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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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

It said to post an introduction then sent me elsewhere?

replies: 2

Hi, Twoflower here, I am an online counsellor specialising in PTSD. I am very good at it because I happen to have PTSD myself. Why do I counsel? Because I understand it and know ways to control the problems (also associated anxiety, depression et al, these problems never come alone, they like company). I counsel for free because most people with these problems have no money, jobs can be hard to keep when your head is all over the place. I counsel over FB and Messenger and when needed over the phone. I help people all over Australia and, because it's the internet and phone, all over the world too, just speak at least a bit of English though Also in why do I do it, because people deserve to be free from these problems and the very best people, I find, are those who have been through the mill. People surprise themselves with their own resilience, understanding and their ability to become educated. Everybody is different which means with counselling one size does not 'fit all'. A counsellor can suggest all sorts of things but what fits them or the next door neighbour may not fit you and people eventually learn to find their own fit, I just help you, support you, to find it. I also do it because I have found I really like and appreciate all of the people I have helped over the years. I have had a lot of success with adolescents, they are more mature and smarter than many give them credit for, including themselves. I used to teach in tough schools and, although I was a science teacher and taught senior chemistry, I also discovered a special talent to succeed with the 'bad boys'. I liked them, and the increasingly frequent bad girls too, I got along with them and I found them more real and willing to explore concepts outside simple, basic 'school work'. Then I got sacked, I made the mistake of getting cancer so... off with his head. So then began a journey of dealing with 'government', a more soulless and destructive set of systems which would be harder to find worse than. So I can talk about that too, it's not nice, it won't change but I've helped a lot with navigating through that labyrinth. Then I developed foster children, kinship kids to be precise, and found a whole new layer of government horror, so, guess what, I help people navigate that too. I've got two of these and both have their own unique sets of problems, no child goes through these problems and comes out unscathed, although the government thinks they can. No more room, hit me up for a chat.

Staying sane when working remotely

replies: 3

Anyone else on here dealing with the same issues as me? Both my husband and I work remotely. He works Monday to Friday and I work on a 6 on, 6 off roster. We get maybe 2 or 3 days per month together. I’m fairly new at my work so all the friendship groups are already formed. The younger crowd all hang out together and those in my age group live locally so have their own lives and friends. I feel really isolated from everything and everyone. I’m working in the mines so that we can buy a house but it feels more like a prison sentence than a life. How do you cope with this lifestyle?...tips to staying sane when on shift would be much appreciated

Carnie

replies: 8

Hello I'm just starting here, but I'm feeling so low. Feeling so worthless.

UNABLE TO GET TELEPHONE HELP

replies: 2

Lengthy delays. No good for people who need support.

HOTSPOTS Mitchell Shire

replies: 1

My Employer has advised me that Seymour is not a HotSpot. I am really confused. I thought all of Mitchell Shire was a HotSpot. Anyone know if Seymour is a HotSpot?

Quarantine X2

replies: 2

Anyone else struggling with living with their family full time during this lock down in Victoria, feeling like this is a good outlet to be honest, let me know if anyone else feels the same love to talk

Newbie | Introduction, I guess? Struggling with depression

replies: 6

Well, hello. New here. Name's Val. I've never posted on a forum before, so here goes nothing. I am struggling to cope with what was diagnosed as depression. I can't say I'm 100% sure what is really wrong with me, but it's a start. Lately, I've been feeling like my mind has been less aligned with reality, and more with my escapist dream world. Here's the thing, I used to see a professional, but a 2 month trip to another country cut me off from help, and I fear my family's reaction to me asking to go back, so I've been trying to sit it out. I feel like I've flatlined, mentally. It's hard to voice it all clearly, but I just feel chillingly alone nowadays. I have two friends irl, but I spend so little time with them (gee I wonder why!) and it gets to me. One side effect of my daydreaming and not speaking to real people for weeks on end is that I feel tired. Constantly. I know some may say "talk to your family" but the idea of that is so... uncomfortable. They're not the greatest people, so to speak. I'd rather not. I'm kinda on a tangent here, so. Concluding: I am a teenager who doesn't have a goal or future. Seeking help (including hormone treatment) is out of the picture as well. Hope I'm not too awkward. Please tell me how I can stop hating myself haha

hello

replies: 7

Hello, I’m new here but not new to depression and anxiety. 24 years ago my world shattered. I rebuilt and recovered. 10 years ago it happened again. Again I rebuilt and recovered. 3 years ago life was wonderful and I was truly happy. Work, family, home, children and love were thriving. Or so I thought. Although I didn’t realise it at the time, my world was slowly crumbled and then it fell apart with a sudden, out-of-left-field, gut-wrenching, humiliating bang. Since then I’ve tried and tried to feel happy to no avail. Now I haven’t got it in me to keep trying. I am permanently sad with a fake smile for my children. I am lonely. I am heavier than ever. I have more physical body pain than ever. I feel doomed. Regretful. Unworthy. Failed. A broken mess.

Someone Just to Listen & Comfort

replies: 21

Hi everyone I feel mentally drained today & my mood is very low. Im 62 and most of the time Im outgoing, bubbly and adventurous. Ive been through a lot over the past few years; moved house many times, lost contact with friends & dont hear from my family much who dont live near me. But the worst part that seems to be is losing three personal relationships over the past few years. I did the leaving in all of them. These men (the first my husband) all treated me well and apparently loved me.. Im on anti depressants, have been seeing a psychologist (who at first I clicked with, but now have lost it & it seems a waste of time). I work part time, volunteer, have joined a couple of groups to make new friends, but nothing changes inside me. I live by myself but try to be around others at least every 2nd day. But the day Im by myself I start dreading the aloneness and wake up early each morning in tears. Ive tried so many things and ways of finding inner peace & contentment but I have never been able to reach it. Im tired & lost. Ive made so many mistakes in my life, but they have affected my security & stability. I cant even stay in a relationship. My life shouldnt have turned out like this, but it has... Sorry for the whinge, but this is only a tip of the iceberg. Any suggestions caring people? The fir

Meet your community champions! replies: 10

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

Hi there replies: 8

It said to post an introduction then sent me elsewhere? replies: 2

Staying sane when working remotely replies: 3

Carnie replies: 8

UNABLE TO GET TELEPHONE HELP replies: 2

HOTSPOTS Mitchell Shire replies: 1

Quarantine X2 replies: 2

Newbie | Introduction, I guess? Struggling with depression replies: 6

hello replies: 7

Someone Just to Listen & Comfort replies: 21