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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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New member, Hi there! Feeling overwhelmed.

replies: 3

First time here and glad I found a platform to talk things out so thanks to all in advance. the last year has been pretty hectic as for so many, Last year I was Managing a large group of staff 70+ generally in a fast paced and demanding environment but through COVID in Vic was something else it really took its toll it was emotionally and mentally exhausting the level of emotional support the team required and company expectation not to mention the unreasonable and horrible customers was nothing I ever experienced and it was relentless. In October I was fortunate enough to get a new job in the same company but in a position I was always interested in but wasn’t a possibility but luck would have it a position became available and comes with less stress, slower paced and all the perks. This new role has ALOT of autonomy and my manager and co workers are in Different states and I have been working from home it has honestly been horrible I can’t seem to adjust to having so much autonomy and not having the strict structure and crazy pace that drives your day that I’m used to. The biggest struggle being at home all the time this will change in April, I have no motivation to leave the house going to the supermarket will guarantee a panic attack and I find myself sadly finding excuses to cancel plans to stay home. I have become worryingly self conscious and feel generally down, tired all the time and everything feels like a mountainous an effort. Leaving the house to just visit a friend or see family will have me in a state that results me being in a frustrated annoyed manner, not so fun. My Husband is extremely supportive but struggles with how to help me as it’s not something he can fix for me and tends to get down as he can’t understand why I feel the way I do. we have so much positive going on but I struggle to be my usual upbeat and generally positive self and I’m just so sensitive and overly emotional majority of the time. I feel truely depleted and every day is fight to get out of bed and not to mention the internal fight that I feel I’m being ridiculous and I need to get together already!

Hi there!

replies: 3

Hi everyone my screen name is Nai (or RinNai) and I thought I might join this and talk to people with lived experience with being on the Autism spectrum, having depression and anxiety and some others that I have not yet been diagnosed for. I am also ... View more

Hello

replies: 6

Hello everyone. I have just joined the forum. I have been living with PTSD, anxiety disorders, and depression for a while. I have had mixed success with counsellors, and a recent disappointing experience with my current one has probably been the impetus to come here. I feel the need to connect with a forum where I can feel safe and supported, with understanding and without platitudes!

New girl

replies: 15

Hi everyone, I just wanted to introduce myself. I am a single mum and have been struggling on and off with depression and anxiety since I had my first child. Not really sure what to write or how much to share but thanks for having me.

Thought I'd made it...

replies: 18

Hi all, Reading these posts is so humbling. So many of you seem to know how to express what's on your mind. And I'm so inspired by all the courage on display - it's tough to be vulnerable! I held it together this year, I really did. Supported my little brother in Melbourne (who lives alone with autism) to get through the lockdown, kept my business alive (and so kept my income), built a massive vegie plot with my partner, stayed stoic, avoided social media, all the right things. But a month ago I developed severe back and arm pain, which I learned today is a compressed spinal cord. Spinal surgery is possible, plus up to 12 months rehab. The pain is too severe to work through, which means I could lose my business. And my cat (who is my best friend) suddenly developed heart failure, and we don't have long left with her. So now it's midnight and I'm awake with pain and fear and anxiety and grief and the whole year seems to have hit me at once. Like everything I've been holding together has imploded. Feels like I'm being crushed. I must have already been running on empty, because now I feel completely defeated. I've always been resilient. But what happens when you just run out of capacity? It's a scary feeling. Thanks for reading this far. Would love to hear from others who've hit the wall... or even to just receive a virtual hug. It's not easy to ask for help

Creator of the Situation

replies: 3

Hi there, I'm in a tough spot where I've put my marriage and my family on the line. I love my wife but our communication has been bad and I have lost her trust. Over our 20 year relationship I have gone to some strip clubs, watched dirty vids etc, took a small amount of drugs and snuck around hiding it from her. I thought it was small and innocent and it was very, very infrequent but the hurt I am putting her through is unbearable. She has always been suspicious because of my behaviour and has strongly held on for 20 years and it has all come out. A few months back she approached me and I told her half the story and things went back to being great and she went cold on me and approached me again and I told her the full story. I struggled to tell her as the shame and guilt and fear of losing her was unbearable. I have also had a bit of a situation where I'm confronting a troubled up bringing where by my home life was full of violence and alcohol with no father figure or male role models. I'm over whelmed with guilt, shame and fear. I have not been anywhere near one of those venues (nor want to) for about 3 years or looked at drugs for about 2 years and haven't watched any videos for about 4 months. It feels great and that's what I want to do to continue becoming a better person and husband. I'm scared to try and start communicating again in case I get more anger (which I deserve) or shut out completely and then my anxiety and shame spiral begins again. Am I kidding myself that she will ever want to be with me again??

Marriage with withdrawing husband

replies: 2

It’s nearly 4am l have my heart pounding and can’t stop this feeling of dread .My husband has be full of sarcasm and nit picking .All day on a long drive finally got to the destination and l thought it would stop no . It got to much and l couldn’t park our very large car in a different spot in an underground car park something that doesn’t normally faze me.I feel like no matter what l do it’s not right .He got out in an angry way parked the car. Took a photo and said he was going to post it on FB mocking me Ask if l should go get supplies (food) get told get beer , Called him to ask should, l make dinner or are we going to go out ,his reply is whatever has the least arguments I don’t care .yep l got the wrong beer and dinner supplies. I think he is angry with me because l wouldn’t agree to sell our family home &mortgage the farm to get greater in debt to buy the neighbouring property ,because the last time we did that he decided that the family could use the land .He bring up this argument, that l stop him from buying farms he can’t do anything ,yet the bank say we would have to sell everything just to get a lone . We have 2 children to support all l could think about, was my son is about to go to uni and not being able to because we bought another farm for what ,so he spend even more time at work 4:45am until late lunch and then back again until dark mostly 7 days a week.He says that if we didn’t live in town he would see more of us (it’s a 5 minute drive) reality is he would still be on the land and not in the home . l know that l am painting a grim pictures he can be happy and bouncing talking to others but for me it’s put down in the vale of humour.l am looking for advice to turn this pattern around we have been married for over 2 decades but the last few years has been a pattern l would rather have never seen. and buy another farm

Just going through a hard time

replies: 4

Hi my name is Beau and to be honest i never thought i would be in a website like this. Im so proud of myself because i was able to make the call to beyond blue which was so tough and go to the doctors and get help. My wife and myself havent been getting along for a long time and i feel trapped and on edge the whole time shes around. She also felt the same and resulted in her texting another man which is so hard as we have 2 kids aswell in this. Ive now moved out to my dads house for the time being but were still communicating just not the same. Im not sure where the future takes us however we still love eachother but we just dont know anymore how to express is as the trust has gone. If anyone has any tips on this situation or how to regain some trust would be great. This has resulted me in getting depression really bad and anxiety and i just want to work so hard to get better. thanks for reading Beau

New to this!

replies: 4

Hi I'm new to this, I'm 15 and a girl. So When i I started high school i made this new friend who seemed to be quite nice but turns out she wasn't and we would always be getting into fights and it was extremely stressful for me especially because I had never been in a situation where I was fighting with friends. Then it got super bad where i wasn't wanting to go to school and didn't want to see this girl. One day my parents had enough and rang up the school and we had a meeting with out year level coordinators. I switched class with my other friend to make a new start, which turned out pretty well except for the fact that whenever I passed her or her family they would always stare at me or make nasty faces and giggle. This girl has still been bothering me for the past 3-4 years. Then I moved up to year 8 and i was feeling quite good I had my best friend in my class and i had 2 friends from primary school and I had also managed to recruit 3 new friends I was feeling on top of the world. Then I started to become slightly over weight and and I didn't like it i started being a lot more private i would always wear baggy clothes and i still do to this day I will wear all black and hoodies just to cover up my fat, whilst these others girls my age would be walking around with perfect figures wearing half cut tops. I am becoming more and more insecure. Then one day I put on my school dress and I could hear and feel the fabric slightly rip around my stomach and I was so disappointed in my self because I had always been the skinny tall girl and my parents and grandparents would always make small comments about how they were jealous of me being so skinny and it had just felt like i had let them down some way. Then I went into year nine and i had recruited 2 new friends once again I was so happy because i was thinking to my self I actually have so many friends I have never known this feeling. I was still expanding weight wise. Then it was announced that there was a global pandemic which did not help me at all when we went into isolation i was failing school not handing tasks in it was horrible and worst of all my friends and i were getting into so many fights it wasn't good. Year ten starts (2021) and I honestly don't know how i feel anymore. The past 3 weeks i have been feeling extremely emotional and fidgety so just before i took a depression test and i got the result high i read the description and it was so intense that i couldn't hold back my tears. so here i am

Teenage daughter

replies: 5

Takes a lot to reach out but this mum gig is hard!!!! Struggling with a teenage daughter who is really having a hard time. She hates school and has retreated to her bed. I can’t motivate her to do anything really. She is pretty closed in her conversa... View more

Meet your community champions! replies: 10

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

New member, Hi there! Feeling overwhelmed. replies: 3

Hi there! replies: 3

Hello replies: 6

New girl replies: 15

Thought I'd made it... replies: 18

Creator of the Situation replies: 3

Marriage with withdrawing husband replies: 2

Just going through a hard time replies: 4

New to this! replies: 4

Teenage daughter replies: 5