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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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HIV Phobia

replies: 4

Hoping someone can assist. I have a terrible HIV phobia which has impacted my life on multiple levels. Im currently 2 weeks out from another test after stepping on something sharp at the beach. This was after spending 3 months believing I had caught HIV after an exposure to a mobile phone that I believed had blood on it. Test was Negative. I don’t use drugs and have not been intimate with anyone for 2 years. I’ve been to 2 GP’s though felt somewhat ridiculed in addition to both GP’s not being aware of risk outside of m2m sex, I’m not gay either. I just really need someone to talk too who can help as the continuous stress is debilitating thank you in advance

Hi

replies: 4

I have a phone booking with my gp tomorrow although I drove past some counselling places today but didn't go in... i am obviously suffering from depression issue I haven't spoke to anyone about before. I this come about due to some dangerous thoughts... View more

Newbie

replies: 8

Hi beautiful people, New to Beyond Blue and I'm happy to be here Never been involved in a forum before but i think i'm getting the hang of it. Very tough times in the world today, I hope everyone is doing well. Billiee x

My life

replies: 2

The very first memory I can remember ever is my older brother locking me up for what seemed like hours to me at the time , he wouldn't let me out , that had a lasting effect on me , from a young age I can remember violence within the family life , dad was always angry at something or at someone , mum had about four different boyfriends since my dad and every single one was violent all the time till I was about 12 , mum never did anything to stop it , I think she was scared so I don't blame her , but I couldn't get how people enjoyed hitting other people ? I still don't , what was worse was I would be harmed all the time by my older brother, I had average grades at school and that didn't help at home either , one time I went to school with an injury and I had to go into protective services and since then it's all been a blur , so many different families to go and live with , never making solid friends ,and then it came for me to move out of the system and I was shoved into the world with little to no social skills , the inability to make any lasting friendships or meaningful relationships with anyone was actually dawning on me and realised I would come to live alone , everyone around me seems to be doing fine in life , I think there is something wrong with me , no one ever took me to psychiatrist or a doctor or any professional , I think my parents just saw me as a fortnightly child support check , my grand mother definitely did , I remember her making me give all of my youth allowance to her , I was never taught how to spend my money well either , cause I was allowed only 20 dollars a fortnight I would always spend it all in one go and then get yelled at for it , So when I got to the age of 16 I needed more money to live , cause all these responsibilities started popping up , I turned to drug dealing and I lived like that for about 12 years untili got busted , I mean I was an undereducated young man who was making more than someone in an office , I was completely absorbed by it , started living the lifestyle even though it wasn't me , I was in and out of jail for 4 years and now im living in an age where crossing the border is an arrest able offence , how do people see the bright side of things in a world so dull , I don't have any friends to talk to , my family hates me , I don't even want to get out of bed in the morning.

Feeling overwhelmed and losing confidence

replies: 1

I have been working an industry effected by covid since March. I started my new dream job in February and 3 weeks later covid came into effect. I was laid off for about 3 days and then asked to come back into work for 10 hours a week. My job was to answer all of the emails from couples getting married and worried about their wedding. Which was totally fine to start of with, but then 6 months in, I am still doing the same thing. I have been feeling so overwhelmed, with all the negativity that comes from the job and feeling sad for everyone. And some couples have been quite rude and abusive. Not a whole lot, but enough to make me cry at times. To top it all off, my boss is a little on the sleazy side and even honked at my breasts and makes sexual comments on a daily basis to me. He often massages my back and touches my hand over the mouse at my computer. I have been writing everything down about what happens, but I feel so guilty in doing so. I have been making so many mistakes over the last few weeks and I’m just feeling so down on myself. I have just taken two days off for some rest and to try and feel better. And my boss is now cranky with me. To top it all off, my husband and I are trying to buy a house and I just feel so lost in what to do. Do I continue on with letting all this crap happen at work, do I stay and tell my boss to stop, I just feel so trapped in this job. I want to stay for all my clients and so we can buy a house, but I can’t stop making mistakes, and I feel so stupid at times, it’s making me doubt my work, not feeling like I’m good at my job. I just feel so confused. Is anyone else dealing with a similar situation?

Missing depressed girlfriend

replies: 1

Me and a woman started seeing each other in a casual NSA relationship. We were together about 7 months. About 5 months in she wanted to talk about how her feelings had changed and she was wanting to take it to try for a committed relationship. Which I was more then happy with as I felt the same. About a month after that she started getting bit flakey and distant, when I asked her what was going on if she’d been having second thoughts she said everything was fine and work was just really busy and her daughter had been sick. We went back to normal for about 2 weeks before it started again. When I asked her about it she opened up to me that our relationship had started to bring back memories of past feelings for her ex husband and how he cheated on her and that she was scared of being in a relationship with all these insecurities she had started feeling. I assured her that I wasn’t her ex and that I wouldn’t do that to her. But she kept getting more and more distant and eventually didn’t want to see me and would only reply to my texts with simple answers. Then after a week of not hearing from her she texts me to say she needs some time to herself away from any type of relationship as she’s moved into a depressive state. So that she can work on her own mental health. I said to her I understand and if that’s what she feels she needs to get her self into a good headspace I wouldn’t stop her from doing what she feels best. And if she ever needs anything I’m always here for her. She followed up by telling me she loves me, which was the first time she’s actually said that. I’m actually kicking myself now as I feel like I love her but didn’t say it back to her. She then said once she gets herself to where she needs to be to feel happy with herself again I would be her first call and she’s never met anyone as caring and patient as me. I miss her like crazy and can’t stop thinking about her. I’ve tried working extra hours, hobbies and hanging with friends to try and take my mind off her but as soon as I’m alone all I can do is think about her and wondering how she is doing. I haven’t contacted her as she asked me not to and she would contact me when she felt it was right. I respect she needs her space and I know over time I will start to come to terms with it and I shouldn’t expect any big changes in her wellbeing anytime soon as it’s goong to be a long process but I just can’t seem to stop thinking about her and how she is and how much I miss her and being around her

Sleepless newbie

replies: 1

Posting for the first time.

Downin_the_dumps31

replies: 3

Hi , I would like help to become independent and not dependant on others to be happy.

Hello

replies: 7

Hello, Ive been having a really hard time coping. I finally started therapy at the end of last year turned up to 2 sessions and got scared. I've called up again today and organised to go back on my gp's recommendation. My partner showed me this site a couple of years ago, but my anxiety has stopped me from posting. So while I wait for support I thought starting to talk on here might help along my journey. I have trouble talking to my partner because I just feel like a burden. Which i know I shouldn't. I just feel crazy, my mind is just constantly is on. And I cant find the off switch. The constant cycle of emotions and thoughts, I'm just so tired all the time. I developed a wall to deal with things growing up and when I was hurt but i feel the cracks appearing. I never seeked help when i needed to and I wish I did. I know i shouldn't focus on what I could've or should've done but it's just so hard not to. I find myself crying all the time, sometimes for no reason at all. I've always been a person to put everyone before myself. But I think it's time I focused on me.

Hi all

replies: 5

Hi all. Well I am 51 and I've been suffering from mental health issues for over 35 years. I never talked to my ex or family about my issues. Finally started to talk about all my mental health issues and getting help now Two years after finally talkin... View more

Meet your community champions! replies: 10

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

HIV Phobia replies: 4

Hi replies: 4

Newbie replies: 8

My life replies: 2

Feeling overwhelmed and losing confidence replies: 1

Missing depressed girlfriend replies: 1

Sleepless newbie replies: 1

Downin_the_dumps31 replies: 3

Hello replies: 7

Hi all replies: 5