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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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Stuck and don’t know what to do.

replies: 1

Hello, I’m relatively new here, but have previously posted in the anxiety forums. I guess I’m coming to terms with the fact that I may have depression as well as anxiety. I find myself visiting these forums when I feel low and have no one else to turn to, so I apologize if what I’m saying comes out as a rant. I‘m 29 and have been struggling with my mental health pretty much since I was a teenager. I’ve always been quiet and awkward and have struggled socially. My issues have also always been overshadowed due to family members having actual diagnosed mental illnesses. I’m just the quiet, sensible one who holds it together for everyone. When people say this, they think they’re giving me a compliment, but it actually cuts deep, as they have no idea of my inner struggles. Last year I made the leap to reach out to my GP to say I needed help. It took all my energy just to book the appointment and more so to actually go through with it. When it was over, I had a referral to see a psychologist and asked the receptionist to book me an appointment, however, they just handed me a card and said I could book it myself. It’s now been a year and a half and I still haven’t booked. I’ll now have to go through the whole process again. The very thing I need help for is the thing stopping me. I’m in a very vulnerable place right now, I’ve just lost my job due to COVID-19 and am struggling to find new work. I’m unhappy in my relationship, but I fear I’ll be worse off leaving because I’ll have to move back in with my parents who no longer speak to one another. And I just cannot live in that environment. I only really have two friends, both of which struggle with their own mental health issues. I have spoken to them about this before, but ultimately I am just burdening them. They also both have very rich social lives, so I often feel I’m at the bottom of the pile. I honestly don’t know what to do now. I would like to go to university, but don’t know what to study. I have also missed out on enrollments, due to the timing of my work ending. Most days I just feel like I am in a cloud of fog, with no real enjoyment for anything or connection to anyone. I’m just lost and bored and feel very lonely. I guess I’m just looking for some support here and any advice anyone can offer. Thank you for reading. PH x

Helping our Son

replies: 1

Hi, our son is going through a tough time after getting fired from his job. He's a 31yo husband and father to a 7 mo little boy. Once he was informed that he's no longer emplyed, he suffered a panic attack and ended up in hospital overnight. This happened 5 days ago and no matter how much his wife, my husband and I, and some great friends reassure him that he will find something more, he is totally devastated and feels he's let everyone down being the main breadwinner. He's a great communicator which is great, but we've never really had much experience with anyone in our family with anxiety or depression and we feel hopeless sometimes in our reaponse to him. He is very respected in our community and he feels ashaned, humiliated and really cares what people think of him. We all love him so much and want him to feel good about himself. He is seeing a counseller, so we're hoping that will help him aling. Any advice on how we can support him would be very much appreciated

Getting desparate

replies: 1

I an a 55 tr old woman who has lived with high anxiety my whole life. mostly I cope by treating physical symptoms now I have been very sick, I suffer pancreatic attacks. I am supposed to have an endoscopy with camera for a full diagnosis as to why Im getting them. possibilities are pancreatic cancer, micro stones or pancreatic immune deficiency disease. doctor tells me its serious unfortunately due to my unreasonable high anxiety and major panic attacks I keep deferring procedure. any advice as to how to go get this done, I get soo scared I have rescheduled endoscopy in past 10 times. I am driving myself crazy knowing I need this maybe to survive but still cant make myself go get it done. I try relaxing, breathing etc but have a block in my mind which confirms if I cancel it I feel better mentally. Help??

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

Meet your community champions! replies: 10

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

Stuck and don’t know what to do. replies: 1

Helping our Son replies: 1

Getting desparate replies: 1

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