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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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Guest0786549 Alora here - dealing with lifelong depression and addiction
  • replies: 16

Alora here, I'm a newbie wanting to say hi. Been battling depression/anxiety since I was 13, lost a sibling at 17 which destroyed me. The solution I found for my pain at the time was alcohol, and here I am 23 years later battling an addiction that I ... View more

Alora here, I'm a newbie wanting to say hi. Been battling depression/anxiety since I was 13, lost a sibling at 17 which destroyed me. The solution I found for my pain at the time was alcohol, and here I am 23 years later battling an addiction that I know is destroying me, mentally, emotionally and physically. My life isn't where I expected to be: no kids, no job, little friends, and I'm stuck at home with an injury that's currently preventing me from work, outings or exercise. Trying to be positive and fight the cravings feels impossible at the moment. I hope to share my story, the knowledge and tips I've learned, and get advice from others. Most importantly, I could do with a friend.

Vegetarian Marshmallow Fostering feelings of excitement?
  • replies: 4

Hi. I think I am - and have been for most of my life now - rather disconnected from the kind of positive energy that drives people to do things. I remember, as a child, waking up on Christmas morning and being excited to open presents. I remember, as... View more

Hi. I think I am - and have been for most of my life now - rather disconnected from the kind of positive energy that drives people to do things. I remember, as a child, waking up on Christmas morning and being excited to open presents. I remember, as a child, being excited to read through whatever book I was engaged with at the moment. But that kind of thing feels very far away. I already know things that I think are worth doing with my time in the world, and that I want to will myself actually to do. But the excitement is not there to jump out of bed in the morning, or to do thing at any other stage of the day. And so I procrastinate. This feels like something that perhaps meditation (excitement meditation?) can help with. Or writing a gratitude journal (except for excitement). But how to write about things I'm excited about when I .. don't feel that? Do you have to bootstrap yourself into it?; "If the feeling part of me could cotton onto what my brain knows I *should* be excited about, I *would* be excited about.. X.. and Y... and Z"; and then eventually the feelings catch up? What things about yourself have you made concerted efforts to change in this way? How have you attempted this? Has it worked (become internalised - "I'm actually a different person to that person from years ago; I feel different, act differently, see the world differently") or do you just feel like every day for years you've been mechanically "handling" your unchanging underlying default dispositions?

smallwolf How do you cope with the uncertainty and unpredictability of life?
  • replies: 9

Got some homework from my psych (as usual) relating to needing or craving certainty. I found some additional material on the web which included a worksheet. One of the questions on the worksheet included this... Talk to the people you know. Ask how t... View more

Got some homework from my psych (as usual) relating to needing or craving certainty. I found some additional material on the web which included a worksheet. One of the questions on the worksheet included this... Talk to the people you know. Ask how they cope with the uncertainty and unpredictability of life? Could you do the same thing they in situations where you have difficulty tolerating uncertainty? So I am opening this question to the people here at BB. This is one thing I do not have an answer to. I am hoping that others might be able to give some feedback so that I might be able to deal with uncertainty better. And maybe others will benefit from it? Over to you....

Michelle34 Long term anxiety and depression how do you deal?
  • replies: 5

For those of you that suffer this long term how do you manage? I have had panic attacks and bouts of depression since I was eight. Over the month or so anxiety, but most of all depression is seeping into my life. I've been crying for no reason, tryin... View more

For those of you that suffer this long term how do you manage? I have had panic attacks and bouts of depression since I was eight. Over the month or so anxiety, but most of all depression is seeping into my life. I've been crying for no reason, trying not to burst into tears at work and trying to keep my Mum hat on when I feel so tired and despondent all the time. It's like I am dragging myself through mud. I'm forgetting things and my body just aches. When I just feel like I'm finally through a period of severe anxiety or depression ( I was having severe anxiety attacks every few hours 18months ago) it seems to raise it's ugly head again. I've enrolled in a course to further my career but it's just making me feel anxious and I want to back out because I'm afraid it will turn into full blown panic. I feel such a huge expectation from people, why aren't I working more? why do I flake out so much.... I don't know how to find my balance. I really want the periods of when I feel normal to last. I want to achieve things that shouldn't be that hard. I feel like I've missed out on so much because I can't keep it together for any period of time and it's really really fricken frustrating.

Meghan74 Stressed
  • replies: 6

Hi everyone, recently I’ve been feeling really uneasy. Just the other day I burst into tears just because someone was rude to me. I don’t know why I couldn’t control my emotions. I feel overwhelmed by life and I honestly feel like there’s this weight... View more

Hi everyone, recently I’ve been feeling really uneasy. Just the other day I burst into tears just because someone was rude to me. I don’t know why I couldn’t control my emotions. I feel overwhelmed by life and I honestly feel like there’s this weight pulling me down. I feel alright at home, but as soon as I go out the door I feel a bit uncomfortable. When I’m out in public with friends, or with family I feel fine. It’s just when I’m by myself I feel vulnerable. As someone who has never felt self conscious, why do I feel like this now? Please let me know if you guys have any tips or suggestions! I just want to be feel good again:(

carer1 why bother
  • replies: 3

so you care for 4 or more family members 24/7 for sooooooooo many years. one by one they pass away till there is just you and one other disabled family member left. You find yourself crippled with arthritis /bipolar and other stuff. you apply for hel... View more

so you care for 4 or more family members 24/7 for sooooooooo many years. one by one they pass away till there is just you and one other disabled family member left. You find yourself crippled with arthritis /bipolar and other stuff. you apply for help and the government tells you your issues are not permanent and are medical so you dont qualify. even though you cant function day to day like others do. you've done the best you can to care for others. now you need care and there is none. I learned what a fraud the mental health and disability systems are.

JAGmum Hi-polar Acceptance after 2 years of denial=Peace
  • replies: 1

Two weeks ago I finally dropped the fight of denial I was in, in regards to my bi-polar diagnosis. I began taking my medication again, booked into my psychologist and psychiatrist and began talking to family about it. I have slowly become my own best... View more

Two weeks ago I finally dropped the fight of denial I was in, in regards to my bi-polar diagnosis. I began taking my medication again, booked into my psychologist and psychiatrist and began talking to family about it. I have slowly become my own best friend. I’ve been championing my cause by putting my egoic agenda aside and just listening to the experts in their fields. It’s been the most peaceful stage of this rocky journey. And my pottery has taken on a whole new level!

Lonewog89 Push over
  • replies: 6

Hi I was wondering if anybody had tips for me to help from being walked over all the time. All my life I’ve been used and walked over by friends, family and strangers. How do I start standing up for my self but with out being a jerk? I always crumble... View more

Hi I was wondering if anybody had tips for me to help from being walked over all the time. All my life I’ve been used and walked over by friends, family and strangers. How do I start standing up for my self but with out being a jerk? I always crumble and comply even if it disadvantages me. Chris

Eternal_Happiness f.lux Blue Light Filter for Computers/Laptops
  • replies: 1

Just Get Flux program is handy for those that want a blue light filter for their monitors at home or even at work. It will filter out Blue light which I can you first hand increases my anxiety. Ever since I got this program, I can stare at the comput... View more

Just Get Flux program is handy for those that want a blue light filter for their monitors at home or even at work. It will filter out Blue light which I can you first hand increases my anxiety. Ever since I got this program, I can stare at the computer screen longer without worrying. There is even app for your phone so that it doesn't cause panic attacks. It's free and safe. Available on the microsoft store too

startingnew Self care Ideas
  • replies: 9

Hi Guys As we know self care is important so im wondering what sorts of things you guys do for self care? Does anyone have any quirky or unusual self care ideas? All Tips are welcome too! Share Away

Hi Guys As we know self care is important so im wondering what sorts of things you guys do for self care? Does anyone have any quirky or unusual self care ideas? All Tips are welcome too! Share Away