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.

FAQ

Find answers to some of the more frequently asked questions on the Forums.

Forums guidelines

Our guidelines keep the Forums a safe place for people to share and learn information.

Pinned discussions

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: 20498

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

geoff now I have to re-join
  • replies: 1

I am so sorry that I have not been able to pull my finger out, because there are so many posts that need attention, and the beautiful people who have been carrying the weight, you are all just brilliant, and have being doing a fantastic effort, but n... View more

I am so sorry that I have not been able to pull my finger out, because there are so many posts that need attention, and the beautiful people who have been carrying the weight, you are all just brilliant, and have being doing a fantastic effort, but now I have to get over this relapse which I am now doing and I am starting to gain my strength back. There are so many posts which I can relate to, and hell I want to assist you all, because it's too big a job for those that continually respond, so I will 'be back' tomorrow as there are some issues for myself which I have undertaken, after this relapse which seems to have been my worst, and that can be spoken about later on. Geoff. x

geoff when moving house
  • replies: 5

dear All I have been off line for 2 and half days because I have been moving residence, and firstly I hope that I never have to do it again, and if I do then there will be only one way, and secondly our biggest telephone company had been given 5 days... View more

dear All I have been off line for 2 and half days because I have been moving residence, and firstly I hope that I never have to do it again, and if I do then there will be only one way, and secondly our biggest telephone company had been given 5 days warning to have my phone hooked up 2 days before I moved in, but it wasn't, so I had to get them to rush it through because I need it on for medical condition and alarm around my neck, but then internet wasn't connected so I am on a temporary booster from my iphone account. I am sure that plenty has been going on and sorry for much that I missed out on. Geoff.

Neil_1 Neil heading for holiday overseas as well
  • replies: 15

Dear wonderful people from Beyond Blue I heard just recently that our good friend John (CrashCoyote) is heading off on a holiday overseas – in about 4 weeks time. Well, I think it now time to let you all know that me and the fam are also heading off ... View more

Dear wonderful people from Beyond Blue I heard just recently that our good friend John (CrashCoyote) is heading off on a holiday overseas – in about 4 weeks time. Well, I think it now time to let you all know that me and the fam are also heading off overseas in just less than 3 weeks time as well. The end of June, we’ll be outta here. We fly out to Canada – where we’ll spend three weeks, in and around the Rockies, before making our way to Vancouver, where we’ll climb on board a ship (Holland-America line) and have a weeks cruise to, in and round Alaska, before sailing back to Vancouver. So we'll be flying into Calgary and spend a few days there. Then grab a car and (well not grab, cause that could be construed as being against the law - even in Canada - so we've hired) drive to Edmonton and another few days there. Then drive up and into the Rockies. A week and a half up there - in Banff and also Jasper. Then drive on across to Vancouver, taking a couple of days to get there. We’ll be back in the land of Oz at the end of July. I don’t quite know what else to say at this point – it IS fast approaching; roughly less than 20 days now. So in the meantime, I’ll be still doing my thing on here each day leading up till we leave – so nothing will change in that respect. But I’ll definitely be back here again announcing my fond farewells before I leave. And it’s only for a period of about 4 weeks anyway and then I’ll be back – but can’t guarantee that I’ll be typing still with an Aussie accent – I may have picked up a few Canadian terms and tendances by then. See yawl Neil (ok ok, that's perhaps not Canadian or Alaskan, but it's in the general vicinity). (What was that? I haven't gone yet? Oh yeah, riiiiiggggggghhhhhhhhhhttttttttttt).

arcane66 Hi, introducing myself
  • replies: 5

Hi everyone, I have just joined beyond blue on-line and thought I would introduce myself. My name is Lynne and I am 53. I have been married for nearly 12 years for the 2nd time. I have 3 children, 2 boys 34 and 31 and a daughter 24. I have been diagn... View more

Hi everyone, I have just joined beyond blue on-line and thought I would introduce myself. My name is Lynne and I am 53. I have been married for nearly 12 years for the 2nd time. I have 3 children, 2 boys 34 and 31 and a daughter 24. I have been diagnosed with depression, anxiety, Borderline Personality Disorder and Bi-Polar for 20 years. It has taken me a long time to realize that I have an illness. My doctor says I don't have Borderline Personality Disorder but I thought I would still put it in because that is what one of my earlier phychiatrists said I had. My doctor says I have Bi-Polar and was miss-diagnosed all those years ago. I have not had to be hospitalized for 4 years now, but before that I was always in and out of hospital. I think I had finally worked out what my triggers were and so went to my doctors before I got too bad and needed to be hospitalized. It has not been easy and my 3 children have not had a good childhood, but I feel they have turned out alright. Last week was my birthday and I did not get anything for my birthday and even my daughter didn't wish me a happy birthday. I know we are having a few problems but to not wish me a happy birthday hurt. It is the first year my husband has never got me anything for my birthday. I am depressed at the moment so joining this group at this time has been perfect timing. I am finding things getting me down easily and now I have hurt my back. My husband and I live in a caravan because our dream was to become grey nomads and travel around Australia. So far in 2 years we have traveled for 5 months in 2013 to Western Australia. We have been plagued by illnesses, injuries, operations and appointments. We hope to go to Wallaroo on the 7th July for a week. I need this so bad just so I can go off by myself and do some fishing on my own. I miss being able to just go somewhere on my own. I don't drive and I cannot catch buses anymore because I have had 3 bus accidents as a passenger. When we had our own home I used to do gardening to keep my depression in check but now I have nothing. I hope this forum will be very helpful for me. Thank you rant over. I look forward to talking to you all.

k_therase We're all mad here.
  • replies: 2

Thought I would share the poems from over a year ago. I am now okay. In this land i seek the fork, that part in the road where the flowers talk. It’s exclaimed that every one here is mad,not in the anger but simply a crazy fad. In this mystical land ... View more

Thought I would share the poems from over a year ago. I am now okay. In this land i seek the fork, that part in the road where the flowers talk. It’s exclaimed that every one here is mad,not in the anger but simply a crazy fad. In this mystical land of impractical guilt, its time to acknowledge the madness built.In the land of Alice’s parnoia and suspicion,I seek for those on a mission. To break hearts and tea cup plates, those who are cruel are behind the cakes. Walking around like they own the land, but really their personalities are just bland. The fake ones should be thrown into the land of leaches.In Alices land, a world of my own, I walk the streets with my shadow alone. I struggle to conqure those who are mean, I fill up the room with the tears that are green. The envy filled inside those black hearts, they bleed and tare like abstract art. The tea cups are smashed and the cake eaten, now it is only my mind to be beaten.In the land Alice has created, I seem to be the only one ever hated. All I receive from thou who are treasured, are knives and daggers as my back is turned and severed.In Alice’s world of deceiving and crultey, my mind is made up, yup, absolutely. I find thy friends made from smiles and laughs, but really their all hiding behind those masks. They tease and joke, because they think it’s funny, when in Alice’s world it is a waste of money. To spend life on those who don’t matter, when all I need is the mad hatter.I live in Alice’s land of wonders and lies, wondering who has the best disguise. The mad hatter, or the queen of hearts, all the friends shatter thy world into parts. Looking for the staggering path to no where, but there doesn’t seem to be a soul to care. Alice’s world of mischief and fun, sometimes I think I’m finally done.

Neil_1 Bad parents make great kids - or do they??
  • replies: 9

You know on this site, we've got a number of lovely people who post (or who have posted in the past) who are genuine, caring, compassionate people and are supportive of others. Here is the $64,000 question. "How did they become this way?" Is it an in... View more

You know on this site, we've got a number of lovely people who post (or who have posted in the past) who are genuine, caring, compassionate people and are supportive of others. Here is the $64,000 question. "How did they become this way?" Is it an inbuilt thing? Did they learn it from other friends/peers when they were young?Where am I going with this?I’ve bought this up as it keeps cropping up often (too many times for what I’d like) that so many posters have experienced dreadful, horrible times in their childhood – with either one or both parents being non-caring, non-supporting, showing no love and at times, much much worse.Yet, here we are on this site with everyone who posts here who has experienced awful trauma and times as a child – and every ONE of them are the most kindest, wonderful, loving, generous people that you could ever wish to know. I couldn’t say the word “meet” there because we don’t have that option. But with the posts back and forth, we DO get to know them and that’s how I know of the disposition of these beautiful people. And I’m not going to name names because you know who you are. Yes, that’s right – YOU. little lol How did you become this way? I’ve read and heard that so many of the terrible people of this world – you know the ones who have been serial killers or hit men, and the like – they had really bad experiences growing up – bad experiences as a child.So what does it? What makes one child who was treated so poorly as a kid – turn to become a killer – someone who couldn’t care about human life and as a result, takes people’s lives? And yet on the other hand, what makes another child, possibly treated the same way – but they turn out to like so many of the champion people who are in this onsite community? Chalk and cheese.Thoughts?Neil

fifi yawn is it the weekend yet ???
  • replies: 4

hello fellow beyond bluers thought i would check in and see how every one is going ?? It is a short week this week i have to say i love short weeks as much as i hate them hahahha the mix up in the routine is really overwhelming at times i am . The la... View more

hello fellow beyond bluers thought i would check in and see how every one is going ?? It is a short week this week i have to say i love short weeks as much as i hate them hahahha the mix up in the routine is really overwhelming at times i am . The last week has been ok with the exception of tuesday wow my poor old brain really failed me then but the rest of the week not so bad maybe i am on the up ? hoping so i have my first fertility trial appointment later on this month so i am hoping that the next few weeks remain good and it will help me to be strong when i really need to . hoping you all have a happy and safe day

Neil_1 Introducing Nugget :) :) :)
  • replies: 9

Dear all My daughter and I thought it time to update my pic against my name - I thought we had chosen Jack, our dog, but it looks as though I've been over-ruled, when I wasn't looking cheeky girl. So I present to you all, ONE of our lovely four chook... View more

Dear all My daughter and I thought it time to update my pic against my name - I thought we had chosen Jack, our dog, but it looks as though I've been over-ruled, when I wasn't looking cheeky girl. So I present to you all, ONE of our lovely four chookens, this one is Nugget. Or Nuggzy to her friends. You may all call her Nuggzy. Neil

geoff sorry can't get to messages
  • replies: 7

I'm so sorry to all those that are commenting and then those who are replying, who I can see have been able to do so, but I am having trouble to respond to you, because my pc won't let me do this. I have gone through all my anti-viruses programs, shu... View more

I'm so sorry to all those that are commenting and then those who are replying, who I can see have been able to do so, but I am having trouble to respond to you, because my pc won't let me do this. I have gone through all my anti-viruses programs, shut down my pc, all to no avail, I am using Firefox on windows 7 which won't let me reply, and then tried chrome but it still comes up with 'system error'. Sorry but I will try and get it fixed, I have informed BB as to my trouble, so just wondering if others are using Firefox. Geoff.

Jo3 Been away
  • replies: 24

Hi to all my friends (Neil, Geoff, Mares, GA, Stressless, White Knight, Crash Coyote(John)Bridget and I'm sorry if I have missed someone's name) I have been away at Cairns for 5 days four our 28th wedding anniversary. It was not a perfect holiday at ... View more

Hi to all my friends (Neil, Geoff, Mares, GA, Stressless, White Knight, Crash Coyote(John)Bridget and I'm sorry if I have missed someone's name) I have been away at Cairns for 5 days four our 28th wedding anniversary. It was not a perfect holiday at all, things went wrong, I was over emotional, we argued, we went for walks, we couldn't hire a car, we didn't get to do the things we had planned. So everyday I was on here with my phone reading everyone's posts and I was getting so frustrated because I couldn't reply to anyone, as I didn't have my computer with me. I so much wanted to reply asap and I was thinking of everyone. Mares, you are a true inspiration to me and others on here. I wish I was with you right now, away from home, away from everyone, we could chat, eat, drink, cry and laugh together. But I know it's not possible (maybe one day) so I am sending you a huge hug. I am sorry I couldn't reply to you earlier, I am thinking so much of you and what you will be going through with the Royal Commission. I praise you so much Mares, you have strength more than what I have ever had, and probably you don't realise. I am glad to see that you are away for a week or so, just to get your head around this. I miss my chats with you and hope to chat again soon., GA - I really hope Sydney comes home soon, missing a pet is so difficult. I know I was away for only 5 days and boy I missed my kelpie, Jersey. Actually when I arrived home before she was crying and jumping up to me wanting hugs and kisses. She was actually happier than the kids to see me!!! GA, hope you've come out of your doona and had the lovely drink that Bridget was making you., Neil - I'm sorry I haven't been able to reply to you - but as always thinking of you and your family especially your son. I'm not up to date with the latest but I will read your post later. By the way, I love your new picture. I think I need one now, but don't know how, so i will ask my kids to do it for me. Stressless - As always, you are another tower of strength and you probably don't realise either. I am thinking of you as well and hope you are okay today. Geoff, I haven't spoken to you for a while but always love what you say to others. White Knight - thanks for listening to me rant and rave at times, I do go over the top at times with my emotions, but I always enjoy reading what you write. Crash Coyte (John) - I had to laugh the other day when I read that you were giving Neil a "wog hug". Nothing wrong with that - I am one too. And boy do we know how to give someone a hug!!! How are you going? I am not too bad. OK, guys I am off to my psych for an interesting session as he knows all about the week of our holiday and I have to re-tell him in a dialectical way (no black and white thinking, no all or nothing thinking, no negatives) - that is going to be difficult!! Let you know how it goes Take care everyone Jo xxx