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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nickaway

replies: 1

Hope I am in the right place would like to say Hi to all will read some forums to find the right ones for myself

Lonley mother

replies: 4

Its scary to be on here because a I'm not good spelling and yeah so used to talking to my self I haven't sleeper property in weeks no i do not take drugs of medication never have..my kids are not sleeping well I've tryed sleepy tea excise ect and I'm suffering like hugely from lonelyness health iusses like crones and staff and now an random lump like on my leg which is not healing and I'm getting looked at and I'm crying about every half about on the inside because I'm so scared I have no family I'm so young half my family are dead the other half self centred drug addicts I all bye my self trying to do every thing right and the universe and what it's fishing me out ATM is worrying me I feel like having a mental break down and giving up the world's getting so hard

struggling in lockdown

replies: 3

hi everyone iam mom.of 4.kids ages 12 11 6 5 iam homeschooling all of them because of lock down that makes me crazy because I have so much other work to do also I can't just handle everything iam so much worried abt my kids studies I cannot gv them p... View more

Work Place Bullying - Workers Compensation Challenge

replies: 6

Hi All, this is my first time posting. I have experienced big bad bullying and intimation from the company I worked for it was really bad, long story short I made a workers compensation claim that has been accepted by the insurance company. I am now suffering from extreme anxiety and depression, lack of self esteem, unable to leave the house (without fear) and it is so bad that my depression is extreme. My trust for anyone is at below zero. The insurance company are pushing for me to add hours to my worker cover certificate but have not provided the appropriate treatment. They arranged a independent psychiatrist which I had a phone interview with and the report was full of lies and diagnosis that was never discussed. I don't want to say anymore, but has anyone else experienced this ?

Hi

replies: 2

I’ve just joined…

A horse walks into a bar. The bartender says, "So, why the long face?"

replies: 5

I've got a long face, not because I'm a grazing animal for whom it would be an evolutionary advantage to see potential predators, but because I'm really struggling at a pivotal time of my life. I turned 50 recently. Married with 2 attention-deficit affected boys who fight all the time (several times an hour often). My wife is sometimes supportive but more often severely critical and argumentative. Covid was tough with my wife out at work and me running a small business with 2 boys at home - with customers going bust and staff working remotely and misbehaving. Throughout my life competitive team sport has been very important as a stress-relief valve but at 50 I'm struggling through more and more injuries. On the surface I should have everything (lovely house in nice suburb, attractive and clever wife) but I can't go on much longer. Work has lost any enjoyment and my home life is constant fighting. I'm utterly burned out by it all. I feel like I need a complete change of home and work situation to recover. I worry about how I would get out of it all, but at the same time would like to have a close relationship with someone again - and doubt I can regain that with my wife, largely because she cannot see her way back to me. We had been out for lunch yesterday and I tried for a cuddle in the kitchen when we got back.........as usual not the response I wanted, and I'm getting fed up of that - I would like to be with someone that cuddled me back or I could have a bit of fun with. Her glass is always half-empty while mine is always half-full (although not at the moment). Anyway. I could have been more structured - but feel it's better to put something down and say hi while I get to know the site. Hi, Longface

My Journey

replies: 2

My journey into depression has been one of bad luck with life events starting at 22 years of age. It has been a long road of bad luck that I have been unable to turn around. I am now 48

um hi

replies: 4

Hi, I just joined here, and I'm still anxious if I'm doing the right thing. I've suffered from high levels of anxiety and depression the last few years, and I keep trying to improve and better myself, but life keeps knocking me back down. This last month in particular, has been really bad for me..but I want to change, and to do better and stop worrying about everything, and suffering from this anxiety and depression. Its just been a real struggle lately..

Sad and alone

replies: 3

Hi, ive just joined and dont know really it will help me being here or not but i have no one else to talk to. My husband has recently been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and is really struggling to cope. What isnt helping is that he was signed off work until they had his meds under control which has left us really short with money. He has been very quiet, angry and withdrawn from myself and our 3 children. He has told me that he is depressed and cant really explain how he is feeling. He just keeps saying he is in a really dark place. He has talked about leaving and says he isnt sure if he wants to be with us anymore. Whats killing me is i dont know what to do? i have no other family here as i moved over from the UK and also have no friends here. Whats upset me further is that he is choosing to spend most of his time at his mums house as since finding out he is diabetic his mum has been cooking his dinners as she is also diabetic so she knows what he can eat. He doesnt normally come back until it is time for my son to go to bed which makes me feel like he would rather be living there. Im now finding myself thinking will it change or is this how its going to be? Does he actually want to be with us or is it because he is depressed and fed up? Some advice would help please

Hi

replies: 4

Hey, So im new to this kind of stuff. I am feeling alone and feel like i have no one to talk to or to even just say what's on my mind. Im newly married and it feels like since we have been married its been a downward spiral and not happy and loving life, could be something to do with his constant headaches however i feel so disconnected from him. He talks to anyone and everyone else but me. I guess i thought id try this out first and hopefully find some comfort and ideas on how to work through my own head. Cheers

Meet your community champions! replies: 10

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

nickaway replies: 1

Lonley mother replies: 4

struggling in lockdown replies: 3

Work Place Bullying - Workers Compensation Challenge replies: 6

Hi replies: 2

A horse walks into a bar. The bartender says, "So, why the long face?" replies: 5

My Journey replies: 2

um hi replies: 4

Sad and alone replies: 3

Hi replies: 4