Welcome and Orientation

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Meet your community champions!

replies: 13

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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Hi, I am new here

replies: 1

Hi there, I don't know where to start off by posting so I thought that I would introduce myself here. I struggled with depression in the past but I have been feeling a lot better especially since 2018 onwards. My girlfriend had to move back to her native country recently due to the covid-19 pandemic and since then she has met a new guy there and wants to leave me for him. This has currently left me devastated that I could lose her so quickly to someone she has barely known for a month. I have tried to talk things through with her and she says she is confused, but I get the feeling that she is gravitating towards him. This is the first time I have been with a girl (I am early 20s) and I also fear now that it will be hard to find someone in the future, since I am insecure about how I look (I was bullied at school) and I find it hard to connect with people easily, especially females. I guess I was just hoping to connect with people here who might understand this type of experience and know how to get through the pain. As of now, I feel devastated and heartbroken for sure. I genuinely want her to be happy and move forward with her life, if this is best for her, but I feel alone and lost myself. Also from reading some of the posts here, it makes me realise just how devastating it would be to lose someone the longer you know them. I only knew her for 2 years, but to be married to someone and build a life with them over many many years must truly be more painful than this. Even so, the pain I feel now is emphatic and difficult to process.

1st time here:1st question that comes to mind:will this help?

replies: 6

Hello all, It is my first time here. I have been battling unemployment/underemployment for the past 5 years and have no hopes of ever having any form of employment. I am highly educated, have always been considered 'gifted' and am hardworking. I am friendly, easygoing, have a positive attitude.But.No job.None.I am severely depressed and am constantly contemplating suicide. All this sounds so grim.There are so many layers to my depression, not just one incidence, but a sum total of everything I've been through.A broken family, absent father, abusive grandmother,mother who never showed affection,un-supportive parents and brother,severely abusive in laws,emotionally absent and neglectful husband.I always found solace in my work,and my meager paycheck.Now that's gone too.Nothing to live for.Just 2 beautiful young children who love me, otherwise I would have finished this life long back. I have talents, gifts.I paint,I create things with my hands,I sing,I run a small handmade business(that's not making profit),I write. Nothing seems to give me joy. Everything seems pointless. All I want is that this burden be lifted off my soul. I cannot afford counselling. Antidepressants just make me drowsy and unable to function normally. Will being a part of this forum help?

Where do I start?

replies: 2

Hello BB community, I've not been part of a forum like this for many years. For the most part I've been well but a sequence of life events in the last 12 months has just shattered me. I'm not sure what I'm looking for. Maybe just validation that this is normal and temporary. I think I'm going to start back on medication this week after several years with natural life management. I look after my health and support my husband and friends who have had hard times.. can't seem to hear my own advice though. I've read the 5 tips.. how would you recommend that I share my grief that falls in to several of the categories? Personal cancer recurrence, my dad's leukaemia diagnosis, family suicide, relationship pressures and stressful work events.. I'm not sure where to start.. It's not any one thing but all of it piled up that's making me so sad. Appreciate any guidance.

30 year relationship over.

replies: 7

Hi, my husband of 30 years shocked me one month ago by telling me he had been having an affair with a 21 year old. (we are both 51). He has just moved out. I feel shell shocked, betrayed, old, lost and extremely sad. I have great support around me bu... View more

Hello

replies: 2

Hello how are you my name is ashley I am 28 years old my dad has recently passed away and no one has told me that my dad died More or less they didn’t even tell me so I can go to his funeral I’ve been having panic attacks not sleeping hospital diagno... View more

New member saying hello :)

replies: 2

Hello, 38 year old female newbie here saying hi. After coming to this site many times over the years for online advice and to read the forums, I thought it was about time to join and interact with other members :). I am currently in a 4 year relationship with a man who is very depressed and anxious (and has been for a while) and I am struggling to know how to support him. I have had my own battles with depression and anxiety over the years, but I don't believe I am now. However the support style that I might embrace and that works for me in times of need, is not the same for him - it's a daily struggle to connect effectively. I am hoping to connect with others who may have been in similar positions and just get some general advice on what I can do (and what not to do) to help him and also myself. I'm looking forward to chatting with you and hope everyone is well

Newbie dropping in to say hi

replies: 10

Hi all, I’m a 35yo female with anxiety, depression, borderline personality disorder, currently homeless and just had a 20 year DV relationship end. Fun stuff hey. I guess I’m just hoping to connect with people who can relate....that sounds a bit weird but I think it makes sense? I’ve been in and out of hospital 4 times so far this year alone for suicide attempts and just want to meet some people who understand what mental illness is really like. Maybe connect with some of you, who knows. This is my first post so I don’t really know how all this works

Anxious, depressed, feeling lost

replies: 8

I have been struggling more and more since i was made redundant over a month ago Slowly try to get possitive that will get a job whatever that might be, to which i did and once again it became unstable hrs drop to randomly be called at odd hrs and after it i became sick with fevers and coughing, sneezing away, headaches continuously I became more tired,decided that need it to get tested for Covid-19 the possibility of having it didn't help my anxiety and knowing i have nothing in control, started to isolate more internally plus doing the right thing so in case have it not transmitting to my partner and kid's,meantimw had to stop working once again 2 day's later i get results that came back negative, weeks went by and still have headaches flu and so onbeen tested again to check my iron levels as it been lpw previously My partner and step son been supportive but i have been edge, irritated, short, distant and not present at all. Feel at a loss, waiting to get psychiatrist evaluation and continue to see psychologist I do feel ashamed for my behaviour and been angry. Any advice would appreciated

Hello It's my first time here

replies: 3

This is my first time here and I am struggling with depression at the moment.I recently lost my job because I had to leave work early a few times because of severe anxiety.I had told my employer I have depression and also have prostate cancer.The last time I left work early was because my boss forced me to confront a co-worker who sent the police to my place telling them I was suicidal.He was acting on things his daughter who I thought was a close friend had told him.He didn't talk to me before calling the police.I trusted my friend with personal things and now feel betrayed by her.I also feel like what they did was wrong but I am the one being punished.I have tried to contact my friend and my boss but they aren't replying.

How to find Happiness

replies: 1

https://youtu.be/hfWiwRBcz_I

Meet your community champions! replies: 13

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

Hi, I am new here replies: 1

1st time here:1st question that comes to mind:will this help? replies: 6

Where do I start? replies: 2

30 year relationship over. replies: 7

Hello replies: 2

New member saying hello :) replies: 2

Newbie dropping in to say hi replies: 10

Anxious, depressed, feeling lost replies: 8

Hello It's my first time here replies: 3

How to find Happiness replies: 1