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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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matt Benifits of exercise
  • replies: 6

Im getting a lot of conflicting info on research of exercise. Just wondering has anyone had any positive experiences with it. Thanks

Im getting a lot of conflicting info on research of exercise. Just wondering has anyone had any positive experiences with it. Thanks

whitedove89 Please read my new online blog - a young persons view on mental health/mental illness
  • replies: 3

Hi All, I am a 24 year old woman and I've recently began writing about my personal experiences with mental health/mental illness. I'm hoping my blog reaches those who need it most, whether you or someone you know is suicidal, I urge you to read my bl... View more

Hi All, I am a 24 year old woman and I've recently began writing about my personal experiences with mental health/mental illness. I'm hoping my blog reaches those who need it most, whether you or someone you know is suicidal, I urge you to read my blog. I'm by no means an expert but I offer what I know, have learnt and still learning. I will answer any questions and respond to any feedback. Thank you for your time. Here's the link : http://whitedove89.wordpress.com

Dennis38 How do you control the highs?
  • replies: 7

To day started out good, woke up, which is always a plus in my book, got to spend a little time with my wife before she went to work, had a good walk with the dog, was generally speaking in a good mood. Had lunch, watched a good movie, and now I am s... View more

To day started out good, woke up, which is always a plus in my book, got to spend a little time with my wife before she went to work, had a good walk with the dog, was generally speaking in a good mood. Had lunch, watched a good movie, and now I am sinking fast into a depression, I know how to fix this "little" issue and I will, its a simple matter of taking the dog for another walk and more than likely despite the physical pain the brain will kick itself back into a good mood. Of late this has been an on going thing, up one minute, could be a few hours, then down in the dumps the second minute, hell yesterday I went from happy to sad to pissed off to super happy again, all with in a half hour then back to what ever my normal is, I prefer to think of it as in the middle ground. Normally I can control the mood swings, they are part of my life, heck I can almost predict them, and some days I can stop them simply by avoiding my triggers, but the last week or so I have had no warnings, in some odd way I can handle the down swing better then the upswing. Part of this I think is because of the stat class I am taking for my MBA that has me a little stressed out, wont admit that to the wife who says I am stressing out, I just can't admit to a woman that she is right, goes against the grain and she might get a big head, only room in this house for one ego and mine is big enough! And of course the no work thing is driving me a little nuts, and have the inlaws coming over for the weekend they are going to a monster truck rally and saddling the wife with our great niece who is only 2, and I say saddle my wife because she is the one that will be looking out for the munchkin! AH joy the upswing is happening as I write this long post simply because a good song came on so now I will be super high pretty damn soon, I think the main reasons I hate the highs is that I can stop how fast or how high I climb, then of course there is the screaming crash and burn after the super high. So a question for anyone that can answer it or have any ideas, how do you control the highs? The lows I know about, took a while but I can keep myself from getting too low, the highs though I have no clue how to stop and they scare me, and I think it scares the wife because when I am high I am laughing to the point of crying over the littlest thing, and I can't stop until the brain kicks my legs out from under me then I crash and man that crash is physicaly and mentally hard! Any ways going to go walk the dog in hopes it will kick the brain back into neutral or at least get myself moving forward! Wish you all the best in fighting the beast and remember there are people out there that can help if you are willing to put your hand out!

Pixie15 Your experiences of group participation.
  • replies: 5

Hi to all who have been kind enough to read this post, I am coming to the end of current therapy and am looking for other options of support. One of the options I am considering is joining a support group. I have been fairly socially isolated for a l... View more

Hi to all who have been kind enough to read this post, I am coming to the end of current therapy and am looking for other options of support. One of the options I am considering is joining a support group. I have been fairly socially isolated for a lot of years and because of various experiences have trouble trusting people and I am fighting off the impulse of going it alone again. The decision is mine but I get the impression that the psychologist may think a group would be a good idea. If anyone wants to share their experiences of group participation, the good, the bad and the cautionary, I would be very grateful. Thanks, Chris.

Pixie15 I need to say thank you.
  • replies: 2

Hi, I can not remember why I first signed in to the online forums earlier this year. It is not something I would usually do. I am very glad I did though. I have received so much help. From being able to share some of my own experience and from readin... View more

Hi, I can not remember why I first signed in to the online forums earlier this year. It is not something I would usually do. I am very glad I did though. I have received so much help. From being able to share some of my own experience and from reading a lot of your stories and responses. I think this helped me to stay committed to seeking help and continuing with therapy when it was challenging. I have mentally moved from being on auto pilot waiting to die to really wanting to live. I have new goals, new dreams and hope for the future. I am happy.

Big_Mac Just saying thanks!
  • replies: 1

Hello, Im Caleb, I came on these forums about 3 or 4 months ago now, or maybe 2 months... anyway, when i came on i was distraught, and i didn't know what was happening to me. I have dealt with depression before but never to this extent. I was hearing... View more

Hello, Im Caleb, I came on these forums about 3 or 4 months ago now, or maybe 2 months... anyway, when i came on i was distraught, and i didn't know what was happening to me. I have dealt with depression before but never to this extent. I was hearing voices for the first time ever and that freaked me out a lot, i felt hopeless, helpless and wanted to die. Thankfully i came on here and talked about it with some people and eventually got the nerve to talk give the helpline a ring. They then put me in contact with my local Mental health emergency team who came and saw me within in 24hours at home. I've been meeting with the team every week since and have been put on an anti-psychotic and anti depressant medication which are seeming to help. I had suicidal ideas and thankfully because of help these have gone away. My attitude to life is becoming a bit more positive each day. I just wanted to say thanks to all the people that help others on these forums, because you all literally saved my life. Instead of going out and acting upon my suicidal thoughts i talked to someone and they lead me on to more help. I'm very great full, thanks again!

hersilentsymphony Reading Books
  • replies: 5

Hi Guys, When I'm feeling down I usually escape to the fictional reality of books, but since I read so fast I have run out of books to read. What book do you find helps you the most and what are you thinking of reading next? I am interested to see th... View more

Hi Guys, When I'm feeling down I usually escape to the fictional reality of books, but since I read so fast I have run out of books to read. What book do you find helps you the most and what are you thinking of reading next? I am interested to see the different books people come up with. Thank you, Hersilentsymphony x.

Carol-Anne Any Academic Goal Is Possible
  • replies: 3

Hi students, families and friends. I am 57 and have been diagnosed with Bipolar type 2 since 1989 and was previously undiagnosed for around 15 years or more. I am writing to let everybody know any academic goal is possible. I am currently completing ... View more

Hi students, families and friends. I am 57 and have been diagnosed with Bipolar type 2 since 1989 and was previously undiagnosed for around 15 years or more. I am writing to let everybody know any academic goal is possible. I am currently completing my PhD in Creative Writing after taking what seems to be the longest permitted period of enrolment. But I am getting there, complete with three long periods in a private hospital ward and many, many outpatient attendances. But despite this I am confident of completing in a couple of months time, perhaps early 2014. The Unis have disability support officers and policies but often they do not know how best to support those of us with mental illnesses. The administrative systems for leaves of absence, sick leave, students grants and scholarships are not set up for any interrupted period of candidature. But with our own knowledge of our illness, and courage to speak to Counsellors and Deans, even our lecturers, we can force change and needed concessions. I know I have done it. It takes energy and emotional commitment so my advice is speak up when you are well, just flagging the possibility you might need help in the future. Fill out the box on the enrolment forms that indicates you have a disability which may impact your candidature. 99% of the time we have ABILITY but should the dark times descend we have a positive track record up until then to gain the necessary support and good will to counter any discrimination or stigma. I may not be young but I consider myself highly successful having held down many highly skilled jobs, completing all my education from high school, TAFE, and every level of Uni. Gee I've even taught and lectured at them. Now I am becoming a published writer and Stand Up Comic. It's not an easy road. It can be challenging at times but I would not change my life or swap my illness for anything. Keep your Wellness routines happening and only keep around you supportive and positive friends...let the others go...you health and well Eng is more important. The more of us who succeed in every walk of life and who are willing to speak openly about mental illness will eventually eradicate stigma and discrimination.

Chris_B Promoting wellbeing in school
  • replies: 1

This afternoon, we received a Youtube clip from Carissa, College Captain at St John's Anglican College. They entered a nationwide youth leadership competition this year with mental health as the topic, and this 5-minute video shows everything they di... View more

This afternoon, we received a Youtube clip from Carissa, College Captain at St John's Anglican College. They entered a nationwide youth leadership competition this year with mental health as the topic, and this 5-minute video shows everything they did throughout the year to promote wellbeing in their school. It's worth the watch - I wish there had been leadership like this at my high school. I would have felt a lot less isolated. Please share your thoughts as well.

Chris_B Consumer forum - inner west Sydney (from the NSW Consumer Advisory Group)
  • replies: 2

NSW Consumer Advisory Group – Mental Health Inc. Special Bulletin No 13: Inner West Sydney Consumers and Carers ‘Partners in Recovery’ Forum Wednesday 25 September 2013 Dear Consumers and Carers, On behalf of New Horizons, NSW Consumer Advisory Group... View more

NSW Consumer Advisory Group – Mental Health Inc. Special Bulletin No 13: Inner West Sydney Consumers and Carers ‘Partners in Recovery’ Forum Wednesday 25 September 2013 Dear Consumers and Carers, On behalf of New Horizons, NSW Consumer Advisory Group and Mental Health Carers ARAFMI NSW, we have the pleasure of inviting you to the Inner West Sydney Consumers and Carers ‘Partners in Recovery’ (PIR) Forum, which will be held on the 10th October. The day will comprise two Forums. In the morning, issues relating to Carers will be addressed, and in the afternoon, issues relating to Consumers will be addressed. Some of the topics include discussing what is currently available for Carers and Consumers in the public mental health system, what Carers and Consumers think should be available; and how PIR can start to meet these needs? This will lead into a discussion about what PIR is and what it isn’t and how PIR can benefit Carers and Consumers. We are inviting Carers to the Forum from 9.00am to 12.30pm while Consumers are invited to attend from 12.30pm to 5.00pm. There will be a shared lunch from 12.30pm to 1.30pm, which will give everyone from the two Forums the opportunity to mingle in a relaxed setting. The Forum is for Inner West Sydney Consumers and Carers, and, as such, is open to Carers and Consumers from Canada Bay, Canterbury, Strathfield, Burwood, Ashfield, Marrickville, Leichhardt and the City of Sydney. Lunch and light refreshments will be served on the day and metropolitan travel costs will be reimbursed. Please confirm your RSVP to Esther Pavel-Wood by email epavel-wood@nswcag.org.au or to the following phone numbers: 02 9332 0200 (for Consumers and Carers) and 02 9332 0777 (for Carers only) by Wednesday 2nd October.