Written by Scott Shackleton
“How are you going, mate?”
And you reply, “Great mate!”
A simple greeting and check-in that many of us do, but many of us in our reply, hide how we truly feel behind a smile in reply. ‘She’ll be right, carry on’, is how many of us respond to pain, and I am not referring to the physical kind. This pain generally cannot be seen. Most of the time we just grin and bear it.
The above is exactly what I used to do. This is how I used to be, especially when I first commenced my Veterinary Science Degree back in 2020. I was excited to be in the degree I had always wanted to do! Then came the phone call halfway through the year that turned my life upside down: my father had terminal brain cancer, Stage IV Glioblastoma. Despite receiving surgery, it only gave Dad an extra 12 months.
Over those 12 months, I watched my father deteriorate and die, all the while continuing my studies, which he made me promise not to stop no matter what. The day after my Dad’s death, I lost my horse. Three years later, my cousin, who was like a brother, passed away. He had supported me since Dad died. Then my long-term relationship broke down…
I tell you this not to seek sympathy, but to tell you how important mental health is. I hid my pain like many of us do, but the more I tried to hide it, the more it started to seep out. People started to notice, and it reflected in my grades. It was when I started to isolate myself from others that I realised I needed to reach out for help.
To anyone who is carrying emotional pain silently, I want to say that you are not alone! There is help out there! The Charles Sturt crisis line can help you if you are feeling down. They can get you in touch with a Charles Sturt Counsellor who will listen to you and understand you. They will give you techniques like they did with me, to ground yourself and help release the pain you are carrying, no matter how big or small it may be.
Another thing I want to say to those who are suffering is: don’t suffer alone no matter how hard it is. Make sure that you go and hang out with your mates. If you have a trusted mate, tell them how you feel. It is not weak to share how you are feeling.
Finally, if you have pain, I want you to visualise it. Hold it in your hands. Don’t ignore it; be kind to it. And if it is too much to hold, there are people who can help.
If it feels too much, then next time you pick up your phone, call the Charles Sturt crisis line (1300 572 516), or even Lifeline (13 11 14). They can help…
For more information on the 24/7 Wellbeing Support line, visit: https://www.csu.edu.au/current-students/support/personal/counselling/247-student-wellbeing-support-line
Charlie blog is a SSAF initiative.
