Shari: We need to face up to mental health

By Shari Aluni

THERE is still a stigma attached to mental illness that directly impacts almost half of all Australians. Each and every one of us is touched by mental illness, and the more we talk about it the better equipped we are to help those around us suffering in silence and shame.

MY JOURNEY

I have Bipolar Affective Disorder. After a very traumatic event, I became very ill and fell into psychosis. I was involuntarily admitted to Cowdy Mental Health Institution in August 2012. I was in there for three weeks. The trauma this experience had on myself and my family was horrific. No-one had time to grieve the thought that I had lost my mind or even try to understand how it all happened. It was all about focussing on getting myself well and better through medication and therapy sessions.

Bipolar Affective Disorder is also known as manic depression or bipolar depression. It is a mood disorder in which the sufferer experiences marked mood swings which are beyond what most people experience.

RECOVERY JOURNEY

The support I received from my family, near and far, was a key factor in my recovery. With the support and assistance of the Mental Health Association, my family were given a house to stay in close to the hospital, they were able to stay in the hospital with me, they were given the opportunity to consult with leading specialists and they were given the knowledge about Bipolar Affective Disorder.

My children, my family and I are now armed with knowledge about Bipolar Affective Disorder and we are able to identify my triggers and we’ve all learned how to be proactive.

INSIGHT

I believe that in order for mental illness to move forward there needs to be an awareness ‒ within the person suffering, their family, their support network and their community ‒ of the illness itself, the triggers and the plan to get that person well.

My goal in life is to work with young people who suffer mental illness and their families to assist and support with the awareness and identification of sadness in a young person and support with their recovery. My main focus will be on the family and supporting them in getting the young person well.

If I am the face of mental illness in this community, to me that’s a good thing. Because I want everyone to know that I am here and present because of the support I receive from my family, friends, health professionals and medication.

Shari Aluni is known to many in Jabiru through her involvement in sports and community events. Shari is sharing her story as part of Mental Health Week, 5-11 October. With the help of people like Shari, we can raise awareness and support mental health within our communities.