The Alternatives to Suicide approach was developed in 2008 by Wildflower Alliance (formerly known as the Massachusetts Recovery Learning Community) in the United States. Recovery Learning Communities are peer-run networks of self-help/peer support, advocacy, information, referrals and training activities. The idea behind them is to empower people f...
It can be so easy to fall into the idea that with a new year we should suddenly evolve into a new and improved version of ourselves. While some people may find it motivating and empowering to set and follow through with new years resolutions, this is not necessarily everyone's experience. Given it's that time of the year that we may feel a li...
The not so Sunnyside to Growing a Tiny HumanThey say it is this beautiful thing. Growing a tiny human. I am in awe of the incredible abilities of my body, nature and biology. How blessed I am to create, carry and have already formed such a strong bond with this tiny human. And to be privy to private moments where their movements are only know...
Our friends over at Mind Australia are running amazing artistic workshops where you can connect with like-minded people and be supported to produce meaningful works of self-expression in your choice of medium – whether it's paint and drawing, collage, sculpture, spoken word poetry, or dancing. The workshops are open to...
Folks with lived experience of emotional distress or who have survived trauma often report abdominal pain and discomfort, and have long known there is some kind of link between their emotional wellbeing and belly pain. Increasingly, health research has focused on increasing our understandings of the gut-brain connection and has explored a range of ...
The decision about whether or not to disclose your mental health condition to a current or prospective employer can be fraught with stress.On the one hand, by discussing your mental health condition with an employer, you are creating the opportunity to destigmatise mental health within the workplace and implement supports you may need to keep yours...
A mindful movement practice, just like other mindfulness practices, aims to bring our full attention to the present moment. Mindful movement focuses on bringing our awareness to our breath and the way our body feels and moves through space. When we notice our mind wondering we bring our attention back to our breath and body. This allows us to...
Music has been known to have a significant impact on our wellbeing; it can be used to help increase motivation and focus, explore creatively, promote relaxation and can be a way to express oneself. Given all of these benefits, it's no surprise that music can also be used as a form of therapy to help treat a variety of physical and mental heal...
Moving from 'loneliness' to 'aloneness'LonelinessIsolation and rates of loneliness have been on the rise since the COVID-19 pandemic arose in 2019. Feelings of loneliness come about when our social cup is not filled. This means our need for meaningful interactions with others is not at the quality or quantity we need to feel connected and val...
The dictionary definition of a boundary is a line which marks the limits of an area; a dividing line. Similar to this, establishing boundaries for social interactions with others can involve setting constraints within our personal, romantic, family or work lives, in order to safeguard ourselves from manipulation, negativity, or violation by others....
What is self-compassion?When people speak of self-compassion, it can be fair to think that it sounds great in theory and is definitely important, but it is also hard to know how to put it into practice every day. When we give ourselves the same kindness and care we'd give a good friend, this is how we extend self-compassion to ourselves. In t...
One of our peer workers recently had the opportunity to have a look and learn a bit about the new Urgent Mental Health Care Centre (UMHCC) in the city. This service opened up earlier this year and attempts to provide a genuine alternative for people experiencing distress and seeking urgent support with their mental health.We know that it can be a b...
The concept of a Lived Experience staff is a reasonably new but quickly emerging and popular notion within the Mental Health field. However, the idea of having people with their own lived experience of mental illness or distress supporting other people with mental health issues is still a foreign idea to some. As such, there are still many mi...
In celebration of National Volunteer week we've decided to put together a collection of all things volunteering! Read ahead for some of our own personal stories, ideas on where to volunteer and interesting articles.Peer Volunteer AdventuresI did some research assistant work on a few Eating Behaviour studies and some Trauma related studies. Al...
Multicultural Communities Council of SAThe Multicultural Communities Council of SA is the peak organisation that efficiently services, innovatively empowers and strongly advocates for cultural and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities in South Australia. Find out more and check out about all the amazing things they do here https://mccsa.o...
What is toxic positivity?Have you ever experienced a difficult or distressing situation and shared how you feel with someone, only to be told to 'look on the bright side of things'? I know I have – and I know I'm not the only one. And while generally these things are said with the best of intentions – the hard truth is that in many circumstan...
I wish I could show you when you are lonely or in darkness the astonishing light of your own being - Hafiz Photo by Wonderlane on Unsplash
Psychotherapy"What are the best types of psychotherapy?" I was asked a few weeks ago.It's a loaded question, that's for sure. The answer is going to depend on who you ask and what their experience is. Given that there are LOADS of good psychotherapy systems, I decided to write a blogpost detailing a few of the popular ones.What is psychotherapy? Ho...
Many organisations offer six to eight counselling sessions. When you have a lot going on, this can feel like throwing a teacup into the ocean. However, it can be enough to make changes that significantly improve your wellbeing.To get the most out of these sessions, try to think about what you want to get out of your counselling. For instance, perha...
There have been multiple periods in my life during which I felt overwhelmed by many negative emotions. I'm not going to sit here and tell you that during these periods I could easily find positivity or a 'silver lining' for what I was experiencing. If anything, trying to 'think positive' about the situation more often than not left me feeling...
Sign up to LETSS Updates!
Contact Us
1800 013 755
LETSS@skylight.org.au
Follow Us
We would like to Acknowledge that the land we provide a service on today is the traditional lands for the Kaurna people and that we respect their spiritual relationship with their Country. We also acknowledge the Kaurna people as the traditional custodians of the Adelaide region and that their cultural and heritage beliefs are still as important to the living Kaurna people today.
