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BeyondBlue Tradies National Health Month
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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
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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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BabySteps Life can be Problematic 2.0 - MISS DIAGNOSIS/UNCERTAINTY
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Hey everyone thanks for replying to my previous topic I wrote some time ago, This forum is the only place I can talk with out being prescribed Un wanted Medication/Heard. I am here again to talk about a more concerning matter In which I am facing cur... View more

Hey everyone thanks for replying to my previous topic I wrote some time ago, This forum is the only place I can talk with out being prescribed Un wanted Medication/Heard. I am here again to talk about a more concerning matter In which I am facing currently I am 24 y/o and I have "No" History In Payed Work. I have No direction for what Jobs or Career I want. I have no friends and no Independence besides being able to get to two near by shopping complexes. I don't have a Driver's Licence yet and my own Car and no "Friends". I am completely lost and don't get along with my Parents because I'm In different. I have been prescribed Anti Psychotics and diagnosed with Psychosis/Schizophrenia I can write a update as to what lead to my Diagnosis. It was a mess for me from age 17-19 I DON'T have the Illness despite what my family and Psychiatrist/Doctors thinks. I have contracted Pre Diabetes Type 2 and I think about giving up, I hate my reality despite wanting to die. I wouldn't make that decision I just want to live my life desperately

white knight Fortress of suvival part 3 (love)
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Let's concentrate on what we know, rather than what we don't know. We know that with most things in life can be a snowball, in that once we begin something- it can become a domino to greater things. Every gold medalist starts with the first step. Wit... View more

Let's concentrate on what we know, rather than what we don't know. We know that with most things in life can be a snowball, in that once we begin something- it can become a domino to greater things. Every gold medalist starts with the first step. With our mind struggles we usually do not have the capacity to do anything but wait it out. Our abilities seem to fall by the wayside like employment, tolerance, day to day tasks and sadly ..giving love to others. We seem to be at their mercy and during this period we do not realise that they, our closest support...are hurting also as they struggle without any capability to "fix" the problem. All animals care for each other. The parents of the 3 newborn ducklings waddling around out home at the moment are no different to us, protecting, loving and teaching, one of the most potent assets we can harness is love. Love comes in so many divisions under that one word, affection, support, availability, care, kind words, providing, expression of appreciation, acts of kindness and so on. As I've grown older (63yo) I've found that giving love has to be the most effective act in any recovery. Why? My father (dec) was "the salt of the land" and he always said "walk in another's shoes to know truly how they feel". That however, isn't as automatic among humans as we'd wish. Toxicity will always occur with relationships so we should develop a "revolving door" to friendships for the toxic to create separation of our goodwill to be served to those that are of similar mind. We often do not have methods of safe screening, we invite all and sundry into our inner circle which causes us harm. Here is part one and two of the Fortress of survival that cover that. https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/online-forums/relationship-and-family-issues/fortress-of-survival#qlnNPnHzvGGEbv8AAOnT_A https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/online-forums/staying-well/fortress-of-survival-part-2#qr3mhnHzvGGEbv8AAOnT_A So to reach out to our carer that endure our illness is the best reward you can give them. A hand emerging from under your doona to touch them needs no words, a stroke of their hair when you walk past wont slow your tasks, a "thankyou, I love you" takes but 5 seconds that creates a smile lasting a minute maybe 5 times during that day. Love is part of your survival strategy that will be returned because you are emitting kindness. Love is a powerful tool, a deep and wonderful gift...exploit it, cradle it and give it away. TonyWK

insertaname Advice wanted: Stabilisingp
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I am not that far from recovering. But I am starting to feel downhearted. I feel it is a harsh that I have gotten a fail for my Prac despite the university stating that *mental health comes first* if so why could they have put an asterisk to symbolis... View more

I am not that far from recovering. But I am starting to feel downhearted. I feel it is a harsh that I have gotten a fail for my Prac despite the university stating that *mental health comes first* if so why could they have put an asterisk to symbolise that under special reasons. I know it’s standard procedure but still. has anyone else experienced this? I have a meeting with the lady in charge of Prac’s and from what I gather she’s a by the books person. I am upset. i guess what I am trying to say is how you do resume your normal life after suffering an episode or panic attack or whatever illness affects your daily life? I feel there aren’t enough people responding. Maybe I’m scaring people. I just feel lonelier coming here. J

Missintense BPD and coping strategies 
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Hi, I don't have a supportive family and I don't have any friends. I was wondering if anyone in the same boat wants to share coping strategies and also others who go past this post. It may not work for me or for others, but it's good to know just in ... View more

Hi, I don't have a supportive family and I don't have any friends. I was wondering if anyone in the same boat wants to share coping strategies and also others who go past this post. It may not work for me or for others, but it's good to know just in case something works. I have strategies, but when that intense pain hits. Sometimes those don't work. I don't know if this has been already posted. I know we have our dbt and psychologists for support but more often than not we are by ourselves.

Feya Overwhelmed and struggling to cope
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This is my first post so I apologise in advance if I use this feature wrong. These last 2 years have been the hardest time of my life. I moved to the other side of the country to be with my partner. I left my job, my family and all of my friends behi... View more

This is my first post so I apologise in advance if I use this feature wrong. These last 2 years have been the hardest time of my life. I moved to the other side of the country to be with my partner. I left my job, my family and all of my friends behind and moved in with my S.O and his parents. I have a long history of PTSD and anxiety disorders and over the last 2 years, the move has brought it all to the surface. I have been unemployed this whole time, not made a single friend and also lost all of my old ones. My family has basically just forgotten about me and the house I'm living in triggers my PTSD daily. I just finished up 10 sessions with a therapist and I'm a lot better now. The thing is that now that I'm getting better, all of my emotions that have been numbed away are coming to the surface and I feel like I'm drowning. 2 years worth of pain just sits in my mind trying to be healed and released but it is SO overwhelming. My mental health consumes my every moment and sometimes I just pray for a break for even 5 minutes. I have no one to talk to - my boyfriend tries but he can never fully understand. I don't have anyone else. I feel like the last 2 year's have broken me so much that now that I'm in the space where I'm healthier, im stuck trying to pick up the pieces. But there's so much. And it's all hard. I feel overwhelmed. I'm struggling to deal with all of this on my own and I just don't know how to help myself anymore

MasonVR Starting help
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Hi all, been really struggling with myself the past 2 years or so. Genuinely that scared of seeing someone for help but its been that tough lately something has to happen. sometimes lifes a bit much and i dont know how ill get theough life. The const... View more

Hi all, been really struggling with myself the past 2 years or so. Genuinely that scared of seeing someone for help but its been that tough lately something has to happen. sometimes lifes a bit much and i dont know how ill get theough life. The constant lack of motivation and daily anxiety has been bloody hard, however im scared of seeing a gp about my struggles. I dont know how to approach this as ive got noone to talk to about these issues. how do i approach this? cheers

Mezzz Work peers avoiding me
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Hi Everyone, I am a 21 year old girl who has recently started a job as a graduate in a technology company. Several other Graduates are also in this graduate position with me. We were introduced to previous grads from day one. I had noticed that they ... View more

Hi Everyone, I am a 21 year old girl who has recently started a job as a graduate in a technology company. Several other Graduates are also in this graduate position with me. We were introduced to previous grads from day one. I had noticed that they go for coffee and lunch without me. At first I didn't mind, but it continued, I would ask them to go for coffee they would say no because they were busy. Then 10 minutes later I would go alone and I find them getting coffee together when they had just told me they were too busy. They also had a farewell breakfast to one of the previous grads who we all met on day one. That morning I joined a co-worker to the cafe, and found Everyone, graduates and non graduates having breakfast together, I had no idea this was even something they planed on doing. They would bring kebab for lunch as a group without bothering to ask if wanted to get some as well. They have their own group chat, which they plan everything on. It has gotten to a point where they plan about getting coffee and asking someone to join because they didn't join yesterday right in front of me. As grads we have a project we are working on, every time I have an idea they always make me feel like what I contributed was incorrect. I all ways ask my self what have I done to them? I promise I have done nothing that could upset them or anyone. Some times I think it's because of my background and culture. Maybe because I am to shy, I try my best to talk and joke but they just never seen to care about anything I say or try to say. I can say that I am not used to this amount of socializing, but they can help me if they give me a chance to express my self. I may seem to be making a big deal about this, but I have my reasons, I have been avoided and ignored since my early primary school years. I understood then that been because I was from a middle Eastern background it made made me avoidable. But why now why at this time of life?, I was hoping being an adult and and being in a work place would be different then my school years. It just hurts and I want to understand, why? Can anyone help me figure out why this are like this to me?? Is there something wrong with me? Have I done something wrong? Thank you

white knight Who cries over spilt milk?
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That's the saying. "You're crying over spilt milk". It implies you are hanging onto something that should have been forgotten about many moons ago. The guilt. The shame. The anger of something past. If you are one of these people then you have also l... View more

That's the saying. "You're crying over spilt milk". It implies you are hanging onto something that should have been forgotten about many moons ago. The guilt. The shame. The anger of something past. If you are one of these people then you have also likely been told "get over it". But I've never seen tablets for sale with the words "get over your guilt with one tablet a day". So what do we do to rid ourselves from guilt? There are a number of things you can do to assist in the process of these demonic forms of baggage. - Time- time is a great healer. It means you accept that the issue will remain fresh in your mind until a certain amount of time passes. The amount of time depends on the person and the issue. But acceptance by you that time is needed is an encouraging step. Perspective- When young, at childs age, we tend to exaggerate incidences. This is quite normal. When we grow up sometimes we hang onto those explosions of fact. This can remain in our minds as bigger than what they really were. Or smaller too than what they were. Accurate perspective is required and sometimes this is only possible with psychiatric treatment. Correct perspective on a smaller scale however starts with ultimate honesty internally. It is a beginning. Forgiveness. So much time might have passed whereby seeking forgiveness from someone isnt in your best interests. On the other hand seeking forgiveness by a parent to their child might well be in order not only to help with your guilt but to help your child mend. Consider forgiveness from you or to another person. If your efforts were in vain at least you have taken a step towards mending your own ills Accepting you are human. We all make mistakes. Some are unforgivable like sexual harm to a child. Other than those unforgivable acts many mistakes can be redeemed. But one should also accept that if you did the best you could at a certain time in your life then try to accept that. This is where you have to think things through. Therapy. Giving burden to you immediate family isnt fair on them. If you can seek therapy then you are seeking the assistance of someone trained in that field. Try it. Forums. Beyond Blue are anonymous. There is also plenty of reading on such topics there. That's their advantage. Guilt can eat you up. It can consume you. There is no need to cry over spilt milk. Find ways of dealing with it. Crying over spilt milk is one thing suffering or ruining your life over it is another. WK

Mads_ positive story - seeking help
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hi all, I just had a really good experience, so I thought I would share it on here, and hopefully encourage anyone in the same boat as me. I just told my mum about how I'm feeling, and how I'm not coping at all. I was so scared to, I felt as though m... View more

hi all, I just had a really good experience, so I thought I would share it on here, and hopefully encourage anyone in the same boat as me. I just told my mum about how I'm feeling, and how I'm not coping at all. I was so scared to, I felt as though my heart would jump out of my chest! she was very accepting and we've booked an appointment to get me some help. honestly, if you're contemplating telling a loved one, please do! its like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders, and I'm feeling happy for the first time in ages!! thanks for reading!!

Mads_ getting help
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hi all, ive decided that im going to ask my mum (im not an adult so I cant do it myself) if I would be able to speak to someone about what im feeling. I don't feel comfortable talking to her or my dad about it however, I wouldd prefer its someone I d... View more

hi all, ive decided that im going to ask my mum (im not an adult so I cant do it myself) if I would be able to speak to someone about what im feeling. I don't feel comfortable talking to her or my dad about it however, I wouldd prefer its someone I don't know well. do you think its bad to do this? also if anyone has any suggestion about how to approach her it would be greatly appreciated. thanks in advance