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Cyclone Alfred - Mental Health Support

replies: 0

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

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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divorce during lockdown

replies: 2

Hi there. My husband and I separated a few months ago. Whilst a marriage breakdown is always hard, I am finding that it is being compounded by the isolation of lockdown. I feel very alone as my usual social connections are not available. I am trying to sell our family home and purchase a house so that my children and I have somewhere to live. This is extremely hard during all of the restrictions....again I have to do most of it on my own because my friends are unable to help due to the restrictions. My kids feel isolated and frustrated that they are apart from their friends and can not get some relief from the constant stress of the marriage break up. Is there anyone out there going through the same thing right now?

Site Maintenance - Brief Forum Outage Tonight

replies: 7

Dear community members, There will be a brief website outage from 12am Thursday the 26th of August AEST in order to upgrade and maintain our online systems. The expected downtime will be approximately four hours, however due to the nature of the work, may take a little longer. During this maintenance access to the forums will be down - we apologise for any distress this may cause and will be working to make this as short a disruption as possible. These maintenance works are important to ensuring our systems continue to be as useful and sustainable as possible into the future. If you need support while the forums are not available, please call Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636 or Lifeline on 13 11 14. You are not alone if you need help, we are here to support you. If at any time you feel that you are unsafe, please know that this is an emergency and you should call 000 immediately. Thank you for your understanding as we continue to improve the online experience. Kind regards, Sophie M

Hope

replies: 2

Hi all, Just joined today and its great to feel not so alone with everyone sharing and caring about their hurdles. Generally, my mental health has been pretty good, in the past there has been the black dog that comes barking occasionally, touch wood, he's in the pound, but recently its been anxiety and panic attacks. After a long unemployment gap, due to a back injury, I recently started work in the corporate sales world, something I've never done before. The brochure was glossy and colourful, but soon sinking into the role, it began to take its toll. Feeling pressured from targets, compliances, and the all the other naff, I started feeling the strangle of the unseen fog. Head spins, heart racing, little sleep, and when I did, I'd wake up thinking about it. All the usual symptoms. Sometimes to the point of having to pull over on the drive in to try gather myself together. Deciding that the best source of action was to cut the head off the corporate beast and quit, I was shocked to find my parents negative reaction. Perhaps this is a 'boomer' thing, or something that other people have been subjected to? After trying to be open and tell them of my hurdles in a mini breakdown, the response was 'such is life'. This hurt. Don't get me wrong, they've been fantastic throughout my life, just the time I felt I needed them more than ever, is the time they seem to be furtherest away. I've decided now to look for something a lot closer to home, and something I will actually enjoy. I know all jobs have certain levels of stress, but not to the point of it effecting your mental and physical health. Take care all

Hello - I'm struggling with the Covid restrictions

replies: 6

Usually I'm extremely active. What I would do in a day some don't do in a week. I have been making do for so long but it's getting hard now. I'm scared losing my fitness and strength. Something I worked so hard to get. I'm missing laughing and training with people. I have tried non active things and active things to compensate but they are just time wasting fill ins to ease the tension of not having an adrenaline release. I make it through another week or two and the restrictions are extended. It's draining not knowing when it will end. I'm tired from the stress and want to hide in bed. I've felt like hiding for few days so I thought I would come here. I'm not sure if this is the right place but it's a start.

Angry at life

replies: 4

I’m 42. I have a 7 year old and 2 adult children my youngest child’s father is the most repulsive manipulative toxic person in the world but manages to portray a “good guy” persona he took me to court to have regular contact with our daughter (a while ago) … fine it is what it is however the court ignored all the injuries she has in his care (by misadventure not abuse) they ignored the sexual, psychological and financial abuse I endured at the hands of him and so now I have to see him regularly for his contact with her. he still tries to touch me, calls me pet names, is just repulsive and sleazy in general I live in a house he owns. I pay him rent which is lower than renting privately which is why I’m stuck here but the house is unmaintained, mouldy and problematic I can’t afford nsw rents. I’m not allowed to move further away even for affordability- my solicitor already said that even if it meant I was on the streets .., I still have to stay here i am angry that I will always have to have contact with him, I am angry that I can’t afford to live, I am angry that I am unable to change anything I don’t know what to do

Hey Yall

replies: 6

I am so sick of life atm, its so shit and I'm over it

SINGLE MUM LIFE!

replies: 3

Im a mum of 3 young kids , it's not always easy, I guess I'm just looking for something at this point anything lol, Ive been in an abusive relationship for sometime now but everytime I'm ready to walk away something makes me stay I don't know what it is I don't know how to fix it, have you ever felt your heart weigh down heavy and you can literally feel it. Than on top of all that I have to put on what feels like a big act so nobody can see how I'm really feeling because nobody really cares.

Getting to the Nuts and Bolts of Things

replies: 14

Hi. Just joined. Haven't much of anything interesting or dramic to chat. Jusg saying Hello.

DSP Rejection

replies: 4

We're all hopefully aware that the DSP is allocated not due to the necessity of one according to need, but rather due to budgetary or political restraints. As such due to my rejection, despite medical recommendation. Why shouldn't I just go mental and start causing more damage monetarily than it would take to kick me to a corner and pay for my rent and food. That's all I want, to subsist at least. Is it so much to ask to exist?

I feel frozen

replies: 3

Hi...This is scarey. I've never allowed myself to verbalise how frozenI feel inside. When I'm with others I can perform without anyone knowing inside I'm dying. I've always had to be the strong one but now that there is no-one to be strong for any mo... View more

Cyclone Alfred - Mental Health Support replies: 0

Meet your community champions! replies: 10

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

divorce during lockdown replies: 2

Site Maintenance - Brief Forum Outage Tonight replies: 7

Hope replies: 2

Hello - I'm struggling with the Covid restrictions replies: 6

Angry at life replies: 4

Hey Yall replies: 6

SINGLE MUM LIFE! replies: 3

Getting to the Nuts and Bolts of Things replies: 14

DSP Rejection replies: 4

I feel frozen replies: 3