Hi Celivia,

Yes, its a two way street, people need to talk. But the problem is that others don't listen, and when they do they often don't understand.

Hi Haralambos,
I also like meditation and relaxation, have done several courses. It has a very calming and balancing effect on the brain, which can be visible through scans.
It would be a good thing if meditation was taught at schools, perhaps as part of Health education. A five minute meditation a day might work wonders for children, especially those with behavioural problems.

What is the tune in and drop out thing?

Ok, so you say that the problem is that others don’t listen or understand. That saddens me, and if that was your experience and that of others, then of course people should be made aware of that.
You mentioned a campaign- do you have any specific idea of what you would like to see in a campaign?

I suppose one of the things that need to be made clear is that there is professional help available and where these contacts are.
And then we need to make sure that the Mental Health system is functioning effectively.
I’m not sure if professional help will be available to everyone who needs it, (especially in isolated country towns) because there are patients with a mental health problems who are slipping through the health system without getting the attention they need.

Heya Haralambos

I did not see your earlier discussion thread either, until someone pointed it out to me so I am grateful that you decided to start this one. So we can have a chat. One way I have helped myself is by active change of the way I think. It is a conscious effort to alter my thoughts from spiralling down into that dark place. Easier said than done I know.

Do you mean by 'tune in drop out' - self-medication? I completely understand. This is where meditation can help eliminate the desire to 'smooth out the rough edges' of one's psyche. OK it takes longer than a quick hit of something, but it does work as you know.

I have also been influenced by the Buddhist philosophy that our thoughts create our reality. That negative thinking attracts negative and positive attracts positive. Simplistic yes. But it does help. You can actually test it; see how many smiles you get back when walking down the street and you acknowledge other people with a brief nod or smile. I find elderly people are the best for this.

Then, later on if you find yourself spiralling, remember the smiles.

Cheers

Fractelle,
“You can actually test it; see how many smiles you get back when walking down the street and you acknowledge other people with a brief nod or smile. I find elderly people are the best for this.”

Hahaharrrr Fractelle, be careful who ya smile at- from experience, if you smile and nod at men, some might appreciate it too much and follow you all the way to your car and then you’d have to play Jekyll and Hyde.
Sorry couldn’t resist.

But seriously now, yes, I can imagine it would help to work on a positive attitude and changing the way we think about people generally. Perhaps people who are depressed need help with that, it must not be easy to do when you feel that your life has no merit and people don’t give a crap.

Hi Celivia,

I like your point about teaching meditation in schools. Its something I've thought about too. Now "tuning in and dropping out" is giving oneself the time and space to discover who we are. People do it in different ways. Some may travel. Others, like me, drop out of the rat-race. And some go on a pilgrimage.

Haven't really thought about a campaign much, that was Romany's idea. I'm more interested in what we could do as individuals. I do believe that we can all effect change, whether as one or many.

Hey Fractelle,

I know about spiraling thoughts, and dark places. Its like the mind becomes one-tracked. I think Buddhism is right when it says we should watch our thinking. This is what I got out of meditation. It allowed me to sit and watch thoughts come and go. After a while, the negative thoughts went away.

Now "tuning in and dropping out" has got nothing to do with medication. All its about is discovering who I am, and what I want to do.

I like what you said about smiles. I also think it works. And what's more is that we often get more back than we give.