Immediate support
Immediate support

Welcome and orientation

Welcome! If you’re not sure where to start, that’s OK. We’re keen to know more about you and what you’re looking for on our Forums.

Start a discussion

FAQ

Find answers to some of the more frequently asked questions on the Forums.

View the FAQ

Forums guidelines

Our guidelines keep the Forums a safe place for people to share and learn information.

View the guidelines
Categories
Start a discussion

Pinned discussions

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 Be... View more

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.

Aaronsis 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 th... View more

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

All discussions

Start a discussion

scorch artwork
  • replies: 3

HI, This might be a stupid question - but the topic came up in a thread and now I'm curious. Is there a way that we would be able to share artwork on this site? I know a lot of people like to paint, draw, write creative pieces or take photographs to ... View more

HI, This might be a stupid question - but the topic came up in a thread and now I'm curious. Is there a way that we would be able to share artwork on this site? I know a lot of people like to paint, draw, write creative pieces or take photographs to help them deal with the things they go through. I know I like to write and take photos. Is there a way we can show each other what we create to get us the through the day? I know they would still have to be monitored like our forum posts are, but I think it would be so cool to see someone's painting or read their short story. Would something like that be possible? Or is it too ambitious? -Scorch : )

forgetmenot1 How do I know if I have an actual Mental Health Disorder?
  • replies: 2

I'm new here. Regularly told I'm evil, horrible, mental by others. Told my reactions aren't normal. Too many feelings. Told my comprehension & concentration are off. Told I need to get help. How do I know if I'm not just cursed with a bad personality... View more

I'm new here. Regularly told I'm evil, horrible, mental by others. Told my reactions aren't normal. Too many feelings. Told my comprehension & concentration are off. Told I need to get help. How do I know if I'm not just cursed with a bad personality or there is something deeper going on?

Rumer Son in remand again
  • replies: 1

Hi. Just need to be among people who get it. I really don't know what to say right now. But I'm tired.

Hi. Just need to be among people who get it. I really don't know what to say right now. But I'm tired.

ayoen Hi I'm new here, I have depression and I am also struggling with lockdown.
  • replies: 6

I don't know exactly how to word this, it's my first time posting here so I'll try my best. I've been struggling with mental health issues for years now. I was diagnosed with borderline personality disorder in my late teens but in the last 10 or so y... View more

I don't know exactly how to word this, it's my first time posting here so I'll try my best. I've been struggling with mental health issues for years now. I was diagnosed with borderline personality disorder in my late teens but in the last 10 or so years I've found that I don't feel like that diagnosis fits me exactly. I do have depression and anxiety and when my mental health is very bad I do tend to experience paranoia and social anxiety. I've found in the past year my symptoms have gotten worse due to covid lockdowns and I've been crying and feeling very helpless. I don't have many friends at all and am no contact with family, out of the few friends I have there is one person who is very kind and helpful but they also have their own issues and I don't like to feel like a burden to them. I thought I was doing so well in the last year but it's just all come crashing down for me in the last 3 months or so and I'm just exhausted and fed up with feeling sad all the time. I hope that I'm not rambling too much here, I also don't want to give too many identifying details away in my post as I'd like to remain anonymous, if that makes sense. I hope that I can find someone to talk to here in the forum or on the phone line when I eventually have the courage to call.

ChrisCou Newby
  • replies: 4

I am new member here but keen to be involved in helping out. I am a 'mature age' person with lots of 'life skills' and experiences. While I have some tertiary training in mental health (Counselling), I want to put that to one side and respond at a gr... View more

I am new member here but keen to be involved in helping out. I am a 'mature age' person with lots of 'life skills' and experiences. While I have some tertiary training in mental health (Counselling), I want to put that to one side and respond at a grassroots level.

Major_Tom So where do I fit
  • replies: 16

For the second time in my life I feel I am losing control. Right now I have almost every symptom of depression, I struggle to remember things, and wonder if that's just age? I can't concentrate at work and have a poor attention span. I have no confid... View more

For the second time in my life I feel I am losing control. Right now I have almost every symptom of depression, I struggle to remember things, and wonder if that's just age? I can't concentrate at work and have a poor attention span. I have no confidence, and doubt everything I do. Dreams and reality sometimes blend, and I struggle to get any quality sleep. On the outside I am happy , and socialise well. Unlike the last time though, I recognize the black dog this time, and am moving with this first post to head it off. I just don't seem to fit the classic depression. I hope to help others and help myself by at least joining in on the BB forums.

The Tiger Welcome.....Me
  • replies: 7

First time poster. Sufferer of Depression, Anxiety, PTSD and Panic Disorder. Like all, struggling with the current Pandemic. Been working at home for 16 months. Plus have had multiple significant life events since June 2019. Don't really see the ligh... View more

First time poster. Sufferer of Depression, Anxiety, PTSD and Panic Disorder. Like all, struggling with the current Pandemic. Been working at home for 16 months. Plus have had multiple significant life events since June 2019. Don't really see the light at the end of the tunnel but doing everything in my power to remain upbeat, primarily to look after 2 people in my life. Just wanted to say hello and going to spend some time reading the forums to keep active, offer advice, get advice and mechanisms to help etc. Thanks for reading !

Cactus1 Hi everyone!
  • replies: 3

Hi everyone! I just joined this today mainly just hoping for some support. lately I’ve been feeling symptoms of Depersonalisation and social anxiety. I didn’t think much of it earlier, since I’ve always been very introverted and quiet. But It’s just ... View more

Hi everyone! I just joined this today mainly just hoping for some support. lately I’ve been feeling symptoms of Depersonalisation and social anxiety. I didn’t think much of it earlier, since I’ve always been very introverted and quiet. But It’s just gotten worse. It’s really hard to explain. I feel like I can’t really talk to any of my family, I know they would just tell me to brush it off and stop asking for attention. Though I’m really not, I can’t go out in public without thinking “are they looking at me?” “I’m doing something wrong” “it’s too crowded, I’m suffocating” at school I panic if something so much talk to me. Worried I’ll say something wrong, or their only talking to me because they feel forced. I wear baggy clothes to cover up my body worried someone will judge. I find it impossible to connect to people. I would love to see a gp, to see if I really have social anxiety. But I can’t with my parents hovering around me. thanks to anyone who actually reads my ranting

Normm Feeling a little lost...
  • replies: 8

Hey all, Not sure what I expect from here but thought it worth a shot. I live alone and have no friends and am finding being in lock down and not seeing or speaking to anyone for days on end is really getting me down. I'm a 54 year old shy introvert,... View more

Hey all, Not sure what I expect from here but thought it worth a shot. I live alone and have no friends and am finding being in lock down and not seeing or speaking to anyone for days on end is really getting me down. I'm a 54 year old shy introvert, who has always had trouble keeping friends. They always seem to just use me to get what they want and then I never hear from them again. Never had a real girlfriend as I was hurt so often in my youth that it was just easier to give up but really need someone to share my life with. I've tried dating apps for the last 18 months and been on three dates but never get to a second. The last lady was keen on the second date but after she had cancelled the night before on three occasions I gave up on her as it hurt every time she cancelled when I was so looking forward to meeting her again. I think what's getting to me now is I had a neighbour who would visit me daily as soon as I'd get home from work and we would spend the nights watching TV. I thought I'd found 'the one' and was so happy for a little while there. Things didn't work out romantically though as we each discovered the others age. I look younger than my 54 years (I was actually 53 when we met) and she looked older than her age (she's 29) I thought she was in her mid 30's and she thought I was in my mid 40s so I just had to be content to be happy to have as my only friend outside of work. Now that she has moved interstate (luckily moved a week before these lock downs), she seems too busy to reply to my texts or phone calls. She has lots of friends her own age so I don't expect to be a priority but it still hurts. Maybe it's best I just forget all about her. So basically, I'm not sure how to get out of this rut. Always have negative thoughts, always thought of myself as an outsider just watching everyone else enjoy life and don't feel like I fit in anywhere. Finding it very hard to eat and sleep, always feel sick in the stomach and just basically terribly lonely and feel like crying sometimes. What a man Thanks for spending the time to read and I'm open to suggestions.

Auton New and....erm, feeling a bit nervous
  • replies: 27

Hey all - new around here. Just realised my handle probably isn't the best for these forums - but it's literally a Doctor Who reference as I love that show!. Hope everyone is ok , especially any Sydney friends that read this - it'll get better!!! Had... View more

Hey all - new around here. Just realised my handle probably isn't the best for these forums - but it's literally a Doctor Who reference as I love that show!. Hope everyone is ok , especially any Sydney friends that read this - it'll get better!!! Had a long battle with anxiety and confidence issues. Still going. Tried counselling, worked for a while until my partner and I lost 2 babies back to back, then I kinda shut down. Used to drink too much in my teens/twenties. Son of an ex junkie (i saved his life by being born essentially). I have same personality traits as my old man so i have removed booze from my life and never touched recreational drugs (except weed as a youngster). That's the short story lol. Oh and I love Doctor Who, Wrestling (watching not doing lol), Music, Rick and Morty and Gaming. Why am I here? Well, I always like to invest time to help others, sometimes to a fault lol. I want to get involved, I want to see if I can help people, make people feel more positive, give them advice or just make em laugh. I'm no expert but I thoughtful and wise beyond my 41 years, plus my wife always says I'm really good at this kind of thing and she's usually right haha. Thanks for reading !!