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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 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!

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, 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!

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 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.

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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 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

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

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, 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.

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 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

Introducing Jersey

replies: 2

Hi everyone I want to introduce to you all my beautiful kelpie x border collie "Jersey". She is 18 months old and is so cute, intelligent, naughty some times but above all she is my beautiful friend. Jersey knows when I am down and sad because she will come and sit right next to me and is protecting me. She is "my excuse" for going for walks and as soon as I say walk she runs to the door to go. Jersey loves the beach and runs for the ball. We had a maltese terrier for over 10 years and had to put Minnie down about 3 years ago. And I said to the kids no more dogs, But the kids went out altogether and put money in together to buy Jersey. I had no say, was angry with them at first but looking at Jersey now I am so glad we have her. Jo

Hanging on

replies: 7

Hi All, just wanted to say I am here and listening sending my support Neil, Geoff, Jo Mares, White Knight, GA., White Rose you continue to inspire me Ess Elle ( stressless)

Alcohol battles & DOG days (and a small Neil update)

replies: 11

Hi there For those of you who are unfamiliar with the use of the term "DOG", I've now coined a new phrase "Days Off Grog". It used to be for me for so long, AFD's - Alcohol Free Day's, but during April, I dug deep into my brain (and yes, it did hurt!) and have come up with a new and I think improved version - DOG days. For me, I count them each year and have done so for a while now - it's because I'm canal - people bear with me here - had to use the word canal, as each time I've used the 'real word' in the past, it hasn't made it past the mods. So my friends, just remove the c from the front of that word and you'll exactly what I am. I don't think it's a bad thing, I think it borders on OCD to some extent. ANYWAY, my real point of this thread is that even though May has started - I'm just wondering if anyone out there would like to try for a few DOG days for this month? I ask this because I get a real sense that yes, alcohol IS an issue for so many of us and yes, while we know that it does help us deaden our demons for a while, I guess if you look at it from a human body perspective and professional health viewpoint, drinking heaps every day isn't a good thing. I'm talking about me here - and even though I do exercise each day as well - my thinking that negates it to some extent - perhaps, or it just helps my mind to think so. I still haven't been able to gym it of late due to about 3 niggling issues - and I've finally bit the bullet and will be seeing my physio on Monday arve - possibly to determine which of the injuries is the most significant, etc etc. But I won't bore you with those details. My mind continues to plague and torture me - and has anyone ever felt when say you're walking in a shopping centre or the like and you're passing someone and they look at you and yet, they continue to look at you. I can understand someone looking and then they look away (nothing to see here, move along kind of thing) but when someone continues to look at you till they pass. I've had that recently and wowee, it gets to me. I used to look away in a kind of embarassment or fear - but of late, I just stare right back at them. It gets me angry for some reason - and I find that I'm doing that with strangers a bit now. I don't know why it is. Lastly, what is comforting is when my psyche tells me that my time on here is invaluable - and that it's such a great thing to be able to reach out to others and help as much as I can. She thinks it's a really positive sign that I've found something that I actually enjoy doing - and also actually feel like I'm contributing - contributing into helping others - whereas for the job that I'm paid for during 5 days a week, I just don't get that feel. And folks, that's the devil isn't it - that's the hard part. To find a job that you're happy with and that it also brings in the dollars to help you survive in this world. D'oh - I've rambled again, when I was really trying to extend this to anyone who is currently drinking and was just thinking, that maybe I could see if I could have a day here or there off. I'm in a bad mode at the moment and I'm now only drinking on days with R in them. Today of course is SundRay. Cheers Neil

Unsustainable Growth in local and global populations coupled with unsustainable per capita consumption of the Earth's finite, vital, resources.

replies: 4

G'day, I'm an ol' fart and have been depressed for many, many years. I consider suicide every day. My depression is caused by two elements. The first is contained in the Title of this post and my depression, without a solution IMO, is because I despair for my children and their children. I, along with others of my ilk, have an unquestionable, irrefutable understanding that there are no solutions to the population growth and the per-capita consumption of the Earth's finite and vital (to humans and other species) resource issues other than a culling of human populations, almost certainly brought about by wars, starvation and disease in the not too distant future. The culling has already begun in many places throughout the world. The greatest cause of my depression is the knowledge that my offspring, will have to attempt to deal with the aforementioned issue of unsustainable growth or as some reliable, realist commentators now refer to it -"The Collapse" of human civilization as we've known it - as will I, should I live long enough. My second depressive element is less important and can be resolved with adequate work on my behalf. It is that i'm not enjoying/handling the deterioration in my physical and mental health as a result of my aging. Something we'll all have to deal with should we live long enough. So.... there you have it. I see no solution to my first, depressive, issue. As the late Professor Albert A Bartlett stated. " The greatest shortcoming of the human race is our inability to understand the exponential function." Any suggestions, anyone? Oo roo, The Selfish Big Brained Mammal (SBBM)

Easter wishes

replies: 3

HAPPY EASTER to all ... and I hope that if you're able to, that you can find a little "sunshine" in the upcoming days especially for those of us who might be feeling really low at this time. If anyone is doing any travelling, please be safe. If you're staying put, then be safe as well, but most of all, have a great/good/ok a time over the next few days. Please also be very careful too. Of the dreaded (and sometimes much loved) chocolate monster that will be lurking over the weekend … he can be very tempting and alluring; be wary! My fam have the tradition of doing the easter egg hunt first thing on a Sunday morning - so it's Saturday night where me and my partner hide the eggs throughout the house - and you know, now that I'm getting just that little bit older each year, it's really a great thing - cause the following morning I'm deadly serious when I'm searching for them too, cause I've got no idea where I put them just 8 or so hours before! Take care my friends Neil

New Name.

replies: 5

Hi to all who have seen my posts under the name CLOSED DOWN. Well, I'm now MARK1. Not Closed Down with my life anymore! Cheers,

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

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

The BB cafe replies: 20591

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

Introducing Nugget :) :) :) replies: 9

sorry can't get to messages replies: 7

Been away replies: 24

Introducing Jersey replies: 2

Hanging on replies: 7

Alcohol battles & DOG days (and a small Neil update) replies: 11

Unsustainable Growth in local and global populations coupled with unsustainable per capita consumption of the Earth&apos;s finite, vital, resources. replies: 4

Easter wishes replies: 3

New Name. replies: 5