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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Social Isolation - When things close down.

replies: 6

Post Hi gang. So glad to have found this forum. I am a former registered nurse who majored in mental health in my post graduate degree. I live alone with my cat Mennischt and have no family and rely on my social activities for socialization. My usual social activities were my source of a social life and community connection. Unfortunately these are all closed down due to the pandemic, so that is my social life gone. I have just come through about three months of social isolation due to fractures in right arm and couldn't drive to my social activities - so this additional isolation is a bit hard to take. I know others are doing it tough right now so I really shouldn't complain. Just glad to know that there are others out there

Would like to connect with others suffering severe depression and anxiety and also have broderline personality disorder and post turmeric stress sydom

replies: 7

Hi all Im very new to this all and its very hard for me to be able to reach out about my mental health. I have always bottled everything up inside that was until the bottled shattered and left me in pieces. I was a very strong & independent person who would take on the world in I was needed too. Im a mum to 4 kids and have been very in love and happy in my relationship for 30 years. Unfortunately my whole world was turned upside down 6 months and I hit rock bottom.I have since been diagnose with severe depression and anxiety and borderline personality disorder as well as PTSD due to suicide attempts. With all 4 together I feel like Im on a endless roller coast with millions of ups and downs. Ive found a great GP who is helping me along but I would like to talk with people who are dealing with the same feeling and emotions I am and who fully understands how hard it is to get through the day and nights.

Hello, I'm new :)

replies: 23

Hello, the introduction page said to introduce myself so here it is! I am a 17-year-old female and I have ADHD, a 13 session a week training schedule for volleyball and not great family relationships. I think I am here for support, advice and to mayb... View more

Hi everyone

replies: 2

Hi! I am actually really pleased to know there are forums such as this. I have struggled with on and off mental health issues (who hasn't) and I know a lot of people who are/have as well and now just want to help and support as much as I can! I can share some techniques I've learnt if it feels right, and just feel in the moment how I can be in service. Thank you for this opportunity. Seriously guys, I have come to know that purely reaching out and helping each other actually helps OURSELVES funny enough! I look forward to being here!! Kindness and Compassion goes a looooong way xxx

Hello

replies: 3

Hi I'm new to using community forums. I would like to get to know other people in the same if not similar situations. Not many people around me understand anxiety and depression. So sometimes I feel alone. So hopefully get to know some lovely people. View more

Hi, I'm new

replies: 8

Hi, My name is Adele, I'm 19 and I'm new here. I've joined because I really struggle to open up to people and I don't really have anyone to talk to about mental health. I've just started taking antidepressants for anxiety and depression and only one person, my friend, knows about it. I'm just looking for some support, an opportunity to talk about some of this for the first time and to hopefully support others who are struggling too. Hope everyone has a good day, Adele

Feeling very anxious and if i can cope with this new normal

replies: 3

Hi everyone, i live in rural Victoria, i have suffered from social anxiety and health anxiety for over 20 years. This whole coronavirus scenario is like my worst nightmare come true. I wake up every morning and read everything i can find about the virus and the death tolls. I’m making myself a nervous wreck. I am staying home. I haven’t left the house in 9 days now. I have some health conditions that mean that I could become very ill if i contracted the virus or even die from it. I’m 56 just wanted to say hi and I’m looking for some support..

Hi there!

replies: 38

Hi there, I'm a new member, looking to make connections and meaningfully help the community! Anyone know some cool threads I can hang out that?

New Blue Voices Volunteer

replies: 2

Hi, I'm so excited to be a new member of this awesome community. I wanted to reach out and help others, its more important than every to reach out and help each other especially in these unique circumstances we find ourselves in. As a person who has ... View more

Hi I’m New. My “name” is ExBike

replies: 3

Hi I’m a 69 yo male living on my own. I suffer from Anxiety and Depression currently I’m isolated from my family, friends and social activities because of the virus I’m unable to get food basics from my local Woolworths and I’m becoming increasingly more anxious, depressed each day. I have become afraid to go outside my unit. I spend all my time in bed trying to sleep and not think about what is happening My family won’t come near me because they say I’m a risk i would rather die from the virus that die locked up in my apartment

Meet your community champions! replies: 10

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

Social Isolation - When things close down. replies: 6

Would like to connect with others suffering severe depression and anxiety and also have broderline personality disorder and post turmeric stress sydom replies: 7

Hello, I'm new :) replies: 23

Hi everyone replies: 2

Hello replies: 3

Hi, I'm new replies: 8

Feeling very anxious and if i can cope with this new normal replies: 3

Hi there! replies: 38

New Blue Voices Volunteer replies: 2

Hi I’m New. My “name” is ExBike replies: 3