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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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Matthew_loves_retro_gamin Introduction about my Mental Health journey and how I started my podcast on Mental Health
  • replies: 8

Hi my name is Matthew, I lost my older brother named Daniel in 2019 from his condition which was Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and I was in my final year of high school. It was hard on my family and especially myself as I lost my best friend. I'm so ha... View more

Hi my name is Matthew, I lost my older brother named Daniel in 2019 from his condition which was Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and I was in my final year of high school. It was hard on my family and especially myself as I lost my best friend. I'm so happy I reached out though and spoke to firstly Beyond Blue who told me to speak to my GP which I did and I feel my depression dark cloud has shrunk down then what it was when I lost my brother Daniel. I currently do a podcast on a community radio station which I love doing each week and I've done 5 episodes and since I've lost my brother I had this gut feeling to be doing something more than what I was currently doing and I'm glad I've found where I want to be which is talking to others about their Mental Health journey and spreading the important message to get the ball rolling on that discussion of Mental Health. I miss my brother every day but he definitely motivates me and pushes me to keep doing my podcast. Thanks very much for listening to my journey. Stay Safe Have a great week. Regards, Matthew

An333 Introduction: living with a spouse with depression
  • replies: 3

I am looking for support and guidance regarding living with a spouse with depression. He has recently started counselling which is great however the 'ups and downs' and miscommunications are really difficult to make sense of. It's hard to know if thi... View more

I am looking for support and guidance regarding living with a spouse with depression. He has recently started counselling which is great however the 'ups and downs' and miscommunications are really difficult to make sense of. It's hard to know if this is a reflection of our relationship or the depression.

CazQ Introducing myself... Having Bipolar
  • replies: 2

Hi, This is my first time to any forum. I am 49 and was diagnosed with Bipolar late last year as I was crashing from a major manic episode which lasted for many months. I am starting to understand myself more. Am happy to know what I "have" because I... View more

Hi, This is my first time to any forum. I am 49 and was diagnosed with Bipolar late last year as I was crashing from a major manic episode which lasted for many months. I am starting to understand myself more. Am happy to know what I "have" because I have felt different my whole life and in the 70's, there wasn't available diagnostics or mental health support that we have now. I don't have a psychologist at the moment. Feeling like I need to converse with people who are afflicted by Bipolar- people who understand. Can't use Facebook...it triggers me too much when I am not well. I am taking medications and am working on adjusting the quantity and time of ingestion so that I am not constantly sleepy or brain- fogged. Thankyou

Okberty Hello...I'm new here. Feeling lost and anxious with no di4ection
  • replies: 2

Hello. So new to forums. And new to these feelings I am experiencing. So alone and have lost a sense of purpose. Unable to visit family and those i love since Covid and dealing with stress of being away from an elderly unwell parent. Want to help but... View more

Hello. So new to forums. And new to these feelings I am experiencing. So alone and have lost a sense of purpose. Unable to visit family and those i love since Covid and dealing with stress of being away from an elderly unwell parent. Want to help but can't. So overwhelmed at work have been making bad decisions and also not standing up for myself which has forced me to take an action at work that contradicts my own values. Lost as to what to do. Want to quit and move back to my home country but can't because of finances and covid. Used to be highly successful in my previous employment but have lost any sense of desire or ambition. Have no one here that I feel close to and feel used by those that I thought were friends. Constantly no motivation and Jumpy all the time. Think I have tried to hide my feelings for so long they have finally caught up with me. Have sought help through GP and psychologist

Stephen_D Steve54
  • replies: 2

After suffering anxiety and depression a few years ago,I fought my way back to a good place.Though now in these times,I feel it creeping back into my life! It’s funny how I recognise what is happening,yet I can’t stop this feeling of nervous energy f... View more

After suffering anxiety and depression a few years ago,I fought my way back to a good place.Though now in these times,I feel it creeping back into my life! It’s funny how I recognise what is happening,yet I can’t stop this feeling of nervous energy flowing through me! It’s like I’m connected to a low voltage power source!

ROHA Estrangement from my son
  • replies: 6

Hi, I am after some support, help and advice on understanding how a child can become estranged from their parent when that parent all has ever done for them, is try to resolve things each time there is a breakdown. I hadn’t dealt with any problems wi... View more

Hi, I am after some support, help and advice on understanding how a child can become estranged from their parent when that parent all has ever done for them, is try to resolve things each time there is a breakdown. I hadn’t dealt with any problems with him until he met this girl at 16, and he become a horrible person. She caused a lot of conflict amongst every family member and in the end broke my family apart, got pregnant to my son at 18 and then brainwashed him to believe my husband and I are not his family anymore and that we don’t deserve to be grandparents to our innocent granddaughter that we were not allowed to meet. I have never retaliated to anything, the girlfriend has sent us numerous messages and letters telling a bunch of lies and what her opinion is on things, putting the blame on us and never has there been any ownership of their own actions. Please help me to find who I can talk to to get help with this, it’s been a long 3-4 years of rejection, conflict and trouble that he’s not willing to fix.

threeeighteen Introduction post
  • replies: 5

Hello, I'm threeeighteen. I've been dealing with depression and anxiety since childhood, currently 28. I'm a long term NEET (Not in Employment, Education or Training) and my current goal is to end that. My hobbies tend to be on the nerdier side, stuf... View more

Hello, I'm threeeighteen. I've been dealing with depression and anxiety since childhood, currently 28. I'm a long term NEET (Not in Employment, Education or Training) and my current goal is to end that. My hobbies tend to be on the nerdier side, stuff like: anime/manga, videogames, history and the sort. I'm also a beekeeper and do that with my granddad, I do all the heavy lifting for him. I'm thinking of starting a cert II in kitchen operations to get a foot in the door to an eventual chef apprenticeship, I know it's meant to be a stressful career but I'm running out of things I can possibly do and I feel like my brain has atrophied too much to go down the uni path at this point. I'm not really sure what to add for an introduction and I feel like I'm rambling. I mostly just want a friendly place to chat and I feel like beyond blue fits that while also being understanding. Nice to meet you all.

EC123 New Here!
  • replies: 7

Hi there, not sure if I’m posting in the right place, but here to hear stories from people who are experiencing similar challenges I guess! Lockdown has been super hard, struggling with severe anxiety and loss of motivation to do daily activities. Ho... View more

Hi there, not sure if I’m posting in the right place, but here to hear stories from people who are experiencing similar challenges I guess! Lockdown has been super hard, struggling with severe anxiety and loss of motivation to do daily activities. Hoping this is a start to positive changes.

Jetsm Vent
  • replies: 2

First time posting here. Generally, I am the strong one, the positive one, the Pollyanna if you wish. Each time there is another disappointment, another issue, I am the one finding the silver lining. Yes, we are in lockdown again, but we are better o... View more

First time posting here. Generally, I am the strong one, the positive one, the Pollyanna if you wish. Each time there is another disappointment, another issue, I am the one finding the silver lining. Yes, we are in lockdown again, but we are better off than many others. We live in the best country in the world, everything which is being done is in our best interests ... After yesterday's announcement, the tears have come often. The disappointment of planned activities being cancelled because of lockdown has made me more upset than it should. Far worse, however, is the cumulative effect these restrictions are having on our young people. My grandchildren are suffering. It breaks my heart to know that one (aged 15) is giving up. He is not logging on to online learning, can't get out of bed, can't see any point in study. One (aged 14) asked her mother when she would be able to resume face-to-face schooling (her mental health is already compromised so she is considered to be at risk) as she was finally 'ready' to try again to face the world, only to learn of these latest restrictions. She returned to her room & her bed. This, & far worse, is happening in many, many families. I don't know what the solution might be, have no suggestions. I am just feeling hopeless.

LanLan123 New to here
  • replies: 10

Hi Everybody! This is my first post. I've never reached out to any support group, but now I feel that my mind is deteriorating. I mean everyday it feels as if things are just getting more difficult. I feel so alone and tired, with no end in sight. Th... View more

Hi Everybody! This is my first post. I've never reached out to any support group, but now I feel that my mind is deteriorating. I mean everyday it feels as if things are just getting more difficult. I feel so alone and tired, with no end in sight. Thanks for listening. I'm sorry it's a short message, I'm not usually one to complain. Thank you.