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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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amamas Daily challenge
  • replies: 4

Hey guys I've got a xmas present for you. I've recently signed up with this site and I'm finding it BRILLIANT!!! challenge.meyouhealth.com It's awesome as they email you a challenge every day, you click on the site when you've completed your challeng... View more

Hey guys I've got a xmas present for you. I've recently signed up with this site and I'm finding it BRILLIANT!!! challenge.meyouhealth.com It's awesome as they email you a challenge every day, you click on the site when you've completed your challenge. Please go and check it out - it is honestly amazing!! I find with my depression etc I get caught in negative thinking and crap. With this site I feel a sense of achievement every morning. Plus I get to connect and celebrate with others in a safe way. MERRY XMAS!!!

amamas Ideas for Xmas on my own
  • replies: 23

So the big day one week away. My psych is in my head plan, plan, plan. So, I've been looking at what I want to do on this very triggering day. I want to be by myself. I want to listen to xmas carols by candlelight on xmas eve. Wake up xmas morning ha... View more

So the big day one week away. My psych is in my head plan, plan, plan. So, I've been looking at what I want to do on this very triggering day. I want to be by myself. I want to listen to xmas carols by candlelight on xmas eve. Wake up xmas morning have a yummy breakfast with the mandatory delicious coffee (from Stomp for any Brissie coffee lovers), watch a DVD, read a book, do some painting, snack on a well presented very tasty cheese platter and just chill out hanging with myself all day. Does this sound crazy to any readers? To me it sounds marvellous. I know there is the chance that my mood may drop to -1000 but it will probably go there anyway if I do the norm and hang with family. I've discussed this with my psych and advice seems to be balance, time with family and self. I don't know, am I deluding myself into believing I can have a pretty good day hanging with me? I feel like being around people makes my anxiety and depression so much worse so why not on xmas day give myself the gift of being with me, myself and I? Any advice, ideas, thoughts much appreciated! Thanks guys Cheers Amamas

vip A beautiful saying to help everyone over xmas time
  • replies: 8

Hi everyone I hopped onto the suicide prevention website and this is there saying that thought it might be beautiful to share it all with everyone on this forum. If you feel like your ship is sinking, it might be time to throw out the stuff thats bri... View more

Hi everyone I hopped onto the suicide prevention website and this is there saying that thought it might be beautiful to share it all with everyone on this forum. If you feel like your ship is sinking, it might be time to throw out the stuff thats bringing you down. Let go,of what is bringing you down and surround yourself with what brings out the best in you... This saying is so true anyway a nice one to put on the fridge and read daily. Take care everyone xx

Suzbj I need to stop using alcohol as a crutch
  • replies: 8

Can someone please help me get off alcohol as a crutch. I went to AA for a while a few years back, but being a small town, there was pressure to run meetings and put-downs of people (even though they were over one year sober) for getting involved in ... View more

Can someone please help me get off alcohol as a crutch. I went to AA for a while a few years back, but being a small town, there was pressure to run meetings and put-downs of people (even though they were over one year sober) for getting involved in positive things like the arts that meant they couldn't come to particular meetings because they had obligations to the arts. I don't want to live my life stuck in some room, hearing the same stories repeated over and over and over again, and being sentenced to not being allowed to do something positive in my life that is important to me if it is on the same night as an AA meeting - which is the gist of the requirements here. It is like a prison sentence. "You have no right to life. Your life now belongs in this room." To me it is like punishment and it shouldn't be that way. But that is how it is here and why so many people don't stay there. I will certainly never go back. But I do need help. Can anyone help me or point me in the right direction? I started this drinking thing at the age of 40. Cheers

Jo3 Staying well today
  • replies: 6

Hi everyone, I've written some pretty traumatic and distressing posts (under depression) over the past week. It's brought me right down into that deep dark tangled web. But today is another day, I am home from work for next 2 days, so my plan to stay... View more

Hi everyone, I've written some pretty traumatic and distressing posts (under depression) over the past week. It's brought me right down into that deep dark tangled web. But today is another day, I am home from work for next 2 days, so my plan to staying well will be: 1. taking dog for walk down the beach 2. going for a skin mole check (necessary) 3. catching up with a friend for coffee 4. swim down the beach this afternoon 5. just sit and listen to relaxation music on my phone Sometimes I need to just sit and do nothing. Even though my house is messy, adult kids everywhere, chores to do - I REALLY DON'T CARE. I don't care if hubby comes home and says - oh shoes here, shoes there, shoes everywhere!! I REALLY DON'T CARE. Today and tomorrow is going to be my time. Time for me to do whatever and if the family crack it - well bad luck. Hope everyone can have a staying well plan and enjoy your day. Take care everyone Jo

amamas Mental Health support at Uni
  • replies: 0

Hi I just wanted to post in case anyone is having problems studying due to their mental illness. I'm studying an online unit through Uni and due to my illness have lots of days where I can't study. I recently contacted the disability support team and... View more

Hi I just wanted to post in case anyone is having problems studying due to their mental illness. I'm studying an online unit through Uni and due to my illness have lots of days where I can't study. I recently contacted the disability support team and they were wonderful! I can't say enough good things about them. They thought of needs I may have that I didn't even consider myself. Registering has taken so much stress out of my studies. They set up a plan for me that is in place now if I ever need further support. Right down to little details like - my brain works better in the morning so I now will only ever have morning exams. I highly recommend accessing this service if you're studying. Cheers Amamas

Stephen123 Some days are diamonds
  • replies: 8

Why is it some days I feel like I,m right on top of the old black dog and other days I can feel the little bugger nipping at my heels again. I just don,t have the energy nor the drive to do anything today. There are a thousand things I could be doing... View more

Why is it some days I feel like I,m right on top of the old black dog and other days I can feel the little bugger nipping at my heels again. I just don,t have the energy nor the drive to do anything today. There are a thousand things I could be doing but I just can,t do them. 20 years! I,ve had enough of this, I don,t mean I want to end it all or anything. I,ve just had enough of this numb feeling. I crave to be happy joyful, interactive with the kids. Sometimes all I do is lie here in self misery unable to get up. Depression, where did you come from? Why do you take evil form? Alcohol, pokies. Why have you dragged me down for 20 years? Will I ever beat you? Why are you known by so many labels? Why won,t you leave me alone ? so that I can live a normal healthy productive life! You creep into my heart and soul and twist an evil blade. Damn you depression, damn you to hell where you belong. I am beating you, I will defeat you one day and I will lead a positive productive life. You have me today depression but not for long, the kids come home soon and you,ll be banished to the cupboard under the stairs again. You might pop your head out tomorrow but I might not be here, I might be in the garden or at the beach where you can,t find me. sorry for rambling I just needed to vent.

MaryG Making Progress
  • replies: 2

I have posted here a few times and really benefited from knowing that there are other people out there who will listen and sometimes respond if they think they can help by either giving me some advice or just sharing their own experiences. I've also ... View more

I have posted here a few times and really benefited from knowing that there are other people out there who will listen and sometimes respond if they think they can help by either giving me some advice or just sharing their own experiences. I've also found it hugely beneficial to listen and attempt to help others. In the last week I feel like I have really turned a corner and I am feeling really quite good for the first time in a long time. I wanted to share some of this positive feeling and maybe help some of you understand that maybe there is a way to move forward and out of the hole and stop yourself from falling back in. If you don't know or can't remember my story; after probably many years of depression (untreated except for self medication with alcohol) and then a significant downwards spiral in the last three years, I am now taking an SNRI, seeing a psychologist weekly, and I have given up alcohol completely. I have an extremely supportive and loving husband, and he and my amazing GP have been instrumental in helping me to get the help I need. Through my psych visits I have begun to understand a lot about myself and how I have learnt to deal with life since childhood by blocking and actually not dealing with anything and hoping that problems will go away. Then I typically feel guilty that I haven’t dealt with a problem and that although I want to deal with it and tell myself I should, I worry that I will say or do the wrong thing and end up never saying or doing anything. This compounds I guess and makes me feel useless and stupid and weak. I am a perfectionist particularly in my work and my fear of failure is also a big factor. I am very slowly now finding that I can identify some of the triggers that set me off into the self hatred, self doubt, fear, anxiety and depression. In fact I had my first experience of this the other evening and I experienced such an epiphany. Wow! I thought...I need to let this go. I thought is this a problem I can or am willing to do anything about? No...well move on. And I did. I'm 48 years old and it's time to understand what I can and can’t do and accept that there are some things that I don’t need to beat myself up over. This is me, in this body right now. (thanks mindfulness) It’s early days, but this one experience has left me with such a different outlook on my life. Yesterday a work colleague made a comment to me that I heard as “you’re useless and the job you do isn't as important as mine” He didn't actually say that, but in my self critical head it’s what I heard. I thought I need to let this go. I returned to my desk and I took a few minutes to look at some photos of my family and an artwork I have been working on and thought about all the things I am really very good at and I let it go. Having said all that I woke this morning feeling quite tired and anxious and it isn't obvious to me why this is. I have been feeling so engaged and happy this last week. My psych says that there is a big neuro-biological side to all this and it takes a while to “rewire” the brain. It’s not just all thoughts, a lot is chemical especially because of the alcohol abuse. Again I guess I need to accept this and not beat myself up for failing to be well all the time. Easy to intellectualise, not so easy to do. So anyway that’s how I am today still struggling a little, but feeling that there is definitely hope and it’s worth fighting for a better life. Mary

helpinghand Books and Other Resources
  • replies: 1

I'm looking for a biography of an anxiety sufferer that talks about how they overcame or managed their anxiety. Preferably a biography of a well-known person that can easily be identified with. My partner is an anxiety sufferer and would like a biogr... View more

I'm looking for a biography of an anxiety sufferer that talks about how they overcame or managed their anxiety. Preferably a biography of a well-known person that can easily be identified with. My partner is an anxiety sufferer and would like a biography that might inspire her. Appreciate any advice you might have a good book. Thank you.

Stephen123 Brief psychotic disorder
  • replies: 4

I believe this is my label. I,m just wondering if there are any other brief psychotics out there. Yes I,ve had numerous nervous breakdowns, yes I,ve been sure I was Jesus Christ, but it would seem I get to experience insanity only briefly. Oh and not... View more

I believe this is my label. I,m just wondering if there are any other brief psychotics out there. Yes I,ve had numerous nervous breakdowns, yes I,ve been sure I was Jesus Christ, but it would seem I get to experience insanity only briefly. Oh and not to mention all the other fun stuff, paranoid delusions, major depression, PTSD, and apparently mild schizophrenia. About the only thing I am missing are the voices. But I do have that little voice in my head that constantly talks to me telling me I,m hopeless or there is someone out to take the mickey out of me. It,s nowhere near as strong as it used to be. 16 years it,s been and I,m still heart scared of it. Where was that place I went too? The place beyond hell for infinity! why is that figure 8 so significant? Do other people go there? How did I get back? I just hope I never go there again, even if it is only briefly. Brief psychosis, it didn't,t feel very brief to me!