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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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Guest_68247342 Hello -first time poster
  • replies: 2

Hello All. I’m 40 f and I am all over the shop. My other half and I have been together for over 20yrs (not married) we have a 9yr old - thx to IVf . I have endometriosis and adneymosis and looking at a partial hysto. my other half - i love him- but h... View more

Hello All. I’m 40 f and I am all over the shop. My other half and I have been together for over 20yrs (not married) we have a 9yr old - thx to IVf . I have endometriosis and adneymosis and looking at a partial hysto. my other half - i love him- but he just beats me down - not physically - more like mentally / emotionally. He got really mad at me for dinner tonight andi overcooked the veges so I had to re cook them. If I showed him I was upset/ tears he will get mad and tell meto stop carrying on . He then later on as we went to bed - wanted me todo something- I have no drive and i said nonot Tonite please - he got allsooky and grabbed my hand .. down there and then guided me I didn’t cry - in my head I was - I didn’t say no -I just did it … and he was happy went tosleep and I’m now wide awake at 1am. Still reeling and trying notto cry - he thinks this hysto will solve all my libido problems - he thinks my anxiety is in my Head. He has strong opinions on mental health so I dont open up. He puts our son down with his sport - as like ajoke - but I can tell it starting to eat at him … he makes gay jokes and homophobia and he knows how strongly view is as my cousin whom I love and are very close too has a long term gf—— and my best friend is gay … so he doesn’t understand how much ithurts me . I don’t know - I’m lost / I have no one to talk too.. can’t talk to anyone … I’m walking on eggshells …. I keep my thoughts to myself . — thank you for listening

SeekingSusan Desperately seeking Susan
  • replies: 5

Where do I start? …. I go back to work tomorrow and I’m dreading it. Every time over the last week that I go to get myself organised … I’m a teacher… it’s like I hit a brick wall I become so overwhelmed, my chest tightens, body turns to jelly and my ... View more

Where do I start? …. I go back to work tomorrow and I’m dreading it. Every time over the last week that I go to get myself organised … I’m a teacher… it’s like I hit a brick wall I become so overwhelmed, my chest tightens, body turns to jelly and my head becomes mush and I can’t do anything. Just sitting here writing about it brings it all flooding back.Some context: I have been away for 12 months (psychological injury) due to a toxic school environment. That person has now left and I have been easing my way back into school. No class of my own- walk in walkout of other classes.This will be my third term. This term I have a class for one day a week ( behaviour issues) the rest is whatever. I do all the self talk: “it’s only for three days a week, the problem class is only one day a week, it’s an 11 week term then it’s Xmas break, you have sick days up your sleeve take them if you need to” etc. I play guided meditation/relaxation music at night to help me sleep, I stick to my usual routine for meals/ sleep. I go outside into the garden, the cactus house, check the wicker/ hydro beds, mow. When I can settle enough I crochet and folk art paint but I have not painted in awhile. So I feel I’m doing all the Desperately seeking Susan stuff but I still can’t get through, over or under that brick wall for Friday class. Then an email comes through to say that the teachers can decide if they want me to teach a unit of work ( technology- a 58 yr old teaching kids about tech ) in there NCT or our behaviour focus for the week - more pressure, it pushes me down. Hell I can’t get my head around the Friday class without having to go into every class and teach their individual units of tech. The head thinks “don’t be a sook Susan, it’s only 11 weeks then next year you will have your own class” . Easily thought and said but the brain power /confidence/ juggling ability is just not there anymore. Hence all I can do is go to work tomorrow unprepared. Normally that would really freak me out but today it gives me a sense of calm.Yes people say teachers have it easy, good pay, all those holidays- unless you have experienced it you have no idea.

Nev54 Waking up is depressing 😕
  • replies: 1

I find waking up quite depressing some days, today is one of those days. I lay in bed and it's an effort to make myself move to get ready for work.. I'm just disappointed I have to suffer through another day, I'd love to fall asleep and not wake up t... View more

I find waking up quite depressing some days, today is one of those days. I lay in bed and it's an effort to make myself move to get ready for work.. I'm just disappointed I have to suffer through another day, I'd love to fall asleep and not wake up to my miserable life again

Nev54 Sad and lost middle aged man.
  • replies: 2

Hi, this is my first post, I'm not sure what I'm doing but I'm here to try something new anyway.I'm a lost soul and in a way I think I always have been but recently I've been feeling down so much more. I'm in my 50s, live alone and don't have much of... View more

Hi, this is my first post, I'm not sure what I'm doing but I'm here to try something new anyway.I'm a lost soul and in a way I think I always have been but recently I've been feeling down so much more. I'm in my 50s, live alone and don't have much of a social life. I have no kids, my only family are my 80 something parents and an older brother who is currently in remission from blood cancer. I'm scared that one day they'll be gone (it's inevitable of course) and I'll be on my own with nobody to grow old with. I recently broke up with my perfect match after a 3 year relationship, the main obstacle was she lives in NZ and the airport goodbyes were getting harder and harder everytime.. we both work full time so it was always 2 wonderful weeks together every 6 months or so before one of us would have to leave. Sadly the expense, our mental health and emotional well-being was getting too hard to take so I decided to walk away.. now I'm feeling completely lost and alone, today especially is a teary day for me. I feel so bad that I broke her heart and in the process broke my own heart as well which I never wanted to experience again after my only marriage ended in divorce several years earlier But it's not the only reason I'm sad, deep down I've always felt sad about life, I've never loved life really. I've loved a lot of moments in my life but once I'm home and on my own I just feel lost again. Anyway, I'm not sure what more to say right now, I'm just hoping to get through one day at a time, I'm not sure I've ever been so low as I am right now So hello Beyond Blue, hopefully someone here can help me with my mid life blues

Guest_43250809 PTSD, Anxiety, Racial Profiling, Born in to poverty and all it brings, Family abuse ETC
  • replies: 1

Being born into an enviroment where success is almost untouchable, and like a bucket of crabs your always being pulled down. I was always the black sheep it was set that way being the youngest of 15 but the only child to both parents and being made t... View more

Being born into an enviroment where success is almost untouchable, and like a bucket of crabs your always being pulled down. I was always the black sheep it was set that way being the youngest of 15 but the only child to both parents and being made to feel like my exsistence is the reasons both families on each side broke down, in the end 33 years later i learned it wasn't my fault. I was also born with a hearing disabilty/deficiency, I was born with only 1 ear properly developed, so I've recieved alot of bullying and shame through out life, being brown skinned only made it worse back in those times alot of racisim and made to feel like I wouldn't amount to anything. I was always a child that lived in fear for different reasons and I still have that fear in life. Growing up with parents who had alcahol abuse issues and physically abused each other which trickled down to my siblings and I watched them live a hard life too. As an adult I take the lessons from all that was and happened. I've somewhat accepted what happened but I have a harder time forgiving and letting go, which now effects and triggers me in my adult life. I now have 2 kids of my own and grateful I've been able to relocate countries and give my kids a better upbringing but I cant get past anxiety, fears and triggers, I realize it when I'm in a public setting and how uncomfortable I am, and my inability to socialize and the envasive thoughts and feeling judged. Or in my relationship no matter how much my partner ensures I'm loved I have a hard time believing it I've always felt used in life for money, to do things and I still carry that mindset. I've been considering a life coach to reset the way I think and maybe implement a healthier functional positive mindset and structure, I'm not really sure where to start. Maybe just someone who can relate.

resistor Hello
  • replies: 5

Recently joined the forum, just saying hello for now. I'm a well-aged forty-four summers guy. I live with major depression, and have minor manic tendencies. I try manage my moods best I can, but sometimes they overwhelm me. I'm sure most everybody re... View more

Recently joined the forum, just saying hello for now. I'm a well-aged forty-four summers guy. I live with major depression, and have minor manic tendencies. I try manage my moods best I can, but sometimes they overwhelm me. I'm sure most everybody reading this understands how that feels. I hope to connect with real people, to have interactions that mean more than the sundry surface-only ones when I occasionally venture to the grocery, maybe even make a friend ... guy can dream So, "Hello!"

Phoenix99 New here
  • replies: 14

Hii am new to the forums. I have had depression for 8 years and still struggling everyday.

Hii am new to the forums. I have had depression for 8 years and still struggling everyday.

Guest_25177462 Feeling Lost
  • replies: 1

Hi. I’m new here and feeling lost at the moment. Last week I got terminated from my job of 7 years without warning and not sure what to do next. Just feel so overwhelmed thinking about having to restart my life in my 40s. Over the last couple of year... View more

Hi. I’m new here and feeling lost at the moment. Last week I got terminated from my job of 7 years without warning and not sure what to do next. Just feel so overwhelmed thinking about having to restart my life in my 40s. Over the last couple of years work has been very stressful, especially coming out of the Pandemic. This resulted in me suffering from burnout and eventual depression as work didn’t seem to care about my situation and let things go even after I made them aware of my struggles. I eventually had a period off work, sought help and was diagnosed with depression and have been working with a therapist and on medication ever since. Start of August I had another depressive episode that lasted about 2 weeks and when I got back to work I got terminated a week later due to my time off. Due to the amount of time off over the last year, I used up all my sick and annual leave and most of it was time without pay. I used up a lot of my savings which also added a financial burned and more stress to the situation. To top it off, they used a clause in my termination so I didn’t get a separation payment. I’m at a complete lost and don’t know if I have the energy to start over.

Guest_84099733 Hello i guess
  • replies: 1

Hello. It's been really hard for me the past months and kind of year. I find it fascinating when I realise when I had been 'normal', time flies outta nowhere and now when its getting hard, I struggle every single damn day. I've been dealing with exis... View more

Hello. It's been really hard for me the past months and kind of year. I find it fascinating when I realise when I had been 'normal', time flies outta nowhere and now when its getting hard, I struggle every single damn day. I've been dealing with existential thoughts and depression, because I hadn't realised that I was 'existing without a care'. Im trying to heal, I really am. Anyway this is probably too long lol. God bless.

Shosh First steps
  • replies: 2

I am nearing retirement and have in the past few months found myself at the beginning of yet another cycle of depression/anxiety. Harder to deal with this time because it doesn't only involve the initial trigger but also a couple of extra curve balls... View more

I am nearing retirement and have in the past few months found myself at the beginning of yet another cycle of depression/anxiety. Harder to deal with this time because it doesn't only involve the initial trigger but also a couple of extra curve balls to do with relationships and self-perception. I am trying this as a bit of a last-ditch effort -- I feel exhausted all the time -- years (50 actually) of acting have caught up with me and I am feeling like there is not really much point in even trying. It is soul-destroying after spending quite a few years of intense counselling and thinking that I had made great strides in progress/received many tools to help me to deal with things as they crop up to find myself back in the cycle and with less strength to deal with it. I am looking for genuine support and encouragement and think that I may also be of some help to others also. Thanks.