Hi Everyone, Thank you for continuing the conversation within the Online
Forums. We acknowledge that March may have brought several challenges,
changes, and hardships to many and understand that reaching out on the
forums may be the first step for pe...
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Hi Everyone, Thank you for continuing the conversation within the Online
Forums. We acknowledge that March may have brought several challenges,
changes, and hardships to many and understand that reaching out on the
forums may be the first step for people wishing to seek help, recover,
and stay well. It’s important to remember that you do not need to be in
crisis to reach out for support. In addition to writing on the forums or
accessing the Beyond Blue Support Service you may also find the
following support options to be helpful: Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing
Support Service (CMWSS) – The CMWSS is available 24/7 and is operated by
trained counsellors to assist with any concerns about your wellbeing in
relation to COVID-19. This service is offered by phone at 1800 512 348
and via online chat: https://cmwssonline.beyondblue.org.au/#/chat/start
NewAccess is a free and confidential mental health coaching program for
anyone feeling stressed or overwhelmed about everyday life issues, such
as work, study, relationships, health or loneliness. This program
support Australians from 12 years old and is available in parts of ACT,
NSW, QLD, and VIC. To see if New Access is available in your area, visit
our webpage here:
https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/newaccess/where-are-your-access-coaches-located
Community Voices: What are people talking about? Challenges at uni
Lately I just have been feeling very overwhelmed and stressed with uni.
I feel like I am just so behind and that I can't catch up on work.
Assignments are also piling up so much that I don't even want to look at
them. When I do I feel like I am going to have a panic attack. I have
got extensions on some but honestly, I don't feel much better. –
AUSLOVESLONDONGAL (Read more here) I moved states to attend uni to focus
on my dream goal of doing art as a living. I moved into a
sharehouse/boarding house almost and we live our own lives with little
interaction. I sleep through the days, skipping uni classes and have
racked up a heavy amount of work to catch up on. I've missed one
deadline - my first assignment. I don't know what to do. I don't have
any motivation to do anything - Toughavocado33 (Read more here) I’m
current at uni and I just feel like everyone is so much far ahead than
me and I just don’t think I have a purpose anymore I’m always ghe joke
and always tend to fall behind I don’t know how to make it stop. I just
want to leave everything and be by myself nothing makes me happy anymore
and coming home is like a chore - Liz22063 (Read more here) Depression
and loneliness For such a long time, I've had insufferable feelings of
loneliness to the point where I feel depressed. I'm hesitant to use the
word without a formal diagnosis, but my feelings and thoughts are very
much in line with what a depressed individual would have. – Leyland
(Read more here) Currently 6 weeks pregnant, through ivf and sperm
donor, but now it's starting to hit me how alone I am. After a visit to
the hospital due to cramps and bleeding, I messaged my best friend who
said she'd be there for me, then fell asleep. I don't have any other
friends, my family don't know I'm pregnant because theyve always told me
I'd be a bad mother and shouldn't be a parent. I have noone on my life.
Noone to share things with. – Starletbunny (Read more here) I recently
spent 3 weeks in treatment for depression, anxiety and disordered eating
and am now back home and am 'in recovery'. I have had a few relapses
since being home (mostly around eating/food) and am generally finding
recovery pretty hard. Every day is a struggle and while there are
moments of joy, most days I feel sad and lonely. – girlonsafari (Read
more here) Strategies for staying well Looking for help and ideas on how
to get the best out of mindfulness and meditation. My pycologist gave me
some mindfulness apps with exercises to help with my stress but I cannot
get the hang of them and breathe in all the wrong places. Same with
meditation I went along to a couple of groups followed the instructions
but just could not get the hang of it. Is there any special techniques
that people would like to share. – contrarymary (Read more here) Do you
have a happy place? A place where you can exhale, and feel okay, if just
for a moment? Is it your backyard, or a shed you work in? Is it at the
gym? Do u breathe a sigh of relief when you close the door to your
therapists office, knowing you can talk about ur life without
inhibition? - Sleepy21 (Read more here) As sufferers we must find ways
to make life for us and our family and friends more joyful and to do
that one of those processes is to lower your stress and anxiety by
balancing your workload on projects and avoiding tiredness by getting
lots of sleep. - white knight (Read more here) Valued Contributor Award
Our Valued Contributor for the month of March is Matchy69! Matchy69 has
been nominated for always approaching others in a welcoming and
nonjudgmental manner. Matchy69 is also known for regularly checking in
on others on the forums, ensuring community members feel comfortable,
safe, and valued. Thank you Matchy69! To read more about what a Valued
Contributor is and how you can nominate a fellow community member,
please refer to our thread Nominate a Valued Contributor here:
https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support New/Updated BB Resources The
'COVID- normal' section of the Beyond Blue Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing
Support Service has recently added the following new content: Managing
anxiety about having the COVID-19 vaccine Adjusting to work in
COVID-normal times The following articles have also been updated under
the Financial and mental wellbeing section: Ways to promote a positive
mindset if you lost your job during the COVID-19 pandemic Looking after
yourself through unemployment The link between financial wellbeing and
mental health Financial counselling explained (and how it can help)
Living with financial stress – Michelle’s story Financial hardship and
mental health: messages of support from the community