Find Out With Chelsea

Hi it’s Chelsea, recently I had some pretty unfortunate experiences that I am not able to talk about due to the nature of them and the standing in where they are.

But I wanted to still post because sharing my hardships is a part of what I created this page to be. I want to share not just the blessings in my life but also my struggles and since there is an entire mixed bag of lollies full of mental health trials at my disposal, through my own experiences lately I thought that you, the reader, deserve every ounce of potential encouragement that may come from my story.

I’ve been holding back and fighting for so long to try and stay positive while facing adversity from friends, workplaces and my own health (to be honest the healthcare system as a whole). Sometimes it feels like standing in a rip at the beach, and each movement forward just pulls you down faster. Sometimes it feels like walking up a sand dune, manageable but still difficult.

I’ve personally experienced Depression, Severe Anxiety and suspected PTSD from all of the reasons above and each time April rolls around and people start preaching about how “mental health matters” for a whole four weeks it feels disingenuous. Like a facade brands and people slap on to pretend they care when the very faculties they run disprove them daily.

Mental health matters everyday 24/7 for all 52 weeks, 365 days and 8760 hours of every year. I’ve used some of these services myself but found a lot listed online for everyone and anyone who may be doing it tough at the moment. I’m always here to be a sounding board if you need, and if you’re not comfortable with that I’ve listed some resources below that can and do make a difference every day:

For people who need support with depression, anxiety or suicidal thoughts:

• Lifeline provides 24-hour crisis counselling, support groups and suicide prevention services. Call 13 11 14, text 0477 13 11 14 or chat online.
• Suicide Call Back Service provides 24/7 support if you or someone you know is feeling suicidal. Call 1300 659 467.
• Beyond Blue aims to increase awareness of depression and anxiety and reduce stigma. If you or a loved one need help, you can call 1300 22 4636, 24 hours/7 days a week or chat online.
• MindSpot is a free telephone and online service for people with anxiety, stress, low mood or depression. It provides online assessment and treatment for anxiety and depression. MindSpot is not an emergency or instant response service. Call 1800 61 44 34.
• Medicare Mental Health gives advice and will connect you to local mental health services. Call 1800 595 212.
• MensLine Australia is a professional telephone and online counselling service offering support to Australian men. Call 1300 78 99 78, 24 hours/7 or chat online.

If you’re feeling lonely:

• FriendLine supports anyone who’s feeling lonely, needs to reconnect or just wants a chat. You can call them 7 days a week on 1800 424 287, or chat online with one of their trained volunteers. All conversations with FriendLine are anonymous.

For young people who need mental health support, and their parents or carers:

• Kids Helpline is Australia’s only free 24/7 confidential and private counselling service specifically for children and young people aged 5 – 25. Call 1800 55 1800.
• headspace provides free online and telephone support and counselling to young people 12 – 25 and their families and friends. Call 1800 650 890, or chat online.

For people with complex mental health issues:

• SANE Australia provides support to anyone in Australia affected by complex mental health issues, as well as their friends, family members and health professionals. Call 1800 187 263 or chat online.
• Blue Knot Foundation Helpline is the National Centre of Excellence for Complex Trauma. It provides support, education and resources for the families and communities of adult survivors of childhood trauma and abuse. Call 1300 657 380.

For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people:

• 13YARN provides 24/7 free and confidential crisis support. Call 13 92 76.
• Thirrili provides support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the aftermath of suicide or other fatal critical incidents. Call 1800 805 801, 24 hours/7 days a week.

For LGBTIQ+ people:

• QLife provides nationwide telephone and web-based services for peer support and referral for people wanting to talk about a range of issues including sexuality, feelings or relationships. Call 1800 184 527

For pregnant people and new parents:

• PANDA (Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia) supports families across Australia affected by anxiety and depression during pregnancy and in the first year of parenthood. Call 1300 726 306.
• ForWhen connects new and expecting parents or carers to perinatal and infant mental health services and supports in their local area. Call 1300 24 23 22.
• Gidget Foundation provides mental health support for expectant and new parents. Call 1300 851 758.

For veterans and their loved ones:

• Open Arms provides 24/7 free and confidential counselling to anyone who has served at least one day in the ADF, their partners and families. Call 1800 011 046.

For people needing support with eating disorders, and body image related issues:

• Butterfly National Helpline is available for anyone in Australia concerned about eating disorders or body image issues, either for themselves or someone they care about. Call 1800 33 4673.

My drive and passion is and always has been helping others, I’ve left jobs when I’ve realised that instead of helping, the company I worked for was actually hurting others. I feel so horrible that I’d worked for such companies so focused on the bottom dollar and discounting people’s lives as numbers on a spreadsheet. I’ve been fooled once or twice into thinking people were just like me and they were working to make a difference, only to be proven wrong time and time again.

I want to make a pledge, not in the way Amber Heard did, but a genuine one. I am going to make a difference, I am going to stand up for what is right and fight for those who can’t fight their own battles alone. It might not happen every day, but that doesn’t mean I won’t be endeavouring to be better not only for myself but for those who need it.

So to all those waiting to see me crumble and break down, keep watching. Keep following from afar and cursing out my name. Waiting for me to back down on the mistreatment people have put not only me but so many others through will be fruitless. Because at the end of every day, I go to bed knowing I’m fighting for what’s right instead of undressing the wolf from its sheep’s clothing.

Karmas coming and her name is Chelsea. Good luck… Sincerely wishing you it because you’ll need it.

Xoxo Chels