BB Social Zone

Talking about mental health can be heavy. We get that. BB Social Zone offers a space where you can chill out and socialise with other members.

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Pinned discussions

Sophie_M Big Blue Table - Right here on the Forums!
  • replies: 8

Hello to our wonderful forums community! We have decided to run an ongoing Big Blue Table thread ‘Forums Edition’ until the end of October! What is a Big Blue Table? Big Blue Table is Beyond Blue's signature event held during October, Mental Health M... View more

Hello to our wonderful forums community! We have decided to run an ongoing Big Blue Table thread ‘Forums Edition’ until the end of October! What is a Big Blue Table? Big Blue Table is Beyond Blue's signature event held during October, Mental Health Month. Big Blue Table encourages people host a meal with their friends, family or colleagues while fighting the stigma that surrounds mental health. So why are we running one here? The reason we are doing this is so people have an opportunity to connect with others and have the experience of sharing their thoughts and feelings over a meal, no matter where they are in Australia. We know Mental Health Month can be a vulnerable time for many and believe this thread could be a safe space for people to be heard and learn from others’ experiences. Our community champions will be here to support you along the way, and our moderation team will be around to answer any questions you may have, as well as to ensure the thread remains respectful and safe for everyone. We encourage you to choose from the following questions to start a conversation: What do you do to look after your mental health? Are you comfortable sharing your feelings and emotions? If not, why? What are you passionate about, and why? Who would be your dream Big Blue Table guest, and why? After you have shared your answers, we would love to hear about what you are eating or bringing to the table. You can even tell us a little bit about your setup and what you can see around you to really immerse us into your world. This is your opportunity to be as creative as you’d like! But remember, there is no pressure or ‘right’ response, whatever you bring to the table will be more than enough. We hope this thread allows you to feel connected, supported, and a part of the Big Blue Table initiative. Now… get cooking!

Sophie_M Welcome to the BB Social Zone - guidelines for posting in this section
  • replies: 0

Hi everyone, This section of the forum is a little different to the others, as you may have noticed in looking around the threads. Elsewhere on the forums, we discuss some pretty heavy topics: mental health issues, thoughts of suicide, trauma, abuse,... View more

Hi everyone, This section of the forum is a little different to the others, as you may have noticed in looking around the threads. Elsewhere on the forums, we discuss some pretty heavy topics: mental health issues, thoughts of suicide, trauma, abuse, relationship breakdowns. Here is the place to come to get away from that and have a bit of fun. Distraction can be an important tool to draw on if you're finding yourself overwhelmed by distressing thoughts and feelings. As this is a section for respite from difficult topics, we will remove posts made in this section that attempt to discuss personal issues. Please use a support thread in the appropriate section for these discussions. Happy posting!

Kazzl The BB cafe
  • replies: 20591

The BB cafe is open for business! Welcome all to a new chill and chat place for everyone on the forum. The BB cafe is whatever you want it to be. There are comfy sofas, tables and chairs, coffee machines, a kitchen stocked with everything. There's a ... View more

The BB cafe is open for business! Welcome all to a new chill and chat place for everyone on the forum. The BB cafe is whatever you want it to be. There are comfy sofas, tables and chairs, coffee machines, a kitchen stocked with everything. There's a pool outside, a bbq area, an annexe with comfy beds for a quiet sleep, tv, dvd, books and whatever else you would like to have here. Most of all, it's a place to meet friends and fellow travellers for a bit of company. Talk over problems, tell jokes, share your day, escape into a world of your making. Grab a coffee and pull up a chair ... So, with a nod to the wonderful Carole King (Hard Rock Cafe) ... Now if you're feeling just a little bit lonely Don't sit at home just mopin' Come on down to where the friendship flows freely You know the door is always open At the BB cafe Come to the BB cafe They will help keep your blues at bay At the BB cafe Important Message from ModSupport: The main intention of the BB Cafe is to encourage light conversation. Please look after your fellow community members by nuturing the BB Cafe as a place to escape some of the more pressing issues in life and save those conversations for personal threads.

All discussions

jack0194 Is finding volunteer work easier then finding a normal job?
  • replies: 2

Hi,So this is my first time looking at doing volunteer work. I'm mainly looking at doing it because I've done no work for almost 2 years due to health reasons and need to do something to help get back into it. My question is, when I apply for these v... View more

Hi,So this is my first time looking at doing volunteer work. I'm mainly looking at doing it because I've done no work for almost 2 years due to health reasons and need to do something to help get back into it. My question is, when I apply for these volunteer roles is it similar to applying for normal jobs where I need to apply for lots of different jobs just to get a job? Or should I only need to apply for 1-2 roles just to get something?I'm mainly looking for admin/customer service roles but I'm open to anything. Thanks.

Whatsinaname What content do you consume?
  • replies: 27

Hope this is the right place for this post. Lately I've noticed reading the news and social media increases my anxiety, so I've made the conscious decision to not really read either of them. News is a funny one, because I like being up to date but it... View more

Hope this is the right place for this post. Lately I've noticed reading the news and social media increases my anxiety, so I've made the conscious decision to not really read either of them. News is a funny one, because I like being up to date but it always bad news or something overly sensationalised. I gave "good news" websites a go but didn't find it overly interesting. Now my struggle is filling in my downtime. I'm playing a lot of mindless mobile games and that's about it. So, wondering what others do?

Neil_1 Follow that word
  • replies: 10100

Hi all, I've had a thought - as this is the fun area of the forum, so for those who want something a little different to do, try this. Someone posts a word, then it simply flows on from that. Example: Sun; next person may put "Shine", then next "Brig... View more

Hi all, I've had a thought - as this is the fun area of the forum, so for those who want something a little different to do, try this. Someone posts a word, then it simply flows on from that. Example: Sun; next person may put "Shine", then next "Bright", then next "Clever", then next "smart", then next "dresser", then the next "fashion", then next "suit", next "tie", "rope", etc etc. I’m having too much fun here by myself. Time to introduce the community into this. So I will simply start with the first word and I deem that word to be Christmas. Let’s see where it goes from there – remember in the tradition of the rules of the site, we need to keep all words in a clean and friendly format. Let’s go people: Christmas

Mimsy72 Wisdom of Dickens
  • replies: 1

No one is useless in this world who lightens the burden of it to anyone else. Charles Dickens

No one is useless in this world who lightens the burden of it to anyone else. Charles Dickens

grazzie NOT SO GOOD NEWS
  • replies: 2

It seems every day I listened to TV and Radio Commentators about the soaring cost of power in Australia. It all seemed remote and somewhat boring until I received, by email,l my latest gas account, for the past 2 months$983 - an increase of 1942%.Thi... View more

It seems every day I listened to TV and Radio Commentators about the soaring cost of power in Australia. It all seemed remote and somewhat boring until I received, by email,l my latest gas account, for the past 2 months$983 - an increase of 1942%.This is after a paltry $60 credit from the state government.I near had a heart attack, because I'm a senior, senior pensioner in not very good health. Subsequently, I contacted my supplier to no avail. I had to pay the bill!.In the past, I used my split-level air conditioner for heating and zoned off part of my house. Sure it cost less but I was never warm during the cold months. I'm stuck with gas because my home was designed with ducted heating. It gives me the s . . . ts because I'm partially disabled and must spend most of my time at home 24/7. Is anybody else in the same boat??

Ggrand Did You See, Hear or Do something that gave you a bit of a happiness feeling?…
  • replies: 25

Hello everyone, I thought I would start a thread because I have been trying to look for something each day that gives me a feeling of warmth/happiness/joy/peace…you know, that feeling, the one that’s hard to find when we’re going through a rough patc... View more

Hello everyone, I thought I would start a thread because I have been trying to look for something each day that gives me a feeling of warmth/happiness/joy/peace…you know, that feeling, the one that’s hard to find when we’re going through a rough patch of depression, anxiety or when our mental health is not the best… For me it was seeing sheep, not just one or two but lots being moved along the road to another paddock by working dogs and a farmer whistling out commands while driving an atv….Those dogs were amazing to watch and they made me feel so happy that I got to see that…. a few years back, I had to drive through a large herd of cows….both times were scary and exciting at the same time… Has something you’ve seen or done recently given you even a tiny bit of a feel good feeling?….did something you do for someone else give them a happy moment. Kind thoughts, with love and gentle hugs with care...Grandy.. Hugs everyone…..Grandy..

Clara1 My Neighbour
  • replies: 1

I am a bit worried about my neighbour. We have been sharing a home and building insurance policy for our properties for the past 12 years. In the past she has always been very conscientious about paying for this insurance premium on time. This year s... View more

I am a bit worried about my neighbour. We have been sharing a home and building insurance policy for our properties for the past 12 years. In the past she has always been very conscientious about paying for this insurance premium on time. This year she seems worried about her own health and the health of her immediate family. However our home insurance policy premium is now one month overdue. I am not sure how to talk to my neighbour anymore about this insurance policy. In the past she has always initiated the conversation.

randomxx How do we have store and pay our music these days ?
  • replies: 8

Hi people.The whole music thing has me as confused as these days.l bought a beautiful stereo about 13yrs ago, it does cd's, also had an iphone plug and l can play my Samsung or computer music through it using a cord plus it also has a media switch fo... View more

Hi people.The whole music thing has me as confused as these days.l bought a beautiful stereo about 13yrs ago, it does cd's, also had an iphone plug and l can play my Samsung or computer music through it using a cord plus it also has a media switch for usb but l've never been able to get that to play anything from a usb.There's well, pretty well everything l don't get though these days, it all seems to have totally changed.1st of all, what are we suppose to store our music on ?God almighty l have some on my ph some on my computer some on cd's , some on usb, ldk wth to do.Can't l have it all just on one thing so that l can play that on the lounge stereo or car or on whatever. Next is what is a sound system now?l can't even find any in stores l use to browse them from , Jb, Havey Norman and a few others and speciality sound system stores. None of them have sound systems any more all they have is a few sets of speakers, you use to need a sound system and speakers. not sure what the go is now.Do the speakers have it all inbuilt to them or something and is that it, is that the sound system?And if it is how does it work and what to you have your music on to play it or just wth basically ?ldk , l don't get any of it, l miss the old days of cd's and beautiful sound systems , real ones. Thanks in advance.rx

DollyButtons Lifetime of depression
  • replies: 1

Hi everyone,First time posting. I have struggled with depression all my life. Traumatic childhood and loss of a child. I find I can manage myself sometimes but struggle and fall in a hole other times. I feel like my brain doesn't work as I can't seem... View more

Hi everyone,First time posting. I have struggled with depression all my life. Traumatic childhood and loss of a child. I find I can manage myself sometimes but struggle and fall in a hole other times. I feel like my brain doesn't work as I can't seem to remember lots of things. People say to me " you??? You don't seem depressed you are always smiling. They don't understand what it takes to keep smiling. I'm overly critical and don't like myself for that.

depression50 Bad days
  • replies: 8

I am a 63 yr male.I have suffered depression for as long as i can remember,about 50 yrs.I have had all the drugs all the phsic evals nothing has worked. I have no interest in taking my own life,to stubbon for that shit. Biu it would be great if i cou... View more

I am a 63 yr male.I have suffered depression for as long as i can remember,about 50 yrs.I have had all the drugs all the phsic evals nothing has worked. I have no interest in taking my own life,to stubbon for that shit. Biu it would be great if i could get better and enjoy life,thx to anyone who reads this