Staying well

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BeyondBlue Tradies National Health Month
  • replies: 0

Hi everyone, August is Tradies National Health Month, to highlight the importance of health and safety among Australia’s trade workers. Mental health and wellbeing is crucial to the safety of anyone in the mining or construction industries, so Beyond... View more

Hi everyone, August is Tradies National Health Month, to highlight the importance of health and safety among Australia’s trade workers. Mental health and wellbeing is crucial to the safety of anyone in the mining or construction industries, so Beyond Blue is hosting a special free webinar for our tradie community on Tuesday 12 August at 4.30pm which you can register for here. We know that Tradies can face unique stressors, with a culture of toughness and difficult job demands that can impact personal time and self-care. It can also be tough for partners and family members who aren’t sure how to support someone in a trade who may be showing signs that their mental health isn’t at its best. If you’re unsure where to start your conversation this is the space for you. Whether you want to share your own experiences, ask questions, or simply connect with others who understand what you're going through, you're in the right place. If you're seeking additional support, here are some resources: Hope Assistance Local Tradies: Home This Is A Conversation Starter: TIACS - This is a Conversation Starter Mates in Construction: MATES - Industry Based Suicide Prevention - MATES Don’t forget - our counsellors are always here for you on 1300 22 46 36. We’ll also use this space to post some of the questions and answers from the webinar discussion. Feel free to dive in and keep the conversation going. Thank you again for joining us — we’re glad you’re here.

Just Sara A Bouquet for Pearls - share your appreciation for other members
  • replies: 715

Every now and then, members share a beautiful Pearl of Wisdom. How often do you think to yourself; "OMG that's great! I wish everyone could see this." Presenting someone with a bunch of flowers is a generous way of acknowledging their insightful word... View more

Every now and then, members share a beautiful Pearl of Wisdom. How often do you think to yourself; "OMG that's great! I wish everyone could see this." Presenting someone with a bunch of flowers is a generous way of acknowledging their insightful words. I hope this thread stays active through members giving out praise regularly to people they feel deserving, and therefore keep generosity of spirit alive within the pages of BeyondBlue Forum. My bunch of Red Roses (my choice) goes to Wishful for the following sentence; 'Personally, I see no reason to be praised in me, but I'm learning that seeing through the eyes of others can be more accurate!!' I so hear you Wishful. Just beautiful... Try to keep your leading comments short to focus on 'their' words. Choose specific flowers (or a gift if you like) to present to them. Sign off respectfully and sincerely. I hope this takes off... Spreading the love...Sara

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SEL Overwhelmed by toxic people
  • replies: 3

I'm writing this as I find putting down my thoughts helps me. Over the last few years I have found myself becoming increasingly angry with my dealings with people and situations where I now want to withdraw from the world. I'm a retired customer serv... View more

I'm writing this as I find putting down my thoughts helps me. Over the last few years I have found myself becoming increasingly angry with my dealings with people and situations where I now want to withdraw from the world. I'm a retired customer service representative who was used to dealing with a variety of people, mainly good clients, yet the bad ones and the nature of the job (in health) burnt me out. The management also gave very new staff extra roles, which were at the same pay rate, over longer term capable staff, with us having to advocate strongly to increase our knowledge, but we were inexplicably met with resistance. I kept telling myself not to worry about it, just do my job, yet it really got to me. The centre had a very high turnover, some staying 3 months to a year. Some staff "disappeared" and some received thanks for their service. I lasted 2 and a half years. After a family double death of elderly in-laws and then me having an epileptic episode of the amnesia kind, I felt that I couldn't continue in the job, so I resigned. Rightly or wrongly, I felt very hard done-by by management, and for months before leaving I had nightly nightmares. I was one of the "disappeared" as when I emailed a colleague to say goodbye, she was shocked to learn that I'd left. Being on epilepsy medication, I don't know if it caused issues or if it was my thinking, or a combination of both. An earlier medication that the doctor said may make me feel grumpy, made me feel 'wonky' and when someone upset me, I became so angry. Luckily, I didn't show this in the workplace? After leaving the job, it took me months to get over my anger. During the last two years, my husband and I have had issues with two neighbours that I previously wrote about. One, being alleged criminals who the police seem to be on a catch and release mission from time to time. We steer clear of them letting sleeping dogs lie. Even now in the early hours of the morning, I can hear them in the yard. Maybe another car for the police to tow away? The other neighbour excavated up to our fence line which backs onto a Right of Way, not on their side of their property. They have undermined our soil and fence causing erosion. The council checked it but as the excavation is under a certain height, the council says it's now a civil matter. Recently I asked the woman to reinstate the land. She said a gully had always been there - untrue; that no excavation had been done - we saw the bobcat and her husband had told a tradesman in front of me that he had done it; they had council approval - untrue. Lie, deny, fabricate, distract. As in a horror movie when an evil spirit is absorbed into an innocent victim, I felt physically rotten to the core, as I was angry and it was so unjust, selfish and entitled. After a week, though still angry, at least the rotten feeling has dissipated. The woman said that I am the common denominator with having issues with 2 neighbours, and it could look that way, even to me, yet we haven't done anything to cause issues, only issues have been thrust onto us. After this 'meeting', we will unfortunately have to go through with legal action, as if we fix the fence and land ourselves, they will still be out there digging gutters undermining the land and fence, so it may lead to obtaining an Apprehended Personal Violence Order against them. I am reluctant to venture into our yard as the woman and her husband are always around with them telling us we should do this and that with our land. I won't even let my grandchildren play there as I'm concerned that they will be yelled at. I wish we didn't have to deal with them at all! And though I wish to be off this planet, these people are totally not worth it. Oh, and lastly, whilst watching a movie tonight where an actress wore a similar dress to one that I have, my darling husband brought up that when going out with him, I should wear makeup and look better, AND that ten years ago, a husband of his sister, who is now in his 90's, said I should have worn a better outfit to a family wedding!! Can you believe it!! I told my husband if he likes makeup, then he can wear it himself. And saying all this to a woman who has had issues with her looks since the age of 4.

smallwolf Christmas isn’t my favourite time of year
  • replies: 25

I'm not that much of a fan of Christmas. To me, it's fake. And pressure to be cheerful, social, and “festive,” and I often find myself feeling the opposite. And so I’m also trying to look after my mental health a bit more this year, but I’m curious h... View more

I'm not that much of a fan of Christmas. To me, it's fake. And pressure to be cheerful, social, and “festive,” and I often find myself feeling the opposite. And so I’m also trying to look after my mental health a bit more this year, but I’m curious how others cope during this season. What things do you do at this time of year to take care of your mental health?Anything that helps you stay grounded, calm, or just get through the holidays? Thanks in advance to anyone willing to share.

Guest_12157020 Hello
  • replies: 2

Hi I'm Mick and just signed up. K10 test confirmed what I thought I was feeling. I've acknowledged it. I'm good at hiding my stress and thoughts. I'm safe. And sorry my writing skills rubbish. Good to know that thoughts subside. And help is out there... View more

Hi I'm Mick and just signed up. K10 test confirmed what I thought I was feeling. I've acknowledged it. I'm good at hiding my stress and thoughts. I'm safe. And sorry my writing skills rubbish. Good to know that thoughts subside. And help is out there. Thank you.

Paw Prints Staying/Getting/Doing Well – Moving goalposts or fixed target?
  • replies: 1966

Hi, this is my first post, though I have been reading the forums for some weeks. I’m probably expressing myself badly when I say that I have found reading about other people’s journeys reassuring. Finding a community of people who “get it” even when ... View more

Hi, this is my first post, though I have been reading the forums for some weeks. I’m probably expressing myself badly when I say that I have found reading about other people’s journeys reassuring. Finding a community of people who “get it” even when they have a wide variety of experiences and lives lived is not something I thought I would ever find. Though people talk about getting well & there is a section Staying Well, I’m curious as to what this actually means to other people and how they manage their expectations. I noticed some people refer to being well as ‘being like themselves before they got ill’, whilst others don’t express an exact aim. My idea of being well has changed over the years. I was first diagnosed as an 8 year old child back in the late sixties. The doctors told Mum that the voices in my head & the sudden crying bouts were because I suffered from ‘nerves’ & I was given meds to calm me. Of course such things were not discussed back then & I was told not to talk about it to anyone, not my school friends nor siblings, just Mum. For decades after my idea of being well simply meant being able to hide my illness from others. A number of events in my life caused my illness to worsen, until some years ago I became so ill I needed to be hospitalised for my own safety. This lead to my current diagnosis of Major Depression, Anxiety & PTSD. I’m no longer in that dark place, but each day is still a battle (though I can now believe in a future). For now only my siblings & one friend know about my illness, though some things they still don’t know. So, what does ‘being well’ mean to me, it is ever moving goalposts. If you had asked me 5 years ago would I be as well as I am now I would have thought it impossible as I couldn’t envision a future. If you had asked me last week (during one of my down periods) I would have said my progress was all an illusion & I was fooling myself that things can get better. For now my idea of being well is being able to believe that things can change for the better, that I will one day be able to manage the everyday things like housework, caring for myself & caring for my dog & maybe, just maybe I will even be able to enjoy myself. Paw Prints **I took the tip to give myself time to write my post by writing on a word doc & then paste it.

amd1953 Merry Christmas 2025
  • replies: 3

Once again, I am going to wish the world a very merry Christmas and a happy new year for 2026.Best wishes for inner peace and harmonyamd1953

Once again, I am going to wish the world a very merry Christmas and a happy new year for 2026.Best wishes for inner peace and harmonyamd1953

Guest_07309003 Medical Hair Loss at 19
  • replies: 2

I’m a nineteen year old girl. I am social, I love fashion, makeup, my beauty is my world. I lost 65% of my hair this year after a clinical trial and I am so beyond heartbroken. This is the hardest thing I have gone through in my whole five-year healt... View more

I’m a nineteen year old girl. I am social, I love fashion, makeup, my beauty is my world. I lost 65% of my hair this year after a clinical trial and I am so beyond heartbroken. This is the hardest thing I have gone through in my whole five-year health journey and is the absolute worst pain. My hair has been my world, I’ve had hundreds of coloured streaks and patterns since I was 12 and have always had the most healthy, long and thick hair that I have always valued as my favourite feature about myself.

moody-_ahhhhh Lost my sense of direction
  • replies: 4

underemployed, moody and probably lazy like every other summer :,(, im lost and dont know what to do and dont wanna splurge more money and cant get an internship

underemployed, moody and probably lazy like every other summer :,(, im lost and dont know what to do and dont wanna splurge more money and cant get an internship

Doolhof Three things to be thankful for today
  • replies: 4907

Some days it is really hard to find anything to be thankful for when we feel overcome by the darkness and fog of depression. If I look hard enough, I can find something to be thankful for. I would like to encourage others to write down three things t... View more

Some days it is really hard to find anything to be thankful for when we feel overcome by the darkness and fog of depression. If I look hard enough, I can find something to be thankful for. I would like to encourage others to write down three things they are thankful for, and to realise there is a sense of hope available to us all. Sometimes it is just a little hard to find! So my three things for today are: 1: The lovely singing of birds in the morning as they welcome in the new day 2: The ability to read and write 3: A lovely hot shower. Wishing all the "family" in BB Land a day full of noticing the nice things in life. Kind regards to you all, from Dools.

Mario_Sonic My Good News
  • replies: 10

Hey guys, Liam here. I just wanted to say that I now finally have a girl mate who I can talk to about my struggles and she’s a great person. Thank you guys so much for listening to me in the time I’ve been here.

Hey guys, Liam here. I just wanted to say that I now finally have a girl mate who I can talk to about my struggles and she’s a great person. Thank you guys so much for listening to me in the time I’ve been here.

14041938 Christmas
  • replies: 3

This is my first post.The only part of Christmas I did like is buy gifts for everyone, now I only buy for my Grandchildren. No desire to drag the decorations out, I live alone & will not have any contact with my family for the 3rd year. It gets lonel... View more

This is my first post.The only part of Christmas I did like is buy gifts for everyone, now I only buy for my Grandchildren. No desire to drag the decorations out, I live alone & will not have any contact with my family for the 3rd year. It gets lonely but I prefer to be alone. No expectations or pressure this way.