Mental Health check in/support thread

A lot of people have asked for a thread, and I think it could be helpful. The times we are in right now are trying, to say the least. The feelings of powerlessness, fear, loneliness, anxiousness, isolation, confusion, desperation etc, that many of us are feeling have in all likelihood, contributed to an epidemic of depression and anxiety.

Adding job losses, financial losses, and other real occurrences that contribute to feeling insecure, or depressed, or whatever, compounds the problem.

So heres a place to vent your sadness, your anxiety, your depression, your fear, whatever. Often just opening up helps, as does realizing that you're not alone in feeling the way you do.

Be supportive of anyone who does feel like venting please. No poly ass bullshit either. Mags helping mags, period.

Condolences for those going through it, tough times for a lot of people without a paycheck, without contact when you're used to that.

Everyone goes through the blues for some reason or another and if they claim not to, they're lying.

We'll get through this, hang in there.

Yes, the shutdown sucks, but if there's anything to be learned from similar experiences, it would suck a lot more if we don't try to distance.

I didn’t want to hijack Buzz’s thread even though that kind of seems like the repository for support and these things these days.

I just found out an old friend, ski buddy from middle & high school and someone who ran in my circles through at least undergrad, a guy who by all accounts had life by the balls with job, family, kids and adventures, decided that it was too much and chose to exit.

I’m kinda sick about it even though I haven’t talked to this guy in almost 20 years. It’s brought a lot of old friends out of the woodwork tonight from OH to Vancouver, BC who knew him and the only thing I can make sense of is to tell everyone you know, new acquaintances or old buds, that it’s ok to reach out if you’re not ok and that you’re here for them to listen.

It does not matter how good you think someone has got it, pain is pain and if you can be that person that helps release their pressure valve just a bit, then you may as well be helping them more than you’ll ever know.

It bears repeating, even in this odd corner of the failing internet, if you’re not ok, send me a message or call, I’ll listen. I won’t have all the answers but I promise it’s better than the alternative.

I hope everyone finds peace today and every day.

vibes bmills. there's a weird set of emotions that comes with losing someone you were close with but who ends up on the periphery when they check out. grieve man.

the suicide of a close friend is a hard thing to wrap your head around. i'm very sorry for your loss man.

I'm really sorry, man. Hope you find some peace.

Sorry to hear that Bmills. You really never know what’s going on. I wish you the best in processing everything.

The thread I started by being at my lowest and reached out for help is something that took on more much more meaning than I’d ever think. I’ve had other mags reach out directly to me, out of the blue. A text here, a call there. They tracked down other mags that know how to get me. And as much as my embarrassment from that time still holds, I know my journey and honesty not only helped me but a handful of others. I hope it will continue to provide something useful for those that could use some help and understanding.

Vibes. I was in your shoes a year or so ago. One of my neighbors and coffee buddies did the same. Spent most of covid under the watchful eyes of his friends. He was very bipolar although his dark mode was rarely visible. Always the most positive and smart guy in room and had nearly everything going for him. Just when we thought he had turned a corner and had been doing better and out of the woods, he decided to shoot himself. Sometimes even when you know, there’s nothing you can do

Getting married in 2 weeks, definitely should have my mental health checked

Keep this in the back of your head. No one wants to talk, everyone wants to listen.

Y’all are true blue. I appreciate the love and support. I’m sick about this but I’m buoyed by your posts.

Buzz, you’re the man. Your thread has been, and continues to do, great work. Say no more. We love ya and are thankful for the good stuff being shared in there.

Thanks again friends,


ETA: after seeing TS’s post

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Touring_Sedan

Keep this in the back of your head. No one wants to talk, everyone wants to listen.

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You’re too right. I only wish I asked a few friends how they were doing more often.

TS is right, ask your friends how they’re doing, even if they’re “living their best life”

Suffering is suffering. It looks different depending on who's doing it. But it's all suffering. Be good to people. Share love. Sorry for your loss, bmills.

My little black dog. Follows me everywhere. Sometimes it strays. But it always comes back.

My first friend check out was a gut punch. Now that I’m older I just accept that they are at peace.

Vibes bmills

You provide a lot of joy and humour here. We have to laugh. Or else we cry.

My youngest stopped by Sunday night to make me dinner and hang out while mom was up watching the grand daughter. Previously I had told her that her mom is killing my dreams, as I want to move to Yurp. Over dinner she told me she had been thinking about that conversation and if I would stay until our two old doggies check out, she would take the cats for up to two years and persuade mom to go.
I got to say that act of kindness really cheered me up. I hate looking forward to my dogs checking out, but fuck, lets get going.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Touring_Sedan

Keep this in the back of your head. No one wants to talk, everyone wants to listen.

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I'll bite I guess.

My dad died in May. There are people I consider good friends who I haven't told because I haven't seen them. Including lots of mags. I was talking to my gf's friend who's dad died recently about how weird it feels to think about sending texts to people just dumping that on them. I saw a ski friend last week and he asked how my dad was doing, I wasn't prepared for it at all and just bluntly said he died. I've had my head down trying to keep our small business turning over so I can still have a job. Fortunately I have help from my mom and cousin, and their business but there's a lot I'm figuring out how to do in detail rather than the abstract and I'm finding things that got lost in the last year of him being sick. It feels like I've been falling behind by more than a day per day up until this week. Still, it's gonna take a while to get things cleaned up and I can feel myself getting out of shape and not sleeping enough.

Going camping and berry hunting this weekend, then probably driving with my mom to Vancouver to see family friends.

sending positive vibes Abe

Abraham, I am so sorry for your loss. I know how disorienting it feels.

Wishing you peace.

Abraham, it's not dumping, it's relating and I think helps in sorting stuff You're a good egg. condolences on the passing of your dad.

And BMills, my sympathies as well. I've got a friend, bad alky buddy who's only alive because he's on parole. Once he's off it and heads back to booze, he's not going to survive a third time. The last 2 rounds, I've been there, visited, taled and walked through a bunch of tough times, discouraged his drinking, but it's his life. It bums me out a lot.

Hey Abraham & BMills,

Sending good vibes and love to both of you (and to anyone else that's struggling). Definitely been there before and will be there again. Takes a lot of courage admitting you need to talk or need help, I really admire the honesty and vulnerability.

Always happy to be an ear. DM me if you want my number, I'll always answer.

Sent from my Pixel 8 Pro using Tapatalk

Thinking of you and your family, Abe, and sending positive vibes. I don’t think anyone would blame you for the way you handle your immense grief. But I figured I’d mention that my family friend asked me to spread the word to our friend circle about his mom’s passing and that seemed to work for and benefit him at the time being, or at least that’s what he told me.

And I’m sorry to hear that Bmills. I had two close childhood friends that were brothers commit suicide about 10 years apart. The first one was in middle school. I still didn’t see the second one coming, and I don’t believe I’ll ever fully come to terms with any of it.

Abraham and Bmills….vibes to you and yours, here’s to better times on the horizon

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWO0jydJki4

My brother has tried to kill himself twice now. He'll call you and laugh about it, tell everyone how his friend keeps his guns for him, but nothing seems to change. I wish I knew the right words to help him break the cycle.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ghosthop

I wish I knew the right words to help him break the cycle.

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You may never find them but don’t stop trying.

How are you guys doing lately?

So far, so good, hows ‘bout you?