn't the right time to make a decision about that because of the way I've been feeling. Very usually, Betsie and I meet in the room I've scheduled at the library and talk for a half hour or an hour and then we go back to our homes. We had

Comments

[h_thur]

I think it's great you are keeping the meetings going, especially feeling the way you do. Could you advertise the group to hospitals and doctor's offices to spread the word around a little more?

[shanaeden]

When we first started my therapist at the time did get in touch with the area therapists and let them know. I got contacted a few weeks ago by the student counseling service who said they were going to suggest to a few people that they come, but nobody has come from there so far. I could be printing out some more flyers and getting them on local bulletin boards, but I haven't....

The last meeting had someone with clinical depression show up and she seemed to really appreciate that we were having a meeting. But that's how it always seems to be when someone shows up and then they don't come again. But I've decided that it really is good, at least for now, to stay involved in this thing that I've started. At least it gets me out of the house every couple of weeks to talk to my friend Betsie.

[11th_letter]

It is important work you do. Having that group there so that the one day someone needs it, it is there. Being disappointed sometimes yourself so that someone else won't have to be, on that day.
For what it is worth from a mostly stranger...I am proud to know you at all. It is a good thing you are doing...and proof that your illness does not define who you are. You are a good and noble person, sick or well.
(Me, I always found it easier in a way to be noble while feeling worst...when I felt okay, the minutia of life swallowed me up. When I only have the strength to do one or two things, it seemed...easier to choose the big things. Is it like that for you?)

[shanaeden]

Being disappointed sometimes yourself so that someone else won't have to be, on that day.

very good point, and well said.

I wish I could agree with you about your last statement, answer in the affirmative. I felt embarassed when first reading, in fact. My depression got so bad at one point recently that I ended up in bed just hoping for the pain to end. When in a manic mixed state I've been so full of pain and anger that I've had to lock myself in my bedroom and make sure not to do anything or talk to anyone so that I would not be abusive. I'm not noble when feeling worst. I do know what you mean though. When it's not so bad, just a minor or moderate imbalance, I make sure that the important things get done, especially for the kids.

[bodhichitta0]

Sometimes it takes some time for these things to gel and people are so busy. And mentally ill people DO have trouble leaving the house/going places new/you name it. I would try hard to stick with it, hon. It's a really good thing, I think.

[shanaeden]

Last week I went out after the meeting with Betsie and we hung out an hour at a coffeeshop. It was good to do that.

[psychogranny]

It does take a while to get something like that started. I think what h_thur said makes a lot of sense. And you ARE doing a good thing. I think that you were brave to start the group to begin with. I wouldn't have had the courage to do that.

[shanaeden]

I bet you would have the courage, if your heart was set in that direction. :)

[rubygloomrox]

You're pioneering this sort of thing there, and that is so difficult. It's amazing you can keep at it feeling as bad as you do. Keep up the good work. It's important.

[shanaeden]

Thanks.

I've been reading. *hugs* Things are in a cycle, as I've relearned recently. They get better.