Topic: Mental Health Awareness/ Support Chat

@QualityGeezer I'm good thanks man, I got an LG 43" 4K Smart TV with Google Assistant built in so it works a dream for games, how you been?

@DonJorginho I’m wondering how you’re liking your new TV. I’m looking to jump into the 4K world and am trying to decide between LG and Samsung. What’s the allure of having Google Assistant?

@Th3solution Google Assistant just makes things easier and I can for example set an alarm for my phone from my TV and check things in the world whilst playing some Yakuza for example.

Also if you're going for a TV the best brands are easily LG and Samsung, this TV is amazing for gaming and has so many settings to help out my experience and it's Magic Remote is a breakthrough in TV technology.

Also has amazing selection of smart apps and the software is surprisingly fast, has some great built in virtual surround sound and has been amazing for films and music aswell as PS4.

Samsung are amazing and whatever one you pick will be more than worth it.

You'll find both Samsung and LG TVs with built in assistant apps, and it just works with the remote directly to help you out.

But for a 4K experience I would highly suggest a LG, I got mine for around £330 and it is amazing, has amazing built in upscaling too and you can just tell the build quality is top notch.

Just checking in on all you awesome
Folks and making sure every one is feeling ok 😊 got a good weekend of gaming ahead so I’m feeling good after an anxiety ridden week of work , enjoy your weekend good people

Hey Everyone,

Been lurking for a while, but I’ve been struggling lately. So here goes...

I’ve had a drink, almost every day for the last 18 months- when I was involved in an accident.
Being immobile had me reaching for the bottle. It started innocently enough as just a night cap, but it’s gotten real bad.
Due to poor weather I’ve been stuck at home & managed to get through 1L of whiskey/day.
The only reason no one has noticed is because I’m a gym freak. I wake up at the crack of dawn & practically exercise just so that I can have my drink later in the day.

Last night I walked around with a 1/2 bottle of Whiskey for almost 2 hours before I succumbed.

I don’t know what’s causing it. I have a great life. I have a wonderful fiancé that adores me. I have a family that loves me & I’m in a position that allows me to be financially independent.
I’m privileged & blessed, but I can’t seem to resist the urge.

There is no one I can talk to about this. The shame of it would kill me.
I’m hoping that posting this message will be the first step of overcoming this addiction.

@DBryWM30

Hi man, first of all I want to thank you immensely and say well done for just having the courage to even bring this up, facing the fact that you have a problem in your life like this is never easy and it takes a brave, mentally strong person to do so, so I am glad you made the decision to speak out.

Secondly, it sucks to hear what you are going through and how you have been putting up with it for so long, no-one should have to suffer for that long in silence and I know the whole community at PS will be behind you at all times.

And I genuinely think you should tell your fiance or someone in your family/friend groups atleast so you can have someone looking out for you, as the more you bottle it in, the worse the problem will get, your partner sounds great so I am sure she will be fully supportive, and if it seems tough to do anything about it or speak out about it then remember all the good things you described mate!

You love your family and they adore you, you have a loyal companion for life in your fiance and are financially independent so you should think of them and fight to keep all of the good things in your life as you deserve to keep them, and that heartless addiction you are sadly suffering from will not care about you and will leech onto you until you have nothing left.

If it is too much to talk to a family member or a friend then talk to an AA rep, or a counsellor as they will have the answers for you, I along with everyone on here will try our best but in the end the advice of a professional is the best thing to go for if you cannot talk to family about it.

If you have any other social media you use feel free to link it so I can keep in touch with you and make sure you are doing okay, and if you want I can try my best to offer you support and tips for dealing with these problems based on how I suffered with addiction problems and mental health issues.

I promise you that you aren't alone brother, never.

@DBryWM30
I guess if you're struggling, which you clearly are, you do need professional medical help? Sounds like you might have a form of PTSD? I can appreciate why you might feel ashamed (although in reality you don't need to be) but you shouldn't be so ashamed that you can't speak to a professional!

@DBryWM30 Hey there - sorry to hear all this and that you are struggling.

It is good to reach out but my advice would be to see your doctor in a local area. If you are worried about seeing a doctor that knows you, try a walk in centre. They can refer you to local support, including charities or mental health programmes. Or you could possibly try calling a support line such as Samaritans (if in the UK) because they can also put you in touch with people.

It will be seriously hard to reach out and make that contact but it is such an important one and can be done almost anonymously if you are worried about family etc.

@DBryWM30 I have no real advice to offer but just want say well done for taking the first step to dealing with this. I can only imagine how hard it must be for you- but know that if a bunch of randoms on a gaming website are willing to listen to you, just think how receptive your fiance and any professional services you talk to will be. There's nothing you should be ashamed about.

All the best.

PS- my love and respect to everyone posting on this thread. I read it now and again out of genuine interest and empathy. Good on @DonJorginho for having the guts to start the conversation

@DBryWM30 I echo everyone above first of all well done for bringing it up even on here it takes guts it does. Secondly alcohol addiction isn’t a real thing and it’s affected even the greatest people the world has ever seen. Next step I agree share it with someone close to you your fiancé for example or if not speak to your GP or if your financially sound enough speak to a Counselor or and AA group. I think you’ve made the right choice don’t let this define you , it will eventually catch up with you your managing it right now but that can’t continue as this problem will continue and grow .

Thank you everyone for your kind words.

Telling people close to me isn’t really an option, although it’s only a matter of time until someone figures it out.
I think I’m going to go & stay with my folks for a few days. Haven’t seen them in a while.

@DBryWM30 always a nice recentering sep dint time with the folks , please keep in touch you are not alone in so many ways

For those people in self isolation or will be doing so shortly, take a look at the World Health Organization’s advice on protecting your mental health during the outbreak. It’s recognised that the uncertainty and constant news coverage of the outbreak can have a negative impact on people’s mental health. You can read the WHO advice here: https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/coronaviruse/mental-h... which is factual and useful.

@JohnnyShoulder Yeah this is a big thing, well said.

I think keeping fit and healthy might be an issue as well. I am worried about the lack of exercise my kids are getting without their football and school playtime etc

@JohnnyShoulder great stuff man and I was only thinking this earlier as thing started to get on top of me , stay safe but stay out the news . Self isolation or isolating gonna be tough on us, super cool of you to post this up , thank you

@Unffclcntrllerpd Yeah I'm a bit concerned if I had to self isolate as I live on my own. Got my sister and brother who live close by, within walking distance, but if I'm not supposed to see anyone I might go a bit loopy. Guess I'll be using video calling a lot more then. One of the reasons I'm continuing to go to work for as long as possible.

This is excellent advice for any given day, but even moreso now.

Bad news sells. If you're prone to depression, anxiety or general low moods, then stop reading the news, because it will almost always be bad.

If you're looking for advice on a certain topic, like COVID-19, then Google the specifics directly.

@JohnnyShoulder just stay safe and employ social distancing if you want my advice nows a great time to get through the game back log

So I've decided not to read or post in the Coronavirus thread anymore. No one has posted anything offence or anything, but am finding it increasingly difficult to read and it is making me anxious. Which is the last thing I need at the moment.