Staying well

Support each other to stay well, from mindfulness, sleep, diet and exercise to reducing drug and alcohol use and coping with difficult emotions.

FAQ

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

Forums guidelines

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

Pinned discussions

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

All discussions

BullGem29 Time to move on?
  • replies: 2

I've been experiencing extreme levels of frustration for some time. I'm stuck in a predicament and I'd love some impartial opinions. One of my colleagues doesn't pull their weight. Comes into work bang on 8 30, goes to lunch bang on 12, comes back ba... View more

I've been experiencing extreme levels of frustration for some time. I'm stuck in a predicament and I'd love some impartial opinions. One of my colleagues doesn't pull their weight. Comes into work bang on 8 30, goes to lunch bang on 12, comes back bang on 1, leaves bang on 5. Comes into work in a law firm in ripped jeans. Only answers the phones when they know someone else won't or needs to be prompted. Disappears to the toilet 4 to 5 times a day for 5 to 10 minutes at a time. Wears air pods in both ears all day so doesn't hear the phones or us when we talk to them. Management are aware but don't do anything about it. My frustration levels have hit an ultimate high. I think management believe it's just me being a whinger. Yesterday I was running late to work, which doesn't happen very often, she was aware early, still didn't come in early. I managed to get there at 820 so had to open up and we had a client come in at 8 30 which was theirs to deal with. As they weren't there I had to deal with the client while they wandered around the office talking or making their coffee while im running round like a headless idiot doing work or answering the phones. My predicament lies in that I could move jobs but I'm currently studying to be a lawyer and there is a 90% chance then when I graduate in 2 years time I will have a job there. What would you do in this scenario? Move on? Suck it up? Concentrate on myself and what I can do that's good for the office and the team and not worry about what they are or are not doing?

ScarlettR The benefits of walking on the beach
  • replies: 4

Now this may be obvious to point out that walking on the beach is healthy, both mentally and physically. But I think we really need to look into what makes this activity so great. Two hours in nature reduces stress. Plus the happiness of walking amon... View more

Now this may be obvious to point out that walking on the beach is healthy, both mentally and physically. But I think we really need to look into what makes this activity so great. Two hours in nature reduces stress. Plus the happiness of walking amongst other people, not being too focused one oneself and observing the sights and sounds. Plus walking on the beach is a free thing to do, and is just so fun to do, and different sights and sounds happen every day. So… for those experiencing mental illness including PTSD (like myself)… we should make it a goal to spend at least 2 hours on the beach (walking, sitting down and reading, etc).

Tonic Distraction - the Best Medicine...
  • replies: 8

Hi, Bipolar NOW (as of 2003), But Depressive since aged 14. Load O Sh*t Happening. I Learned Distraction Early.. 15? My Mind was in Guilty, Depressive Turmoil every night, Insomnia and more. I got a PILLOW SPEAKER - plastic disk with cable, small spe... View more

Hi, Bipolar NOW (as of 2003), But Depressive since aged 14. Load O Sh*t Happening. I Learned Distraction Early.. 15? My Mind was in Guilty, Depressive Turmoil every night, Insomnia and more. I got a PILLOW SPEAKER - plastic disk with cable, small speaker inside. To Distract Thoughts, Break up the Negative Cycles of despair. First I listened to music& talk back radio, late at night. Learned some Interesting things - the 2UE/2KO Twin City Show (link up). Then I got a cassette player that would keep reversing/switching and playing end to end. Sometimes Music, sometimes Comedy Tapes. Monty Python albums, Billy Connolly, USA's George Carlin... I had more comedy albums than music aged 14 - 16. Learned some Great Routines too. Very Good Distraction, cost me about $6.95 for the speaker... When my Mum was going into catatonic depression after DAD passed away, I got her a Radio and Pillow Speaker - Just in case The Magic still worked... (It didn't really. Mum had one Course of Shock Treatment, worked wonderfully Well, No headaches, loss of memory and the effect Permanent, not transitory for a few weeks only.) WALKING.... Got put on a NEW WUNDERDRUGG for Bipolar a few years back. I stopped that drug immediately, but Going OUT for a walk was the ONLY Distraction that Aleviated it in any way... I read that the Panic Attack Thing happened in about 10% of Patients. Dropped the SSRI, didn't seem to be DOING anything. I used to feel I was about a meter below the surface of the water, looking up.. Now I BOB on The Surface! And Any DEPRESSIONS Not nearly so bad as before, Must Hold One's Mood DOWN further..? Some stuff to think on! Kindest Regards TONIC the BARD

JMarch15 Trying to make better changes in my life but surrounded by judgement still need some guidance
  • replies: 2

my current issue was longer but wouldn’t all fit… for my first BB post. Ive got to the point where I needed to make changes in my life I’m cigarette free for over a year cut back completely on drinking and had developed a drug habit so have cut that ... View more

my current issue was longer but wouldn’t all fit… for my first BB post. Ive got to the point where I needed to make changes in my life I’m cigarette free for over a year cut back completely on drinking and had developed a drug habit so have cut that off aswell but mostly after being on anti depressants since I was 18 and I’m almost 34 they wearnt helping me they were just numbing me to my problems and made me more lazy. Have spent the last 6-8 weeks correctly coming off them as my GP would do whenever I had to change anti depressants every couple of years because I thought they had stopped working so we would try a different brand, trial and error with all anti d’s. And my plan I’ve put together is to go back to a psychologist and rather than continuing to take anti depressants work threw my problems and demons Asap. My main problem now is that I’m stuck in this hole where all I feel is that I’m being judged by the people around me, feel like I’m constantly walking on eggshells around my father mainly because once my parents found out about my blood disorder Haemophilia they shelved me as not likely to accomplish anything but we also do have no communication skills between us, and as for the friends I see often I feel like they sit back and judge me for still being on painkillers despite doing my best to cut back and stay off all the other addictive things alcohol, ciggys, drugs etc alcohol being my Achilles heel I guess I’m just looking for advice as to why I keep feeling there’s no one supporting me and only judging me I’m doing my best one day at a time to create a more positive outlook on life but being stuck in a small isolated community and getting nothing but negative comments form those around me has got me to this point of really struggling mentally and psychologically that I get angry at myself and start doubting what I’m doing to try better my life there’s just no positive reinforcement not even from my father the one person I thought knowing what I’m trying to do to better my life would be full of positives to help keep me going but nothing still the same negatively. As soon as my GP returns from leave at the end of the month I’ll be getting a mental health plan and psychologist as I just feel so alone, worthless and useless at the moment and need good guidance and also thought I’d give this a go.

Guest_00092208 Can't sleep
  • replies: 4

Not quite midnight yet. Though I am going into 48hrs plus awake. Having some physical/psychological issues which ate plaguing my ability to relax. Anyone else awake?

Not quite midnight yet. Though I am going into 48hrs plus awake. Having some physical/psychological issues which ate plaguing my ability to relax. Anyone else awake?

frazzled25 Isolated socially/geographical @ 50 yr old married woman
  • replies: 4

Hi all, I live in the Central West of Qld in an isolated area. Only have husband to talk to, and have zero friends. Children have grown & have their own lives. Feeling lonely, have been hurt by so called friends in the past. Not really sure it's wort... View more

Hi all, I live in the Central West of Qld in an isolated area. Only have husband to talk to, and have zero friends. Children have grown & have their own lives. Feeling lonely, have been hurt by so called friends in the past. Not really sure it's worth the time in all honesty. But I've always searched for that one true friend, maybe there is no such thing anymore

suseone Social Media and using it for better mental health not worse
  • replies: 3

Hi This is my first time posting and thought this would be a great forum to hear from either parents/carers or younger people around how social media is impacting them? I have two teenage daughters but as a parent we know social media is here to stay... View more

Hi This is my first time posting and thought this would be a great forum to hear from either parents/carers or younger people around how social media is impacting them? I have two teenage daughters but as a parent we know social media is here to stay and will only become more prevalent and a bigger part of their lives. So what I am wondering, is how can we use these platforms to help our kids in their mental health wellness rather than try and remove all together and is that even possible? Love to hear other peoples thoughts and challenges?

Amz Daily tips to get through the day
  • replies: 3

My life is hectic between working full-time, running a home with no support, 5 kids, 2 adult ones at home with me that I still do everything for, recently diagnosed 6yr old with type 1 diabetes, taking kids to sports, the only time I get a break is w... View more

My life is hectic between working full-time, running a home with no support, 5 kids, 2 adult ones at home with me that I still do everything for, recently diagnosed 6yr old with type 1 diabetes, taking kids to sports, the only time I get a break is when I'm sleeping, or self sabotaging myself due to not being able to handle the busy demands on life

TristanA Adhd assessment
  • replies: 1

Hi all. Having a bad night tonight. After working hard to get things together required for my adhd assessment I found out I failed the drug test .. Am I stuck not gaining access to the medication that I feel I need to try due to one positive test?

Hi all. Having a bad night tonight. After working hard to get things together required for my adhd assessment I found out I failed the drug test .. Am I stuck not gaining access to the medication that I feel I need to try due to one positive test?