topic Newbie Introduction - Peer Support in Welcome and orientation

Newbie Introduction - Peer Support

Bec_H — Mon, 21 May 2018 00:49:04 GMT

Hello All,

I have just joined and it sugested I introduce myself. I hope I got the right place.

I have suffered multiple periods of co-occuring depression/anxiety throughout my life, starting at 16. I am currently mentally well and work at stayng resilient everyday, but I accept that it could reoccur at anytime. I choose to stay positive though. I am joining this forum now as I have recently taken on the role of Mental Health Champion at my workplace. I am deeply committed to fulfilling this role as I know from personal experiance how important good mental health is and how difficult it is to live with a mental health disorder.

I am hoping to offer support to others and also learn from others experiance (if people are comfortable sharing) to help me fulfil my role and create a helpful peer support program at my workplace. Joinging this forum is also a positive action for selfcare, it is comforting to know that if I am struggling there is a safe place I can go to seek support.

Best wishes to all

Bec

Newbie Introduction - Peer Support

Guest8901 — Mon, 21 May 2018 02:04:43 GMT

Hi Bec, and a very hearty welcome to you.

Yes you have come to the right place to introduce yourself, so well done.

Sorry to read of your battles with recurring depression and anxiety. But congratulations to you for putting your own personal experiences to good use by taking on a workplace MH Champion role.

Thanks for wanting to advise and support others, both here and at your workplace. We need many more like you. We can certainly learn from our past experiences, and being able and willing to help others with that knowledge is a bonus.

Good for you in taking care of your own wellbeing by joining here as well. Having a safe place to come is very important to our own selfcare.

I would be happy to share my own experiences with MH (I have PTSD and OCD with associated anxiety and depression) but this is not the place to do so. This is YOUR space to introduce yourself and to receive much needed support and understanding from fellow members. If you wish to read others experiences by all means visit the many threads you see on the many different areas of the forums. Your input will always be appreciated, so please dont hesitate to reply to any existing threads.

If you need help navigating the forums, give us a shout and we will try to direct you. Otherwise its a good idea to read the red sections above, eg Community Rules, Forum FAQ's, 5 tips for getting the most from the forums, etc.

Again ... welcome.

Amanda

Newbie Introduction - Peer Support

Bec_H — Mon, 21 May 2018 20:36:06 GMT

Thank you for the welcome Mandy.

And for your very kind words. I look forward to meeting more people on here and do hope to help in any small way.

I look forward to "bumping into you" around the forum.

Bec

Newbie Introduction - Peer Support

Peppermintbach — Mon, 21 May 2018 22:10:34 GMT

Hi Bec,

What an uplifting and inspiring post. Thank you so much for sharing and introducing yourself here. Congratulations on your recent Mental Health Champion at your workplace 🙂

I love how gutsy, determined and passionate you are about mental health. As I said, it really is inspiring...

I feel your years of depression and anxiety must have really left quite a mark on you. You’ve clearly been through a lot but I think it’s incredible how you have been able to use your own pain to try to support others. Good on you.

I’m glad the lovely Mandy (Amanda) gave you such a caring and helpful welcome. Here is another gentle welcome to the forums from me 🙂

Hope to see you around!

Pepper

Newbie Introduction - Peer Support

PamelaR — Mon, 21 May 2018 23:44:46 GMT

Hello Bec

Welcome to Beyond Blue forums. It's great you are the Work Place Mental Health Champion. Good on you.

I've seen some of the responses you've given to people. You are caring, supportive and friendly. So pleased to have you here.

There is a staying well thread - What helps to keep well. Feel free to pop in and add your thoughts about how you maintain your resilience. You can search through the section or do a search via the search field.

So pleased to have you here.

Kind regards

PamelaR