Welcome and Orientation

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Meet your community champions!

replies: 12

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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Being a Teen in The Current Community

replies: 4

Where do I begin, things are hard that is for sure. I am looking around the library at school, that is for sure. But what is not for sure is my train of thoughts, how I feel, what to do as of this moment. First of all year, nine is difficult, all the assessments, the daily tasks, lack of friends and painful feelings and emotions. I will be strong, I will be strong (I always tell myself this), does it work? NO, well maybe, I don't know. More directly I lost a friend this year, suicide. Secondly, I know my only two friends (who are in a relationship) are both harming. They are stressed, drawn out and tired. Finally I don't even know what to do or who I am anymore, what do I do?

Lost and scared

replies: 3

Hi all I’m new here just first time saying it out loud I think I’m suffering depression. I’m 39 year old mum to two kids 14 & 11. I’m married and work in childcare. I feel like I’m always alone and that nobody likes me. I have today been told that I bring tension into the room when I’m there at work. I tried to be myself and nobody liked it, I took a step back and still no good enough. How can I be me if nobody likes me. I feel like I have Nobu to talk to. I have people I know but no one who wants to be friends with me. My best friend is my daughter. My weekends are filled with therapy for my kids (both asd) or sport. I never have time to myself. I am Christian and look to god for support but I don’t know what else to do. Why should I have to change just for people to like me.

Finally talking to someone..

replies: 1

Hi everyone, I'm quite new to this... I've never really opened up to anyone about my mental health issues before. It has always been an uncomfortable topic for me to discuss, even over the phone with counsellors but given the anonymity of this forum, I oddly feel very safe. I'm 23, and have been dealing with anxiety for a long time. But this year especially the stressors of life has just been extra debilitating; I can't stop thinking about my finances, whether I can support my family or whether I can deal with a parentless existence... My anxiety has become so bad that I can no longer go outside by myself or at times, even when I have someone with me. The physical symptoms of anxiety... is just so hard to live with. My anxiety makes it hard for me to work full time.. I've tried it before but can't commit to all that come with full time work which stresses me out even more because part of my anxiety revolves around finances... my biggest fear is being homeless with no one to care for me... or.. is it loneliness? I can't tell at this point. Any comments would be welcomed..

I feel I've wasted a lot of my life

replies: 2

Hello, I'm Alexander. I'm a 21 year old male who has spent most of my life overweight/obese. I feel I'm only just becoming in-touch with reality just now. I used to mainly just eat cereals and Up & Go's and always felt sluggish and most of the time anxious. My father has always been emotionally absent and I have only just realized that recently. I did poorly towards the end of highschool/college. I had an ingrown toenail for four years. Luckily my grandma is supportive of me and my mum now has the confidence to guide me a bit. I've only just been feeling well since mid-2018. However, despite things being fixed up I can't help but think that I have wasted most of my life. Also, I'm of the INFJ personality type and used to travel from a nearby NSW town into the ACT; might explain a few things.

Hi, I'm glad to be here.

replies: 5

Hello, I am Black Forest. I am new to Beyond Blue. I did join quite a few weeks ago, but I haven't had a chance to do anything yet. But I am glad to meet everyone. I am usually the person in the group of friends that everyone talks to. They talk to me about all of their problems, then after I've done everything I can to help them, they cast me aside, only speaking to me when they feel upset and/or have another problem. I feel like I'm the 'therapist' of the group, the therapist that listens to peoples' problems, and then has a meltdown days later, because I can't help them or make them happier. I am the kind of person that will trade my own happiness, for other people to be happy. Whenever someone tells me their problems, I am happy that they feel like they can trust me enough to open up to me. But that happiness is instantly replaced with panic. 'They trust me,' I would always think, 'But, if they trust me, then what would they do if I can't fix the problem? Would they hate me? Reject me? Replace me?' These are only a fraction of what races through my mind all at once. Though I am glad to say, that I do have this one friend. She cares for me, understands me and never overwhelms me. She is the best and only friend I've ever had. She was the one that encouraged me to get this account. I always try to do everything for everyone else, I felt like I should do something for myself, hence why I am speaking right now.

Hello everyone!

replies: 1

Hi, I’m new to these forums but just wanted to say hello to everyone! I’m a current psychological science student who has previously suffered from debilitating social anxiety. I’m also originally from a rural Indigenous community. Just wanted to pop in and say I’m not necessarily here FOR help, but TO help. I want to use my experience and knowledge to chat with others and hopefully help a bit (but I am in no way a professional). I truely hope I can assist!

Hello :)

replies: 1

Hiya! I'm new to this, and I thought I'd introduce myself. My name is Kai, and I go by the pronouns They/Them (AKA I'm Non-Binary). I'm fifteen, and I haven't actually been clinically diagnosed for any mental health issues. However I have been feelin... View more

Hi i am new here needing Anxiety support/information

replies: 2

Hello everyone I hope I am posting in the right place. Just wanted to say hello I signed up to try to take control of my anxiety. I have always been a bit of a worrier but the past month it has got to a point where it's debilitating. I don't even know if this is anxiety or a medical condition .. I have been seeing my doc and so far all tests have come back normal and I have my first app with a psychologist next week. I have been to the ER twice with these symptoms, one doc said it cpuod be a tumor on ky adrenal gland and now i am convinced that's whats wrong with me. I now experience symptoms daily and it's making me not want to leave my house. I also have a beautiful 8 month old baby who I feel I am letting down. Just wondering if anyone else has experienced this and if it really is anxiety?! I get lots of adrenaline rushes when trying to sleep, I also get waves of adrenaline in the day, my heart beats fast , I get sweaty and feel like I'm about to die. I'm never hungry and feel sick when I try to eat, I also get very weak and feel like walking in an effort some days. I am just feeling so hopeless and want to feel like myself again. I am so scared I am dying of a horrible disease. Not sure what the point of this post is... Just feeling alone and defeated.

Hello

replies: 3

I spoke to an operator from beyondblue last night as i was desperate for answers as to the way i was feeling & why ? Roslyn took the world off my shoulders I am very thankful for the conversation my mood has change unbelievably I now feel that i can ... View more

Hello

replies: 4

Hi, Feeling a bit desperate tonight. I’m 55, living with anxiety/depression, and living with my partner of 29 years who suffers from very low self esteem and paranoia. I love her so much but its hard to cope with at times. I have to be so careful but... View more

Meet your community champions! replies: 12

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

Being a Teen in The Current Community replies: 4

Lost and scared replies: 3

Finally talking to someone.. replies: 1

I feel I've wasted a lot of my life replies: 2

Hi, I'm glad to be here. replies: 5

Hello everyone! replies: 1

Hello :) replies: 1

Hi i am new here needing Anxiety support/information replies: 2

Hello replies: 3

Hello replies: 4