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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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First time user

replies: 4

Hello All Ive joined this forum to introduce myself as a long time anxiety and depression survivor. If you met me you’d never believe I have suffered this most of my adult life. On the surface I have a sunny disposition and when I’m feeling good can light up a room like no other. When I’m in the grips of this “thing” I am a fraction of my self and can barely get the words out. As with most of us who reside in this unbearable Club of Despair I have learned all the tactics to appear entirely’normal’. This is of course only multiplies the effect. I am successful professionally, have a loving family and a valuable and close network of friends. This is the enduring conundrum. All of this middle class privilege and opportunity and I still wake up with a head that wants to explode and adrenalin surging through my body. It doesn’t add up. On a recent trip to India I witnessed unspeakable poverty and social dislocation. But I was struck by the enormous resilience and optimism within the population that defied the circumstances. anyway, thought I’d just throw this ramble up to get things going. Thanks for listening..Stevie O

Changes to moderation policies: no more face pics in profile images

replies: 40

Hi everyone, The beyondblue forums are an anonymous space where we discourage the sharing of any information that may personally identify you to someone reading. These forums are public, searchable and indexed by Google, so we ask people to consider their words and think about the level of detail they are sharing with the world before hitting 'post'. Up until now, we have allowed the use of profile pictures that depict a member's face, but after feedback from the community we have decided to change this policy in order to keep our message about anonymity on the forums consistent. From today, our moderators will no longer approve the use of profile picture images that clearly depict your face. If you already have a face picture displayed on your profile, we won't be removing it, but would ask you to have a think about the privacy implications of having your face on display in connection with other personal detail you may be sharing in your posts here. This thread will also serve as a runnning discussion around how to protect your privacy and anonymity on the forums. Feedback is welcome.

hello! i think this might be just the kind of space i need

replies: 3

hello! i think i'm going to go by bee (some bees have just started building a nest in my yard so it's on the brain :}} ) ive had depression and a lot of the classic brain problems since i was quite young and im 21 now. even though i have some lovely friends and a very supportive partner i do often find myself aware that many of them have had a very different experience than i have when it comes to mental health, and it often unsettles me thinking how no one may ever truly understand me. but i think maybe a space like this will fill some of that worry in. i have always really loved writing my thoughts, but to be able to do that and connect with others would be very special and comforting. i don't suffer as much as i used to - my mental health has become one of those things that i just deal with every day in a lot of ways. i'm really proud of how far i've come, but it's still very much part of who i am and my day to day existence, and that's okay! anyway, that's a bit about me and what i'm doing here. nice to meet you

[Constructive title pending...]

replies: 46

I’ll try to keep this intro as brief as possible... Hi! My name is [INSERT NAME], and I have virtually no self-esteem. I look forward to getting to know you so we can share our stories and support each other. ...okay, perhaps that’s a little TOO succinct. I’ll share a few of the negative lowlights that have led to the empty shell that is [INSERT NAME], and we can go from there (assuming I haven’t yet alienated you): I grew up as (and still am) a societal outcast, with long-term ostracism, bullying and “Are you an alien?” queries since I was eight, when a peer tricked me into yelling out “F***!” in class. CONTEXT: I was testing my spelling skills by requesting words, and one student said, “Spell Eff-Yoo-Cee-Kay”, and I was surprised to hear a word I didn’t yet know, hence my elevated voice and subsequent time-out. Speaking of which... Misunderstandings and punishment from teachers made primary school (1996-2000) the worst years of my academia. I later learned I’m on the autism spectrum, but far too late in my formative years... thankfully, I started to leave my shell during secondary school, though a teacher in Year 12 saying I would amount to nothing (a comment I’d received from a different teacher in Year 7), followed soon after by a peer saying to my face that none of the other students actually likes me (I had only “school friends” for a decade and a quarter, and no long-term social network even now, as mentioned above and below), forced me right back in. Speaking of which... I’ve recently discovered I’m the scapegoat in my unsupportive family, which started the same year as I started high school, with my diagnosis being used as leverage against me by both parents, and my well-supported brother being abusive throughout puberty. My life is in service to my family’s, and reality forbid me from standing up for myself and my wellbeing without them sweeping over me like a tsunami... In summary: I have no career, no support network, no finances, nowhere to go, nowhere to turn, no means of seeking long-term help and support without my family casting me aside... and no self-esteem. I now know my circumstances are not my doing, and that there’s nothing wrong with me despite what I’ve been taught, yet there is no escape. The family nest is a cage, preventing me from soaring. I just turned 17 for the seventeenth time in a row, and (to quote a relatable song) “all my hope is gone...” And as for my name? I’ll insert it when I know...

NEWBIE: Moving on from a failed Crush

replies: 3

Hi, hope this forum is best for this mid 20's male, interested in knowing how others have moved on from crushes when the other doesn't feel that way for you. crush is part of a friend group. I have good support from family (though interstate) and a friend in this group (though I think it's wearing on them) Google has quite useful ideas, I know I'll get over it one day and these take time to move on from, it's just on my mind a lot right now. Thought it might be a good idea to hear what others have done (activities/actions/anything) that they felt really helped them moved on from a failed crush Thankyou everyone and look after yourself

What's in a day here we go I'm just going to blurt it all out

replies: 3

So after struggling for a few years I think I've finally figured out that I have anxiety. I'm a stay a home mum to 3 under 6. Since having kids I've found that I've lost myself. I've gained 30kgs from subsequent pregnancies and I think that's a big part of it. I can't find anything that is comfortable and looks good. and I spend most of my days at home because I keep thinking of all the bad things that could happen if we go to the park, shops, beach etc. I freak out about germs, snakes, drowning, dogs. I also find that I'm showering so often because I hate feeling sweaty or dirty, I need that fresh just showered smell with clean minty teeth it's odd. I can't be hot, I hate it. I can't tie my hair up because it's too uncomfortable I snap alot because I get so stressed I yell more than I'd like. Anyway that's what my day consists of. I'm happy but struggling

Anxiety

replies: 6

Hi my first forum, i suffered anxiety for a long time with varying degrees of success. But at the moment it has me beat hope this helps thanks guys

Introduction

replies: 2

Hi everyone

Introduction

replies: 4

Hi, I would like to introduce myself. I have been putting this off for a while now because of my social anxiety disorder, but I am here now.

new member advice on work releated anxiety

replies: 3

hi im a new member little bit scared of posting,would like to know how people deal with work anxiety,i work in a highly stressful environment and its seems like everyweek im getting judged on my job performance things that are pretty much nit picking,as i never have had a complaint about getting the job done or customers upset with me.how do i not take home the anxious thoughts and constant anxiety and worrying on my days off,interested to hear what other peoples thoughts are,

Meet your community champions! replies: 10

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

First time user replies: 4

Changes to moderation policies: no more face pics in profile images replies: 40

hello! i think this might be just the kind of space i need replies: 3

[Constructive title pending...] replies: 46

NEWBIE: Moving on from a failed Crush replies: 3

What's in a day here we go I'm just going to blurt it all out replies: 3

Anxiety replies: 6

Introduction replies: 2

Introduction replies: 4

new member advice on work releated anxiety replies: 3