Mental Health

**Disco Dan** · 22nd December 2007, 13:31

It has come to my attention that KB has a very poor understanding of Mental Health. There are several members on here that I know of that have a mental illness - whenever they post and/or start a thread the reaction is always so negative and disrespectfull it is a wonder they have not gone and bought one of those "electric bath ducks".

It is about UNDERSTANDING.

This is your chance to ask - I work in mental health, and have been in this sector of work ever since I left school.

If you want to know - here is your chance.

Heck I am by no means an 'expert' but have a lot of experience and if I can help then great.

**Trudes** · 22nd December 2007, 14:09

What are we asking? Questions about mental illnesses or if we have a mental illness? I'm confused, and it's Xmas, and nobody loves me and, and....

**Kittyhawk** · 22nd December 2007, 14:35

You know my conditions Disco. How can friends learn to understand me better or be prepared for when the lows hit when I am out socialising?

I like to isolate myself from society, but they insist on being at my side etc.

Should I just turn my back and run like I do or let them see me in that state?

**Winston001** · 22nd December 2007, 16:00

Disco - I think the general membership on KB is simply representative of society at large. Mental health still has a stigma and is poorly understood even in families where it occurs.

Coupled with that, this forum is fairly robust and liberally moderated which means abusive dismissive posts are par du course. Unfortunately that is part of the fun and vulnerable people get dissed by unthinking lunks.

On the other hand look at the Depression thread and there is virtually no abuse at all. In fact it is so constructive that it is worth pointing non-bikers to just for the strength of the discussion.

I agree with your plea for understanding.

**skidMark** · 22nd December 2007, 16:39

I thought i was just a shit stirrer?

hmmmm

maybe is is my ADD and Asperges syndrome (high functioning form of autism) LOL

meh, born with it can't change it.

i know i'm not normal, people can give me all the shit they want.

society as a whole will never accept those who are different.

my childhood was spent on alot of cocktails of drugs and alot of time in psychiatrists offices.

and to kittyhawk, i would rather support you than leave you to go through things on your own.

ive been there myself.

and know theres nothing worse than feeling like nobody cares when you need somebody the most.

skidMark.

**merv** · 22nd December 2007, 17:42

Where do you fit in with this yourself when you were the one that stood me and Colapop up a few months ago with the promised lunch in Wellington and we had to start at One Red Dog without you?

**merv** · 22nd December 2007, 17:45

Originally Posted by Mrs Kendog

What are we asking? Questions about mental illnesses or if we have a mental illness? I'm confused, and it's Xmas, and nobody loves me and, and....

I'm confused with your comments too -are you telling me you are an average model or not, or do you think you have mental illness? ... and everyone loves ya babe so not nobody.

**Big Dave** · 22nd December 2007, 18:01

You're mad.

**TonyB** · 22nd December 2007, 18:14

There is definitely a stigma about mental illness, both here and in society at large. But I don't think its ever likely to change.

I actually think its part of our genetic makeup to be a bit fearful/cautious/dismissive or whatever of people with a mental illness or brain damage. Case in point- as part of my job I spend do a lot of work with people with various injuries. I like to think I'm reasonably broad minded, however, when I have had to visit the homes of adults with brain injuries I always feel a bit nervous. The logical part of my brain is going "yep its all sweet, this guy is harmless- actually this is bloody interesting", but the 'shrew brain' (as Jeremy clarkson calls it) is screaming "Get the fuck outa here!!!" The trainee I do my site visits with gets VERY nervous, to the point where he's saying "maaaaan I just wanna get outa here"

**Meekey_Mouse** · 22nd December 2007, 18:33

Originally Posted by Disco Dan

It has come to my attention that KB has a very poor understanding of Mental Health. There are several members on here that I know of that have a mental illness - whenever they post and/or start a thread the reaction is always so negative and disrespectfull it is a wonder they have not gone and bought one of those "electric bath ducks".

It is about UNDERSTANDING.

This is your chance to ask - I work in mental health, and have been in this sector of work ever since I left school.

If you want to know - here is your chance.

Hmm... actually I won't be blunt

It seems every time this person posts a thread, the majority instantly have no respect for him. Well, I'm not surprised and he has lost all of my respect! The countless times he has put other riders and road users in danger. I'm not sure whether he is labeled as mentally ill or not... But I know something isn't clicking in his brain.

DD, I know you haven't met me, but I normally don't get annoyed with people. This KB'er has managed to push me to the point where I no longer want any thing to do with him, as I have told him today. But he has gone to my friend saying he is going to commit suicide... So, what do you think the best option is: A:Ignore him, B; Rush to his obvious negative attention getting pleas and or C; Give him helplines number?

I will not do B.

Those who know him will know what I'm talking about.

Note: Mods, if you feel this post is inappropriate and or "a leap to conclusion" then feel free to remove. And to any one else, if you feel this post isn't appropriate then I will delete it myself :P

**James Deuce** · 22nd December 2007, 18:40

Today's winner of the leap to conclusions award is...... Wearing a very large pair of ears.

**99TLS** · 22nd December 2007, 18:47

not sure if i have a mental illness, but i have a twitch does this count?

**Usarka** · 22nd December 2007, 19:24

Originally Posted by Disco Dan

it is a wonder they have not gone and bought one of those "electric bath ducks".

I think steams (?) post about the electric ducks, apart from being fucking hilarious, is probably just as if not more likely to do good as it would bad.

But we dont talk about these things in this country. no no no no. under the carpet. like rider/driver training.

ps - all the mental health workers i've met are crazier than the rest of us put together