Month: September 2022

Solitude can be relaxing and restorative, but prolonged social isolation can cause our mental and physical health to suffer.

Research has proven loneliness is just as bad for us as smoking 15 cigarettes per day. And unfortunately, loneliness is on the rise in Australia.

Many circumstances can cause people to become isolated or to choose to isolate themselves from others.

We explore some of the factors and situations that may lead to social isolation here.

 

Mental Health Issues

Mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety can cause sufferers to withdraw and isolate from the people around them.

If you’ve ever experienced mental ill health, you may understand just how much effort it takes to interact with others when you’re not feeling your best.

Not only can depression and anxiety lead to social isolation, but social isolation can cause and/or exacerbate depression and anxiety. This can create a cycle that’s hard to get out of.

 

Living and/or Working in a Remote Area

People who live in rural or remote locations or who live long-distance from friends and family (due to work, for example) can experience feelings of loneliness and isolation.

Research shows that people in the FIFO space are at risk of loneliness due to these factors:

• Shift work has made them too exhausted to socialise in their downtime
• They hold senior roles and don’t feel it appropriate to mingle with their crews after work
• Relationship problems and disconnection when at home, due to the pressure of FIFO work.

 

Domestic and Family Violence

People experiencing intimate partner violence or domestic and family violence sometimes avoid contact with family, friends, or co-workers because they don’t want people to find out about the abuse.

Perpetrators of abuse may also prevent their partner from socialising or contacting friends and family to control them and to isolate them from their support networks. This is a form of abuse.

 

Social Media

While social media can be a great way to keep up to date with what’s going on in our friends’ lives, it can have negative impacts if it replaces in-person interactions.

Research shows a link between heavy social media use and feelings of social isolation and loneliness.

It found those who spend the most time on social media (more than two hours a day) had twice the odds of perceived social isolation than those who said they spent half an hour or less a day on those sites.

We dive into the connection between social media use and social isolation here.

 

Physical Impairments

Physical impairments and mobility issues can impact an individual’s ability and desire to get out and about to socialise.

These challenges may cause individuals to isolate themselves and spend most or all of their time in the comfort of their own home.

 

Loss of Loved Ones

While grief is a universal experience, it can feel like no one understands how you feel or what you’re going through. It can be a very lonely time.

It’s normal for grieving individuals to withdraw from others following the loss of a partner, friend, or family member. This can be particularly common among seniors who have lost many contacts in their age group.

 

COVID-19 and other Health Concerns

We all experienced some form of social isolation due to physical distancing measures during the peak of COVID-19. Some people may still be concerned about their physical health and safety and continue to isolate themselves to avoid COVID and other illnesses.

Again, seniors may be more prone to COVID-related anxiety and choosing to stay home and avoid the public more than usual.

 

These are just some of the risk factors for social isolation.

If you’re struggling with feelings of loneliness or you need some extra support, talking to a counsellor can help. You can call us on 1300 364 277 to make an appointment, or learn more about our counselling services here.

We offer some tips to overcome social isolation in this blog post.

Supporting someone who is experiencing suicidal thoughts or recovering from an attempt to take their own life can make a lifechanging impact.

Research suggests acknowledging and starting conversations about suicide may help to reduce suicidal ideation. Campaigns like R U OK? Day encourage us to have these conversations to reduce stigma and encourage help-seeking behaviour.

Relationship Counsellor Susan Iddon shares some advice on how to talk to someone who is suicidal, from how to start the conversation to what not to say.

For 24/7 crisis support, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.

For First Nations crisis support, call 13YARN on 13 92 76.

If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, please call 000.

 

Starting the conversation

Suicide is a complex and sensitive issue, and a topic that is taboo in many cultures.

It’s normal to feel some discomfort around the topic, or to worry you’ll say the wrong thing. But talking respectfully about suicide can be an important way to support someone who is struggling. It provides an opportunity to talk honestly about how they’re feeling and to know they’re cared for.

You can start by raising the topic in a private setting when you’re both in a calm mood. Let them know you care about them and are there to listen without judgement.

“The best approach is to be open and curious about the person you are concerned about,” Susan explains.

“Ask them how they are. If you’ve noticed any changes, you can share what changes you have observed. Some people may have changes in behaviour that might indicate something is happening for them.”

You might also like to be prepared with contact information for possible support services.

“It’s normal to feel worried about how people will respond when raising the topic, so it’s important to know what supports are available for someone who may be feeling suicidal,” says Susan.

 

What NOT to say

While talking about suicide can be helpful, there are some approaches to the topic that may cause more harm than good. This includes being a ‘cheerleader’ or saying things that invalidate their feelings.

“Don’t say things like: It’s okay, you’ll get over it – most people do, or: Just be happy – there is so much to be happy about in life,” Susan advises.

While it may be tempting to jump into problem-solving mode, simply listening can be more helpful

“It’s not up to you to fix them, but to listen and guide them to the most helpful support for them in that moment,” explains Susan.

“If you feel they are at extreme risk, Lifeline have trained counsellors to assist people who are experiencing suicidal ideation and are the best to support them in that moment.”

Lifeline: 13 11 14

Most importantly, create a safe and judgement-free space for them to open up. Expressing judgement can cause guilt and shame and prevent them from trusting you in future.

“Most people just want to be heard,” Susan explains. “So reframe from any judgement of how they are feeling or what they are experiencing.”

 

Getting support

If someone is in crisis, you can help them to get support from mental health or emergency services. 

“Gently ask them if they have spoken to anyone about this,” Susan advises.

“If the answer is no, you can ask who they normally turn to for support.  Some people have a trusted GP, others may have a counsellor already that they can book an appointment with. Otherwise, Lifeline is a great support for people at risk of suicide.”

“It’s important to remember that there is help out there, and exploring what the best support is for that person is the best way to help them when they’re experiencing these feelings or thoughts.”

For 24/7 crisis support, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.

For First Nations crisis support, call 13YARN on 13 92 76.

If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, please call 000.

 

Looking after yourself

It can be painful to watch someone we care about struggle with mental illness, and supporting someone who is struggling can take its toll. It’s important to look after your own mental health and wellbeing too.

If you or someone you know needs someone to talk to, our counsellors offer a safe space to explore your thoughts and feelings and find coping strategies that work for you.

You can learn more about our counselling service here, or call 1300 364 277 to make an appointment.

Do you Google your symptoms when you’re unwell? Most Australians do.

A 2019 study showed 54% of Australians use Google to search medical questions and symptoms at least weekly.

Smartphones have made it easier than ever to find medical information fast. But relying on Doctor Google, social media, and online mental health tests and screening tools alone can be harmful.

While most Australians are searching for cold and flu remedies on Google (51%), a whopping 18% of Australians are searching queries related to mental health.

We’ve also seen a rise in TikTok mental health ‘checklists’ leaving young people self-diagnosing anxiety and other mental health conditions.

Regional Manager Val Holden shares her thoughts on self-diagnoses and her advice to get the right support.

 

The Unreliability of Doctor Google

Concerningly, 1 in 4 Australians admit to using Google at least once to address their health needs instead of visiting a doctor.

60% of Australians have been convinced they’ve had a certain illness after Googling their symptoms, only to find out later it was something else.

This isn’t surprising, because when it comes to physical and mental health, everyone’s individual circumstances are so different. There’s no one-size-fits-all (or one-diagnosis-fits-all) solution.

“Everyone is different and can have very different reactions to situations and past experiences,” explains Val.

“What seems true and accurate for one person may be vastly different for another. You might think hey, that sounds like how I feel, but your journey can be very different. What applies to one person may not apply to you.”

Val explains that getting an incorrect diagnosis can have dire consequences.

“If we self-diagnose, we can read what we see online and choose to believe it or not. This can be dangerous,” she says.

“We can assume we have a particular diagnosis and be totally wrong, or we could have something that we need help with and decide not to seek help because of shame or fear.”

 

Information without Aftercare

Even when the internet does point toward a diagnosis that may be accurate or helpful to you, it’s crucial to see this as a guide only and still seek a professional opinion.

There might be something else going on for you that needs attention and goes undiagnosed/untreated if you don’t see a professional.

Val explains that self-diagnosing a mental health condition like anxiety, depression, or ADHD without an official professional diagnosis can be a huge risk for not getting the right support or treatment plan.

“The internet is a source of so much information – about everything,” Val says.

“It can be a great resource, but when we set out to search, we get information with no support. This may be harmful as people who have mental health diagnoses often need ongoing support and help from trained professionals.”

 

Getting the Right Support

If you’re concerned about your symptoms, Val stresses the importance of seeing a mental health professional rather than relying on the internet alone. It’s natural to seek answers and understanding from the internet, but this approach doesn’t give us an accurate diagnosis or appropriate plan forward.

“When we seek help from a trained professional in this area, we’ll be held safe and have a plan of action to assist us to seek the help we need in a professional and supportive environment,” Val says.

“Professional support and counselling are paramount in getting the right treatment plan for you. One that is tailored to your needs and helps you manage your mental health.”

 

If you need someone to talk to, our counsellors offer a safe space to explore your thoughts and feelings and find coping strategies that work for you.

You can learn more about our counselling service here, or call 1300 364 277 to make an appointment.

We offer tips to ask for help when you’re not doing your best here.