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Sophie_M Meet your community champions!
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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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Sophie_M Monthly Forums Update: Reflecting Back on July
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Hi All, This is a difficult time for everyone in our community. We are all experiencing this differently and one person’s way of coping is going to look very different to another’s. We understand the importance of creating a safe space for people to ... View more

Hi All, This is a difficult time for everyone in our community. We are all experiencing this differently and one person’s way of coping is going to look very different to another’s. We understand the importance of creating a safe space for people to come and vent their frustrations - you may see more of this around the forums in the coming weeks and ask that you are gentle with yourselves and each other. Community Voices: What are people talking about? The coronavirus pandemic has impacted my mental health “I thought I was okay about Coronavirus up until we were advised here in the Melbourne metro area that we had to wear masks. It felt like a massive step backwards. I had an anxiety attack and called the Beyond Blue helpline and spoke to a wonderful counsellor called Yvette. I was very grateful for the advice given and some strategies to put in place.” – MummaPetal (Read more here) “im struggling. Big time. Not just because of coronavirus, but for a long time and I didn’t realise it. Lockdown situations made me just focus more on my feelings and my situation where I would have just ignored it before.” – Hmelbs (Read more here) Managing body image issues and or eating disorders “My father and brother used to call me fat etc too when I was growing up. It is horrible. It stuck with me and I have always had body image issues. I am now 37 yo and my strongest advice to you would be to not give any worth to what they are saying. And instead give worth to YOU and all you are more than your body. You are a personality, a brain, a friend etc etc. And your body is to function - so look after it and love it for you to be healthy. I have been in hospital before and the nurses say to be your own best friend. Try your best everyday to be your own best friend. You are worth it :)”. - golden82 (Read more here) “I think one of the most difficult things is to acknowledge and understand that we are worthy and valuable, regardless of the actions, thoughts or opinions of others. We're also worthy and valuable despite our own thoughts, actions and beliefs about ourselves. I often base my worth on my objective 'success' or being perfect, good enough etc, but it's important for me to remember that those things don't define my worth.” – quince (Read more here) Supporting my partner with a mental health issue “I would just like to start of by saying thank you for everyone who is courageous enough to write on here and to everyone who is kind enough to reply. If it wasn't for you all i would not have been able to navigate through my experience. My boyfriend and i have been together for 8 months, 3 good ones and 5 depressed ones…He is an amazing man with big dreams and accepts he has depression, however i feel he is now comfortable within his depression and his dreams have faded. This concerns me.” - Monet Exchange (Read more here: https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/online-forums/supporting-family-and-friends-with-a-mental-health-condition-(carers)/how-to-help-a-depressed-partner-to-move-forward#qw_zPXHzvGGEbv8AAOnT_A ) "I believe my partner is struggling with paranoid schizophrenia ... he has been hearing things for a number of months now and believes we are being secretly recorded in our home by our family (whom he is estranged from now). I love him dearly but I am at a point where it is really impacting on my own mental health and I do not know how to deal with him as I am constantly afraid of saying the wrong thing as I know it’s not his fault and he is unwell." – Mas123567 (Read more here: https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/online-forums/supporting-family-and-friends-with-a-mental-health-condition-(carers)/paranoid-schizophrenia-#qw_ak3HzvGGEbv8AAOnT_A ) Valued Contributor Award Our Valued Contributor for the month of July is ‘hello, hi, ’! hello, hi, has been nominated as a VC for always ensuring others feel supported within our community, while approaching all conversations with warmth and demonstrating respect for one another’s opinions and life experiences. Thank you hello, hi, ! 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 . Community Champions Please extend a warm welcome to our newest Community Champion volunteers Ggrand and James1! Ggrand and James1 have been regular supporters on the forums and we are glad to have them join our team Read more about our volunteers here: ‘Introducing...the community champions’. BB News We continue to update resources on the Beyond Blue Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support Service web page to assist the Australian community through this uncertain time. Here are a few of the latest additions: My experience of racism during the coronavirus pandemic: Jennie’s story What we've learnt about the community from our Support Service I’m OK: maintaining wellness through the pandemic How financial stress is impacting people during COVID-19 You may also find the following resources to be helpful during this time: Butterfly Foundation (Support for eating disorders and body image issues) https://butterfly.org.au/ Kids Helpline (free, private and confidential 24/7 phone and online counselling service for young people aged 5 to 25) https://kidshelpline.com.au/ Switchboard Victoria (provides peer-driven support services for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and gender diverse, intersex, queer and asexual (LGBTIQA+) people, their families, allies and communities.) http://www.switchboard.org.au/ 1800RESPECT (Open 24 hours to support people impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence and abuse) https://www.1800respect.org.au/?gclid=Cj0KCQjw6575BRCQARIsAMp-ksPXC1SkGr9LrXIfx_uHgNkAAY4C7FV3kVEvi0qWE_2ffYo4lWBK6aYaAoxVEALw_wcB

trappedmumofone new here
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hi, I am a mum of one beautiful little man. I am currently stuck living in regional vic with my son as my ex husband and my sons Dad wont consent to me relocating to the city to be with my partner of 3 years. I have ptsd from my marriage which was ab... View more

hi, I am a mum of one beautiful little man. I am currently stuck living in regional vic with my son as my ex husband and my sons Dad wont consent to me relocating to the city to be with my partner of 3 years. I have ptsd from my marriage which was abusive and I am very isolated here and I feel that the court system is allowing this to continue from my ex while he controls mine and my sons life. the lockdowns are especially hard with corona virus as the first time I had to homeschool I was able to stay with my partner in the city and had support, this time however my sons Dad has threatened me and wont allow me to take my son to the city to homeschool, I am stuck in a place where I am already so unhappy and isolated and I cant see that being improved now I have to homeschool my son again. I have been in the family court system for two years trying to fight for my son and I am starting to feel like it will never end.... My son is starting to suffer the impacts of his Dads behavior as well, this includes wetting himself and being afraid to tell his Dad anything and wanting to sleep in my Bed as well as really low self esteem, I have numerous supports in place for my son but I am just exhausted by everything and feel like a terrible mother. I am trying really hard to focus on my parenting and being positive but its so hard when my sons dad is constantly critical of me and I feel like I will never be safe and away from his abuse and feel I am unable to protect my son. I have had nightmares on and off the last 4 years that my ex is trying to kill me or my son and lately I have been having a lot of physical symptoms like dizziness and feeling panicked a lot, I cannot take medication to help me with these issues because it will be used against me in family court, the corona virus outbreak is making it harder for me to go to my safe place in the city with partner and my family and I am just feeling so defeated.

Renny16 Feel like I don't know what I m doing
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hi there I am new here, i don't really know where to start,but I feel I have anxiety for long time,I always feel worry that I just can get up on early morning,go to toilet n hardly sleep after that, i feel tired all the time in the morning,and always... View more

hi there I am new here, i don't really know where to start,but I feel I have anxiety for long time,I always feel worry that I just can get up on early morning,go to toilet n hardly sleep after that, i feel tired all the time in the morning,and always worry abt when I want to go to work. I've worked in hospitality industry for few years,now I am a cook,but it seems I can't get over it,I mean like i feel like i can't focus and panic all the time esp when it's busy and hectic,then I forgot what I am doing,then can't manage my time. I like to keep myself busy but I have few jobs atm after pandemic but it is now made me keep complaining as well not to have time for myself,but if I don't have work, I got more tired & lazy than being busy. Sorry to be complicated. Somehow I don't know what I am good at, feel useless till my age now. My friend kept giving me advices abt living at the moment,not stress too much,but it is so hardly to do than to say.i think i got short term memory,as i hardly remember something ex : forgot where I put my glasses after few mins to the toilet or room. Everytime at work I feel like i am not good enough and easily wanna quit. Always think i wanna study and change career,and for now I am confuse whether I should go find professional help or find a group community to share my problem,as I am not the person who like to talk my problem with stranger.

gucia6 Trying to find a path
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Hello Everyone I finally decided to search for help after many years of struggle. I always thought I might have had some issue, but I tried to explain it as being 'introvert' or maybe 'ambivert'. But somehow it never fitted to what I really feel. As ... View more

Hello Everyone I finally decided to search for help after many years of struggle. I always thought I might have had some issue, but I tried to explain it as being 'introvert' or maybe 'ambivert'. But somehow it never fitted to what I really feel. As a kid I always felt a bit different, often tried to go against common beliefs (like trying to befriend someone who was thought to be a weirdo, admitting lack of interest for all the trendy TV shows or books that I found just boring, having my own dressing style that didn't follow the latest fashion, and so on), I was quite smart and learning was really easy for me. But this eventually caused bullying at school and being 'abandoned' by other class mates in their fear for problems. Home was filled with emotional blackmail, so I didn't even try to look for support there. Relation with so-called 'boyfriend' exposed me to his alcoholism and violence. And some people I thought as my friends, did not bother to respond even when I reached to them. At one time I thought of a quick exit, but the reasonable 'me' managed to take over, and just shut all the doors. I moved out from home, broke up with 'boyfriend', became apathetic to any human actions around me, and just focused on my education. And at that point I believed I had it under control, but how wrong I was. Over the years I managed (pushed myself) to go out to people, met caring husband, found real passion that lets me be involved in the community, but... Recently I had a situation that triggered complete emotional breakdown, and I realized I really have a problem and I seriously need to find a way to manage it. Shutting everyone and everything away, thoughts like 'I don't care' or 'I don't really need friends to be happy' are not the solution. I don't want to hide away anymore. I want to be among people, I want to belong somewhere, I want to have someone I could call real friend and trust with my heart. I want to understand what is going on and what I can do to improve, if not the situation itself, at least my perception and reactions. Right now I actually feel quite calm and collected, and my reasonable mind is telling me that all of this, and the reason for loosing it is just absurd, but somewhere deep inside it hurts as hell and I feel lost.

Pinkwhite Scared
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I don't know what to do about my job I work one day a week and that is enough for me and the money comes in handy but the problem is i hate being at work any suggestions on what I can do?

I don't know what to do about my job I work one day a week and that is enough for me and the money comes in handy but the problem is i hate being at work any suggestions on what I can do?

Meg1977 Help with anxiety and worry
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hi im new to this so thanx in advance ive always suffered with anxiety and constantly worrying all the time so ive been to the docs and have started medication the support/help from you guys is how do i help my teenager with his anxiety when im tryin... View more

hi im new to this so thanx in advance ive always suffered with anxiety and constantly worrying all the time so ive been to the docs and have started medication the support/help from you guys is how do i help my teenager with his anxiety when im trying to deal with my own? Anything and everything with him worries me to beyond belief some thjngs as little as bejng late with handing things up to school or not going out with friends when things have been planned as a group of them i dont want him to turn out like me...

Lallaman New to this
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hi all, I am 66 yo and 4 years ago got told I was being treated differently to my brother because I was adopted. First I knew about this. I had been raised in a household where honesty Was paramount, and dishonesty was met with the strap. I now found... View more

hi all, I am 66 yo and 4 years ago got told I was being treated differently to my brother because I was adopted. First I knew about this. I had been raised in a household where honesty Was paramount, and dishonesty was met with the strap. I now found my life to be a lie. I struggled deeply initially but the love and support of my wife and sons, got me through. Now I am struggling again, deeper, more pain, i doubt myself, lost confidence and can't seem to rid myself of rage and pain. Any help or advice would be appreciated. My mother has since developed dementia and doesn't know me any more so I can't talk to her. Why wasn't I told at a young age......

rising_phoenix Introducing me
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Wife and Mum of 3 Working Monday to Friday; school hours I'm really not sure what to add.

Wife and Mum of 3 Working Monday to Friday; school hours I'm really not sure what to add.

Maggie236 Lonely
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I am new to this sort of thing. I live with GAD and depression at times. Finding it hard during these times and extremely lonely. Being winter and cold is also I find problematic for me too. Still grieving for both my parents who passed a few years a... View more

I am new to this sort of thing. I live with GAD and depression at times. Finding it hard during these times and extremely lonely. Being winter and cold is also I find problematic for me too. Still grieving for both my parents who passed a few years ago. Unsure how to deal with all that is going on at the moment.

VanessaH Mental Health First Aider
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Hi everyone, I was made COVID redundant in May and have spent the last couple of months reflecting on my career, re-purposing my goals and re-setting my mindset. I recently gained my accreditation with Mental Health First Aid Australia, as a way of e... View more

Hi everyone, I was made COVID redundant in May and have spent the last couple of months reflecting on my career, re-purposing my goals and re-setting my mindset. I recently gained my accreditation with Mental Health First Aid Australia, as a way of exploring new skills and knowledge in Health and Safety in the workplace. I've been promoting Mental Health and Wellbeing (informally) by supporting myself, family, friends and colleagues through difficult times. Only now I have the formal resources and action plan to be the initial help to a person suffering a mental health problem. I'm looking to be a volunteer in a peer support capacity with BeyondBlue, to gain front line experience and create engagement, meaningful conversation and joyful moments in people's lives. I look forward to connecting with you and making a difference where I can