Immediate support
Immediate support

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.

Start a discussion

FAQ

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

View the FAQ

Forums guidelines

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

View the guidelines
Jump to
Start a discussion

Pinned discussions

Sophie_M Money stress? You are not alone!
  • replies: 4

So, I’ve been chatting with my friends over here at Beyond Blue and it seems we all have something in common right now: money worries. Whether it’s stressors about finding enough cash for the basics or wishing we had enough money for a holiday, we al... View more

So, I’ve been chatting with my friends over here at Beyond Blue and it seems we all have something in common right now: money worries. Whether it’s stressors about finding enough cash for the basics or wishing we had enough money for a holiday, we all seem to be experiencing a greater amount of stress surrounding money than we have in the past. And it’s impacting our ability to show up fully for the things we love. It’s not uncommon for us to experience shame and fear around expressing our financial challenges; it can be hard and somewhat taboo to openly discuss money matters. However, we believe this conversation is incredibly important and beneficial to have. Like all challenges, ‘a problem shared is a problem halved’, so let’s help each other out. Of course, discussions about the economy and how to manage our money during inflation are a much larger (and frustrating!) conversation… but what we would really love to know is what your personal experience around money is. Are you feeling the pinch too? How is added financial pressure impacting your wellbeing? When was the last time things felt even slightly easier? And if you have struggled with money in the past but come out the other side, what suggestions do you have for others who might still be finding their feet? This is an opportunity to share openly and honestly about your experience in a judgement-free space. There are no wrong answers, and we encourage you to share all the things that you might be finding hard to express in your every day life. Looking forward to your answers! Abundant hugs from yours truly, Sophie M.

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

Start a discussion

Loula Mental health is a circle
  • replies: 4

Am I the only person that thinks mental health is a circle? You go good then bad then good then bad and your just in circles? Like nothing stays still. It may slow slow down the circle but you are always still moving. It’s like you can never get stab... View more

Am I the only person that thinks mental health is a circle? You go good then bad then good then bad and your just in circles? Like nothing stays still. It may slow slow down the circle but you are always still moving. It’s like you can never get stable or be well. I have Bipolar and I’m coming to realise it will always control me. That I will never ever beat it. I will learn to live with it but I will never control it. As much medication I take as many sessions I have with my psychiatrist I still can wake up sick tomorrow and it sucks. And I’m really hating it as I’m a control freak! Dose anyone get to the point that they get tired on being on the circle? I hate getting ill and having to fight my way out. Like the fight is not the struggle I’ve come out of pure black times before I can do it agin but why do I want to fight jut to get better for a few months to stay on the circle. Just why can’t it go away like a cold. I hate that this is for life. I hate having to wake up every day planing every moment out so I don’t get triggered, that’s not living. I just want to get of the circle and I don’t know breath. Sorry lots of thoughts.

Gypsy_1 My Exercise Routine
  • replies: 4

I hope I'm doing this correctly..in the right forum..I do pilates at home(doing it 2day), I go to a circuit & Zumba dance class & I also am in a tennis comp..Often at times just attending these activities can be very difficult for me..I can get extre... View more

I hope I'm doing this correctly..in the right forum..I do pilates at home(doing it 2day), I go to a circuit & Zumba dance class & I also am in a tennis comp..Often at times just attending these activities can be very difficult for me..I can get extremely anxious..it takes a lot of energy at times to make myself go because I know it's good for me mentally to mix & to socialise.. Thank you very much..Gypsy 1

Gypsy_1 My Staying Well Routine!!
  • replies: 5

When I'm well I do regular exercise, volunteer work & quite a bit of socializing!! It has taken me years to get to this point..I wasn't able to do any of these for a long period of time(years)..I talk to my regular friends about my illness as I find ... View more

When I'm well I do regular exercise, volunteer work & quite a bit of socializing!! It has taken me years to get to this point..I wasn't able to do any of these for a long period of time(years)..I talk to my regular friends about my illness as I find it to be very liberating & validating..I do lots of homework with my psychologist..I have learned so much from attending those appointments..thanks Gypsy 1

Guest_032 Getting to the end of my tether
  • replies: 5

Sorry that I’ve made a number of new posts recently. I’m really struggling and at the point of not really knowing what to do next. My main issue is sleep, and I know the whole being on the computer isn’t helping, but I’ve been up for 4 hours now, don... View more

Sorry that I’ve made a number of new posts recently. I’m really struggling and at the point of not really knowing what to do next. My main issue is sleep, and I know the whole being on the computer isn’t helping, but I’ve been up for 4 hours now, done meditation, yoga, deep breathing, resting etc... so I really don’t think I’m going to get back to sleep. Plus I’m on iPad with the night time mode on, so trying to limit the blue light. Plus I need some form of support. It's hard. I do fantasise about not being here anymore. But more in the way of not having these things on my shoulders anymore. There's no way I could actually go through with anything. At the moment I'm just so exhausted that it would feel amazing to go to sleep and never wake up. But in saying that. I want to - my kids, my boyfriend, my family, my friends. I have so many reasons to be here, and so many things that make me ‘happy’. I just feel that my anxiety and depression at the moment is robbing me of my joy. It’s taking the good out of my life and my feelings. I just want what I'm dealing with at the moment to stop. In a way being told by one of my psychologists that she feels things are related to stress makes me feel good. Means that hopefully if I can manage the stress and how I relate to it, deal with it etc. Then I might be able to get on top of all of this. Because it's all encompassing. I don't feel like a person. I just feel like I'm existing. Not even existing. Just there. I feel like positive emotions are out of reach. And when I do get them on the rare occasion, I feel too exhausted and frazzled to enjoy them. Think I do really need to sort out a bit of a bare minimum. Most of my 'self care' has been using food to work through my feelings. Even now. Chocolate plays a big part. Helps to numb. Numb is almost positive, because it’s not so negative. I just feel like I'm in a ditch. In a pool that I can't get out of. It's exhausting to stay down here. My head doesn't seem to know what to do anymore. Especially being so sleep deprived. I find it so frustrating in a way. I’m usually a high achiever. Yet at the moment, sometimes having a shower is too much. I still try and put on that happy face at work so that I can get through the day. But even that’s starting to crack.

Guest_032 Plan for down days
  • replies: 10

Hi Just seeing if anyone has worked on a plan for the days where things aren’t going so well. Thinking along the lines of things that I need to try and do. Things that if I push myself to do I know I’ll feel better for. Also a list of things that I c... View more

Hi Just seeing if anyone has worked on a plan for the days where things aren’t going so well. Thinking along the lines of things that I need to try and do. Things that if I push myself to do I know I’ll feel better for. Also a list of things that I can do to help, people I can talk to, apps etc. Has anyone done anything like this? Sounds like a good idea, so surely I’m not the only one that has thought of it lol. I just find that on my days where I’m really low, I need a bit of a checklist. Then I don’t actually have to use any brain power to decide what I need to do, and it helps to prevent me from spiralling too far down.

butterfly_123 dellusional disorder
  • replies: 1

has anyone been diagnosed with dellusional disorder or disacciative episodes. how did your recovery go? does it still impact you after medication

has anyone been diagnosed with dellusional disorder or disacciative episodes. how did your recovery go? does it still impact you after medication

Guest_032 Self Care
  • replies: 1

What do you do for self care? I work full time. Mum of 2. Both with special needs. So time is limited. But I also understand that I need to look after myself. Apparently my major depression and anxiety are probably caused from chronic stress.

What do you do for self care? I work full time. Mum of 2. Both with special needs. So time is limited. But I also understand that I need to look after myself. Apparently my major depression and anxiety are probably caused from chronic stress.

Guest_032 Sleep help
  • replies: 1

I’m really struggling with sleep. I’ve managed to get an average of 2-3 hours a night for the last few weeks. I’ve been trying so many different things. Yoga. Meditation. Sleeping tablets. Nothing seems to be helping. Any tips?

I’m really struggling with sleep. I’ve managed to get an average of 2-3 hours a night for the last few weeks. I’ve been trying so many different things. Yoga. Meditation. Sleeping tablets. Nothing seems to be helping. Any tips?

Mummabear001 Help with information
  • replies: 2

My husband has PTSD, a young other conditions that they have diagnosed due to being assaulted at work by a colleague (he works in a prison) Work has offered him voluntary medical retirement package with a separation date of the 22 August. He replied ... View more

My husband has PTSD, a young other conditions that they have diagnosed due to being assaulted at work by a colleague (he works in a prison) Work has offered him voluntary medical retirement package with a separation date of the 22 August. He replied by email that it was fine as he wants to move on as we have been dealing with this for nearly 2 years. Does anyone know how long he has to wait for the payment. Its affecting our life sitting here with him in limbo and every day he checks the bank and when nothing shows it sends him on a spiral for the next few hours. Hes unmotivated and feels nobody cares. He thinks if he can get this to come through then he can start looking for more work and do something with his life. We have 3 children and the emotional toll it's taken on them over this time has not been good. I feel like I am playing a juggling game with them all trying to support everyone and work myself and I need him to feel better. Everything to do with this issue has had me behind him trying to get him through as he can't function effectively by himself yet. I am so drained and want this issue over with so I can deal with the next one, one at a time. Waiting is a mind game that causes issues everyday. I know the money wont solve our problems but it would sure take a burden off me and help with all the psych bill's.

mddx Someone who wants enjoy life again - Anxiety and depression
  • replies: 8

Hi all, Not sure who to start to this, but here it goes I am a working professional with higher degree education and currently working 8-5 job. I have been avoiding the signs of depression and anxiety for years. Last year after a break up from a long... View more

Hi all, Not sure who to start to this, but here it goes I am a working professional with higher degree education and currently working 8-5 job. I have been avoiding the signs of depression and anxiety for years. Last year after a break up from a long relationship, I have decided to focus on the issue at hand as I realized that I am full of negativity, anger, and sadness all the time. It ended up me being home all the time apart from work and necessities. My random day offs have started to raise and my performance at work also got affected. My family (consists of my Mother) has no idea as she lives overseas (back in my home country) by herself and last thing I'd want is to worry her. Considering I am the only child and has to support my family (therefore, career break is not an option), it also pressures me a lot because I can't help myself but think the worst case scenario of losing my job because of one reason or another. Another effect of it is that I cannot talk to my family about my condition. A while back, I have started seeing a psychologist and started to take medication as advised by GP. Unfortunately, first 3 meds either had side effects or did not work well for me. During a financially tight period, I have stopped going to the psychologist and the GP with the total disappointment of not being able to show any permanent signs of improvement. Due to physical injuries and a desk job, I have gained weight, lost my hair due to bad genetics and constant state of stress, and eventually I have lost my confidence in myself After 9 months of trying, currently I am on no med nor seeing a psychologist. I still catch the glimpses of joy time to time like a feeling you cannot hold onto, but it is no secret that I have forgotten to smile and enjoy life. As most of you, I feel like I am not the hero of my own story but watch others while I feel like I do not belong and have nothing to say to anyone. My hope is to get back my mental health to live a peaceful life.