Topic Tuesday // Exploring Loneliness // Tues 18 Sep, 7pm AEDT

[Former-Member]

For this Topic Tuesday, SANE Help Centre Manager @Former-Member, will be facilitating a discussion that looks at loneliness, how it feels, your thoughts and experiences. This is a topic that comes up a lot for members and with the help of the forum we can find connection, but what other strategies can be put in place? Let’s share and brainstorm together in this Topic Tuesday.

Want to receive an email reminder on the night? Hit the 'Like' button below.

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I'm new here - what is Topic Tuesday?

Topic Tuesday runs from 7pm - 9pm AEST monthly. Each month we focus on a different topic, with the session facilitated by a Community Manager or Moderator. Sometimes Topic Tuesday will feature a special guest, who is an expert in the topic.

The first post of the thread (this one) will give you an idea of what the topic is and what will be covered.

How do I get involved?

Topic Tuesday takes place right here! It's text based, so no software is needed. During the session, to keep up with the latest posts hit the 'refresh' button on your browser for the latest posts (it doesn't automatically update). Keep an eye for page numbers at the top & bottom of the page, and jump to the highest page number for the most recent post.

Throughout the session, the facilitator will put questions out for you to answer, usually asking for your own experience on the topic. To contribute to the session, just hit the 'reply' button and share your thoughts. No answers are right or wrong and everyone is welcome to get involved.

If you have any questions about how to use the Forums, check out our Guides. 

[Former-Member]

Want to receive an email reminder on the night? Hit the 'Like' button below.

______________________________________________________________________

I'm new here - what is Topic Tuesday?

Topic Tuesday runs from 7pm - 9pm AEST monthly. Each month we focus on a different topic, with the session facilitated by a Community Manager or Moderator. Sometimes Topic Tuesday will feature a special guest, who is an expert in the topic.

The first post of the thread (this one) will give you an idea of what the topic is and what will be covered.

How do I get involved?

Topic Tuesday takes place right here! It's text based, so no software is needed. During the session, to keep up with the latest posts hit the 'refresh' button on your browser for the latest posts (it doesn't automatically update). Keep an eye for page numbers at the top & bottom of the page, and jump to the highest page number for the most recent post.

Throughout the session, the facilitator will put questions out for you to answer, usually asking for your own experience on the topic. To contribute to the session, just hit the 'reply' button and share your thoughts. No answers are right or wrong and everyone is welcome to get involved.

If you have any questions about how to use the Forums, check out our Guides. 

[Liss23]

I'm here! Who else?

[Former-Member]

Good evening everyone.  Welcome to tonight’s Topic Tuesday where we’re going to be discussing loneliness. 

Loneliness is defined as a feeling of disconnection.  It’s not necessarily about being alone, although that can be part of it.  It’s about not feeling seen, heard or valued by the people around you.  That could be your family, neighbours, work colleagues or community.

That's something that most people feel at some point.  But when it becomes chronic, or constant, loneliness can have serious consequences for our health.  And it's becoming an increasing problem. 

It’s estimated that we are twice as lonely now than we were in 1980.  So where 20% of us felt lonely on a regular basis back then, it’s now 40%.  And more than 80% of us believe that the situation is worsening. 

So tonight we’re going to talk about our own experiences of loneliness and the ways we cope and try to address it.   It's a complex problem without easy solutions but let's see where we can get to.

I'd like to welcome @Pinky, @Larns @Sharman @Liss23 @Shaz51 @Jonty8 @Deepsea @Zaphod @MichelleHsu @Former-Member @CheerBear @Teej @TAB @Octopoddie @Ali3 @Former-Member @frog @Abeu @Adge @Former-Member @Sans911 @Chezaray @Snowie @BlueBay @Zoe7 to the discussion.

To start off, how does that definition of loneliness sit with you?  Is that how you experience it?

[Sharman]

Here

[Former-Member]

That would have been a bit ironic @Liss23 if you'd been the only one here!  Welcome to the discussion 🙂

[greenpea]

Great topic

[Mazarita]

Hi @Liss23, you are spot on time. I'm guessing @Former-Member is not far away to lead the Topic Tuesday, also guessing @Former-Member will be here to move things along too. I'm about to have dinner but may be back to join in the conversation later.

[Former-Member]

HI @Sharman, glad you joined us tonight.

[Former-Member]

Glad you think so @greenpea.  Is it one that resonates with you?

[Sharman]

Shux