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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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

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

Meet your community champions! replies: 10

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

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

Hello! and Introduction replies: 3

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