Welcome and Orientation

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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 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.

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 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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Struggling badly, just reaching out

replies: 6

I'm here hoping to connect with others. I've been dealing with severe depression for about 4 months. I had a crisis years ago and kind of stabilized from that but things are getting really bad again. I recenly did 3 therapy sessions that didn't help much. I'm a 35 year old male, minimal friends, I hate my job, no self esteem. I have a girlfriend but my issues are making her depressed which makes everything worse. I think about suicide all the time. I'm going to try medication again, I was on some before which made symptoms worse initially. So I've avoided meds for that reason. I'm just so tired of the pain and misery. My self talk is so toxic it's like I just hate myself and the world. Anyway I'm seeing

Tonic The Bard on Being a CSA Survivor and Depression

replies: 3

Hi Gang. Just Joined. No stranger to Forums/Fora, just come to look around and Sound Off. CSA aged 8-9, 12, Again @ 14... Undiagnosed Depressive since 14, I had ALL the Symptoms and the Cruel, negative Mind-Spirals downwards.. Insomnia and Guilt added... Upped it to Manic Depression in 2003. A source of Great Healing, as it turns out, like a Pressure Valve let off. Confronted The Past, Wrote all about it to myself (SOME others), the more came bubbling Up to be Dealt with. Defuse some Traumatic Event, and More will come clammering to be healed also. I have been coaching and counselling fellow survivors over 20 years now. Here's a Great Depression TOOL from My Drawers, use it Often! "If you can take a Depressive who is... REALLY Closed Off, and get them to help do something Charitable for another friend, it CAN have an amazing effect! It costs nothing to Contrive, and is Worth a Try." Dr Jordan Peterson the PSYCHOLOGIST, WHom I admire. A few More of his tools with me. Nice to be here. Tonic The Bard

Needing help

replies: 1

Hi, I’m currently struggling with life in general. I feel to prevent myself spiraling downward I need help but can not afford it. I have a mental health plan but can not find anyone in my area that either has space for new clients or bulk bills. My childhood was very traumatic and I use to have a psychologist, however I had reached a really good headspace and she retried. I haven’t been in a few years and really need someone’s help. I think I’m really looking for peoples experiences whom have been in a similar situation as I mentioned above and how to find help.

Anxiety and depression

replies: 1

HiI have never used a forum before.I am 69 years old and have suffered from anxiety and depression off and on all my life. I run a small business on my own that's not doing so well. I worry about the future if there is one at my age. I'm tired of worrying about finances and if I will have enough to support myself if I happen to live too long. I'm tired of dealing with the world and it's ups and downs. I live alone, I isolate, I don't socialise. My business takes all my energy. When I am working I feel fine, when I stop depression sinks in and everything feels pointless.I have a son, daughter in law and grandchildren but they don't live nearby. I would like to visit them more often and for longer periods of time but it's expensive because they don't have room for visitors and I have to stay at a hotel. I am missing out on my grandchildren, to them I am only an occasional visitor. I feel like I should be grateful but I'm not. I have never felt that life is a gift. It just seems like one long long trial you have to get through somehow and which I always have, but for how much longer.

Drug addicted son mental health problems

replies: 1

Hello I’m after any advice that is going to be helpful to my son situation. He is 29 and is a drug addict. This is his third time in Jail. He has mental health issues that have not been diagnosedi’m currently unwell myself and have a lifetime medical conditions that will eventually claim my lifeI’m his mum I love my son dearly I don’t condone his behaviour or his choices . He had a good family home a good job, manager and I had two grandchildren whom I will now never get to see againmy son turned to drugs when he had his second child and was told by the mother that she only wanted a child support, baby, he was kicked out of the home they shared and came back to live with mehe’s oldest child. Nine years old was to another woman, and both mothers knew each other, both decided that he was no longer to his other child either . This devastated, my whole family me as a grandparent, my daughter as an auntie and my son, as their fatherhe found the quickest most easiest way to make money was to turn to drugs and doing crime to pay for this solicitor of $20,000 to get his children back at that time I offered to sell the house prior to his drug use,I’m not writing this as an excuse because people deal with things differently, but the Depression of losing his children, especially after nine years was too much he reached out for help but it was all money orientated, and the court system for trying to get contact with the children was about a yearHis addiction has turned him into a person that I cannot help, and I don’t know how to hes verbally abusive and is disrespectful to everybody, including the police and Jailthe first time he got out of Jail he went back in because he broke parole. The second time was much more positive. He came out, got a job was clean for six months. He sort help but got caught up again with the people that he calls his family, rather than his own family the police would not let his prior sentence go. He had four months to serve, and he thought well if I’m going to do four months I mose well do moreall this time he tried to get mental health. The parole board revoked his parole and locked him up for a week with no explanation still to this day. We have not got an explanation this set him back tremendously, especially after six months of holding down a job and drug tested and reporting and attending every meeting he spent one week in lock up and one day in Jail and I picked him up again. I could tell that he just wanted to give up there’s currently a threat on his life from his choices and mine. I don’t know if I can have my son back here and I don’t know how to tell him that I can’t watch him, destroy his life by banging his head into the wall. I stood in front of the car. so he couldn’t drive away He told me he doesn’t care how much he’s hurting me told me he would kill me he’s brought criminals to my house given them keys to my house brought substances to my house and other items. I have random junkies ringing me Pretending to care about himI’m in pain lying in bed most days with my own conditions. I can’t even help myselfHe’s tried to kill himself several times in the past when he first went to Jail. He rang me 16 times a day to tell me he’s going to kill himself. He needs help. I know the jail won’t give it to him, he tried before to do mental health in there and it’s an outside program, so it’s very limited and they haven’t got the roomanybody, suggestions and help would be greatly appreciated thank you

Struggling

replies: 2

I have always had depression and anxiety but just ignored it for a long time. I also block out certain painful things that happened in my life. Recently I am just so down and out. I just can’t do the basic things. Getting out of bed is a chore, showering, holding a conversation. I just feel like I am a failure and feel so alone. People around me think I am so strong and I’ll be alright. But I’m really not. I don’t no what to do any more. I recently quit my job as I just couldn’t do it. I feel so lost in life and that I am just floating through basic motions and no one is noticing that I’m drowning. I want to be happy I want to feel joy I want to live but nothing is helping. This can’t be all life is meant to be for me.

I think I'm failing at life...

replies: 1

Hey, just joined because I felt like I needed to get something off my chest. I need to tell someone. I'm failing at life, most days I don't even feel like a human being. I can't eat, I can't sleep, I can't speak, sometimes I can't even breathe. I can't function, I can't live. Why am I like this? I'm so fortunate, I'm surrounded by family who love me, friends who will support me no matter what, I have a bed to sleep in and food to eat, but I can't do anything, I'm hopeless. I haven't been this bad in a while. I know I should call my therapist but I can't even pick up the phone let alone book an appointment. I can't even speak most the time, every sound, touch, and smell freak me out, and curling under my blankets in the dark just makes me think even more. They say journalling is supposed to help, telling people is supposed to help so why does acknowledging my incompetence feel so bad? I'll probably be better in a couple days, I'll pretend this didn't happen and continue masquerading as a functioning member of society but I know next time I crash like this it'll be even worse. I don't know how many more times I can handle crashing like this.

15 with chronic pain, and a life falling apart

replies: 3

Hi I’m 15 but was diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic arthritis when I was 11. It changed my life I went from being the most active and happy kid to depressed friendless and not being able to move. I had to change from face to face school to online. I also live really remotely on a farm so it’s hard to meet other people.I recently had a flair in my foot, resulting in two badly broken bones that require surgery. Thing is that the pain started 5 months ago. I have been walking on a broken foot for 5 months because doctors couldn’t be bothered to dig deeper to find out what’s wrong I’m now in and will be for the next 3-4 months in a wheelchair meaning the few things I do enjoy like motorbike riding I can’t do. im failing school. I can’t think through the pain anymore. Sometimes when I have to I can push the pain aside for a little while if it’s something important but it’s exhausting. I feel like my limbs weigh a ton each and my mind is jelly. my brothers don’t talk to me. I know one of them hates I’m a lesbian and the other I don’t know why he won’t talk to me. Me and my brothers have autism adhd and a bunch of other things and my mum has always helped us so much. I never realised just how much she does but now I see it’s crushing her but I don’t know how I can help her. My dad helps as much as he can but he also runs the farm and it’s been really hard the last couple years, drought, weeds, no crop. We had a station hand last year but she’s at uni now. Im 6 months clean of SH but each day is harder than the last. I’m failing school and my body is failing me, at my age my brother already knew what they wanted to do and had jobs as mechanics but I have no clue what I want and if my body will let me. im drowning in it all. I’ve tried multiple therapists but non of them helped nor have the anti depressants. I can’t put my mum under any more pressure but I can’t keep living like this. i know no one on here can help but I want my story out even if only a few see it.

Awkward Orange

replies: 2

For some reason when the link opened to start a discussion, I remembered the awkward orange YouTube video and I can definitely relate to that video right now - I feel a bit awkward, and my face is probably a bit red/orange as I blush/flush when I feel anxious! But here's to making friends with my anxiety and feeling the fear and doing the thing anyway!!I'm so nervecited to be here! (Nervecited is a word I came up with to represent those times I feel both nervous and excited in life - which is a daily occurrence for me!!) It is really wonderful to see that a forum like this one exists and it looks like so many people are very active on it which I love!My lived experience consists of a trauma background, and I have been diagnosed with HSV2 and ADHD and co-morbid anxiety as an outcome of experiencing that trauma. I also want to note I have lived experience of both consumer and carer, although consumer is more prominent for me currently, especially since I work as a Lived Experience Worker with consumers in VIC.Recovery is a big part of how I manage daily, and I absolutely love creative outlets like writing, painting, Spoken Word and music, as well as nature. I incorporate these elements into my life to help me support myself to be as regulated as possible.One of the most beautiful learnings of my recovery journey so far has been learning that my ability to intentionally and safely share aspects of my lived experience can and does instil hope in others in their recovery journeys.What does recovery look like to you??~ Dee

Depression and "bed rotting"

replies: 4

Hey all, new here and need to get my mental health back on track. I was today-years-old when I found out my depression/bad habit has a name, bed rotting. My depression has slowly been getting worse, and I've stopped meds...stopped all therapy, stoppe... View more

Meet your community champions! replies: 10

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

Struggling badly, just reaching out replies: 6

Tonic The Bard on Being a CSA Survivor and Depression replies: 3

Needing help replies: 1

Anxiety and depression replies: 1

Drug addicted son mental health problems replies: 1

Struggling replies: 2

I think I'm failing at life... replies: 1

15 with chronic pain, and a life falling apart replies: 3

Awkward Orange replies: 2

Depression and "bed rotting" replies: 4