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Sophie_M 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 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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maddwadd27 Hello
  • replies: 1

Hi I am not sure what to write , but here it goes. I suffer from Bipolar and generalized anxiety disorder. I joined this page to see how others cope with rapid cycling? but also to see how others cope with getting agitated with bipolar? I also have o... View more

Hi I am not sure what to write , but here it goes. I suffer from Bipolar and generalized anxiety disorder. I joined this page to see how others cope with rapid cycling? but also to see how others cope with getting agitated with bipolar? I also have other health problems such as CFS and an autoimmune disease to name a few (but there's a long list), I'm interested to see if there are others out there with chronic illnesses and bipolar and how they cope and manage? Although I was diagnosed last October I am still finding that I am in denial and am struggling to accept that I am Bipolar. Does anyone have any tips on how to work through this issue? M

LJ_WA Married but In love with coworker
  • replies: 2

Hello I'm in a lose-lose situation and it's crippling me. I'm currently no use to my family, friends, or workplace. I desperately need to get some help in changing my mindset. Any suggestion and comments very welcome. I have fallen deeply in love wit... View more

Hello I'm in a lose-lose situation and it's crippling me. I'm currently no use to my family, friends, or workplace. I desperately need to get some help in changing my mindset. Any suggestion and comments very welcome. I have fallen deeply in love with a coworker. She doesnt know how I feel, and I cant tell her without losing so, SO much (more later). Trying to view the situation objectively as I can, I can see why this has happened. My coworker is a beautiful kind, caring person, who shows me a great deal of respect. We have so much in common, we enjoy talking with each other and sharing open and honest feeling. In contrast I'm in a marriage where intimacy is gone, children ignore me, and I feel under appreciated. I want so badly to tell my coworker how I feel. However, I can run the scenarios in my mind and none of them leads to anything good. Outcome, from most likely to least, include: a) I tell her, she doesnt feel the same way, is disgusted that I (a married family man) would feel that way and requests a transfers to another section (I lose a wonderful friendship); b) I dont tell her, I learn to live this secret, learn to deal with my emotions, and try to work beside her (not literally) (I bottle up my feeling); or c) I tell her, she feels the same way, I have an affair or leave my wife, family and friends (I lose the best things about me). At the moment I'm leaning towards (b), but I need to learn how to deal with my feelings. Any advice or comments welcome.

BrokenBrain77 2020 is not my year...
  • replies: 2

I am sure a lot of people feel the same way with this but wtf 2020!? Fires, Floods, CoVID, Job Issues, Marriage Issues, Friend Issues.... List just keeps growing month to month.... Ever feel like unpacking one thing opens up another and another and a... View more

I am sure a lot of people feel the same way with this but wtf 2020!? Fires, Floods, CoVID, Job Issues, Marriage Issues, Friend Issues.... List just keeps growing month to month.... Ever feel like unpacking one thing opens up another and another and another? I have so much going on in my mind, I am worried to talk about it because I'm scared people will find I am not all together and judge me. Which goes against my own guidance because I know that if I talk, it can help me work through my issues. Between family, relationship, friend and work issues, my life is an absolute mess. Top it off with me about to lose my job, I'm just blissfully sitting here watching my world around me fall apart waiting for a time I feel like it has "reset" so I can start rebuilding the minecraft world so to speak... I feel like I have zero control on my life and what is going on and am going through what seems to be quite a destructive phase in the process. I have started a MHP with my GP but haven't contacted the next step. I'm scared to unpack because the person I might see may talk about me to others. I have huge trust issues as information that is always promised "confidential" always has a way of getting out these days. Argh... Something positive to end the message though as I always try and see some good in life... I am alive. I am loved and I have things to get me by. 2020 can eat my waste maker.... Just saying... Sorry... this was meant to be an introduction :S I am me... I am a musician... I am a systems developer... I am a youth worker by job... I am married... I have one boy aged 12 who lives with Autism (but doesn't let it get him down... little legend!). I don't drink, I am addicted to Nicorette, I am not at risk of harming myself Just stressed, tired, over it atm

EJ07 Talk about bad timing...
  • replies: 9

Uhh hi. It's a little confronting beginning to talk here. I just thought i'd begin a post and see what happens. I was just thinking about how I have struggled with depression on and off since my teens, and of course I begin my worst 'episode' in Feb ... View more

Uhh hi. It's a little confronting beginning to talk here. I just thought i'd begin a post and see what happens. I was just thinking about how I have struggled with depression on and off since my teens, and of course I begin my worst 'episode' in Feb this year, right before COVID turns our lives upside down. Timing right? You feel out of control, just at the time when the whole world is out of control. I mean there's no 'good' time obviously... but now? NOW? Let's start with that... EJ

Anneski Worried for my teenage son
  • replies: 3

Hi there, I have joined your forum today as I’m so worried about my son. His dark days are increasing.month by month. He is depressed and removing himself from his everyday life. he finds it increasingly hard to go to school and engage with people. H... View more

Hi there, I have joined your forum today as I’m so worried about my son. His dark days are increasing.month by month. He is depressed and removing himself from his everyday life. he finds it increasingly hard to go to school and engage with people. He has seen a GP but was not very open and honest with him as he was incredibly uncomfortable. He does not feel ready to speak to a professional about how he’s feeling although he was waited listed to see one recently and turned the appointment down. He doesn’t know how he’s feeling he is so lost within himself. he said he has had thoughts of doing something stupid and I worry these thoughts will increase. i want to fix him but don’t know how to. we always tell him we love him, support him and would do anything for him but he feels worthless and I don’t think he believes this or even hears this. where do I go from here?

Holvee Getting started
  • replies: 6

Hey, So, on Tuesday I am going to a GP to get a mental health plan for the first time. My school guidance councillor suggested it and... I AM TERRIFIED! Don’t get me wrong, I really want to do this but I am super duper scared! I feel like they’re the... View more

Hey, So, on Tuesday I am going to a GP to get a mental health plan for the first time. My school guidance councillor suggested it and... I AM TERRIFIED! Don’t get me wrong, I really want to do this but I am super duper scared! I feel like they’re the GP is just gonna be like oh just stop stressin. Idkkk ahhh -holly

Coffee4life40 How to start when you don’t know what’s wrong??
  • replies: 19

I know I need to get some help, to talk to someone professional about my many, may issues but I really struggle with how to start it all? It feels like I have so many things going on right now that I just can’t work out if I’m anxious, depressed or w... View more

I know I need to get some help, to talk to someone professional about my many, may issues but I really struggle with how to start it all? It feels like I have so many things going on right now that I just can’t work out if I’m anxious, depressed or what! I want to speak to someone but also, sometimes I feel like a bit of a fraud as well, my life’s isn’t all that bad.

Miss_Manson To much time to think in lockdown
  • replies: 15

Hey guys, Not really sure what to write, i havnt been on here for three years apparently! Time flys. I suffer from bipolar , as well as bpd so things can get a little chaotic at times. Things have been especially tough currently with lockdown, home s... View more

Hey guys, Not really sure what to write, i havnt been on here for three years apparently! Time flys. I suffer from bipolar , as well as bpd so things can get a little chaotic at times. Things have been especially tough currently with lockdown, home schooling my nine year old, n living with three other people in a small house 🤦 I suffered from a pretty bad breakdown last night, and so decided to reconnect, as I got alot out of being a member of BB in the past. How is everyone else coping with social distancing and lockdown? Personally I'm on a rollercoaster; one minute loving that I don't have to face the world, next minute in the fetal position crying Wishing love and happiness to anyone reading this, you are not alone MM

Bard New to forum, "old hand" with BB
  • replies: 3

Hi all, I have offered to be a Community Connector helping Beyondblue spread its new "Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support Service". What community groups, individuals or agencies do YOU think I should contact? [p.s. I also wanted to see how the Foru... View more

Hi all, I have offered to be a Community Connector helping Beyondblue spread its new "Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support Service". What community groups, individuals or agencies do YOU think I should contact? [p.s. I also wanted to see how the Forums work helping others]

need_help_please_cc3 Desperate- please help
  • replies: 2

I'm a single mother with four children - a fifteen year old daughter, a seventeen year old son and eight year old twin girls. My ex-partner, the former twos father, is currently living abroad with little to no contact. The girls I am ashamed to say w... View more

I'm a single mother with four children - a fifteen year old daughter, a seventeen year old son and eight year old twin girls. My ex-partner, the former twos father, is currently living abroad with little to no contact. The girls I am ashamed to say were a product of a one night stand but I am please asking for no judgement here. Well...I don't know how to start this. I suppose I'll just be frank. My son and daughter have always been very close, and my son is very protective of his little sister, sometimes to a violent degree. Frequently he has been in serious trouble at school, thrice even suspended due to a whole range of different "defences", including swearing at teachers, bashing up her bullies and threatening her boyfriends. He also gets into much trouble unrelated to her. Thankfully he has been able to avoid any real trouble with the law but we have had some very close calls. He is a really smart kid though, I mean really smart (he read The Prince, Caesar's Commenteries, The Art of War, and a whole host of other ridiculously advanced titles at age ten, and was interested in advanced physics and computer science from age five) and great at sports. He used to be very outgoing and popular, but ever since year 9 he has been a bit of an outcast due to increasingly strange and hostile behaviours which I am sorry to say I ignored in the vain hope they would get better. They did not.My daughter on the other hand has always been very sweet and dolice. My twins are wild, always running amuck outside but she always preferred to stay inside watching documentaries or playing with dolls. They were always close, forever playing together, and as they grew older often in close contact eg. cuddling on the couch and at the time I always dismissed this as normal. As she grew older she became more rebellious, I think in part because of her brother's influence, but nothing serious. Anyway the two of them went out for an afternoon walk around 3 o clock yesterday (they still haven't returned) and so I was cleaning in my daughters room. While making her bed I found a sparkly notebook, obviously a diary. I know it's wrong of me but I have always been nosy so I just couldn't help myself. Besides what secrets could a 15 year old girl have right??? It started off ordinary, just talking about gossip and school. But then around thirty pages in things took a terrifying turn. She started talking of feeling depressed, wanting to hurt herself. Like a fish I was gutted. I had no idea.