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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

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Caribou What a decade huh?
  • replies: 1

Hey there, I joined up here because I figured it would be a bit more productive than some of the other forums i post on. It's nice to see such a warm reception for a change. I've struggled with depression and anxiety for most of my formative years no... View more

Hey there, I joined up here because I figured it would be a bit more productive than some of the other forums i post on. It's nice to see such a warm reception for a change. I've struggled with depression and anxiety for most of my formative years now, and having just entered my 20s I think its time to change direction with how I approach it. So I'd just like to say hello and invite others to share their experience Feels like the 2020's have already passed by but we're not even halfway there yet. In between jobs.. caring for unwell family members.. watching old friends drift away, sometimes it's difficult trying to get out of bed some days, but lately that's just feeling like every day. But, I take comfort in knowing we're all in it together. I hope my awkward writing hasn't put anyone on edge; I'm not a particularly good speaker. Thanks for reading and remember to take care. - Caribou

Happylife Hi
  • replies: 2

Hi everyone, this is my first time here. I am excited to learn and share...

Hi everyone, this is my first time here. I am excited to learn and share...

Rosebud Hi
  • replies: 1

I just decided to join here as things for me are I don’t know I guess I am over being here anymore I lost my dog who was m6 soul dog and sister 8 months apart, besides my other dog I literally have no one- I have a brother but he doesn’t give a damn.... View more

I just decided to join here as things for me are I don’t know I guess I am over being here anymore I lost my dog who was m6 soul dog and sister 8 months apart, besides my other dog I literally have no one- I have a brother but he doesn’t give a damn. If my dog wasn’t here I wouldn’t be either. I just feel like the whole world hates me and I can’t do anything right. It’s my birthday at the end of this month, I haven’t bothered about it since I lost my sister. All I think about is wanting to join all my loved ones no longer here. I have no friends and don’t leave my property unless I am putting the bin out, bringing it in or walking my dog if I feel like walking her. So for bothering you.

Guest_67053180 Life is nothing but a anxiety
  • replies: 2

HiFirst time here. I live in ACT and work in the Federal government. I have depression and anxiety issues and I take meds to manage it.

HiFirst time here. I live in ACT and work in the Federal government. I have depression and anxiety issues and I take meds to manage it.

Guest_19365475 How do I carry on?
  • replies: 2

Hi there my name is Jon, I am a divorced, single Father to 2 beautiful children. I have zero family support and little contact with my family back home. I have had a horrible couple of months getting over my past relationship which im still grieving ... View more

Hi there my name is Jon, I am a divorced, single Father to 2 beautiful children. I have zero family support and little contact with my family back home. I have had a horrible couple of months getting over my past relationship which im still grieving along with my workplace which has changed a lot recently. I am studying a Diploma of Counselling and go to the gym for studio classes regularly. I feel very lonely and give myself minimal downtime, only when the kids are with me. I often feel it would be better if I left the world so others around do not have to feel like they have to be careful around me as I am very quiet and I really have no enjoyment in anything. I'm also wary that I appear depressed around others especially my kids so I try to mask my true feelings. I feel worthless and take no enjoyment in this life, my happy go lucky personality has gone due to realising my income is low and I have lost an incredible lady who I will always love. I have been to see a counsellor earlier this year and I am almost a third of the way through my Diploma. Thank you for reading.

iv_token Nice to meet you
  • replies: 1

Hi, I'm Jackson, 32 male and I suffer from anxiety and depression. It's been a really tough road and I'm glad I'm still here but tough tough times.I recently had an autism diagnosis and most likely will have an ADHD one as wellI am an asexual/demi se... View more

Hi, I'm Jackson, 32 male and I suffer from anxiety and depression. It's been a really tough road and I'm glad I'm still here but tough tough times.I recently had an autism diagnosis and most likely will have an ADHD one as wellI am an asexual/demi sexualI love movies and musicI have 2 cats and a dog

Struggling_Life No clear path forward.
  • replies: 1

Hello everyone, I am in my 50s and have suffered depression to various extremes for many, many years.I have been doing quite well for a while, especially after selling up my business and ridding myself of the stresses there. I have however been getti... View more

Hello everyone, I am in my 50s and have suffered depression to various extremes for many, many years.I have been doing quite well for a while, especially after selling up my business and ridding myself of the stresses there. I have however been getting down about health issues, apart from depression and anxiety, sort of making doing work a bit hard. I have been finding myself steadily more disinterested in seeing friends and catching up. Recently we have had a visitor move in for a couple of years and we have been getting on so well. We have been going everywhere, and I've been having a great time. But suddenly I can't get it out of my mind that it will eventually come to an end, and suddenly the enjoyment of doing all this with her, has been replaced by a huge wave of depression, so much so that I feel ill. Never been into a chat like this before, but I am feeling really really bad.

SubduedBlues What's my name / avatar mean?
  • replies: 26

I often wonder what the meaning is behind the usernames and avatars people choose for themselves. So I am starting this thread to provide a place for everyone to talk about why they chose their username/avatar. -- -- -- I chose the name SubduedBlues ... View more

I often wonder what the meaning is behind the usernames and avatars people choose for themselves. So I am starting this thread to provide a place for everyone to talk about why they chose their username/avatar. -- -- -- I chose the name SubduedBlues as I was once so very blue, but in time I overcame that feeling of being D'jected and I subdued my blues. My avatar is an asiginaak (black hawk) which is my spirit totem. Where my Anishinaabe name is Agaaseni Waabishkigwan (Little White Feather), I do not use that symbology as I find that many Aussies & Kiwi's confuse it with the All Blacks football logo. I have an asiginaak totem above the threshold of my home, and other Native American symbolism about the place.