Battles

[Dreamy]

@rav3n @MJG017 

Y- yellow

Z- zip

[rav3n]

i was just about to say, you both have such amazing peer work qualities! @MJG017 @Dreamy 

any interest in heading into that path? 😉

[MJG017]

@Dreamy 

Funnily enough, I was registered for the lifeline training... which is quite intense.  I was supposed to start in January.  I applied about August last year but all the intakes where already full so i had to wait until this year.  By then i had enrolled in the Cert IV and I thought it would just be too much.  I do wonder if I choose the wrong one though.

Obviously I haven't heard your voice, but from what you write to people here, and just how much compassion, kindness, and empathy you show i think you'd be amazing at that job.

[Dreamy]

Awwww thanks @rav3n, I've thought about it but anxiety is a big challenge at the moment. 

[Dreamy]

@MJG017 it's hard to know whether you make the right choice. But it sounds like you are doing pretty well with the cert IV that you are doing at the moment. 

I've always been able to remain calm in stressful situations involving other people, like being a volunteer ambulance worker and doing cfs i had to be able to.

It's my own situations that I struggle with, like when it's happening I'll be calm and just freeze and let them do or say whatever they want but after it's over then I fall apart. I'm usually the first person people come to when they are struggling cos they know I can handle whatever it is they are going through and that i can listen and show that compassion that they need. Unfortunately the same isn't given back to me, so when I need support there's noone to be seen. 

Like you though it's easy for me to type and tweek things on a keyboard than it is to sometimes talk to someone.

[MJG017]

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@rav3n wrote:

i was just about to say, you both have such amazing peer work qualities! MJG017 Dreamy 

any interest in heading into that path? 😉

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@rav3nI started a support group for younger men with prostate cancer last year, which is going really well and so much support from all the nurses recommending anyone under 60 to us.  I even found out the PCFA national telenurse service is asking men that ring if they line in Adelaide so they can recommend us. 

I also started a Cert IV in Mental Health Peer Work this year.

[rav3n]

that's pretty fair! @Dreamy the anxiety was one of my concerns too. some organisations can be really patient, validating and accommodating to your needs/pace - so if you do change your mind sometime in the future, it's definitely something i can see you making a big difference in 😊

[Dreamy]

@rav3n yes I know some are very understanding. There's a local service that i talk to that have said to me that I'd be amazing at it and that these people themselves still fight their own battles even with doing the peer support work. It's the fear of the training that's the biggest issue for me, like school was stressful enough so to even think about having to be in an environment like that and having to learn just sends me into a panic. 

[rav3n]

@MJG017 how's the Cert IV going? are you studying it full-time or part-time?

that's really amazing that you've created that safe space for others, i'm sure those men really value and appreciate having that group. and how lovely that the telenurse is promoting it too, so good!!

@Dreamy ohhh i see how jumping back to studies, especially when your memories around it were stressful, would be difficult. hopefully an opportunity where the training is self-paced pops up, that way you'd have more control over it!

also i gotta head off now, night to you both & take care 💙

[Dreamy]

@rav3n who knows, maybe one day. 

Thanks for everything tonight ❤️.