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Liz

@itslizbennett

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Mental Health/Disability advocate, queer peer, recreational creative
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“I never thought it was such a bad little tree. It's not bad at all, really. Maybe it just needs a little love.” - Linus, A Charlie Brown Christmas taken in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia by @itslizbennett

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4 years ago

Belated post but thank you to @merri_bekcitycouncil for recognising my contributions to the disability and neurodivergence sectors, by awarding me Person of the Year, Accessiblity and Inclusion Award for 2022!

It’s such a privilege to be able to help people feel heard and advocated for, so thank you to everyone involved. taken in Coburg Town Hall by @itslizbennett

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4 years ago

When you’ve spent the equivalent of a house deposit on mental health care expenses and a tiktok audio helps you figure out the missing piece to your recovery ❤️‍🩹 🥲

#disabilityadvocate #mentalhealth taken in Melbourne, Australia by @itslizbennett

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5 years ago

Let’s celebrate the magic that occurs in the human body; mine managed to take bile and transform me into a human maraca. Thankfully I’m getting my gallbladder taken out today. Olé taken in St Vincent's Private Hospital Melbourne by @itslizbennett

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5 years ago

TW: eating/family. How to respond to inappropriate comments this holiday season #eatingdisorderrecovery #toxicparents #empowerment #bodypositivity #healing #breakthestigma #mentalhealth taken in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia by @itslizbennett

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5 years ago

Dissociation common coping mechanism. It’s not just “zoning out”, it’s more like feeling detached from or like you’re watching your body during high stress moments. It’s designed to stop you feeling the full sensation or experience of the stress, allowing you to auto pilot to safety. Sometimes it becomes maladjusted and happens when you aren’t in actual danger. That’s a trauma response, and is normal. Speak to a psychologist about it for more help 💕 taken in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia by @itslizbennett

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5 years ago

CW: Body image, trauma recovery, ED, surgery.
***please do not comment on my appearance: read below first***

(Photo 1- @jessedgraham, day before surgery.
Photo 2- May 2021
Photo 3- September 2021)

So let’s be honest. My body composition has changed dramatically in 4 months.

Last September my stomach herniated through my diaphragm. The way to fix it was effectively some fibreglass and gastric sleeving. Every breath I was taking was pure agony, moving my stomach through the breathing muscle. I could barely take 20 steps without sobbing and sweating, but doctors/medical staff were dismissing it. In psych hospital they made me participate in daily walks as part of the program despite the obvious pain it caused.
I saw the specialist in March, surgery in May. I had to dip into super and had the luxury of private insurance to do it.

Dropping 25% of my mass in 4 months was exhausting, painful, and stressful. The reality is though, I called that mass my “trauma suit,” because it made me invisible to most people. When you’re traumatised you don’t want people noticing you, because then they won’t ask questions, and I wasn’t ready to answer the REAL questions. This obviously made for a fun Eating Disorder/PTSD combo.

Now, I’ve discarded my trauma suit. I want to be noticed. I want to tell people my story, because it might help them feel less alone, might think they can survive and maybe even grow too.

My name is Elizabeth Bennett. I’m 32, a disability/LGBTQIA+ and mental health advocate, abuse survivor and I’m not hiding anymore. taken in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia by @itslizbennett

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5 years ago

Life has become less than Instagram-able, since January 2020.

I’m officially chronically ill & disabled according to the government. I live alone, have to be both patient and my own carer. I’ve made phenomenal progress in my recovery.

I’m doing my best. Please be patient with me. by @itslizbennett

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5 years ago

Creativity and my plants are all I have to keep me sane at this point 💕🤟 taken in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia by @itslizbennett

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6 years ago

I’ve made 2020 my bitch.
As of today I’ve completed programs for:
- Binge Eating Disorder
- Adult ADHD
-EMDR Trauma/PTSD
- 32 hours of TMS therapy for depression

That’s 148 days as a psychiatric in-patient since January 1st, 2020.

Mental illness isn’t a weakness. Denial only makes it stronger.

Treatment means I got the weapons to confront my demons, slay a few, and gained the resilience to say to the others...

Bring it on, Bitch. taken in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia by @itslizbennett

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6 years ago

Today marks my 105th day as a psychiatric in-patient for 2020.

I’m not ashamed I sought treatment. There’s nothing weak about eating disorder rehab, trauma therapy and having your brain treated the same way you would if any other organ started to fail.

I look at Liz from 12 months ago and know she’s proud I fought like hell; and I am still going.

#endthestigma #mentalhealthawareness taken in Melbourne by @itslizbennett

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6 years ago

My body changing shape doesn’t change my value. by @itslizbennett

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7 years ago