Support
Support

Depression

Depression affects people in Australia every day. Share your own story and learn about other member’s experiences with depression.

Start a conversation

FAQ

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

View the FAQ

Forums guidelines

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

View the guidelines
Categories
Start a conversation

Pinned discussions

BeyondBlue Hello! Read this if you're not sure how to get started
  • replies: 0

Welcome This section of the Beyond Blue Forums is for talking about our experiences with depression. There are lots of chats about how it makes us feel, what it’s like to live with depression and what has worked to help in these times. Thank you for ... View more

Welcome This section of the Beyond Blue Forums is for talking about our experiences with depression. There are lots of chats about how it makes us feel, what it’s like to live with depression and what has worked to help in these times. Thank you for coming this far, we know it can be really hard to take these steps if depression is in your life - we see you and think this is a great step. To get the most out of this space we have a few tips: Get involved. The Forums work best for you when you get active and post where you can. Now, we know that can be really hard, especially when you are experiencing depression. So, if you can post something supportive to someone else here, that would be an incredible start. Speak from the heart. This community wants to know how YOU feel and what has worked for YOU. We trust that you have something unique to say and we can’t wait to hear it. Check in. Lots of the discussions in this section of the Forums have been going for years and they are some of the richest conversations we have. Keep checking in to get new ideas and offer your support. We know it can be tough to start, but when you are ready we want to hear your thoughts. If you need some time to get to know the community, that's okay! Have a look around and see where you want to get involved. Thank you for being here! Beyond Blue

Jeriava How do I talk to my doctor?
  • replies: 9

I’ve been struggling with my life for the past 7-8 years but I finally made an appointment with a doctor. I feel really scared though because I don’t ever go to the doctor for anything, and I havent seen this doctor for so many years that I’m really ... View more

I’ve been struggling with my life for the past 7-8 years but I finally made an appointment with a doctor. I feel really scared though because I don’t ever go to the doctor for anything, and I havent seen this doctor for so many years that I’m really scared that they’ll judge me or won’t believe anything I say. I’m really anti social so I feel like I won’t be able to say what I wanna say or I’ll say the wrong thing causing them to just dismiss me and move me along without helping. I’m just tired of feeling alone, depressed and just worthless but I’m really scared to talk to them.

AGrace SELF HELP TIPS FOR MANAGING DEPRESSION
  • replies: 132

Hi Everyone, Here are some ideas you might like to try for managing symptoms of depression. Of course everyone's different, so let us know what works for you, and please feel free to add to the list... Mindfulness – through breathing or engaging the ... View more

Hi Everyone, Here are some ideas you might like to try for managing symptoms of depression. Of course everyone's different, so let us know what works for you, and please feel free to add to the list... Mindfulness – through breathing or engaging the 5 senses Distress Tolerance – Accepting Emotions and Self Soothing Distraction – Put the thoughts/feelings aside and come back to them when you are ready to deal with them Positive Affirmations – Have some affirmations written down repeat them to yourself daily Sleep/Exercise/Diet – All 3 aspects of our lifestyle can impact the way we think/feel Increasing Pleasurable Activities – Engage in at least one pleasurable activity per day

All discussions

Start a conversation

mr magoo work
  • replies: 10

why can’t we just go to work do our work and go home Why do some managers insist on singling someone out to destroy their self respect self esteem and possibly even making them feel so worthless that living with the harassment is just too much where ... View more

why can’t we just go to work do our work and go home Why do some managers insist on singling someone out to destroy their self respect self esteem and possibly even making them feel so worthless that living with the harassment is just too much where is the accountability for being pushed and prodded into doing or saying something stupid now we have to get help for ourselves because of others abusive behaviour Where is the justice,accountability mental health help in my industry is lip service dotting the eyes and crossing the tees meanwhile many good people with great potential are being subjected to what basically amounts to mental torture pretty much all questions and no answers sorry but myself and my family are suffering because of one person’s need to make this happen and has the power to stop it

Outback1_ Workplace colleague conflict
  • replies: 7

I'm between a rock and a hard place now and can't see a way forward other than resigning.After 3 years of voicing my concerns about a colleagues behaviour toward me and st tiles others and a manager who is aware of this and says 'well some people we ... View more

I'm between a rock and a hard place now and can't see a way forward other than resigning.After 3 years of voicing my concerns about a colleagues behaviour toward me and st tiles others and a manager who is aware of this and says 'well some people we just don't get along with but have to work with them' I've taken sick leave to have some space.Ive had a years worth of workplace counselling, aired my concerns about being unable to work with her due to her bossing me around (she isn't my manager), railroading me in meetings, being terse when some tasks are within her remit, not helping when asked, verbally scoffing at some of my ideas in meetings, sending me 'directive emails' as opposed to suggesting nicely, etc etc.Recently our padp reviews have meant I have to do more with her but her portfolio is bigger than mine. Mgr said now your roles are clear you should have less conflict.within 2 days of being back from leave she hammered me with emails and started telling me how to do my job. i can no longer work under the pressure of her and incompetence of my boss. I feel unsupported, trodden over, silenced and stressed. any suggestions to manage other than finding a new job ? thank you

Mozaik Why I hate life
  • replies: 1

Hello all, it's been a while since I posted. I've figured out why I hate my life so much. I hate my life, because I didn't ask to be here. The way I see it is, I didn't ask to be alive, and therefore, it is unfair that I have to deal with things I do... View more

Hello all, it's been a while since I posted. I've figured out why I hate my life so much. I hate my life, because I didn't ask to be here. The way I see it is, I didn't ask to be alive, and therefore, it is unfair that I have to deal with things I don't want to deal with. List of things I don't want to deal with below: Work - it's a waste of my time, my previous time Put up with shitty people Put up with crappy employer Put up with society's downward trajectory causing problems on my life The fact that I have to work to earn money, and I have to have money to have the life I want - also called wage slavery - so basically I have to endure things that I don't want to get a smidge of happiness, and by the time that smidgen comes along, it's not good enough. For me, life feels like a contract that I didn't sign for, but I have to bear the conditions of. It's completely unfair. Trust me, I have blamed God, my mother for not aborting me for this I have to endure. If someone played me 15 minutes clip of my life preview, I'd be like.... Nope!! But yes, I don't like life in general, I cannot wait to be over with this. Thanks to reading

Jamie-75 Hey :)
  • replies: 3

Not really sure where to start,this will be the very first time ive ever reached out looking for help,i'm nearly 50 and up until now i've kept everything bottled up most of my life,the face i show people outside of my house is totally different from ... View more

Not really sure where to start,this will be the very first time ive ever reached out looking for help,i'm nearly 50 and up until now i've kept everything bottled up most of my life,the face i show people outside of my house is totally different from the one i have behind a closed door,sometimes everything just starts to spill over and my head feels like there's to much noise happening and i start crashing and my emotions go haywire,working in a highly stressful environment doesn't help either,think it just adds fuel to the fire a lot of times but sort of stuck between a rock and a hard place where work is concerned. I probably know i have some sort of depression but can't get enough courage to actually talk to someone in person,even doing this is hard for me but i'm trying,i know if i don't try, things are just going to keep getting worse,hoping down the track i might be able to talk to someone face to face but for now just sort of vent through here,thx for listening

Guest_10200 living with depression plus dealign with emotionally unavailable parents
  • replies: 2

hey everyone, it has been a while since ive last used beyondblue however there has just been a lot of things that have happened recently with my mh and just overall life satisfaction. okay so im currently 17 years old, and after many years of never r... View more

hey everyone, it has been a while since ive last used beyondblue however there has just been a lot of things that have happened recently with my mh and just overall life satisfaction. okay so im currently 17 years old, and after many years of never really understanding why id feel these rlly low pits and just general filtered dissatisfaction, i had gone to the GP and received a diagnosis for severe depression and anxiety. though definitely during that time it was one of the hardest times to keep living and waking up (this was roughly 1-2 months ago) it feels like im feeling the aftermath of this feeling. and to be fair every time I ask someone if depression and these feelings rlly ever goes away because genuinely spiralling, ruminating and thinking about all these things in my laughing makes it truly exhausting. for example even when im with friends, ill find it social anxious + awkward even if I know so much about them, though it always feels like they dont know anyhting about me or more its I haven't been able to let them know really anything about me and that makes me just incredibly numb to the fact that im idly being here. and also with my mum especially, since it is holidays, everything she talks to me about, everything she argues, everything is always about doing more work, and not dissapointing myself and my parents and how im wasting time in my life, whenever I try go out to like take a break, ive just been mentally exhausted. and yes I have a psychologist and im seeing her soon, however it just feels like im like I said before, just idly roaming and i 1. dont really know what im going to do in my future 2. im not bored ive just been drained 3. when im by myself I feel comfortable but also I know im avoiding rlly the unavoidable idea of social connection. though rlly I just want to have a higher satisfaction with my life, but also school is starting but im worried again for the rlly long holidays that follow. (im just seeking some advice as i find sometimes calling helps but it feels as though every time im either retelling my story or i can rlly voice out everything ive been meaning to say)

OneStepAtATime Emotionally exhausted
  • replies: 3

Hi, I’ve avoided reaching out to mental health lines till now. I’m not in a great place this is the worst it’s ever been. I’ll feel good again in a week or so but I know it’ll hit me again soon and seeing how this time is worse I’m scared how much wo... View more

Hi, I’ve avoided reaching out to mental health lines till now. I’m not in a great place this is the worst it’s ever been. I’ll feel good again in a week or so but I know it’ll hit me again soon and seeing how this time is worse I’m scared how much worse these phases will get. Anxiety/depression runs in the family, I’ve suffered through phases all my life. Most of the time I feel I don’t belong, like I’m stuck, tired of trying to keep up with life. Even small things like messaging people or getting through the day can feel overwhelming. The thought of the word “effort” or “life” feels heavy. I’m not suicidal I would never but I’d be lying if I said I never picture it. I wonder what it would be like to not feel so heavy all the time. I want to feel peace, like I belong somewhere but why do I feel anxious no matter where I am, I want to be anywhere else but I know I’ll still feel discomfort. I hope I made the right choice reaching out here.

Lindsay0581 How to like yourself when there is nothing to like
  • replies: 9

I don't think I have ever really liked anything about myself. I don't think there is anything to truely like. I am truely worthless. I was always the dumbest in school and university ( uni drop out - so much failure). I suck at sport. Have trouble co... View more

I don't think I have ever really liked anything about myself. I don't think there is anything to truely like. I am truely worthless. I was always the dumbest in school and university ( uni drop out - so much failure). I suck at sport. Have trouble communicating at times. Have worked retail for maybe 20 years because, no office job would ever hire no matter what CV place/ job adivce, advancement I have tried. And I have begun to hate customer serivice with a blind passion. I swear being good a good customer service whatever is really just letting people treat you like crap. I will never earn enough money to be a true equel partner in my my relationship. People - even people who know me well can never tell me what I am actually good at, or just say I am kind which is some patronizing consolation prize for being an idiot. Mostly palitudes cause they don't know what to say. Oh she's dumb but at least she's nice about it. So many pysgologists and councilers just get me to talk in cirlces becuase at the end of the day I am me and that is never going to change. A pysgologists once told me that I should congratualte myself cause I get out of bed in the morning. The whole thing felt so patronizing. So I still don't understand what is to actually like.

Jenna_ Just need to talk
  • replies: 2

17 and recently got diagnosed with depression. ever since starting college i haven't been happy. everyday i wake up with the dreading feeling of having to interact with people in the fakest way ever while suppressing my own emotions so i dont have to... View more

17 and recently got diagnosed with depression. ever since starting college i haven't been happy. everyday i wake up with the dreading feeling of having to interact with people in the fakest way ever while suppressing my own emotions so i dont have to deal with them. eventually they lead up to you. its now an every week type of thing, where i break down crying, hopeless for my future. my parents are immigrants - they dont believe in mental health problems, i hate being at home anyways because my parents are just always mad at me. i dont know why they can never ask me if im ok , i dont even feel comfortable opening up to them. i really hope i never become a parent like that. im not sure what i did to have a life like this. i feel like a failure. my grades just keep slipping, how am i even gonna get into university at this rate. i hate myself so much. i really hope someone understands. what do i do

Guest_52178034 loneliness
  • replies: 1

I am 32 year old male I am suffering from depression loneliness for a long time I don’t have any real friends I have no one to talk to and I feel hopeless I have thought of self harming myself what do I do

I am 32 year old male I am suffering from depression loneliness for a long time I don’t have any real friends I have no one to talk to and I feel hopeless I have thought of self harming myself what do I do

Love79 How do I pull back, move forward and not 'fix' it?
  • replies: 2

My husband is an amazing man, but we have found ourselves so stuck in the daily routine of life. We have both made decisions that have affected us, and I acknowledge my decisions while stuck in my own spiral have affected him greatly. We have been fi... View more

My husband is an amazing man, but we have found ourselves so stuck in the daily routine of life. We have both made decisions that have affected us, and I acknowledge my decisions while stuck in my own spiral have affected him greatly. We have been financially stressed for years, and feel like we haven't gotten anywhere. We have arrived at a crucial point in our lives and I feel we were making progress with plans, but to do this we need to do some things that don't sit right with either of us. I am taking the path that it is a stepping stone (of which we have had many) and he is feeling like it is putting him back in prison and he is stuck. He acknowledges that this is depression due to environment, and I am petrified that he will leave and we won't get the opportunity to live our dreams. We are both suffering anxiety for different reasons, and he recently admitted that the thought of spending time alone with me creates an anxiety in him but he can't explain why. I know I have let him down in the past, and please don't get me wrong, he is also not perfect, just me acknowledging my contribution to his unhappiness, but I have recognised everything and honestly validated his feelings with him, and felt we took a huge leap forward, and now his anxiety is overwhelming him. He feels he is not the father he wants to be, the husband he wants to be, has taken a job he doesn't want to do in a place he hates, but the thought of relocating (which we were in talks and plans for) is too much for him. I love him but I feel that I am a huge trigger for him at the moment, how do I do this?

As an organisation that supports people from across Australia, Beyond Blue acknowledges the Traditional Owners and Custodians of Country and their continuing connection to land, waters and community. We pay respect to Elders past and present.

First Nations Peoples are advised that this website may include reference to and images of deceased persons.

Beyond Blue is committed to safe inclusive spaces, policies and services for people of LGBTIQ+ communities and their families.

Helpful information

Stay in touch

Sign up below for regular emails from Beyond Blue, filled with information, advice and support for you or your loved ones.

Stay in touch

Talk it through with us, we'll point you in the right direction.

Call 1300 224 636

24 hours / 7 days a week

Chat Online

24 hours / 7 days a week

Email us

Get a reply in 24 hours

Copyright © 2026 Beyond Blue Ltd

All rights reserved

Contact us Terms of use Privacy policy Site map