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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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Helarctus Dark days; Trying alternatives led me here. (An introduction of sorts)
  • replies: 28

Hello. It has taken about three hours from when I looked at the page to get to this point and actually putting text into a screen. Worried about rambling, inadvertent breach of rules or creating a drama sink hole. My anxiety is biting at my self-este... View more

Hello. It has taken about three hours from when I looked at the page to get to this point and actually putting text into a screen. Worried about rambling, inadvertent breach of rules or creating a drama sink hole. My anxiety is biting at my self-esteem like fingernails already too short and it is driving me into analysis paralysis of every word, comma, space. Logic half of brain says, "Do it, finish the write up, this will help." But the rest of me wants to curl up and fade, but there are things to do. Must be done and the thread is one of them. It feels as I am wasting resources, better spent elsewhere, as the feeling threatens to swell and wash over. I distract myself with humour, an intricate illusionist or at least perhaps, I am to myself. So hello, hope you are well, I am here to see how things go.

Ruby5 New and depress
  • replies: 2

Hi everyone I am new here I don't know how to start about what I am going through at the moment but I am not mentally Ok emotionally and mentally depress. My GP suggested me this site and hoping myself to find support and strength as I am shaking fro... View more

Hi everyone I am new here I don't know how to start about what I am going through at the moment but I am not mentally Ok emotionally and mentally depress. My GP suggested me this site and hoping myself to find support and strength as I am shaking from suffering of my depression and anxiety and major stress.

YBI Another new one...
  • replies: 1

Hello... I'm 36 soon to be 37. I'm currently going through a bit of trauma at the moment. And I am hoping to share and open up about my issues. Thank you for reading

Hello... I'm 36 soon to be 37. I'm currently going through a bit of trauma at the moment. And I am hoping to share and open up about my issues. Thank you for reading

MrShivers CPTSD, Depression, Severe Anxiety and Autistic - Seeking help
  • replies: 3

Hi all. I am looking for help. I have been with many psychologists and psychiatrists, but just cannot find someone who understands me. I understand that many people are looking for mental health support and the supply of suitable help is very limited... View more

Hi all. I am looking for help. I have been with many psychologists and psychiatrists, but just cannot find someone who understands me. I understand that many people are looking for mental health support and the supply of suitable help is very limited. I'm 43 years old now and feel lost. I may be beyond help at this point, but I'll try anyway. Are there psychologists out there in Melbourne that are able and willing to help?

Kman1973 Just joined
  • replies: 4

Hello everyone, i have just joined up so hope i can get hepl with what i am going through at the moment.

Hello everyone, i have just joined up so hope i can get hepl with what i am going through at the moment.

Jack2021 Dealing with work induced anxiety and depression?
  • replies: 4

Hi guys, brand new to the forums here ,and haven't really used any online forums since the old yahoo ones from around 2006-09 if anyone remembers them..lol...hoping I don't make any huge online ettiqette blunders here Anyway I'm finally at a point wh... View more

Hi guys, brand new to the forums here ,and haven't really used any online forums since the old yahoo ones from around 2006-09 if anyone remembers them..lol...hoping I don't make any huge online ettiqette blunders here Anyway I'm finally at a point where Iv'e decided to try and get as much help as possible, and as well finally admit I have been, and am still, suffering from what has been pretty much the worst depression of my life so far, Basically it started out really slowly and gradually mid last year, mostly with anxiety, grumpyness, and general irritability in a job that had sadly "turned bad" after about 2 years in, finally threw in the towel and around the same time I had started counselling (though compared to now, my condition was quite mild) Fast forward a few months, been through several casual short term jobs, each one seeming to harm me more than help me, the worst of which was a heavy labouring job which I left last week after it reaggravated an old abdominal strain injury (resulting in a constant dull pain..so yeah that never helps) The other major factor that's made me a lot worse I think since Xmas/new years has been that my councillor/therapist has been on leave so I haven't really had anyone to talk to openly So I guess the endgame out of this thread is has anyone else been here before?? Since quitting my job last week, to be honest my mood has improved quite a bit from "crisis" to "manageable", though I'm not kidding myself that I'm out of the woods yet...no idea what I want to do realistically yet, but really not wanting to work in warehousing anymore....lol Also especially last week, there was a lot of talk of the possibility of trying "anti depressant medication", but I'm pretty against the idea, since I know there are side effects, and I know it won't actually fix the problems I have.....because when I really look into myself, I know this depression does have a cause and reason, the main one being "lost " career wise, and not enjoying work at all...also wanting to talk with my counsellor before going on any medication...the GP's I have seen so far have all been pretty indifferent and emotionless when it comes to anything with mental health...in my experience at least.... Anyway I'm looking forward to meeting you all and participating here

Mudcakes Hi I’m new here!
  • replies: 16

Hi, I’m a 16 year old female and live with a single Mum. I love writing and reading. I just finished a pilot spec! I have major social anxiety and have NVLD which I’m going to assume none of you know of. I struggle with social cues. Time management. ... View more

Hi, I’m a 16 year old female and live with a single Mum. I love writing and reading. I just finished a pilot spec! I have major social anxiety and have NVLD which I’m going to assume none of you know of. I struggle with social cues. Time management. Hand eye coordination. Self care. Spacial awareness and have depression. I’ve experienced DV. I start year 11 soon. Thank you and I hope to help others and get some advice and support too!

Learningtobreathe How do I go on?
  • replies: 4

Lately my life is been feeling harder and harder to get through. It’s like every day I’m questioning the same things over and over. I’m almost 22 living at my parents house where I feel as if I’m trapped. ive been dating a person different from my cu... View more

Lately my life is been feeling harder and harder to get through. It’s like every day I’m questioning the same things over and over. I’m almost 22 living at my parents house where I feel as if I’m trapped. ive been dating a person different from my culture for over three years and all I want is to be able to give it a real shot but I’m stuck here.. my parents don’t understand love to the point where I don’t even understand what they do to show love. Most of the time I’m ignored . The amount of guilt and pressure I feel by being here is unbearable. I’m in my last year of University but it feels so out of reach. I can’t find a job in anything because I’ve had no experience in anything because my parents didn’t allow me to. the only way I feel like I can leave this place is to find a job and earn an income enough to save up to be able to rent a place far away from here. my parents don’t get anything at all, and I’ve tried before. I am genuinely terrified of them. They treat my younger sister like a spoilt weak baby that needs constant attention. But where does that leave me? All I want to do is leave. This situation this house this lifestyle. All of it. recently I had the opportunity to spend a few nights with the boy I’m dating literally just sleeping next to eachother and it was the best feeling ever. But now that he’s gone I feel this crushing emptiness and all I want is to feel that pure happiness again. my parents don’t know. My parents don’t understand. My parents have never before and probably won’t again leave me or let me stay somewhere without them. I just want to get out of here. So how do I keep holding on when it feels like there’s no hope of ever getting out of this house and environment?

Dph Loneliness
  • replies: 3

Can anyone suggest any good short term strategies for coping with loneliness. I'm a 59 year old gay male and I have found myself in a position in life where I have few close friends or much of a supportive family. This has crept up on me of the past ... View more

Can anyone suggest any good short term strategies for coping with loneliness. I'm a 59 year old gay male and I have found myself in a position in life where I have few close friends or much of a supportive family. This has crept up on me of the past 10 to 15 years, I've always been good at being alone but it seems I have taken it to extreme levels. I work and function as a popular person in the work place but on an intimate personal level I have shunned much interaction. Over the past month I meet a person and the connection seemed very intense on a physical and emotional level but this was abruptly stopped by the other person with no real reason given. This has made me feel rather pathetic ( they were much younger) but I think it has made realise how alone I am. I'm just having trouble getting through each day at the moment. I have a one or two people who I have talked too but I get the feeling they have heard me moan enough. I sailed through COVID lockdown easily but I think overall it has made much more aware of how little I have in my life.