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Sophie_M Cyclone Alfred - Mental Health Support
  • replies: 1

Hey everyone, We acknowledge that many of our Forums members here are currently facing the impacts of Cyclone Alfred and might be feeling uncertain, afraid and overwhelmed. We wanted to create a separate post here to come together during what may be ... View more

Hey everyone, We acknowledge that many of our Forums members here are currently facing the impacts of Cyclone Alfred and might be feeling uncertain, afraid and overwhelmed. We wanted to create a separate post here to come together during what may be a distressing time for many of us to support one another. Recognising that the impacts of a natural disaster can occur both before, during and after, we have prepared some resources which we hope can be helpful: From the Queensland Government, Useful information to help you get ready for a cyclone:Home | Get Ready Queensland Emotional Preparedness: Prepare your mind | Australian Red Cross Three-steps-to-emotionally-prepare-for-the-disaster-season.pdf What now? Coping after the event: Coping after a crisis | Australian Red Cross Maintaining wellbeing in the face of long-term stress | Australian Red Cross Emergency preparedness guide | Australian Red Cross As always, if you wish to speak to a counsellor, the Beyond Blue Support Service is available via phone 24/7 on 1300 22 4636 or via beyondblue.org.au/get-support for online chat. Stay safe, everyone, and take good care of yourself during what can be a deeply challenging time. Kind regards Sophie M

Sophie_M Meet your community champions!
  • replies: 10

Hi everyone, We wanted to share with you the way that our wonderful Community Champions are here to support you. You may have noticed that a few of our Forums members are labelled ‘Community Champion’. Community Champions are volunteers within the Be... View more

Hi everyone, We wanted to share with you the way that our wonderful Community Champions are here to support you. You may have noticed that a few of our Forums members are labelled ‘Community Champion’. Community Champions are volunteers within the Beyond Blue Forums who: have the time, skills and empathy to support other members regularly; help to welcome new members; are actively engaged members that help set the tone of our community. Our Community Champions are regular contributors to many conversations across the forums. They are a consistent and friendly voice that have committed to sharing their experience and expertise with this community. They are not health care professionals or clinicians. Like you, they have an experience with a mental health challenge or diagnosis – either for themselves or someone they care for. This forum is for people who understand what it feels like and have a lived and living experience of mental health challenges. Our Community Champions help everyone feel comfortable and confident by demonstrating what excellent peer support is all about. Click here to find out more about how you can become a Community Champion! This incredible team are excited to introduce themselves below, and we are sure you’ll see them around the forums in conversations important to you.

Aaronsis HELP..Am I posting in the right section?
  • replies: 10

Welcome to those who are considering posting for the very first time, welcome. Thought I would repost part of the words that Chris B posted awhile ago, (2014) as I can hear that people are unsure if they are posting in the right section or worried th... View more

Welcome to those who are considering posting for the very first time, welcome. Thought I would repost part of the words that Chris B posted awhile ago, (2014) as I can hear that people are unsure if they are posting in the right section or worried that they are posting "the wrong thing". 1.A good title makes the difference Just like a headline in a newspaper, when scanning the dozens of threads to click into, it’s only natural that people will choose the ones that resonate with them most. A title that entices the reader, or asks a question, is likely to get a better result than something non-descriptive like “Depression” or “I don't know what to do”. If you think you’re not good at choosing titles, leave it till last. Spend time writing your post, then perhaps choose a sentence from what you’ve written as the title. 2.Join in threads that have already been posted We all have our own unique stories, but part of the reason for joining a forum like this one is because you know that you will have a lot in common with others who are posting. Before starting a new thread, have a look through the current topics being discussed and see if there’s a conversation you can join in with. It can be quite common to have a handful of very similar threads happening at any one time, with members seemingly unaware that there are others right there who are going through the same thing. Talking to other members on their threads is a great way of getting yourself known so that when you post a thread of your own, people may respond quicker because they recognize your name. 3.Choose the most appropriate section for your post Many people browse the forums looking for stories specifically to do with pregnancy and parenting, employment, grief, loss, separation etc. Going straight for the “Depression” section may seem like the easiest option, but this section is often the busiest, so your post is more likely to get lost among the threads. Making good use of the different forum sections not only helps keep the forum relevant, but you’re more likely to find others who are going through the same experiences as you. Also, if you're wanting to discuss issues of trauma, abuse, suicidal thoughts or self-harm, it's really important you post in the designated section to avoid triggering others who may not wish to read about these topics. Mostly..just come and chat, we are here for you. Our amazing wizards in the background will see your message ends up in the right spot. Sarah

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Guest_10133994 An Introduction
  • replies: 2

Hi! I have known BB for a while, but was informed that they also have a forum! takes me back to the forum days! I feel like I always need someone to accompany me, even when I'm alone and do not wish to talk to anyone. Perhaps I'm feeling quite lonely... View more

Hi! I have known BB for a while, but was informed that they also have a forum! takes me back to the forum days! I feel like I always need someone to accompany me, even when I'm alone and do not wish to talk to anyone. Perhaps I'm feeling quite lonely. But when I'm in a crowd, I feel drained. I guess I haven't found the right balance yet. I'm open to any suggestions!

Roger Hello everyone,
  • replies: 2

I’m a professional in my late sixties, now semi-retired. I was a single father for many years, navigating a long and often estranged relationship. I have two adult children in their 30s—both are double-degree professionals, and for the most part, the... View more

I’m a professional in my late sixties, now semi-retired. I was a single father for many years, navigating a long and often estranged relationship. I have two adult children in their 30s—both are double-degree professionals, and for the most part, they’re living fulfilling lives, which I’m deeply grateful for. I’m also the proud grandfather of three beautiful, vibrant, and exceptionally intelligent grandchildren. The eldest turns six this May.

Mezza0145 This is me
  • replies: 4

Hi, I'm 20 years old. I turn 21 in August.I have been suffering with both severe anxiety (5 or 6 different types) and severe depression since I was little.I was diagnosed properly in 2020 after the loss of my brother I come from a very broken home, w... View more

Hi, I'm 20 years old. I turn 21 in August.I have been suffering with both severe anxiety (5 or 6 different types) and severe depression since I was little.I was diagnosed properly in 2020 after the loss of my brother I come from a very broken home, where my parents never got along (my mother a cheater) and my father and amazing man.I was raised around boys/men as I am the youngest of four and the only girl

james-i Hello
  • replies: 4

Hello everyone my name is James, I'm 19 years old.My hobbies are video games, baking, coding, and listening to music.

Hello everyone my name is James, I'm 19 years old.My hobbies are video games, baking, coding, and listening to music.

Optical1 Symptoms despite treatment
  • replies: 2

Hi. I am wondering if it is normal and if others have the same experience. I receive treatment for my mental health and have doctors and therapists involved in my care. Despite everyone's best efforts in treating my mental illness, I still have sympt... View more

Hi. I am wondering if it is normal and if others have the same experience. I receive treatment for my mental health and have doctors and therapists involved in my care. Despite everyone's best efforts in treating my mental illness, I still have symptoms especially depression. So I've been told that mental illness is treatable but it seems ,yes it is but maybe not 100% treatable for everyone. So I'm thinking I'm just going to have to accept that still getting unwell and having "bad" days is what is normal and I'll have to accept these horrible times as part of the deal of having the illness.What do others think?

Itchy-bits Introducing myself and my current pain
  • replies: 4

Hi,I’ve never done this before, and hoping this might help my mental pain, even if it’s a small amount.Ive been going through hell the last 6 months, it seems relentless. Day in day out, the pain just seems to return when I wake up, in force, as it h... View more

Hi,I’ve never done this before, and hoping this might help my mental pain, even if it’s a small amount.Ive been going through hell the last 6 months, it seems relentless. Day in day out, the pain just seems to return when I wake up, in force, as it has done the day before and the day before that for the last 6 months. I’ve struggled with depression and anxiety for 35 years, it genetic unfortunately, even with a family member suiciding over it. But with medication I’ve kept on top of it. Until now.6 months ago I let my wife down with an affair I had with a local girl in Bali, something I’ve never done to her before after 21 years together. This was the beginning of my spiralling downward. My wife has been supportive and understands why it happened. I’m very lucky to have her.i fell in love with this girl and I still am, I just can’t get her out of my head. And yes we still talk very briefly via email on the rare occasions. Something I’ve tried to stop for months now, to no avail.This in itself has been painful, I wish I never met her.Im 64 and I’ve been going to the gym, jogging, cycling, all to no avail as it didn’t help me, so I’ve stopped.Skipping all the way to now. At work, I’ve put in a complaint about my supervisor as I believe he’s a bully. He has put in a counter complaint, for what, I have no idea. I wish I never started this. As now I need to go to meeting about this which is one of my phobias. Even after explaining that I’m not going to any meeting, because I mentally can’t, they are relentless and saying I have to. THIS has sent me down the deep dark hole even further. Because of Easter and my varying roster etc we can’t have these meetings until afterwards. So this will have to painfully be on my mind for the next few weeks.Ive seen my dr yesterday and after trying 3 different types of meds over the last 6 months , which never worked, he’s put me back onto something I know will help, but this will take a while to kick in.I feel like I’m rambling on here. With events that happened within these 6 moths also, there is just way way too much to explain, events combined that had made me feel suicidal at times. I have beautiful grand children that I never met. I’ve seen my son only once in 6 years, mother and father dying and many negative personally memories that keep replaying in my mind.i now cry every day, I’ve done everything possible to try and help myself, nothing is working, I am now just playing a waiting game, watching the hours tick by, losing 15kg so far and more to come I’m sure. I just hope these meds kick in within the next 2 weeks as I am on the end of my tether.

amd1953 Owed to Solitude
  • replies: 391

I owe a lot to my current situation in life. In fact, it's probably as close to heaven on earth that I will ever get. I've served my apprenticeship in the School of Hard Knocks. It was actually a life sentence with no time off for good behaviour. I t... View more

I owe a lot to my current situation in life. In fact, it's probably as close to heaven on earth that I will ever get. I've served my apprenticeship in the School of Hard Knocks. It was actually a life sentence with no time off for good behaviour. I think it was Mr. W. Shakespeare who said "All the world's a stage". And that is precisely what we are - actors on a stage. Some of us play our parts really well and fool the audience into actually believing what we say we are. Then there are those who find it impossible to be anything other than what they are. Not good actors at all. That's where I make my entrance. But I don't play to the audience any more because it is a complete and utter waste of time and effort. Now that I have settled into retirement, I can stop the acting and the pretence and be whatever I choose to be. It's a great pity that we have to spend the greater part of our lives playing to an audience. Some people get away with turning their backs on the bright lights and sink into blissful anonymity. This is what I am trying to do now so that I can gather a little happiness around me before I drop off the perch. When I think back, I seem to have spent so much time trying to keep everyone else happy and giving in to do things when I don't want to. I never had the nerve to say no so I guess I was a real pushover. I think it's time to turn the page on the script and write my own dialogue for a change. Or is that asking too much? I'm not really sure myself. Maybe I am expecting too much. Shame on me eh? But there will come a time when I run out of choices and that will be the end of it. The curtain comes down on another production. I only hope it doesn't come too soon. If we do what we want to when we want to do it, we are called selfish. I have nothing left to give. It's all gone. The audience have gone home and the stage is a dusty platform waiting for the next deception. Sorry, production.

Sophie_M Cyclone Alfred - Mental Health Support
  • replies: 1

Hey everyone, We acknowledge that many of our Forums members here are currently facing the impacts of Cyclone Alfred and might be feeling uncertain, afraid and overwhelmed. We wanted to create a separate post here to come together during what may be ... View more

Hey everyone, We acknowledge that many of our Forums members here are currently facing the impacts of Cyclone Alfred and might be feeling uncertain, afraid and overwhelmed. We wanted to create a separate post here to come together during what may be a distressing time for many of us to support one another. Recognising that the impacts of a natural disaster can occur both before, during and after, we have prepared some resources which we hope can be helpful: From the Queensland Government, Useful information to help you get ready for a cyclone:Home | Get Ready Queensland Emotional Preparedness: Prepare your mind | Australian Red Cross Three-steps-to-emotionally-prepare-for-the-disaster-season.pdf What now? Coping after the event: Coping after a crisis | Australian Red Cross Maintaining wellbeing in the face of long-term stress | Australian Red Cross Emergency preparedness guide | Australian Red Cross As always, if you wish to speak to a counsellor, the Beyond Blue Support Service is available via phone 24/7 on 1300 22 4636 or via beyondblue.org.au/get-support for online chat. Stay safe, everyone, and take good care of yourself during what can be a deeply challenging time. Kind regards Sophie M

Guest_65097678 Hi. I'm new.
  • replies: 2

I'm Marian. I've never married and am 69 soon to retire from very part-time work. I have no friends or relatives that I see regularly so it's going to be a challenge given my history of anxiety/depression. I shall keep as busy as possible and try out... View more

I'm Marian. I've never married and am 69 soon to retire from very part-time work. I have no friends or relatives that I see regularly so it's going to be a challenge given my history of anxiety/depression. I shall keep as busy as possible and try out some different things. I've never so much as had a boyfriend so it's been a very lonely life which has contributed to my depression. I'm very religious but feel that God is deaf sometimes!!

Guest_39768055 Pain, depression, anger
  • replies: 1

Hi, I'm 82, six years ago I had what I was told would be life changing operation and it surely was. I had a right hip replacement, I had postoperative pain in the leg ankle and foot but was told it would pass with physiotherapy which I undertook for ... View more

Hi, I'm 82, six years ago I had what I was told would be life changing operation and it surely was. I had a right hip replacement, I had postoperative pain in the leg ankle and foot but was told it would pass with physiotherapy which I undertook for in hospital for two weeks. Tha pain didn't go way but got worse, the replacement was fine but why the pain? It turns out my sciatic nerve was damaged by a post operative condition called Pryformis Syndrome. To sum up, i have been on pain medication basically every since. I am also on an antidepressant medication as I can become quite depressed. I have been angry at the system that basically abandons you when things go wrong. I have a great GP and Pain Management specialist and had virtually every procedure available to no avail. The side effects of opiods are bad in themselves. Going off them awful and there is no further pain relief. The government is clamping down on opiod prescription. I feel like I'm being painted into a corner.