Welcome to Season 2, Episode 3 of “what I don’t want you to know…”

There’s so much to say about this episode, our brave guest and the layers this conversation reveals…

Firstly, our guest = Elise, a beautiful Mumma and passionate social worker who bravely advocates in the mental health sector… (our kind of hero in the world).

Together we engage in honest and real chat about the vulnerability of parenting under scrutiny in today’s judgment heavy society, the impact of parent, body (and any other) shaming on mental health, body image, well-being and confidence…

Elise shares her journey as a social worker with lived experience of disordered eating, highlighting the complexities of mental health and the stigma surrounding it. Her insights shed light on the intertwined nature of body image, societal expectations, control and pervasive shame that fuel insecurity, addiction and illness.

Importantly, this conversation includes personal reflections and celebration of recovery from life hindering and life threatening addictions (of which we tick a number of boxes).

Our message: curiosity, compassion, empathy and understanding = key to breaking stigma and supporting anyone affected by “ED”, addiction and mental-ill health.

As always, go so gently…

Em & Tan xx

Connect with Elise:

Email: elise.05@hotmail.com

Supports (Australia based):

Butterfly Foundation - butterfly.org.au

Eating Disorders Queensland - eatingdisordersqueensland.org.au

Headspace - headspace.org.au

Takeaways

• Parenting often involves navigating guilt and societal expectations - it's important to embrace the grey areas in parenting decisions.
• Mental health discussions are crucial in reducing stigma and stereotypes - more curiosity and less judgement PLEASE.
• Eating disorders manifest in various ways and are often really misunderstood - it’s not as simple as you think. Body image may NOT be the central focus of someone’s eating disorder.
• Minimising one's struggles can prevent seeking necessary help - understanding the cycle of eating disorders is key to recovery.
• Shame hinders recovery - compassion, curiosity, kindness + empathy = path to healing.
• Recovery is a continuous journey that requires self-reflection and understanding.
• Sharing personal experiences can foster connection and reduce feelings of isolation.
• It's important to recognise that everyone has their own struggles, regardless of appearance.

Keywords

parenting, mental health, eating disorders, societal judgment, guilt, personal stories, disordered eating, self-acceptance, recovery, eating disorders, recovery, body image, addiction, stigma, mental health, control, shame, vulnerability, support

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