Welcome and Orientation

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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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Introducing me

replies: 4

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

Lonely

replies: 2

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

Mental Health First Aider

replies: 3

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

Really hard time idk what to do

replies: 1

I’m having a really really hard time this morning, with everything, and I can’t even call lifeline because I live at home ( I have my own room and space tho) and I’m so worried they’ll hear me speaking. I feel so useless, I was injured at work last year and I still can’t work, I have nothing productive I need to or can do. And I’m just lost. And I have no one to talk to, I’ve driven my best friend away

Feeling hopeless, and like a failure for my children

replies: 2

I have suffered with depression and major anxiety off and on my whole life. It’s been worse the past 2 years since I have had my twins. Covid and my 5 year old unable to attend school in Victoria has really triggered me. Plus I have been very unwell with pancreatitis the last 2 years, but recently it’s been debilitating. With the twins I cannot take my eye off them for a minute, so I am unable to do any home schooling with my 5 year old. Today I just lost it. I can’t speak I’m shaking scratching myself and just cannot calm down. I thought at least I can get her online with her friends to do her show and tell. Got her all ready she was super excited only to find out that, it started at 10am not 11am and we had missed it. I feel like in every part of life I am failing. I have no help because of Covid, I feel alone and over whelmed. my partner either yells at me because I won’t tell him what’s wrong, or when I finally crack and try and tell him he yells at me and calls me selfish and a child and to grow the hell up. I just don’t know what to do. I feel that there is just no light at the end of this tunnel. And maybe everyone would be better off without me here. There is so so much more this is just today. But I just cannot even speak about how I’m feeling to anyone because I don’t know what to say and I would stupid saying it.

Going to try this....

replies: 13

Hello everyone, I have had an account here for ages but have never used it, so now is the time. I am 49 years old and live with my partner of four years who has been the most amazing gift of love and support. My previous diagnosis was on Complex PTSD (years ago) and for many years I was able to go without medication but have recently gone back on. I receive good counselling but I don't know if I still fall under that diagnostic category - right now I feel a great numbness and lots of various anxiety issues. I also have a chronic illness so have been isolating from COVID since March. 'm hoping to reach out to people on here, listen as well as be able to share my stories and I think I really need to begin to talk more to people about both my situation and support other people (which always feels like I am doing something productive). I could go on for ages about my situation - my biggest issue right now is that my brain is not working as it used to. Not sure yet whether it is depression, my chronic condition or something else, but I work in academia and I am currently unable to function the way I am meant to when working in a University setting. It is a long story but I'm hoping people here may be able to give me some words of kindness and wisdom. Thanks for listening.

Hello I am a migrant mum with zero social life

replies: 7

I moved from my country with my son almost a year ago So basically I dont have family or friends nearby. I have been fighting loneliness and it sometimes manifests on how i easily get annoyed by my son, my husband, and our new puppy. Most of the time I am in a bad mood and I always lean on the negative side of things. I have never felt like this as I have always been a positive person. My husband doesn’t seem to understand that a simple trip to the grocery or chemist is already helps curb my loneliness. Help?

A black hole

replies: 2

I'm new to this so I hope I don't sound like an idiot. I sometimes struggle with my self worth. I seem to base my wortgon what people think ofme and I'm often crushed. I come across confident but on the inside I really just want to be shown unconditional love. I realise that sounds corny but I get so lonely. My husband is driven by success at work and there is so much going on, my head is spinning. I can't even go to sleep. I'm just so lost and tired.

It comes and goes

replies: 9

Hi. My first post. I suffered terribly some years ago, in the aftermath of whistleblowing. Yep, it took me all the way to nearly 'the end'. But, I fought it over several years, went to law school and created a new life for myself. BUT, it's like herpes simplex...it just lurks below the skin, waiting for a time of weakness. Like now, for me. Strange thing is...I have spent the past 10 years helping others, to show that it is possible to 'start again', as I have. Every now and then I feel it coming, but at least I know what it is, what to expect, how to manage it. I have never reached out before, never. Don't know why, but I felt a need to join the Forums tonight, and to post. There is a reason for everything, I believe. No doubt I will emerge whether it be in a few days or a week or two, but I'll get there. Still, it is a horrible collection of feelings, and really, it is difficult to share. Anyway, I just wanted to say hi to fellow warriors. I hate the onset, but it's good when it goes back into it's insidious dark corner. People wish they could go back and live their lives again, differently. Well, I did that. I started day one of my new life going to law school. it is never too late. Cheers...take control of it, before it takes control of you!

Hello Guys and Girls

replies: 3

Hello everyone, I am new to Beyond Blue. Beyond Blue has an astonishing website. I hope all goes well. Welcome everyone.

Meet your community champions! replies: 10

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

Introducing me replies: 4

Lonely replies: 2

Mental Health First Aider replies: 3

Really hard time idk what to do replies: 1

Feeling hopeless, and like a failure for my children replies: 2

Going to try this.... replies: 13

Hello I am a migrant mum with zero social life replies: 7

A black hole replies: 2

It comes and goes replies: 9

Hello Guys and Girls replies: 3