Having experienced more than enough suicides in my life I really do feel for the family. Those in grief can't help but feel guilty and you always wonder if you could have done something earlier to prevent it.

Mental health is a disease that is only really starting to get the recognition it deserves, and one could argue a lack of media in the past is one of the reasons we have been so slow to act.

I did 10 years in the Cops and never once spoke to a mental health professional, even after my boss hung himself and I was on duty when it happened. I was always surprised I had to be tested each year to carry a firearm yet no checks were done on my mental health to use the thing.

All I can hope are cases like this are used in a way to encourage those with the illness to reach out for help.

Great thread, all humans have a unique individual story, and it is important to listen and hear others.

I have a long story, but the short version is 10 years in the Cops, left 2 years ago, moved to the country, suffer from PTSD and anxiety, became unemployed, struggled with loss of identity and connections from the Police. I quickly found myself in a pretty dark hole, nothing seemed to matter, I had lost all sense of purpose, nothing excited me, and I was at the lowest point I had been in my life.

I sat with my thoughts wondering how it came to this, as a teenager I took any job, did anything, spoke to anyone and was full of life without a care in the world. Fast forward 25 years and I was a grown man awake in the middle of the night wondering why my brain was torturing me. I read plenty of self-help books, reached out for help but nothing really worked.

Thankfully, over time things have gotten a lot better. If I reflect on what is different, the main thing is I found something to do, I was lucky to get part time work I enjoy. I had always enjoyed photography and decided to pursue that even more regardless if it made me any money. Once I became busy, started helping others and felt like I was contributing the chatter in the head faded, time has healed my wounds regarding the Police, and I can say I am excited about what is ahead.

It appears for me the medicine is being busy, focused and having a feeling of purpose. I truly hope everyone who is struggling can get the help they need, and I wish you all the best going forward.

This must be how Wallaby supporters feel.

I have very fond memories of staying at my grandparents house when the All Blacks were playing in the UK. I would sleep on the couch in the lounge, my grandmother would set an alarm, get up, wake me up, put on the TV and then pretend to be interested in the Rugby. She is long dead now but credit to her for letting a young bloke watch his idols in the middle of the night.

I was in the Police for many years. I remember one bloke, heavy meth user, broke into 30+ houses, in and out of Jail. He got out and disappeared off our radar, I thought he must have moved or died.

About 6 months later I run into him at the Supermarket. He has work boots, pants etc on and looked completely different. He spotted me and I made small talk with him. I Said "haven't seen you around" He said, "I'm too bloody tired after work to break into houses."

So after hours upon hours chasing him, going to court, years in jail. All he needed was a job.

I honestly believe the key to reducing offending is education, employment, strong family and social connections.

All the dependent drug users I engaged with couldn't have cared less about its legality. That made no difference whatsoever.

I am all for legalisation, if you want to reduce the harms of drugs you need to give people a reason not to become dependent on them in the first place. Plenty of people use alcohol responsibly and cannabis would be no different.

So true it's scary.

@Godder said in Happiness Scale:

My personal rules for maintaining some semblance of happiness:

1. Don't sweat the small stuff
2. Don't worry about the stuff you can't control
3. You don't have to keep up with the Joneses
4. Don't let the bastards grind you down.
   5. Masturbate as required.

I like QT, he needs more time at this level.

Also need to spare a thought for the poor Police that have to attend that scene to gather evidence, I couldn't even imagine how they would deal with that. I realise they are professionals but they are human too.

@voodoo said in Electric Vehicles:

So the wife wants an EV. Happy to get something smaller to complement the 7 seater SUV for family trips, so range not a huge issue.

So little to choose from in Oz.

Seems to be the MG only under 50k, the Leaf and the IONIC under 60k, the Mona, Nero or MX30 to 75k then the Tesla S, Merc, Volvo all over 80k

I'm also in the same position, I am waiting for the BYD Yuan Plus which is advertised as being under 40k AUD and is very similar to a Mazda CX5. Appears the long range has 510km which is nice. I think the price and specs etc are up on the website next month. Not many reviews yet or info but here is a video in chinese showing it.

And this much cheaper small car which is likely to be under 35k

Had my booster shot, arm is pretty fucken sore but no other side effects. Had a small drama getting the shot at the clinic yesterday. We had an appointment we made 3 weeks ago. Rock up and there is a line going outside the building and looping around, probably 50+ people. I was pretty annoyed as the missus has some health issues and can't stand in line for an hour in 30+ heat.

Thankfully after about 15 minutes waiting a security guard said anyone with an appointment can come around the front and we pretty much went straight in.

The issue was I was in the walk-in line but it was not clear there was an appointment line also. Anyway, done and dusted now.

Does anyone know what platform in Australia has the Adelaide International Tennis, the missus wants to watch it and I can't seem to find it?
Edit- it's on Stan if anyone else is looking.

@tim Best part of that twitter feed was the next post showed me this beauty. Who didn't watch Fast times at Ridgemount High and not jerk off over Phoebe Cates.

Impacts already starting by the looks, lots of flights cancelled out of Sydney as staff are isolating. Also mentions huge wait times for those getting the pre-flight test or some test results not coming back before the flight. Not sure I would want to be flying anywhere at the moment.

Dec 23, 2021  /  Australia news

More than 100 flights cut from Sydney and Melbourne as staff are sidelined over Covid

Workers having to test and isolate leads to Christmas Eve havoc, with Jetstar saying ‘vast majority’ of passengers rebooked

Duane Vermeulen, the man is a beast and I would have him in my team in a heartbeat.

Tadhg Furlong, he handed it to us and seems to offer a lot.

Romain Ntamack, that escape from his in goal is worth a nom and he just looks like he has the skills to run a team well.

Faf deserves a nom for his hairdo alone, plus he has the best box kick in the business.

@mn5 From google translate my guess is tourists to berlin are happy and beautiful but the residents on the right look like shit and are miserable.