Sorry, I'm not trained for this.

Lillyleaf · Sep 10, 2013 at 11:21 PM

When I talk to an adult about my mental illness usually they say something along the lines of "I'm not trained for this".

The might even refer me to the school councilor who kindly told me, I'm not trained for this. Even the school psychologist.

I've heard if from my friends, my teachers, and what feels like everyone.

You don't have to be trained to talk to me. I understand your not trained for this, it's not your life calling to deal with the bipolar girl in your classroom. I know you care so show it.

In the end it makes me feel very lonely. I am not something that they can break overnight. It's not taboo to ask me how I am. Parents aren't trained, dog owners aren't trained, love isn't trained.

You are a person, and you care so why aren't you trained for this? You are more trained then I am to talk to myself, because I can't make myself no longer lonely...

So, what else are you not trained to do?

Always,

Lillyleaf.

optimize990h · 01:02 AM

I am sorry that there are times like that for you. Please be assured that you are not alone. I hope you will find support here at PC.

Oh, the chat room here may be helpful as well. Just read the FAQs for the chat room. Maybe another PC member or a member who is bipolar may be able to provide feedback and/or support.

A Red Panda · Sep 11, 2013 at 06:44 AM

I'm sorry that the school councellor and psychologist have said this to you! That's so unprofessional of them, because they ARE trained to talk to you and it is their job. They should at least be referring you to a specialist if that is what they think you need. I know it might be hard, but you should go back to your school councelor and ask them directly if THEY aren't trained to help you, then can they direct you to someone who can - and to ask them to explain why they can't help you. They might not have any experience or confidence in regards to bipolar, but that isn't a valid reason to turn you away when you attend school. And, if you're like most of the world, you've probably got a lot of things that you want to talk to that aren't just how to manage the bipolar symptoms right?

Your teachers would have to refer you to the councelor - they can try to listen to you, but if things feel out of their hands (which admittedly, bipolar would be for most teachers), then it is their professional responsibility to go to the proper adult - the councellor.

Phoenix_1 · Sep 11, 2013 at 08:15 AM

Even if they aren't trained in bp, I think a school counselor should be able to listen to you with empathy, and refer you to someone who actually can help. If they can't do that much for you, they should find another profession.

Hugs to you

Skittles56 · Sep 11, 2013 at 04:14 PM

I get what you're saying. Sometimes we just want to talk to someone with a sympathetic ear. No one has to be trained to do that, they just have to have a little compassion and empathy.

Sep 11, 2013 at 05:07 PM

That's actually pretty scary to me to think the school counselor would say that to you, back when I used to talk to a lot of teens on a music fansite, they wouldn't talk to their parents so I would suggest talking to their teacher or counselor. If that's the answer they were going to get, no wonder they wouldn't talk to any adults. I was the only one they would talk to and there were times when they needed much more than what I could do from my computer, you know?

Patsy Cline · Sep 11, 2013 at 08:37 PM

I hope you can find support on this forum. I know I have

Lillyleaf · Sep 11, 2013 at 10:11 PM

Thanks everyone! Skittles that's exactly it!

I think that everyone is just scared to break me... that's incredibly lonely and isolating.

1.) I am already broken and can't be broken anymore
2.) I am not broken period.

I am trying to get better on how to phrase things to make them seem less... big. People can deal with things one step at a time rather then all at once.

A Red Panda · Sep 12, 2013 at 06:46 AM

It is really frustrating that when we need the support the most, people actively withdraw it because they think they'll hurt us more - when pulling back is the most hurtful thing they could do.

I'd honestly go back to your school councellor and remind him/her that it's their JOB to listen to you and to try to help you. And then maybe point out to them that they can help you with the smaller challenges that get in the way of your life everyday - because those make life miserable in the long run. You and the councellor don't need to work on the HUGE issues right away. Although it's rather a shame that you would have to re-explain their own job to them.

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Skittles56 Member Member Since Jun 2013 Location: North Carolina Posts: 279 11	Sep 11, 2013 at 04:14 PM #5 I get what you're saying. Sometimes we just want to talk to someone with a sympathetic ear. No one has to be trained to do that, they just have to have a little compassion and empathy. __________________ “And those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music.” ― Friedrich Nietzsche
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Patsy Cline Grand Member Member Since Aug 2013 Location: US Posts: 810 11 152 hugs given	Sep 11, 2013 at 08:37 PM #7 I hope you can find support on this forum. I know I have __________________ Guns aren't lawful, nooses give, gas smells awful, you might as well live- Dorothy Parker
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