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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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A space to talk

replies: 14

This is my first post. I am struggling at the moment with anxiety and depression. I just wanted somewhere I could talk freely about how I am feeling without judgement. I don't know if the right forum in beyond blue for this. I tried the smiling mind course, whilst it looked good it didn't do it for me. I feel isolated and debilitated with anxiety and recirculating negative thoughts. Those close to me don't see what a painful place I am in or tell me to get over it. Not helpful, only makes me feel worse, because I think I should be able to cope and feel more isolated. I've had some major panic attacks and sleep anxiety which I have never had before. I just want to know that eventually it will be better, but can't see how. I have awful thoughts.

Kitty Cat

replies: 41

Coping ok. Sorry for people affected by it

Hello!!!!

replies: 4

Hi, just wanted to drop in and say hi. I am a passionate mental health advocate and over the years have raised over $35,000 for Beyond Blue. I one day hope I can be an ambassador as someone with lived experience. I am still on the road to healing and... View more

Hello

replies: 13

Hi , My name is Daniella. I’m 50 years old and was diagnosed with a few mental illnesses when I was 46. After suffering a severe breakdown (my second), I was diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder, Bipolar, PTSD, Anxiety Disorder with agoraphobia. So as you can see my challenges are big on most days, but I had the worst episode 2 months ago and am now trying to keep positive everyday and when I feel well, I push my boundaries. Baby steps is what I’m achieving and I’m trying to stay focused. A big “hello” to everyone on here!

Return to Work help

replies: 1

Hi folks, thanks for reading my post. I’m new here, but have been reading through a lot of the old threads. I’m currently going through a workers comp claim for psychological injury and the process is thoroughly exhausting. I just had a call today from my Return to Work provider and it’s sent me spiralling. I don’t want to go back. There are so many reasons for this, but I really don’t know what to do. I don’t mind seeking other employment but I’m worried my boss will give me a poor referral or that it will interfere with the WC process. I can’t find information and I’m just feeling deeper and deeper in a hole I can’t climb out of. I’m afraid to go back and feel trapped again and afraid to find myself in the headspace that led me to claim in the first place. I’m afraid I’m doing the wrong thing, that it’s going to do more harm to me in the long run. Does anyone have any advice or experience that they can relate?

Struggling with ED

replies: 2

I’ve recently began struggling with BED which has led me to a lot of weight gain. It’s impacting my whole life. School, relationships, friendships, sport and hobbies. My mental health is even impacted by it cause it’s the only thing I focus on nowadays. How do I stop this cycle. I just want to be a teenager again instead of stress over how many calories I consumed at breakfast.

Always anxious

replies: 4

I’m feeling overwhelmed by my situation and relieved to open up about it. Its weird to say this but I’m fairly new to mental illness (4 years) I’ve always had empathy towards anyone who has it, however I now know if you haven’t experienced it, you have absolutely no clue as to how debilitating it can become. I also now know that only kindness towards others will prevail in these circumstances. I had severe injury at work which I had 2 surgeries, and the lack of emotional support is crushing. There are indeed systems in place and all looks legit on paper, they even have a mental health system in place but I’m a person and if you’re not listening to what I’m saying and acting on that then what’s the point.? They are Just ticking boxes. How can a Heath and Wellbeing Advisor help you while listening to the insurance company as well? I confronted her about this among other issues and she said “I don’t know how to help you” The manipulations, micromanaging, mind games are beyond. All of this leads to self doubt, feeling like I’m a liar, constant negative thoughts, feeling like I’m going to loose everything because I’m the little person and they are a company. I recently saw a program on SBS,it was titled “hurt at work”. These stories were like mine. I felt sad, elated, angry, doubtful all at the same time. They looked worn out by the system with no choice but to hire a solicitor. My anxiety and depression have been extreme at times, don’t know how I made it out some days or nights. I feel paranoid that I’m being watched and recorded all the time. Even though I’m doing things that I have been told I can do, or at least try to do. I feel like I’m doing something wrong by them. I’ve become a totally different person. And I don’t like myself, actually hate myself most of the time. I always need convincing that I’m not doing anything wrong. I can’t work much, nor do I want to where I’m at, and I feel a lot of it is psychological due to the way I was treated right after the injury, but I’m also in pain and scared to hurt myself further. I feel like a failure and a liar, Before my injury, doing overtime helping different stations I was valued. That all goes away when you’re injured. And like it never existed. They just don’t get it. Calling Beyond Blue helps..

Hey, I'm new here.

replies: 1

Yo, I'm in senior high school right now and it's about 1 am currently, just created an account to see what's up and thinking about whether I should post here or not. It could just be my sleep-deprived brain talking but, here I am. I've currently got a fairly positive outlook on life right now but part of me feels like I need to say something. Perhaps it's just boredom after doing nothing but working and studying extensively to get on top, of my schedule, who knows. Just here to stop by, I might use this later, maybe not, but I'm here.

Hello

replies: 5

Hi, I've thought about writing in here for a long time and I'm not really sure how to say how I feel so I'll just ramble. I'm writing now because I've just blown my savings and money yet again on gambling. I feel terrible. I never thought I had a serious problem until recently. This keeps happening. Even when I'm winning, as I had a big win last week, yet I managed to put it all straight back in. I feel like I can't get away from gambling. Even at home if I watch the football on tv, I can't help but place a bet. I don't want to make excuses for my stupid actions, but I'll give a back story on my life. I'm 28, I have a wife, and a child who are both overseas. In fact, I have never even met my own child thanks to Covid. I send money every week, and we she has enough to apply for the marriage visa. But unfortunately I cannot provide my bank statements because they're simply embarrassing. I told her I would fix it, and be better. Yet here I am again at the absolute rock bottom. I feel incredibly lonely in life, I'm not a bad person, and I portray myself as a funny and laid back guy. But deep down I know I'm quite depressed. I have no family in this country I speak to. I haven't spoke to my Dad in over a year, and I would rather not speak to him. My mother had serious mental illnesses, and was once detained in a mental health facility. Since she left, she was introduced to born again Christianity, which in my opinion made her worse. She kicked me out of home when I was 17, and I was forced to live with my Dad for a while. I was getting along with her well again until a few months ago, and since I haven't spoken to her. My younger sister was the only person in my family I ever got along with well. I lived with her a few years ago for more than a year. We were supposed to have a new place to live, but we had an argument and then I was told I couldn't live with her. I didn't speak to her for over a year, then we reconnected. Since then, she took her own life. My older sister I have seen twice in the past 8 years. Once, at my sister's funeral, and another when she was in the intensive care unit at the Hospital. Other than that she had been in prison. I have a younger brother, whom lives with my mother. But I haven't spoken to him really since 2015 when I took him to a cricket match. I haven't seen a doctor my entire adult life, and I have pretty bad anxiety to do so. But I wish I could. Sorry for the long message. Thank you if you took the time to read.

All of the above mentioned posts

replies: 3

Hi there, Im Lucinda thank you for excepting me onto your site and look forward to hearing about and posting any questions i need answered to thege best of anyone's knowledge or just to tell of my stories and experiences suffering mental health disor... 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

A space to talk replies: 14

Kitty Cat replies: 41

Hello!!!! replies: 4

Hello replies: 13

Return to Work help replies: 1

Struggling with ED replies: 2

Always anxious replies: 4

Hey, I'm new here. replies: 1

Hello replies: 5

All of the above mentioned posts replies: 3