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Sophie_M Cyclone Alfred - Mental Health Support
  • replies: 1

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 ... View more

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

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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PinkFeather Now it's at it's worst, perhaps it'll start getting better
  • replies: 4

Hello, I've been lurking here for awhile, grateful the what has been shared, now I feel the time has come to introduce myself. Simply put, I don't know if I'm crazy, or if the person I live with is. I have been diagnosed with PTSD and have done the w... View more

Hello, I've been lurking here for awhile, grateful the what has been shared, now I feel the time has come to introduce myself. Simply put, I don't know if I'm crazy, or if the person I live with is. I have been diagnosed with PTSD and have done the whole psychiatry and meds thing. I really did make some massive progress (yoga, yoga, yoga!..I promise it's a life saver), and am really proud of myself. I kept pushing through the desire to hide under the doona, and have kept the crucial stuff rolling, but gee whizz if an enormous bushfire didn't land on my back doorstep destroying my rebuilt zen(ish), sending my man and myself into an existential crisis for the past 12 months...not to mention a plague to keep all of us plugged into global existential fears. As far as I'm concerned these are troubling times for all and my mind goes round and round upon the mousewheel of this. Poor, exhausted mind. The panic attacks where I must remember to breathe...the counting of breath as though my life depends upon it, perhaps it does. The pacing. The doubling over in sheer emotional pain. Rocking back and forth in self-soothing, I remember not to do this in front of my depressed man, I feel as though we are severely mirroring each other, if he see's me rocking then I must be mad one. See how silly all this is? I know it. There is an ancoring in the knowledge, but still, the mouse wheel in the corner... Today I saw two butterfilies mating upon my doorstep, I did not see two at first, so bent down because the glorious coloured mass was so still, I thought it to be dead. Then I realised there were two, locked irrevocably in the rythym of life. A defiant splash of colour, impervious to my primate chitterings. I apologised to them, this was indeed something sacred. I felt very blessed. So feeling thus blessed, I am ready to introduce myself, hoping something in this resonates positively for someone else. I am feeling hope, although my domestic life is in shatters and I'm sleeping on the couch. Two entwined butterfiles gave me this, and for all my convoluted tortured human thoughts, for a moment I touched without question, why I keep getting up each morning, ready to make a fist of things. I hope you will allow me to send you all a message of love and hope.

Artemisia Constantly struggling
  • replies: 1

I am having a bad couple of weeks. I am so tired of life being hard. On the surface it isn’t. Objectively my life is good. But the negativity in my head and lack of energy in my body and the pain I feel always catches up with me. I do all the “right ... View more

I am having a bad couple of weeks. I am so tired of life being hard. On the surface it isn’t. Objectively my life is good. But the negativity in my head and lack of energy in my body and the pain I feel always catches up with me. I do all the “right things”. Have invested in good friendships. Involved myself in communities. Take medication. Have seen an excellent counsellor. But whatever I do it is temporary. I take 2 steps forward and 3 back. Currently panicking about going to work tomorrow. I have had some time off being physically ill and it has sent me into a bad headspace. Anxiety is overwhelming and I have been crying ok and off all day. I’m just tired.

Petament Feeling anxious and bad in job
  • replies: 3

Hi. I am feeling quite anxious and hope that sharing will help me to analyse and cope. I have a small child and happy(ish) marriage, now five yrs in. We're full time employed, quite fortunate these days. I think I've always had anxiety, or at least, ... View more

Hi. I am feeling quite anxious and hope that sharing will help me to analyse and cope. I have a small child and happy(ish) marriage, now five yrs in. We're full time employed, quite fortunate these days. I think I've always had anxiety, or at least, suffered in some way. The ad on TV where the man is being talked down by his inner dialogue made me realise that always happens to me, but i didn't realise it could be anxiety. I thought it happens to everyone. i recently transferred departments to take up a job with a boss who said I'd be transferred permanently, but its only temporary. I was told id be working on project X, but I'm not. Im being told now that the paperwork to make it a permanent move will be finalised soon but i still have the uncertainty of if it will be approved. I'm feeling a bit trapped, and like people haven't been following through with what they said they will do. I didn't seek out the transfer, or offer, but i could have refused.. The old area i left made me feel suffocated at the end of each day and i felt belittled at the way some people talked to me and each other. The new job does help me feel mentally healthier. I was miserable in old job, but don't feel miserable in current job. Thats partly why i said yes to chance to leave. i am dealing with alot of uncertainty which makes me anxious. Im not good at speaking up for myself, and others are speaking for me without understanding the full picture. I have been on the verge of emotions and tears the past few days and haven't been able to get to sleep. I'm worried about losing pay, or job, and feel silly for taking risks when I could have stayed even though that wouldn't have been great for my mental health (maybe it wasn't the worst idea to leave that Environment). And the older i get, the more i feel like i cant put on a mask for the work day.... Mostly i feel scared at any prospect i can't provide for child

Ravel23 I’m new here
  • replies: 4

Hi there, I just joined today, after covid started I was separated from a loved one overseas, and due to boredom my alcohol and gambling addiction grew significantly. I’ve got nothing to show for it except bitter feelings and today finally deciding I... View more

Hi there, I just joined today, after covid started I was separated from a loved one overseas, and due to boredom my alcohol and gambling addiction grew significantly. I’ve got nothing to show for it except bitter feelings and today finally deciding I can’t fix this on my own, I called beyond and it’s already been helpful giving me hope. I was busy the rest of the day calling financial assistance and gambling help and will busy myself again tomorrow doing the same . so yeah hi everyone

Annie2 Lost forever
  • replies: 2

After 48 long years think I have finally found the reason behind the fact that I always manage to stuff everything I do up... adhd and maybe asperger... When I first started looking into it it was me to a tee... All my life disappointment.. lonelines... View more

After 48 long years think I have finally found the reason behind the fact that I always manage to stuff everything I do up... adhd and maybe asperger... When I first started looking into it it was me to a tee... All my life disappointment.. loneliness unable to maintain friendships, jobs, my marriage, each year worse than the last,self-blame, shame & loathing,depression, anxiety, suicide attempts, I need help to sort this out now

JemJo Hi I'm new
  • replies: 3

Hello everyone, I thought I'd introduce myself. 35 from Sydney. Nice to meet you all.

Hello everyone, I thought I'd introduce myself. 35 from Sydney. Nice to meet you all.

Lea85 Prolly been asked before
  • replies: 5

Hi, I was diagnosed with clinical depression a couple of years ago. Think I’ve had it all my life though. Also major anxiety disorder, social anxiety being the highlight. Wuestion is, why do I still feel bad when on meds? I’ve been really really low,... View more

Hi, I was diagnosed with clinical depression a couple of years ago. Think I’ve had it all my life though. Also major anxiety disorder, social anxiety being the highlight. Wuestion is, why do I still feel bad when on meds? I’ve been really really low, last 2 weeks.

Sporty_girl Really lonely girl
  • replies: 2

Hi first time posting here, I'm in my thirties and very lonely. I have pretty bad anxiety and very depressed. I've been struggling to find a job since I transitioned male to female. But trying to change that. I just wanted to find advice on making fr... View more

Hi first time posting here, I'm in my thirties and very lonely. I have pretty bad anxiety and very depressed. I've been struggling to find a job since I transitioned male to female. But trying to change that. I just wanted to find advice on making friends in ones thirties. Thanks

Bigredfish Drinking to escape the loneliness, only to be isolated by it.
  • replies: 8

Hi all, Over the last 6 or so years I've had a pretty rough trot. A massive family fallout that ended with me walking away from my business, rotating through a number of jobs since, the decline of my marriage which I discovered that my wife was havin... View more

Hi all, Over the last 6 or so years I've had a pretty rough trot. A massive family fallout that ended with me walking away from my business, rotating through a number of jobs since, the decline of my marriage which I discovered that my wife was having an affair leading me to have a full breakdown. I have seen a doctor who has put me on anti depression medication which has made me develop sleep apnoea so no my wife won't sleep in the same room as me. I'm currently going through sleep testing to see what can be done. Over this time I have lost a lot of contact with people and over the past few years have grown more and more lonely and depressed. I have always liked having a drink or two but have noticed in recent months that I'm using it as an escape. As soon as I feel the loneliness creeping in I reach for the bottle. This in turn isolates me more and around and around I go. During the week I work big days and don't drink, but Friday Saturday and Sunday are on the cards. I never get aggressive or stupid but it is definitely doing the opposite for me than I want it too. I have a lot more to work on besides the above, but this is a good start. Cheers

crish New in Australia seeking help
  • replies: 1

Hi guys, I am relatively new to Australia. I came in on a work visa and have been working here for almost 2 years now. But due anxiety, I have barely gone out and made any friends. And the Covid-19 has made the situation even worse. I was wondering w... View more

Hi guys, I am relatively new to Australia. I came in on a work visa and have been working here for almost 2 years now. But due anxiety, I have barely gone out and made any friends. And the Covid-19 has made the situation even worse. I was wondering what would be the easy way to get help. I tried to visit to GP and get consultation and further help if necessary. But, the aspect of visit a doctor(stranger) and talking about my problems seems too daunting and haven't been able to do so. Any suggestions?