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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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Annewithan-e Trying to grow
  • replies: 40

Hello people. A bit about me. ...I’m in a tough place. I’m trying to learn how to face my past. I’m not very good at it. It goes against everything I’ve promised myself for my whole life, the way I’ve learned to live. I have some really bad days, but... View more

Hello people. A bit about me. ...I’m in a tough place. I’m trying to learn how to face my past. I’m not very good at it. It goes against everything I’ve promised myself for my whole life, the way I’ve learned to live. I have some really bad days, but no one around me would really know, because I work so hard to make sure I don’t impact anyone negatively. I am the ‘fixer’, the one who people confide in. But I don’t share any of my struggles or vulnerability with anyone. I am trying to learn to talk, I have a great psychologist, but I am finding this incredibly difficult and destabilizing. Sometimes I just don’t quite know what to do with the feelings. I am trying to find ways to release some of the hurt and anxiety, and I find myself here. Thanks for being here x

Anxiousandscared Anxious and scared for 4 years
  • replies: 2

Hi all, I turned 35 years old this year and quit my office job 4 years ago. Since then i've damaged my relationship with my wife from my depression and anxiety, i've been on anti-depressents for the last 3 years. I've been very alone and my social in... View more

Hi all, I turned 35 years old this year and quit my office job 4 years ago. Since then i've damaged my relationship with my wife from my depression and anxiety, i've been on anti-depressents for the last 3 years. I've been very alone and my social interactions are those with online friends, although these days i don't even do that anymore. My wife left the country in early 2019 and although we do talk from time to time i'm not sure if or when she'll be back. I feel like i've disappointed myself and her and our families. For the past 4 years i've just been getting by doing odd jobs here and there,i sometimes regret leaving the office job 4 years ago and having a steady and stable income. Now i don't know what to do, its been 4 years since i've worked in that industry, things have changed, i've forgotten/lost so many skills i used to have. Even the process of thinking about applying for a job seems daunting since i haven't had a stable job for the past 4 years. who would want to employ someone like that? Everyday I wake up scared and afraid, feeling lonely and lost. I've lost connections to my family and friends over the past 4 years and even lost interest talking to online friends now. my days are usually just me searching for odd jobs online, wandering around my suburb, watching videos on the internet, cleaning the house, eating or just sitting down feeling more and being consumed by fear and anxiety of the future.

mrmonaro Hi
  • replies: 2

Im so sorry but Im not sure what to even say.

Im so sorry but Im not sure what to even say.

ThoughfulOne Corona and medical delays
  • replies: 1

Hi everyone This is my first post on this forum. It's great to know that there are resources out there to help, especially during these strange times. I have always thought myself to be a resilient person and have been mindful to look after my mental... View more

Hi everyone This is my first post on this forum. It's great to know that there are resources out there to help, especially during these strange times. I have always thought myself to be a resilient person and have been mindful to look after my mental wellbeing. We have had major events in our lives (like everyone I'm sure!) however I dealt with them quite well. After a recent event, I've realised my reactions to other events in my life have resulted in me overanalysing, stressing, or feeling like I'm watching someone else's life play out. It's like I'm detached at times. I've had a health concern that so far has two specialists stumped, and will be going to another at some stage. It's good they are doing the best they can to work out the problem. I've mentioned to them the delays resulting from covid and the lack of results are really starting to stress me out, but haven't had any guidance from them. I had one major meltdown with my family and talked it over with them, but I feel it's unfair to unburden on them. I'm trying to put on a brave face to not freak them out so much. Sorry so now I have on here! There is the potential that my health condition is irreversible and will deteriorate, and if so, it will majorly change my life, and theirs. Well, I suppose it already has. I know I shouldn't but I've been playing the possibilities over in my mind. I just can't seem to stop. I know what's been going on in my life is small compared to others around me, and that it's just a rough patch, when it's over I'll be fine. I don't want my family to worry about me any more than they already are (re health conditions). Anyway, sorry for the long post and for unburdening here. I don't usually like sharing this kind of stuff, as I know after a while I'll be ok. Thanks for listening.

Sophie_M Reflecting Back on November
  • replies: 0

Hi Everyone, As we enter December it’s important to allow yourself some time to reflect on the past few months. We’d especially like to acknowledge everyone who had visited, read, and or posted within our online community this year. Our community has... View more

Hi Everyone, As we enter December it’s important to allow yourself some time to reflect on the past few months. We’d especially like to acknowledge everyone who had visited, read, and or posted within our online community this year. Our community has reached over 1 MILLION visits since the beginning of January, which goes to show that anyone reading along or posting here is never alone. To allow for our forums to continue to be a supportive and accessible space, we are pleased to announce that we will be making improvements to our forums platform in the new year - stay tuned for some exciting updates! We hope everyone stays connected and please keep checking in if you need a safe outlet to turn to during this time. If you or a loved needs support this festive season, feel free to also visit our webpage for additional supports and resources: www.beyondblue.org.au/alwaysavailable Community Voices: What are people talking about? Anxiety at Work I am currently employed in a profession I enjoy and studied to do. It is a small business and within the last couple of months I have felt constant pressure to perform through busy COVID times. I have exhausted myself and received little help and no supportive network. A few confronting episodes happened recently at work and I cannot get passed them. Even through talking about it with my bosses it’s as if my workplace is toxic. - RachelGreen24 (Read more here) I’ve lived with depression and anxiety for a long time, and I was bought up to internalise my issues and worries. As a result, I’m not the kind of person to make a fuss when something bothers me. I struggle with negative self talk, panic and worthlessness a lot, but I manage to mask it well enough at work. Recently I was really struggling to manage my workload, wasn’t feeling valued within my team, and wasn’t feeling mentally stable. It took a lot of strength for me to speak out and I told my Team Leader I was struggling. I ended up having a panic attack and felt really embarrassed. - WorryWombat (Read more here) Has your workplace and their culture made your mental health worse? Work (and working from home in general) has made my anxiety skyrocket. Last week I was having constant anxiety attacks from my workload and the idea of not being able to get through it. I was so worked up that even hours after finishing for the day I couldn’t sit still or speak properly.- Soleggiata (Read more here) Overcoming Marital Hardships Our marriage has been struggling for well over a year, W says she hasn’t had any feelings for me for several years now. We are both in our forties and have been together since teenagers. Our marriage turned into a routine after kids came along and we never prioritised “us time” for a long time - Janus20 (Read more here) hello, im new here and very uncertain and shaky writing things even beginning to cry because i feel that im releasing things that should be my problems noone elses, I should fix them and not burden others. i am having trouble mainly at the moment with my partner's family not accepting me and making me feel very abnormal and need to behave in a certain manner around them and if i dont my partner will be very angry later and give me a lecture on my behavior and how its perceived with his family i keep asking myself am i really that bad a person etc. – BonnieH (Read more here) My husband and I have been together for 6 years. We have 2 beautiful children (aged 4 and 1). Our relationship has not been smooth sailing. When it’s good it’s good, but the constant fighting and resentment has reached what feels like breaking point and I know we are both unhappy. - Ckris (Read more here) Coping During the Coronavirus Pandemic/Holiday Season So, Victoria will now be free of face masks. Yay! More restrictions will ease as of 12 midnight tonight, including up to 30 ppl in your home this Christmas. When I heard the news today, this triggered me. Actually, last night triggered me with the thought of Christmas. For me, these holiday seasons are so depressing - I get really bad, I fall into a heap and it ain't good. I sometimes don't know how to cope. I just can't wait to start rebuilding in my life, I srsly can't. I just want to feel 'normal' again. My life is far from normal. Bluberry (Read more here) I will be spending Xmas and New Year alone with my dog as I dont have any family. I have a couple of good acquaintances but no real friends. At 44 I've accepted and made peace with how things are however deep loneliness does creep in at times, particularly at this time. I was wondering if maybe we could use this thread to share ideas on how we each handle aloneness at this time of year. - Succulent Queen (Read more here) There is very little support for long distance relationships impacted by Covid online, and I have very little information on when we will finally see each other again. Surely I cant be the only one feeling this constant pain? Is anyone else out there? – Honeycat (Read more here) Valued Contributor Award Our Valued Contributor for the month of November is Not_Batman! Not_Batman has been nominated for often supporting new members with navigating the forums and making others feel connected, valued and listened to. Thank you for your continued support Not_Batman! To read more about what a Valued Contributor is and how you can nominate a fellow community member, please refer to our thread Nominate a Valued Contributor here: https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support BB News/Resources Check out our ‘Always Available’ campaign For many, the festive season is the most stressful time of year. And for most, it’s the busiest. Missed calls and unanswered emails are an unfortunate fact of life in the holiday chaos. That can make it hard for people to find support when they decide to reach out for help. So this year, we’re asking Australians to update their voicemail, out-of-office, and social message spaces with messages for Beyond Blue. These powerful personal messages will help break the stigma surrounding mental health, and let people know that support is always available, even when you are not. If you’d like to be part of this campaign head to www.beyondblue.org.au/messagespace Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support Service (CMWSS) Update You may have seen that there is a new pillar, COVID-normal on our CMWSS webpage. This section offers information and resources to help you take care of your mental health as you start, or continue, to adapt to COVID-normal life. The COVID-normal section includes the following two sub categories, small business and workers: Click here to check out the Small Business page. Click here to check out the Workers page.

Elliethetired Dark day
  • replies: 4

What is the point? Why am I here? I keep asking this question to God, not sure if I believe or not, but that is the question, why am I here, for what purpose. Its not like he gave me anything, looks, brains, strength, friends, family, nothing, so why... View more

What is the point? Why am I here? I keep asking this question to God, not sure if I believe or not, but that is the question, why am I here, for what purpose. Its not like he gave me anything, looks, brains, strength, friends, family, nothing, so why do I continue to live this life?

Brittney1 New to having psychotic disorder
  • replies: 2

Hello, I'm new to all this so bare with me sorry, I have recently been diagnosed with have a psychotic disorder.. I have severe anxiety depression, and I hear voices in my head. I am a drug user and the voices tens to be very constant and frequently ... View more

Hello, I'm new to all this so bare with me sorry, I have recently been diagnosed with have a psychotic disorder.. I have severe anxiety depression, and I hear voices in my head. I am a drug user and the voices tens to be very constant and frequently happen when I smoke cannabis. My partner doesn't have mental illness so he doesn't understand but he's trying, he tries so hard every day and I can't even explain how much of a support he is..I feel like I'm pushing him away, I start getting confused frustrated and exhausted. I get frustrated at myself because something so simple confuses me and I get fatigued. I don't want to ruin our relationship and my mental illness be the cause of it. Just after some advice or if anyone else can relate. I'm scared when I hear the voices. I don't understand why I hear these particular voices, it's always 1 man and 1 woman that I hear. They bully me and call me names and say horrible things about me. Sometimes I hear moaning and it's always my partners voice. I hear his voice even when he's not home. Can anyone else relate to this? I don't wanna push him away

Broken_Chest Happiness after addiction
  • replies: 2

Hello everyone. After one year of strong painkillers following a huge accident and surgery, I weened off, only to suffer horrible withdrawal. I did all this exactly as planned out by my doctor. I am now on an alternative painkiller and am about to st... View more

Hello everyone. After one year of strong painkillers following a huge accident and surgery, I weened off, only to suffer horrible withdrawal. I did all this exactly as planned out by my doctor. I am now on an alternative painkiller and am about to start weening off that. I am worried that because I have only felt happiness for the last year after a dose of the strong prescription medication I won't be able to feel any happiness. Does this make sense?

Malcolm1608 My depression story and how I healed it.
  • replies: 4

My depression story on how I healed myself and others. From a early age I knew that something was wrong with about the way I felt in my life and I was sad. Then came school well that lead to more reasons to want to die with school bullies. Then at ag... View more

My depression story on how I healed myself and others. From a early age I knew that something was wrong with about the way I felt in my life and I was sad. Then came school well that lead to more reasons to want to die with school bullies. Then at age seven I found out I was adopted even my parents felt like strangers to me so more feelings of been more alone and disconnected from the world. With more feelings of self-hatred, low self worth, and low self worth. Even though I had persistent thoughts of suicide I could never do it but wanted someone else to kill me so I could leave this body and this heavy feeling of my life. When I realized I was adopted I started to try and understand if I am Malcolm in this life where was I before this birth yes I know its sounds strange but this was my question which took me on a journey through life of seeking what was life about and wanting to feel joy and happiness. This was part of the self-discovery journey and came across Reiki so became a master but no pain relief and still suicide thoughts had not gone away. Then started looking at many other healing modalities over time still searching for a way of feeling good. Now in my forties I traveled the world looking for answers to my questions from meeting Gurus in India like Sai Baba to meditating in Mary Magdalene cave in the south of France to being inside pyramids of Giza. Stonehenge to traveling a cruise ship with Jerry and Esther Hicks in Mexico the search went on. Now in my fifties and had been to so many healers just wanting to feel joy and happiness but still I had to find a way to get some relief from me. I knew I could heal myself with my hands and heart so in July 2020 I found a way to clear these depression thoughts and feelings from my mind body and soul WOW what a feeling of joy and lightness in my body I had found a way of feeling great everyday. I had become a healer and have helped other people suffering from this depression sickness. My life is wonderful now I can help other people feel good in themselves. {This a short version of my life story} I used to say to myself How Bad to You Want To feel Good!!!!!!

_Peta New here and looking to share experiences
  • replies: 2

Hi All, I am nearly 30 and am looking forward getting out of my 20s, too much social pressure and expectations for young people. Have struggled most of my life with depression, panic and anxiety. I have always dealt with my emotions and have wanted t... View more

Hi All, I am nearly 30 and am looking forward getting out of my 20s, too much social pressure and expectations for young people. Have struggled most of my life with depression, panic and anxiety. I have always dealt with my emotions and have wanted to succeed at looking after myself by speaking to a therapist. Everything still gets on top of me sometimes and it is SO EXHAUSTING! Now I am in a fantastic job where mental health is a top priority and I feel guilty about expresssing myself even though they encourage it.. Does anyone else get tired of thinking? When will I be able to switch off? Holidays can't come soon enough for Melbourne this year.