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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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Hello from me.

replies: 3

Just wanted to drop in and say hi. First time I have been on here. Not sure what to write. I have had depression and anxiety for over half my life. I am not coping the best with this new world of mine. I have to adult children at home son is 21 and doesn't do a damn thing, daughter is 18, she is at school and does help a little bit around the house, except when her boyfriend is here. Husband has been out of work due to injury for nine months. I work four days and I am still doing 90% of all home duties. Husband is drinking to much and taken up smoking secretly, which I only just found out about (accidentally), I feel betrayed and lied to. Especially since I'm the one who is trying to hold everything together, money wise as well as cooking, cleaning etc. I have lost myself.

Hi and a bit about me!!

replies: 4

Hi. I'm Gav (Gavin) and I have suffered from depression in the past, probably more than I recognised until being forced to take some time off work. I am interested in helping people with mental health and I have spoken about my mental health journey on a number of occasions, helped by my experience in Toastmasters (communication & leadership education organisation). The first time was in front of work colleagues and senior who did not know what I was going to say and my legs were shaking/ Literally shaking so I was glad that I could hide them behind a lectern. Since then I have spoken at numerous other events and the feedback that I have received has been positive. a number of people have approached me about there own struggles and I have been able to help them, either by just listening or providing directions to help. I did join Blue Voices awhile ago but have been putting off volunteering to help, though this something that I enjoy doing. Managing my depression with some medication but mainly exercise, yoga, meditation and enjoying the outdoors. Being positive and avoiding negativity helps. I'm hoping that I will be able to find some opportunities to volunteer to assist and help others through Blue Voices, and to learn and grow through others experiences.

Not coping!

replies: 3

Hi, don’t know where to start. Generally I’m a strong person that always get back up when knocked over. I usually have a positive mind set and overcome hurdles thrown my way. Been through family court, no family support for hubby or me, kids developing major issues as they get older, hubby had 3 major back surgeries, work place injury, so he can work at all now, lawyers, financial difficulties, you name it, we’ve had it. I’m married, and a mum of 5. I’m studying two degrees and ran a business. So I’m generally busy anyway. the last 4 weeks has really starting pushing my limits. we have been planing to move due to the peninsula, with a focus of a fresh start for the family. Covid got months ago, took a toll on my business and family as Im sure it has with everyone else. A FV incident broke out between my three girls and their father, which now he’s not allowed to see them. So having all 5 kids, 24/7 since April, planning to move, study, running a household, Things were going well. But slowly little bits of bad news/luck started sneaking in. Dramas at school with kids, dramas with houses... been told we can’t afford a $475 p/w house and for house house too, but we can “afford” a $500p/w house? What the hell? Then car troubles, in February, April, now July and now including our other car too. youngest daughter is being accessed for ADHD learning disability, 7 year old boy has Anger management ADHD and ODD, the youngest almost 2 is full on and doesn’t not sleep, very bad separation anxiety. Oldest daughter has hit “18” in her mind and she’s 14. Our 13 year old has now been told she may have a anxiety disorder that has resulted from the trauma with her father (my ex not current husband). Co-workers have issues with certain things I’ve “apparently” been doing, but team leader cannot find faults and is trying to sort it out. Third time this has happened. I also ran a cleaning business on side which I’ve just officially closed the doors due to the mental strain and stress I was carrying. It’s made me feel crappy but I can’t handle work atm. jm losing motivation, strength, I’m crying almost everyday, everything is setting me off. Every time some good news comes up, it’s shattered by bad news and I can’t deal with the negativity anymore. I’m doing everything I can, working with people to help mend issues and get me through, but I don’t know see anything getting better... please help

I feel like an idiot 😂

replies: 4

Hello! I've just found the health anxiety forum on here and would love to join, but I can't work out how! I keep hitting the reply button because there does not appear to be a New Thread option but it takes me nowhere. Very embarrassing . . This look... View more

Im an older person

replies: 3

Hi everyone, i am 65 and need, not urgently, to start a new separate life. Its complex, weve been together 40+ years. I am looking to ensure i wont live on the breadline. But, well need to sell a lot of things. i just dont know how/where to start. View more

First time seeking help

replies: 3

I am pregnant and alone. I have never done this before or have tried to seek help from anyone because I never felt I couldn't get through something. I dont know how I will get through this. I have been having suicidal thoughts and i know i won't go through with it but I keep thinking of ways to harm myself or end my life. I usually speak to someone when I have any problems, life problems but this time I can't and it's too deep and personal. I don't want to call any hotline and not sure if I can find a reputable psychologist or psychiatrist to speak to... its not something that I can cover off in an hour and wait until the next session to continues the discussion. I wish I was never in this situation. How did I get here? What am I going to do? How can I get through this. There was one thing I always feared and that was being a single mum. ..its like it has manifested itself but in a negative way. I am so alone. I dont know where to go because its so tangled and deep and so personal. I have so many questions. I am so deeply hurt. I can't stop crying. I just want to be away from everything and everyone. I font know what to do. I am trying to be reasonable and take the right steps to plan my life out but this was the last thing I thought that could ever happen to me.

lonely, six walls most of my life :)

replies: 1

hi I feel like the walls in my room are my prison, although i have goals my goals I now not realistic some stuff it is clear I would not have, since birth. sill living in these condition is prison to me. I need stuff to grow like any other living thing but if I am limited then I reached the top of my life. I have one-thing that I want one is to be loved but no one would love object like ugly wood. unfortunately I am like piece of wood in the corner of the road. this is hard to live with when you have to love who you live with on this earth. I can show good but this body sophisticated machine is lacking thing that it needs then until when my body can function. is it better to rest. cause no one is buying this human, no one want this, then is it better I change to what I can`t feel I am made of, water and organic compound can`t feel. so new life would take my place that is wanted, loved. for me it is just time I wish goes quicker. but my biological clock tacking too long for me. now I feel like the living tell the time I no longer feel. then no one would hate that I do not be loved. sincerely one who they call to be living Ali

Another newbie... feeling a tad apprehensive

replies: 2

Hi everyone. Never really though of joining this type of forum as I’m so used to being ignored by people I thought would care. I’m not exactly a spring chicken, at 47! I’ve been living with depression and pain ever since a car accident in 1993. Not major, but enough to trigger a back injury, resulting in Long term chronic pain. A lot of people live with that, but the thought of it for a young person seemed to start me on my depression. At the time, I was prescribed antidepressants (which made me more depressed), sleeping pills (which kept me awake), pain killers which had little to no success, and a 2 year legal battle. The depression lingered on but I pretty much managed to cope drug free. I had relationship issues which took me right to the edge, where I ended up hurting others (psychologically, not physically) and live with guilt over that. Eventually, I got married to my 1st relationship issue (thinking my worries were over), and am currently married with 3 kids. Now it feels like they don’t care about me. There’s no “I love you daddy” or anything from the kids. My wife can’t seem to bear any emotion or affection towards me and turns away when I try to show some, with too many excuses to list. I feel more alone now, than I did when I was a long term depressed single guy. Doesn’t help I do rotational shift work around dead people, but it’s a good paying job I can’t afford to change (too many bills and they keep selling me faulty lotto tickets). I have a morbid sense of humour which, in my line of work, you need just as a coping mechanism considering what I see all the time. I think it’s the only thing that has kept me going lately. Also didn’t help after losing my parents (dad in 2003 and mum in 2012). But my sense of humour helped me cope with my mum’s death. Now I kinda just cope day to day, but some days it gets to the point I think my family is better off without me. I guess that’s why I signed up to this site... to know I’m not alone. I hope my introduction wasn’t too long and boring!

Hello! and Introduction

replies: 3

Hi All, I experienced my first manic episode three months after I had my second child, more than 10 years ago. The combination of sleepless nights, a hyperactive thyroid gland and pregnancy hormones all made for a spectacular breakdown. I imagined the neighbours were out to torment me, setting up speakers around the house to keep me awake. After harming myself, I managed to convince my husband to take me to the nearest Mental Health Emergency Department. I was voluntarily admitted to a locked ward in a public hospital mental health unit. Four days later I was transferred to a private unit where I could care for my baby while I was being cared for myself. Almost 11 years on, I finally feel I am better understanding my bipolar illness. This has been achieved through the help of a wonderful psychiatrist, psychologists, medication trial and error, and a fantastic private mental health unit that provides both inpatient and outpatient care. It has also required much effort on my part: bipolar education courses; A.C.T. courses, and almost constantly monitoring my mood, activity and how my relationships are doing. Most important of all, my family and friends. Only this week my psychiatrist that one of my strengths is also my main weakness....I keep up appearances despite what is going on inside. My bipolar illness has been neither gradual or linear. Upon reflection I had my first depressive episode when I was living away from home to study at university. By the end of first year I pleaded with my mother to let me come home, I didn't like the course. She told me I had to finish it. I suspect I also experienced my first manic episode in fourth year and self-medicated with alcohol. Basically from then on, any major life event caused a depressive episode. Moving overseas, moving interstate, break-ups, changing jobs. A back injury resulted in my being unable to work in my chosen profession. Work time pressure. Interpersonal conflict. Pregnancies times two. I have worked hard on my recovery. I now know when I am about to get unwell, early sickness symptoms. I can change my medications and contact my psychiatrist, or see my psychologist. Get back to basics: eat well, sleep well and get sunlight and exercise. I know that, above all, "that I would be well-missed if I ever left", my best friend, a psychologist. I know the single most important thing is to surround yourself with kind people, including yourself.

Hi there

replies: 8

Hi, I have just discovered this and its great that there are supportive networks out there who can listen. I am really stuck atm, I am 40 years old next month, and been in the same type of career all my life. I suffer with Social Anxiety, and had a lot of support over the years. At the moment, I am in a full time position working in a contact centre. Its pretty challenging and it is making me quite tense and on edge before I begin the shift, what callers I will be receiving etc. Everything is time managed including breaks, log in log off times, and reporting via email if your schedule was altered in any way, a meeting for example. I find it hard working like this, and want to quit, however with the current COVID situation and lack of employment opportunities, I guess I need to stick at it for the time being. I own my own house, very grateful I have a years worth of savings (due to two redundancies over the last 2 years), plus I have a supportive housemate who has lived with me 14 years, and pays 60% of my mortgage payment, thru renting a room in my house to him. I am unsure if I should leave yet.. I really want to work in Aged Care or as a Personal Care Assistant or as a gardener doing less stressful work. Are these good choices for someone in my position. I have a very caring, quiet personality too. Thanks for your advice and thoughts. Kezzaz

Meet your community champions! replies: 10

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

Hello from me. replies: 3

Hi and a bit about me!! replies: 4

Not coping! replies: 3

I feel like an idiot 😂 replies: 4

Im an older person replies: 3

First time seeking help replies: 3

lonely, six walls most of my life :) replies: 1

Another newbie... feeling a tad apprehensive replies: 2

Hello! and Introduction replies: 3

Hi there replies: 8