Homelessness can happen to anyone, and for dean, it was a journey that tested his resilience and strength.
The SANE Blog
I grew up completely ‘normal’, or at least in my own narrow mind it was. I did what I wanted when I wanted, went places without physical challenges, social or emotional. Played community and school sports, performed in bands, productions – I was absolutely, “normal”. I had no true understanding or construct of disability - or so I thought. I thought that because I had no form of diagnosed disability, I was much like everyone else and everything in my life I was exposed to. I saw disability as, “different”. How wrong I was.
Therese is a passionate social work student and hiker who has worked in early education for over 20 years. She grew up with a father who had schizophrenia. Last week Therese spoke with SANE about her experience of living with someone with a complex mental illness, how things have evolved over time, and how talking about everything has helped.
If you've seen people diagnosed with bipolar disorder on the news, or in a movie, you might have an idea of what bipolar disorder involves. But did you know that there are different types of bipolar disorder, and it affects people in different ways?
This World Bipolar Day (March 30 2023), we’re focusing on the unique experiences of three people living with bipolar disorder – Matt, Holly and Alice. We talked to them about what they think is important for people to know about bipolar disorder.
A SANE Peer Support Worker shares how supporting others in an online mental health community led to developing valuable skills and finding their passion in a new job.
Tim is a SANE Peer Ambassador who is used to speaking up about living with complex mental health issues. Together with ANZ co-worker Rav, they’ve created a fundraiser that is starting important workplace conversations around mental health.
As a social change activist and SANE Peer Ambassador, Bede is passionate about human rights and mental health awareness. He shares how not being able to live openly as a gay man related to his experience of depression and suicidal thoughts. And, how revealing more of who he was opened a new chapter for him as a mental health advocate.
This Pride Month, Peer Ambassador Sandy shares her experiences of falling in love, coming out and receiving mental health treatment over the years. She reflects on how attitudes to LGBTQIA+ people have shifted from dark and discriminatory to something more accepting.
I grew up in a culture where many people don’t talk about mental health issues. So, it has always been hard to discuss my mental health journey with others.
However, having navigated challenges and stigma around mental health issues to get support, I would like to share what I've learnt so others know they are not alone.
I thrive with my ‘diagnosis of schizophrenia’ but there are still challenges for me that I feel aren’t well understood by others.
So, what are the REAL reasons that my life with ‘a diagnosis of schizophrenia’ is so challenging?