[happysobercrafter]

Greetings, Everyone,

Board, thread, however yawl see that best, but we need one. Folks could share tips and help each other out.

I live in poverty and it is a clear form of abuse. Society treats the poor and the privileged differently

Raised in an affluent home that was also violent, most of my childhood is a blank. Trained to fail and self-destruct by my family, I have been low income my entire life. I am just now getting the self-esteem I need, and I am determined to get myself out of poverty.

Being poor taxes my stress and I am sure there are lots of folks here who are in the same situation.

Please, set up an area for Poverty. Getting how it feels out of our systems can benefit us, plus, it shows what it is like to others from those of us who live it.

How can that not be beneficial?



Best Always,
Landon

[MickeyCheeky]

I thought perhaps the sections Work and Careers/Insurances and Finances already covered that? I'm not sure

[happysobercrafter]

Hi, MikeyCheeky,

I hear you. I am hoping for a separate board that will show "Poverty" as a Forum itself. That way, it is easily found rather than somewhere under another forum or threads. Does that make sense?

Thank you for your feedback!
Landon

I think you should start a thread, perhaps under general topics, and see what the response is. It really comes down to how many people are looking for something similar. No point in having a board if no one frequents it. Just my 2 cents.

[marvin_pa]

I'm inclined to support the idea, although it does overlap both the existing work & finance forums. However, the combination of low/no income & mental illness does create it's own set of problems/dilemmas that would seem worthy of their own forum, if only to provide a go-to place for listening/expressing concerns & for practical suggestions for surviving & rising above the situations that the combination creates.

I was almost inclined to suggest combining the work & finance forums, but I think that would be too many potentially complex topics in one place - despite the overlaps that exist between work/finance/poverty.

[seesaw]

I also think you should start a thread and see how active it becomes. If it's active enough, then DocJohn may be inclined to start a subforum for it. He also could start a subforum under Insurance/Finances, just like Relationships has a subforum for divorce.

I would be interested in discussing how low income affects MI and life in general. I think I could actually offer a lot of insight having been on both the very low-side and pulled myself out of it.

Seesaw

[happysobercrafter]

I thank all of you for your excellent feedback. I'll start the thread tomorrow, I am too tired to think now.

[saidso]

I think that the relationship between mental ill-health and poverty is an important, and mostly hidden issue in Europe and the US.

However, in my experience it's a very hard issue to discuss equitably in an emotion-based forum. It's very complex. I've been trying to write some articles about it in order to provoke discussion, and I have to constantly review my basic assumptions.

I think that it deserves it's own space - preferably denoted in large red letters just because it's so silenced. But it's also my experience that it's nigh impossible to discuss in mental health forums... hence I had reservations about putting my head above the parapet and supporting you.

This forums is already huge and laden with loads of currently un-used discussions, particularly in social groups section - so perhaps something else could be moved along to make space.

Best wishes to you!

[DocJohn]

What a great idea.

However, before we start *any* new forum, it is up to the members to demonstrate that such a forum is needed, necessary, and would be used by members. The best way to demonstrate this need is by creating a social group and encouraging other like-minded members to join it. Once it's shown our community can support a topical forum on that subject, we'll be happy to consider doing so.

[Open Eyes]

I agree that starting a thread or a private group to see how members respond to it is a good idea. When someone is already struggling with feeling powerless as that person struggles with MI, being poor/struggling financially most certainly adds to that "feeling" of being powerless and trapped and struggling with feeling unsafe.

[happysobercrafter]

I thank ALL of you for your feedback!! Am carefully thinking it over and will decide in a couple of days what I will do.

[*Laurie*]

Hi HappyCrafter It's great to see you...I haven't seen you around in a long time.

Please, please start that thread. As I sit here right now I am so stressed about money I'm quite literally shaking inside. My bank account is overdrawn by $160. By tomorrow, if that money isn't in the bank I will get a bunch of overdraft fees. I ran the money up over the week-end because I had to buy a minimum amount of groceries and put gas in my elderly car, which takes a lot of gas. My cats will need food by tomorrow afternoon and I have no $ to buy it. Something has to happen so I can buy their food.

I'm so stressed that I took a Klonopin a few minutes ago to try and calm down so I can think of what to do. My nervous system just cannot seem to handle stress any more.

Financial need affects mental health in so many ways...I could make a long list of the ways right now. Thank you so much for bringing this topic to light.

HappyCrafter, I hear you! The psychologists who say that money doesn't make you happy...well, what do they know (actually I believe it's around 75,000 that can make people happy then it just plateaus from there)? They're probably not struggling to make ends meet. I really like the idea of starting a thread, as well. I'd be happy to participate.

[LiteraryLark]

What makes you in the poverty level? Why are you incapable of getting out of the poverty level? And why does that make you unhappy?

I've always been at or slightly above poverty level and I've never been ashamed to be poor or let it bring me down, and haven't received any disgust by anyone because I'm poor, although I had a friend who was extremely well off and rubbed it in my face quite often and would take me out to four star restaurants, forcing me to shell out almost $80 while I was unemployed because "she was in the mood for Italian". There were other reasons to end the friendship, but that was the tipping point.

[happysobercrafter]

Originally Posted by *Laurie*

Hi HappyCrafter It's great to see you...I haven't seen you around in a long time.

Please, please start that thread. As I sit here right now I am so stressed about money I'm quite literally shaking inside. My bank account is overdrawn by $160. By tomorrow, if that money isn't in the bank I will get a bunch of overdraft fees. I ran the money up over the week-end because I had to buy a minimum amount of groceries and put gas in my elderly car, which takes a lot of gas. My cats will need food by tomorrow afternoon and I have no $ to buy it. Something has to happen so I can buy their food.

I'm so stressed that I took a Klonopin a few minutes ago to try and calm down so I can think of what to do. My nervous system just cannot seem to handle stress any more.

Financial need affects mental health in so many ways...I could make a long list of the ways right now. Thank you so much for bringing this topic to light.

Honey, I am so sorry to hear this!! I wish I had money to send you! I am putting some writing together to post on the opening message. I am thinking to have to set up by tomorrow. And, yes, I have been away for too long.
xoxoxoxox

[happysobercrafter]

Originally Posted by KnitChick

HappyCrafter, I hear you! The psychologists who say that money doesn't make you happy...well, what do they know (actually I believe it's around 75,000 that can make people happy then it just plateaus from there)? They're probably not struggling to make ends meet. I really like the idea of starting a thread, as well. I'd be happy to participate.

What I have heard is that money doesn't solve all of your problems. I agree with that, it doesn't. But, it complicates life when there isn't enough. Or if you don't know how to manage it when there is enough. It is all about the mindset and the choices we make. And when we re depressed and struggling to manage our mental health issues, compounding money worries makes everything worse.

Thank you, honey, for your support!

[happysobercrafter]

Originally Posted by LiteraryLark

What makes you in the poverty level? Why are you incapable of getting out of the poverty level? And why does that make you unhappy?

I've always been at or slightly above poverty level and I've never been ashamed to be poor or let it bring me down, and haven't received any disgust by anyone because I'm poor, although I had a friend who was extremely well off and rubbed it in my face quite often and would take me out to four star restaurants, forcing me to shell out almost $80 while I was unemployed because "she was in the mood for Italian". There were other reasons to end the friendship, but that was the tipping point.

Poverty level is when a person does not earn enough income to get their needs met. Needs that can be met by money, that is. Poverty is not only lack of income, lack of love and human kindness and touch is also a form of poverty. And it is complicated and involves so many aspects. Education, transportation, being able to get a job that pays a living wage, being able to get along with coworkers, clothing appropriate for work environment, having kids who get sick and have to stay home. I know there are so many situations that come into play that I am not thinking of. Driving during bad weather and having a reliable vehicle you can maintain.

Poverty is depressing because, for me, I am not using my skills and talents to help others. So, I reach out in any way I can, through here and through my blogs. I have one I have been writing for years and am starting up another one.

I am sorry about your friend treating you that way.

Did I answer your questions?

Originally Posted by HappyCrafter

What I have heard is that money doesn't solve all of your problems. I agree with that, it doesn't. But, it complicates life when there isn't enough. Or if you don't know how to manage it when there is enough. It is all about the mindset and the choices we make. And when we re depressed and struggling to manage our mental health issues, compounding money worries makes everything worse.

Thank you, honey, for your support!

I agree with you, HC. Money does not solve all one's problems. But lack of it can compound problems and cause stress, and too much can definitely be a problem too if you don't know how to manage it. Or too little, and don't know how to manage it.

Originally Posted by LiteraryLark

What makes you in the poverty level? Why are you incapable of getting out of the poverty level? And why does that make you unhappy?

I've always been at or slightly above poverty level and I've never been ashamed to be poor or let it bring me down, and haven't received any disgust by anyone because I'm poor, although I had a friend who was extremely well off and rubbed it in my face quite often and would take me out to four star restaurants, forcing me to shell out almost $80 while I was unemployed because "she was in the mood for Italian". There were other reasons to end the friendship, but that was the tipping point.

LL, I can relate. I come from a working class (middle class?) family. I to be honest, have never really felt judged for or even realized the lack of money, back then, or now. I do wonder if it is because...I look normal? I don't have any physical disabilities, and the way I grew up...I don't know. I just didn't know we were poor. There is also wealth in my family. I have good taste in clothes (thrift store finds ). Idk. I really hope I'm not coming off as sounding stereotypical or anything. I'm thinking out loud. I also get financial help from my family, as well as being on disability and ssi right now.


And HappyCrafter, I like that you put lack of love, belonging, and connection (you may not have said all those particular words) in with poverty. I'd like to hear more about this in your thread. I'm curious.

[happysobercrafter]

Originally Posted by KnitChick

LL, I can relate. I come from a working class (middle class?) family. I to be honest, have never really felt judged for or even realized the lack of money, back then, or now. I do wonder if it is because...I look normal? I don't have any physical disabilities, and the way I grew up...I don't know. I just didn't know we were poor. There is also wealth in my family. I have good taste in clothes (thrift store finds ). Idk. I really hope I'm not coming off as sounding stereotypical or anything. I'm thinking out loud. I also get financial help from my family, as well as being on disability and ssi right now.


And HappyCrafter, I like that you put lack of love, belonging, and connection (you may not have said all those particular words) in with poverty. I'd like to hear more about this in your thread. I'm curious.

Well, a child who grows up without love or a family to belong to, grows up wanting. All of us have basic needs all of us would benefit from and if those needs are not met, we try to find whatever way we can. That is where we can get into trouble. The longer we go with unmet needs, the more powerful the cravings get.

A roof over our heads, a safe environment, food, air, water, income, belonging, self-respect and respect from others, self-esteem, sex, intimacy and many more are necessary for people to thrive. In their absence, we can get into trouble and if we are not clear on how to fix those problems, we get stuck. People around us may be in better places in their lives than we are. If we can't keep up, it can add to depression already present.

Aren't we trained to always compare ourselves to others? The only comparisons that would benefit us to compare ourselves only to ourselves. Are you doing something better today than you did yesterday or last week? Those are the comparisons that count.

[happysobercrafter]

Originally Posted by HappyCrafter

I thank all of you for your excellent feedback. I'll start the thread tomorrow, I am too tired to think now.

BTW, I started putting my first Poverty thread together yesterday. I am polishing it and carefully thinking through my wording before I post it.

[88Butterfly88]

It could also fall under Recession, Layoffs and the Economy though that forum isn't very active.

[*Laurie*]

Originally Posted by HappyCrafter

Honey, I am so sorry to hear this!! I wish I had money to send you! I am putting some writing together to post on the opening message. I am thinking to have to set up by tomorrow. And, yes, I have been away for too long.
xoxoxoxox

You are so kind . No, I wouldn't accept $ from a friend...I would feel terrible. I was bale to borrow some from my daughter...buying kitty food is #1.

I am very excited about your thread .

[happysobercrafter]

Originally Posted by DocJohn

What a great idea.

However, before we start *any* new forum, it is up to the members to demonstrate that such a forum is needed, necessary, and would be used by members. The best way to demonstrate this need is by creating a social group and encouraging other like-minded members to join it. Once it's shown our community can support a topical forum on that subject, we'll be happy to consider doing so.

Thank you, DocJohn. How do I start a social group?

[happysobercrafter]

I posted it under Insurance and Finances:

I Live in Poverty. Do you?