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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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white knight Avoiding the feeling of failure
  • replies: 3

Our problem is that we can talk about motivation, switching mindsets and thinking we've turned over a new leaf by being positive then we meet a challenge head on only to fall in a heap the following day. Seems we just dont have the endurance to commi... View more

Our problem is that we can talk about motivation, switching mindsets and thinking we've turned over a new leaf by being positive then we meet a challenge head on only to fall in a heap the following day. Seems we just dont have the endurance to commit consistently to motivation. This "fake" motivation is something I experienced as an insurance salesman. "Yes we can sell a policy today, yes get on the phone, yes, yes, yes..." 30 phone calls later I go home deflated without a sale. For we are not made of the ability to remain pumped up. Its not in our mental genes. After years of studying my own mental strengths and limitations I've come to the conclusion its better not to go down the road of fake motivation. Motivation is far more effective when all the ingredients needed for motivation are present. What are these elements? Absence of worry- worry is overpowering. It consumes you. It will cause you to return home from a walk very quickly. Google Topic: worry worry worry- beyondblue Physical health- some of us battle with physical limitations and injury. If your leg is damaged remember, you have arms and cardio that can be exercised. Finances- all must be in order. I became motivated after my wife made a budget and sorted our bills by direct debit eliminating my poor memory from storing those bill due by dates. Family- put up those walls to those that put burden on you. Be wise to your limits. If they ring to dump their problems change the subject subtly. Work- leave it at the gate!! Dwelling on work issues is unpaid overtime! Most workplaces are toxic, accept it. The we wait. Wait for the day things seem relaxed. Put your runners on and start with a stroll. Breath deep, focus on the bird sounds and live!. An old friend once said "Tony, you havent lived until you've seen a flower bloom from start to finish." Well I've never had that much patience but the message hit home. And I've never been able to get motivated until all my problems are sorted and then that golden day comes along. Until then its "fake motivation" and the problem with that is we feel we failed by attempting to do that exercise plan or go shopping or visit friends. All those "failures" add to our fragile minds. Our confidence shatters and we return to our doctors for an increase of medication and more frequent appointments. Dont have too high expectations of yourself. Motivation will come and go depending on your mental state on the day. Be fluid as your mind is Tony WK

startingnew i could really use some company
  • replies: 19

Right now id really like some company, jsut to sit with me. i dont like asking for help but tonight i really need it all of yesterday i spent with a sick horse trying to save her (vet treatements, mum ringing around for a vet yesterday, me ringing to... View more

Right now id really like some company, jsut to sit with me. i dont like asking for help but tonight i really need it all of yesterday i spent with a sick horse trying to save her (vet treatements, mum ringing around for a vet yesterday, me ringing today and in less than 24 hr ive done over 7 hours walking- the condition she had can sometimes cure it) and today all morning since 5am until 12 today i was trying to save her again but despite the best efforts of myself, mum and the vets she sadly had to be put to sleep today. my mother couldnt handle it so i watched my horse be put to sleep stayed with her until the angels came for her and then get buried. im completely heartbroken and right now i really could use some company

Guest_128 Dyslexia and learning disabilities
  • replies: 16

Hi, I would like to hear what other people have to say about Dyslexia and learning disabilities? I am 45yr old,was diagnosed with bipolar disorder when I was 38,stayed in hospital for 8 weeks, and I was put on medication for ADHD when I was 42. 6mths... View more

Hi, I would like to hear what other people have to say about Dyslexia and learning disabilities? I am 45yr old,was diagnosed with bipolar disorder when I was 38,stayed in hospital for 8 weeks, and I was put on medication for ADHD when I was 42. 6mths ago I discovered I have discovered that I am Dyslexic and or learning disabilities.(undiagnosed by professionals) I don't know a huge lot about and find I am going around in circles. What I'm struggling with is what to do about it, where to go for advice, is it common with mental health, other people's stories, This is all new to me any advice would be great Later

Airies Feeling ok and the tide has turned
  • replies: 68

A year ago I was a mess and for 8 months I was in a dark dark place. Numerous hospital visits, medications, supportive family and lifestyle choices and I'm feeling ok.Being bipolar type 1 I tend to do things to extremes. I'm starting to string a numb... View more

A year ago I was a mess and for 8 months I was in a dark dark place. Numerous hospital visits, medications, supportive family and lifestyle choices and I'm feeling ok.Being bipolar type 1 I tend to do things to extremes. I'm starting to string a number of good days together... I'm starting DBT in a few weeks which will test me somewhat. I'm putting one foot in front of another, not making any huge decisions and part of me is thinking I could be lulling myself into a false sense of security...I'm expecting a fall... I don't want to go where I was.. I don't know whether I could survive another bad episode.. It was scary and I was over it. I continue to have nightmares at night.. I sleep in some sort f medicated bliss but I have my moments. cheers Len

highlysensitivepersonhsp Overcoming depression, what worked for me.
  • replies: 2

One of the feelings that keeps you stuck in depression is feeling overwhelmed. Everything is just too much. You've got so much on your mind. Especially thoughts about what you should be doing with your life...a job, a partner, a house, a family, etc.... View more

One of the feelings that keeps you stuck in depression is feeling overwhelmed. Everything is just too much. You've got so much on your mind. Especially thoughts about what you should be doing with your life...a job, a partner, a house, a family, etc. One of the ways I learned to combat feeling overwhelmed was to shrink my domain. This is a process that goes on in your head. A process of pruning your thoughts and sharpening your focus to concentrate on getting through each task you set for yourself. You might sit around in your pyjamas feeling lost and swamped by life and this saps your self confidence, your ability to cope. But by taking on one task at a time you slowly rebuild your sense of self by having achieved small accomplishments like preparing a meal, tending to your grooming by showering and wearing clean clothes, paying a bill, etc. You have to think small so you can slowly master your domain in terms that are manageable, that are within your ability at the time. Gradually you build confidence and ability to cope. You eventually find that you can run your life and cope with challenges. All this takes patience and time. Maybe even years. The road to recovery is slow. Give yourself credit for each success. Don't diminish it with thoughts about what you ought to be doing. Do what you can, one step at a time. Sandra.

Fiasco GAPS diet - heard of it? Tried it? Thoughts?
  • replies: 6

Hi all, I've recently started reading about Gut and Psychology Syndrome. It's intriguing. I'm wondering if anyone has tried the diet, and whether it had any effect on your mental health? Fi

Hi all, I've recently started reading about Gut and Psychology Syndrome. It's intriguing. I'm wondering if anyone has tried the diet, and whether it had any effect on your mental health? Fi

Banjoman My Wellbeing Course Journey.
  • replies: 43

Hello Everyone, Some of you may know I have been struggling, with no luck, to find a bulk billing psychologist in my area. The other week some helpful members from this very forum suggest I try getting in contact with the MindSopt Clinic -- a free se... View more

Hello Everyone, Some of you may know I have been struggling, with no luck, to find a bulk billing psychologist in my area. The other week some helpful members from this very forum suggest I try getting in contact with the MindSopt Clinic -- a free service for Australian adults who are experiencing difficulties with anxiety, stress, depression and low mood. After completing an online test on the MindSpot website I received a phone call from a psychologist who talked about my results, asked me further questions, and offered me a place in an online course for people with depression, low mood, and anxiety. This week I enrolled and started The Wellbeing Course online. The course aims to provide information and teach skills for managing symptoms and keeping our emotional well-being within the healthy range. I would like to share my journey through this week by week course, mainly regarding what I am learning. I hope that some of the information I share may be helpful, interesting, to some of you or even inspire a conversation. Sharing will also, I believe, help me install the lessons I am learning. Feel free to ask me any questions and I will try my best to answer.

HamSolo01 working and finding jobs
  • replies: 13

Hey been on this thread for a while but decided to start up a new post about work and jobs and what works for each person. I think mental illness has the potential to hold you back from employment (certainly something that has happened to me). I'm on... View more

Hey been on this thread for a while but decided to start up a new post about work and jobs and what works for each person. I think mental illness has the potential to hold you back from employment (certainly something that has happened to me). I'm on the mend and I'm just wondering what it is people do for work. How'd you get to where you are now? What worked and didn't work? etc. Thanks

startingnew life after hospital
  • replies: 3

Hi guys ive just spent the last week in hospital in the MH ward. Im having trouble finding my feet and adjusting back to life outside the ward Can anyone give me some tips?

Hi guys ive just spent the last week in hospital in the MH ward. Im having trouble finding my feet and adjusting back to life outside the ward Can anyone give me some tips?

MarkJT What is your biggest (non mental health condition) achievement?
  • replies: 86

Was watching, "The Voice" last night and there was a young lass who didn't leave the house for two years because of panic attacks, how here she is on National TV singing in front of four judges. I sat back and thought that even if no one turns around... View more

Was watching, "The Voice" last night and there was a young lass who didn't leave the house for two years because of panic attacks, how here she is on National TV singing in front of four judges. I sat back and thought that even if no one turns around and picks her, she has already won - what a brilliant achievement that was. What is your biggest achievement? Mine is overcoming PTSD and functioning quite well but the mental health conditions aside, I would have to say completing my first marathon. A pure punishment of the mind and body and I completed this in the early days of my recovery when i was quite wounded and struggling. To be able to push myself to complete it gave me a massive burst of confidence that I can overcome the PTSD beast and get on with life. Mark