Mental illnesses as an Invisible disability Forum Discussion
In Support of Mental Health awareness i figured id start doing discussions on the forum for disability how this will work every 2 days ill post a new question these are usually done in group support but i wish to include those who dont like group support and or it can get too fast for you etc.
once this discussion reaches its end ill start a new topic we can choose one together theirs 63 of them :)
so lets get started shall we in 2 days time ill post the next q
lets begin with an icebreaker shall we?
Icebreaker
What was the best thing that happened to you this past week?
@CaringBrit
My teachers won't believe me when I tell them I'm really sad, they think that I want to leave class
@aliebn70 sorry to hear that and welcome to the discussion
so to this question What would make you feel more comfortable talking about your mental health struggles? Or if you do not suffer from a mental illness, what do you think would make someone more comfortable opening up and actually talking about their struggles with others?
you would find someone who actually listens to how you feel would make you more comfortable then
great responses everyone next question :) also any new participants welcome to read back on the previous question and answer if you want too :) just tag me and ill respond
Question 9: What are some of the reaction people have towards you because of your mental illness or invisible illness? Or if you do not struggle with a mental health condition or an invisible illness, what do you think assume or say to people suffering from them?
taglist : @TheLifeOfKelli @richyShiny39 @IluvBiscuits @mariesd123 @Emily619 @KindSoul10 @PinkFloyd65 @caringShoulder14@forcefulStrawberries4435 @aliebn70 @CasenoDeclan @creativeOak9590
@CaringBrit
Honestly, most people have been very understanding, patient, kind, etc, offering help and accommodations without being condescending. But there are always a few people who have to be the exceptions to that. 
Most annoying responses have probably been from my husband's parents who insist that everything could be cured with the right fad diet/supplement (which of course their favourite internet doctor knows all about, but he's being suppressed by the evil pharmaceutical companies).
@creativeOak9590 oh wow sorry to hear they give that reaction
@CaringBrit
It's pretty much their reaction to everything. 
@creativeOak9590 oh wow
@CaringBrit Treated special by family. Has scared friends of my past. It intimidates some.
Nowadays? Since I cut toxic people out (except my Mom), I have a massive support system I neverrrrr thought Id have. Its truly amazing and still astounds me. <3
@TheLifeOfKelli aww good on you for cutting the toxic people out of your life bet that was hard to do awesome you have a great support system too
@CaringBrit Thank you for the kindness!!! 
@TheLifeOfKelli yw only got one question left then I pick 5 topics so start thinking on is there any you really want we have 63 written so if we have it I can do it ill choose 5 see if any interest you guys if they don't you can state ones you really want and ill do that instead
@CaringBrit You are truly a good souled person.
Anyone that hasnt read her bio? I hope you do. Once you get a feel of @CaringBrit? Youll see that she legitimately does care. 
@TheLifeOfKelli aww ty kelli :)
@CaringBrit Aww, no need to thank me! I just spoke from the heart and trusted my gut. <3
@CaringBrit I went out with my friends
@FallenStar1977 is that for the current q were on down here ? or for one of the others
our last question everyone you're welcome to go back and respond to the previous ones
question 10: How can we change the way people, in general, feel about invisible illnesses? What are some ways to spread awareness about invisible illnesses, both physical and mental illnesses?
Taglist: @TheLifeOfKelli @richyShiny39 @IluvBiscuits @mariesd123 @Emily619 @KindSoul10 @PinkFloyd65 @caringShoulder14@forcefulStrawberries4435 @aliebn70 @CasenoDeclan @creativeOak9590 @FallenStar1977
@CaringBrit
More portrayals of this sort of thing in the media could help. Fictional characters have a great ability to help open people's minds and encourage people to look at things from different perspectives.
@CaringBrit The only way for those people to get to truly know me now is solely through my music. And thats okay.... 
Its the truth.
My listener account bio definitely gives people with similar experiences an idea of what Im like. Even if its just a minuscule amount, again, thats completely okay! Rather refreshing actually.
@CaringBrit The only way for those people to get to truly know me now is solely through my music. And thats okay.... Its the truth.
My listener account bio definitely gives people with similar experiences an idea of what Im like. Even if its just a minuscule amount, again, thats completely okay! Rather refreshing actually.
@TheLifeOfKelli it certainly is ok if your bio is short each and every one of us has our own way to show things on a bio and thats celebrated were unique mines big because that is me
awesome so through music that's great I love music :) we have a music and disability discussion for disability so that can be 1 option I might do next but ill put a huge list at the end which will be Tuesday
What are some ways to spread awareness about invisible illnesses, both physical and mental illnesses?
I just be me and I'm Okay.
When I am hit in the face with stigma stupidity, I don't get mad, because they just don't know what they are talking about. I don't even try to educate them anymore. I just go about my merry way to prove that I'm not crazy 24/7, I'm just a bit strange every now and then.
If they choose to remain uncivilized, they can't be my friend. Their loss.
@Positron2 love your attitude there that its their loss that they are missing out on getting to know a great person
@Positron2 Indeed! Ha! 
Love your reply.
@Positron2
idk I always felt confused to explain...
I am not person that gona draw you what I mean..
any more response to question 10 which can be found on page 1 of discussion near the bottom?
Thank you to everyone who participated in this discussion on mental illnesses as invisible disabilities. It was a pleasure having you all here! You all did a great job with offering thoughtful comments to the discussion questions. I think it was a really positive experience!
if your a new participant you can still respond if you choose just tag me though :) so I can see the responses
ok here's a choice of topics please choose the one you really want next everyone
Music and Disability
Pets
Zoo Therapy
Stigma
or Bullying
If none of these interest you please state a different topic disability-related if we don't have it ill add to topics to write if we have it and no one has chosen one by Sunday - Monday ill do it if people have popularly voted for the same topic in my 5 choices that will be next :) if no one has chosen any topics ill just pick at random :)
tagging those who did the last discussion: @TheLifeOfKelli @richyShiny39 @IluvBiscuits @mariesd123 @Emily619 @KindSoul10 @PinkFloyd65 @caringShoulder14@forcefulStrawberries4435 @aliebn70 @CasenoDeclan @creativeOak9590 @FallenStar1977 @Positron2
@CaringBrit Pets!
@PinkFloyd65 ty floyd and noted :)
@CaringBrit
Stigma is a pretty big issue for me.
It really gets under my skin and I am surrounded by it everyday. That's why I never leave my house.
@Positron2 ok noted so far
1 for pets
1 for stigma
anyone else ?
@CaringBrit
Music and Disability
@mariesd123 yikes noted lol so far
1 pets
1 bullying
1 stigma
1 Music & disability
hmm if theirs no clear winner hope you guys are fine with me being fair to eliminate it find some generator put the topics in and let it random choose one and ill do this for each new discussion since i have interest in 4 topics at equal level ill focus on these 1 by 1 but use a fair elimination process
@CaringBrit
Bullying
@creativeOak9590 noted ty
1 pets
1 bullying
1 stigma
ok here's a choice of topics please choose the one you really want next everyone
Music and Disability 1
Pets 1
Zoo Therapy
Stigma 1
or Bullying 1
If none of these interest you please state a different topic disability-related if we don't have it ill add to topics to write if we have it and no one has chosen one by Sunday - Monday ill do it if people have popularly voted for the same topic in my 5 choices that will be next :) if no one has chosen any topics ill just pick at random :)
tagging those who did the last discussion: @TheLifeOfKelli @richyShiny39 @IluvBiscuits @Emily619 @KindSoul10 @caringShoulder14@forcefulStrawberries4435 @aliebn70 @CasenoDeclan @FallenStar1977
untagged those that have responded already theirs still chance to choose your topic ill be starting the new topic either this Sunday or Monday :) if the vote is still level as so far each of them has 1 vote minus zoo therapy at 0 if they remain level ill fairly random choose the topic unless their is a clear winner
@CaringBrit
Just a heads up you don't have to lead one that has already been marked as teen friendly - just as long as it's not marked as "no," you can lead it. A lot of the discussions people tend to forget to mark whether it's teen friendly or not 
@Emily619 choosing one of the topics in the list ??? this is for the forum discussion as part of being a forum supporter
