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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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So many issues, grief and confusion

replies: 3

I recently witnessed my 5 year old fur baby get run over by a car. She had been my support and saviour as I have obstructive sleep apnea and she would wake me when I was choking. She was my shadow my friend. I also haven’t spoken to my 27 year old daughter for two years because I didn’t vote yes to gay marriage, but i am not against gay couples being in love, it was just my opinion. Also we looked after my husbands 37year old son this year as he got off drugs, he was paying his way and we got him access to his beautiful 3 little kids, he kept doing really well for four months then stopped paying for food and rent and we could see he was going back downhill. So I couldn’t deal with it and had to throw him out. His children were safe as they reside with their grandmother. We lost our home in a fire 3 years ago, and it is something I still deal with, the sadness and loss of gifts from my children, photos and silly materialistic things. I lost my father 4 years ago, but couldn’t go to the funeral as I haven’t spoken to any of my family for over 20 years as they are jehovah witnesses, and I am not. I have developed high blood pressure over the last two years, and my doctor puts it down to stress. I am on so many medications but still feel sad, and the grief of witnessing my pup get run over has bought it all to a head. There are so many more things going on, that I find it safer to keep my mouth shut, avoid going out and just trying to figure out in my head why all these things have come to a head. My husband is a great support and when I suggested seeing someone he agreed, but at the same time I feel I would get so off track with all the emotional things I have dealt with the last 20 years, I would start crying again, send my blood pressure up and don’t know what would happen. I am so sorry to be a burden by telling you this, but if I am not face to face with someone I feel this is easier to write down. Thank you for hearing me out. Kind regards Kerry ( Wrinklz)

new to the site

replies: 4

hi evry1 I'm new to the forums and just wanted to say hello to evry1, just a little a bit about myself I have been suffering from depression an grief issues for the past ten yrs an yesterday I finally went an spoke to my doctor to start my journey to... View more

Confused

replies: 1

I’m the happiest I’ve ever been, yet I keep doing behaviours from when I wasn’t. How do I change or convince myself I am happy

Redundancy feels like the final blow

replies: 2

Hi, like others may have experienced my life is not working out the way I had hoped for and I’m now at an all time low and can’t seem to make any progress. I was once in a strong marriage with 2 happy children and prided myself on being competent. I felt incredibly lucky to have survived a pretty turbulent childhood and be so loved and part of something wonderful. However the reality is the last 15 years have been horrendous with our eldest child eventually being diagnosed with schizophrenia. The strain on our marriage and family is impossible to describe to anyone who hasn’t experienced this. Am still married but the connection is gone. I feel like I’m living a fake life. Up till recently, the part of life that kept me grounded and gave me something else to focus on was my work. however that final bit of security and confidence all came crashing down a few months ago when my role was made redundant after 7 years in a job that I was consistently told I was really good at. The redundancy was so badly done it became an unfair dismissal claim and I received a bit of of compensation however I’m a few years shy of retirement and really struggling to get another job (believe me I’ve cast the net wide and put lots of effort into each application & Interview). I now feel a total failure in every aspect of my life. my self confidence has plummeted and my anxiety soared. I’m now super anxious about doing things I previously didn’t worry about (remember I prided myself on being super competent). I’m doing all the things to try and keep it together e,g eating well, exercising etc but dread waking up every morning to the big mess that is my life. I feel like I’m sinking! i do have a mental health care plan & have previously seen a great psychologist to help deal with issues regarding child with schizophrenia (although a fall out of that child’s MI is other child now struggling with depression etc). As I’m not working I don’t feel that I can spend $ on the high out of pocket costs to go back to that psych. Apart from what I’m already doing would be interested to hear how others survived what feels like the final blow and how you rediscovered your strength.

Wyandotte

replies: 4

Good morning, I'm new to depression and learning fast. I was attacked verbally by my manager at work, resigned, finding out the hard way about the domino effect. I know my mood is related to the traumatic event but I can't shake it. I understand now how easily a person can become vulnerable and fragile when they can't or don't bounce back from one event. It's all pervasive and leads to reduced social activity. I don't want to bring people down but I so need to talk. It's been 3 months now and I do wonder if it will self resolve when I manage to get another job. I know I felt valued previously, work gives structure and I was busy, my role was tied in very much with my image and identity. How easily it can be crushed. I don't know if I need help other than to process what's happened, keep in touch with people, exercise, avoid excess alcohol, set goals one at a time and I'm trying to avoid making big decisions right now. Does this sound familiar to anyone else? I've been down in the past but I think this is sticking around too long.

New to posting on forums

replies: 8

Hi, I finally took the plunge and decided to join. I tend to avoid forums due to my social anxiety, but I figured that I really need some support from people who are living through similar experiences. Social anxiety and depression are my main issues, and these leave me fairly isolated from the outside world. I am fortunate enough to have a kind, accepting partner, however it is difficult for him to understand what I go through every day. His life seems so simple in comparison to mine. Anyway, I plan to take this forum thing slowly, but I wanted to make a start today, and am committed to getting involved with some of the discussions over time. I am hopeful that I can find some genuine people here who I can relate to.

Is there such a thing as a mood journal?

replies: 6

Hi there! Trying to be positive but my confidence is taking a hit every day. I sometimes feel that I can do/say nothing right and feel that I am always the one that apologises or making the concessions. My mum always brings up the "I can never ask you/I am unsure/scared to ask you/its the tone/i am not the only one who notices" etc etc so I feel I am in the wrong again/a bad person and that I seem to get negative comments all the time. Dont worry we get along but when things to get tense, I feel that I am always in the wrong. Is there any where that I can write a mood journal or something like that where I can express confidentially what I am thinking/feeling? I feel this might benefit me. I am going through a tough time at the moment, with not much work (I work only casual 10-15 hours a week) and my confidence in all things is taking a hit each day. Together with the above, I feel that I am not good enough. One thing is my health - I am cancer free 4 years which is a bonus I suppose. I guess the general stereotype of depression/mental health is still taboo in a lot of areas and I am thinking that I may need to get some help - at least the first step is going to my GP. Is there a test or questionnaire out there that can determine the level of help i may need? Cheers for the advice. RH

new. ocd. bpd. fluid hypersexual.

replies: 1

hi.

Having trouble to keep on going, I’ve fallen behind and can’t catch up

replies: 3

Hey my name is tim I’m a 40 year old male from Perth. This is my first time reaching out on here. I separated from my wife about 20 months ago. We have 3 beautiful kids and a mortgage that we once shared. I have found a new partner who is amazing and supportive. Since I separated from my wife I’ve had a really hard time keeping up with life. I’ve found it hard to hold down a job and hence have fallen way behind on credit card repayments, bills and even my mortgage. I’ve developed huge social anxieties, to the point where I can’t even reach out to financial services that I owe money to, to ask for help. I am afraid I’ll lose the house I built for my family. My current partner is supportive and hard working and I feel I’m not living up to my side of the deal. I was in a lot of debt when we first got together and now I’ve fallen way behind. I have several default notices but I can’t bring myself to get these sorted out. I can’t make a simple phone call. I can’t ask for help. I feel I’ve let every one down and I’m not worthy of the love I receive from family and friends. Are there any others out there that have experienced the same situation? I’ve heard that there tends to be a cycle that makes go through after a divorce. I’m having a hard time breaking the cycle and moving onto the next stage of my life.

Newbie.

replies: 1

I’ve just joined tonight after much thought. I have suffered some really poor behaviour for years in my profession and it now extends deep into my personal life preventing me from forming relationships with others and socialising. I stopped taking medication over 12 months ago as I feel the issues are something I need to work through and leave. I’m reaching out to connect with people who may relate

Meet your community champions! replies: 10

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

So many issues, grief and confusion replies: 3

new to the site replies: 4

Confused replies: 1

Redundancy feels like the final blow replies: 2

Wyandotte replies: 4

New to posting on forums replies: 8

Is there such a thing as a mood journal? replies: 6

new. ocd. bpd. fluid hypersexual. replies: 1

Having trouble to keep on going, I’ve fallen behind and can’t catch up replies: 3

Newbie. replies: 1