Lived Experience Forum

[amber22]

Hello! 

On Thursday 18th of May 2023, we will be holding a Peer Group Chat on the topic of Songs as Soundtracks.

Songs and music can act as a really important soundtrack to accompany different moments and themes of our lives from aiding in celebrations of our highs to comforting consolation during our lows. Join us to talk about the impact music can have on our mental health, and how we can use it as a tool.

The event start times across Australia are below:

Western Australia: 5pm 
Northern Territory & South Australia: 6:30pm 

Queensland, New South Wales, Australian Capital Territory, Victoria & Tasmania: 7pm

For anyone unfamiliar with Peer Group Chats, each focuses on a specific topic and is guided by Peer Workers with lived experience of mental health issues and recovery, &/or caring for someone with complex mental health. A counsellor is also present as a moderator to help ensure a safe environment for individuals and the group. It is a space for us as peers to share our stories and experiences, and connect with those who are going through something similar. 

Anyone is welcome to join! Tagging some members who may be interested below: 
@Shaz51 @Snowie @Meggle @Appleblossom @Bobbie @sammy3 @Jacques @chibam @creative_writer @Captain24 @Down2 @Gillie1 @Adge @tonys @wellwellwellnez @Birdofparadise8 @Messylife @tonys @Bow @Appleblossom @ParentingOCD @SmilingGecko 

Peer Group Chats are hosted outside of the forums, using a platform called Chatwee. 

To join an Online Peer Group and participate, you will need to register for an account with Chatwee.
To access the group to observe only and not participate, you can access Chatwee as a Guest.
On the night, follow this link to access Chatwee before the group starts.
You can join our Peer Group Chats every Thursday from 7:00-8:30pm (AEDT). Check out the FAQs page for more information.  

We hope to see you there 😊 If you can't make it but are interested, you can always catch up reading the transcript afterwards here. We also invite you to continue the conversation below on this thread if you can't make the night but also wish to contribute some of your responses. We will post some dot point prompts on the day that can get the conversation started if you're unable to make the live event!

[TideisTurning]

Hi Everyone, 

Just a reminder that the next Online Peer Group Chat on Songs as Soundtracks  will take place tonight from 7-8:30pm AEST.  As always, for ease of reference, times across Australia are in the graphic and listed below: 

Western Australia: 5pm 
Northern Territory & South Australia: 6:30pm 

Queensland, New South Wales, Australian Capital Territory, Victoria & Tasmania: 7pm 

Tonight, you can expect discussion about: 

•  The role of music and songs in mental health and life generally 
•  Songs as a coping tool  
•  Music as a source of connection  

Tagging members who have supported or otherwise interacted with the thread so far as well as those who may be interested to receive a reminder: @Snowie @Shaz51 @CloudBerry @Oaktree @Jacques @Captain24 @creative_writer @Messylife @Appleblossom @StuF @Blossom497 @Sophia1 @xaenica @Adge 

[TideisTurning]

Hi Everyone, 

Just a reminder that this Peer Group Chat on the topic of Songs as Soundtracks will be starting very soon, in around 20 minutes at 7PM AEST! Tagging those who have interacted with the thread and who may be online and/or interested to receive a reminder 😊 @Shaz51 @Snowie @Appleblossom @Bow @CrazyChick @Emergence @Gillie1 @Kyle1 @Birdofparadise8 @Maladict @StuF @chibam @sol_87 @Determined @Historylover @Meowmy @SmilingGecko @outlander @Lettuce @ArraDreaming @greenpea @David_888 @Fifi01 @Dimity @Little_Leopard @Lozza42 @Oaktree @Tryingtocope52 @justanotherguy @Delicatessen 

[justanotherguy]

@TideisTurning , thanks for the invite, my life is such a mess I don't think there's any song for it, but thanks anyway.

[Kyle1]

https://youtu.be/uIbXvaE39wM

@TideisTurning 

@amber22 

 @Shaz51 @Snowie @Appleblossom @Bow @CrazyChick @Emergence @Gillie1 @Laura4 @Maladict @StuF @chibam @sol_87 @Determined @Historylover @Meowmy @Smiling_Gecko @outlander @Lettuce @Jay5 @greenpea @David_888 @Fifi01 @Dimity @Little_Leopard @Lozza42 @Meggle @Tryingtocope52 @justanotherguy @Delicatessen 

[justanotherguy]

@Kyle1 ,

https://youtu.be/-bzWSJG93P8

[Historylover]

I'm with @justanoherguy. Thank you anyway.

[TideisTurning]

Ooh. @Kyle1. Thanks for sharing this one! I hadn’t really taken in the lyrics before, but having done so now makes it feel all the more meaningful. such a simultaneously hopeful, encouraging and uplifting song!

@justanotherguy, that is a pretty powerful piece of music, the Star Wars Imperial March! I can see it being kind of like an anthem to help pump you up ready to take something on, like something you might find nerve wracking.

Something else I was reminded of from your earlier comment about life feeling a little bit of a mess right now is a lyric from a newer Lewis Capaldi song; “I'm a mess, yeah, but i'll get there”. The full song is here- I’ve shared the version where Lewis goes into his inspiration behind the lyrics and song, as it’s partially inspired by and about mental health. I wonder if this song might be one to soundtrack moments like that where life feels a bit messy and hard?

And all good @Historylover. Feel free to come back and share if you do think of anything, and/or contribute your ideas on the questions I'll pose at the end of this post if you'd like 😊 

For my part, I wanted to share a little food for thought today in the form of this video that talks about music and emotions and a couple of curious questions. One thing that was discussed in the Peer Group Chat discussion is the well known saying, 'where words fail, music speaks'. For me, it kind of describes that moment when you hear a song and your immediate reaction is a strong emphatic “yes!”, because what the song is saying has resonated that much. Has anyone else had a similar experience? Otherwise, what does that saying, 'where words fail, music speaks', mean for you? 
@Appleblossom @tonys @Oaktree @Emergence @sol_87 @Shaz51 would love to hear all of your thoughts on this too if you'd like to share!

[Emergence]

I'm tempted to say the entire Rage Against the Machine catalogue, directly into my veins please. But I'll go with something a bit more tender, seeing as we all come here for some healing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0x7nalp9dnE

[Appleblossom]

@TideisTurning 

I am not one to have a simple "yes" response about a song. As a person who only realised CALD issues were highly significant only late in life.  It was not a thing when I was young,   Lacking education due to cultural and historical reasons and being Linguistically diverse meant that my mother did not have access to words to communicate well, or teach or guide. SO much was missing for me, materially, emotionally and nurturing. She resented having to rely on me for help, but she did have music literacy and shared that.  Now I use the huge reservoir of music at my disposal to reflect on all the feeling states and scenarios in vocal and instrumental music.