CHAT SESSION 72 with Chloe
Topic- After everything that Chloe has been through, she decided that even though she may not feel 110% within herself, she still wants to help other people just like her who are struggling with their mental health.
Monday 9th September 2024 1pm https://rppfm.com.au
Chloe Morris is 18 years old and lives on the Mornington Peninsula in Victoria. For many years she has struggled with mental health issues. She was constantly bullied throughout her school years because of her weight and being a larger size girl growing up wasn’t always easy.
In year 11 Chloe was struggling with her mental health and did not feel good about herself, so she decided to leave school.
Chloe wanted to feel happy and to have purpose so in moving forward and to better herself she enrolled into a Cert 3, Early Childhood Education Support Program. She now works with an agency doing education support assistance (teacher’s aide) and is enjoying her new workplace.
Struggling to fit into today’s society and standards became very challenging and disheartening for Chloe. She was called horrible names such as fat pig, ugly bitch and other demeaning names that impacted how she felt about herself.
Before covid Chloe was confident enough to go to concerts, football games and shopping centres but when covid hit everything kind of went downhill. During lockdown Chloe’s mental health deteriorated. The isolation and loneliness led to many other issues.
Chloe lost faith in the people she thought were her friends. Having no friends made her feel lonely and after seeing counsellors and her general PR actioner, she was diagnosed with severe anxiety, social anxiety and depression. As time went by Chloe lost all confidence in herself. She did not want to go out or leave home because that made her feel anxious. She was also afraid to be around big crowds because her mind would focus on what other people were thinking when they saw her. Being out in public made her feel anxious and sick. If at any time she had to leave her home, she would throw up or feel like she was going to faint.
For many years Chloe struggled. Her worries, anxiety, and the heartache of how she was feeling made her unhappy. Thankfully things started to change when Chloe’s nanna mentioned that she visits an amazing doctor for her own medical issues and suggested that Chloe make an appointment to see her GP. Although deep down Chloe really wanted to get help and make positive changes in her life there was always the fear of the unknown that played on her mind. She was always thinking, “what if I can’t change or what if I vomit in front of the doctor”. There were so many what ifs, and it took some time but eventually Chloe found the courage to make an appointment to see her nannas doctor. She took the plunge and had her nannas support at every appointment. Chloe shed many tears and shared her inner deepest thoughts and now 12 months on Chloe has the confidence to go to her appointments on her own.
Chloe has also started going out to different places but doesn’t stay long. If she stays out for long periods of time in a certain place her anxiety kicks in and she must leave. Knowing her limits and what she can manage is getting better every day.
In the last 6 months Chloe has regained some independence. She can now attend limited social functions and recently went to a theatre production at the Frankston Art Centre. Chloe also got her driver’s license and has made new friends speaking to people out in public places. Going into shops like Kmart all on her own has also given Chloe a boost of confidence.
After everything that Chloe has been through, she decided that even though she may not feel 110% within herself, she wants to help other people just like her who are struggling with their mental health.
There are so many people within our communities going through similar mental health issues just like Chloe. After some brainstorming Chloe decided to create a mental health group online via zoom. You can find the group named mending_minds_youthgroup on Instagram. All the topics are listed so people can see what may be of interest to them. Anyone can get involved to chat online via zoom.
“I’m proud to say I have created a safe space online for people all over the country to talk about their day-to-day struggles. It is nice to see that people are also making new friends online” says Chloe.
After creating mending_minds_youthgroup Chloe began to realise there are so many people who have been affected by covid lockdowns. People are suffering with mental health issues and now mending_minds_youthgroup is providing a safe space for people to reach out and get involved.
“I now have a safe space online to communicate with others who may be suffering just like me” says Chloe
The group is open to people from all walks of life and all ages. Everyone is made to feel inclusive. In the zoom chat Chloe has noticed the difference in the age group of people which is great to see. People join at different times and for different topics depending on what they are interested in chatting about.
Googling questions and finding out as much information as possible about different topics associated with mental health, anxiety, depression etc, is what Chloe does prior to a zoom session. She then puts a little PowerPoint slide show together and shares the information with everyone online.
These days Chloe enjoys going on road trips and long drives with her friends. She is also teaching dance at a studio in Hastings, Victoria and loves her second job as a swimming instructor. Chloe also finds time to go to the gym before or after teaching her swimming lessons and often swims laps in the pool to benefit herself. Her focus is to get fit.
Another thing Chloe really loves to do is to spend time with her nanna. They often enjoy a treat at YO MY GOODNESS best known as ‘YOMG’. Chloe also enjoys her weekly dance classes and singing lessons. Her hope is to continue to feel happier and confident within herself.
If you are looking for a safe space to connect with others, reach out to Chloe via
My hope is that when you’re looking at yourself in the
‘The Daily Mirror’
YOU SMILE
EMBRACE BEING YOU
AND FIND 10 MINUTES IN YOUR DAY TO NOURISH YOUR SOUL!
To get in touch with Cathy email smileinthedailymirror@gmail.com
'The Daily Mirror' acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the Traditional Custodians of the land and acknowledges and pays respect to their Elders, past and present.
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