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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Is anyone here with service dog

replies: 2

Hey im new here. Im thinking of getting a small pound pup and buy a vest online to be a service dog animal so i can take my dog everywhere. My psychologist suggested the idea for my anxiety is anyone on here with a service dog for advice?

First time

replies: 3

Hullo everyone just like to introduce myself I am a married father of three girls and three grandchildren I’m 55 happily married and own my own Buisness and yes I have depression and on medication I’m just reading this post back and asking myself what do I have to be depressed about I think we all think this at times I’m like many men and hide my depression family know and close friends I’m probably more open then others but I don’t burden anyone with my problems My wife has put up with a lot over the years and I know it’s hard for her as well talk soon Ajay64 cheers

Anger management

replies: 4

Hi I'm a new member and I find this difficult. are there any spaces on here to discuss managing anger? With me there are no violence issues, but I find it hard to stay calm and composed when things don't go my way grateful for any pointers about wher... View more

Older Single mum of toddler -so very lonely

replies: 5

I’m an older single mum and weekends I’m incredibly lonely . I keep busy taking my beautiful child to swimming , dancing , parks etc but although we are happily together I’m incredibly lonely. My mums group are all married and couples and much younger than me, and I’m just a few years younger than their mums. weekends I’m not invited anywhere as people do family things I now work full time and my family lives a long way away , so not support . My friends are out and about travelling and dating so they have drifted off , but I may get the odd call. I put on a happy face for my child and always seem upbeat for her, taking her places and doing activities but I’m feeling so lonely . Nobody wants to hang out with us

Feeling anxious most of the time

replies: 2

Hi all I am new here, well actually have joined this forum long ago but doubted whether to post anything or not :). I have been feeling anxious for the past year and I have found it very difficult so much so that I struggle to get by each day. No matter what I do it feels worse every day. I find it very difficult to open up and talk about how I feel so hopefully i can chat with someone that is feeling the same or going through similar thing as me. Irena

Tired and bored with myself

replies: 1

Hi Just wondering if anyone has some tools to help me get past what I have been feeling for the past 12 months. I have an empty nest and I am 59 years of age, with few friends or family and I am tired of trying to make friends. I work alone, but am reasonably paid for what I do and instead of facing my loneliness, fears, unhappiness, I gamble and that takes my focus off the real issues. Because I can continue on the hamster wheel of life. I have lost my way and need help to get myself back on track, but as I said I am stuck and even though I know nothing will change unless I change it,I do nothing. Why I do not know?Just tired of trying, I have joined so many groups and been to meet ups and not found a connection. But I see no other alternatives because sitting home every night ain't going to cut it either! I live in Darwin and I like the sound of your 6 week course, can you do it online? First step putting it out there, thanks for your time - Todder

New member

replies: 7

Hi everyone, I am a new member and it actually took me a while to come here. Just to let you know a bit about me. I had a TIA (mini stroke) on 11/10 at school (where I am a primary teacher - year 2). I now fine myself very anxious about being by myself in case I have another TIA or being at school teaching in case I have another one in front of the kids, taking painkillers as I took two before I had the TIA (even though I know the TIA wasn't caused by the asprin), letting my work colleagues down because I am taking time off work etc. I have had one appt with a clinical pyschcologist which I did not find helpful so have decided to see if I can find any type of coping strategies online so I can get back to being me.

Just trying to survive

replies: 2

Hi, I'm new and I don't know how this works but I'm definitely having hard times. Feeling lonely, depressed and fear for useless things. I'm trying to figure out me and trying to get away from all this mess but I don't know-how.

Newbie Member - Looking for Support with Social Anxiety/General Anxiety/Touching/Intimacy Phobia's.

replies: 7

Hey Humans!! I'm a 26 year old Female, Originally from Sydney; Currently living in Rural Western Australia. I've lived here for roughly 6 years now. *The town I live in has approx 1/2 my year 12 class in the whole town & I enjoy the small community feeling as I was bullied heavily in my school years (walked the playgrounds Alone/was repeatedly Physically Harmed on a Regular Basis), I'm not so used to people being so caring. * As a result of my issues within school - I have severe Social Anxiety/General Anxiety. - I also have developed irrational phobias regarding Touching or Physical/Emotional Intimacy. I live alone with my Beagle Puppy (8 years old), I enjoy the beach, music, & most sports however being situated where I am means there is little option to relish in any of the things I take enjoyment from. * Looking to make new friends* -Willing to offer support & too hopefully feel/receive support as well.

I'm the best at dishing out the silent treatment.. I need help with dealing with emotions.

replies: 8

Hi I am needing advice on how I can change myself. I do not like bullying, gossip and I don't tolerate people who control others or micromanage people in the workplace but instead of communicating my dislike to these people, I always give lots of silent treatment to them, so I am no different to those bullies and gossipers who I so detest.. I never stand up for myself because I don't know how.. I get angry and then go all silent and won't talk to some people for days or weeks.. A girl I work with has copped the silent treatment for two weeks and my work locker is right next to hers..its awkward.. But I can't stand how she micromanages me and others but I don't know how to stand up to her.. I have been that childish that I have stopped talking to her, I snap at her if she speaks to me and even deleted her off my facebook friends list.. I am a very empathetic person mostly out of the workplace but I must have narcissistic tendencies if i regularly give the silent treatment. I have on a few occasions done it to my husband and daughter also. I've always just seen the issue is with the other person but doing some self seeking it's actually me who is making everyone else miserable by not communicating my thoughts It's just been a big smack in the face to me today to realise that giving the silent treatment is a form or emotional abuse after finding a post talking about it on your facebook page.. I don't want to do that to other people but I get so frustrated with some that I don't know how to manage my feelings. To me in my own head I do it because I don't know how to effectively communicate at all with people when I'm criticised, judged, spoken down too or taken advantage of. Where do I find help in dealing with this. It's becoming so bad that my work life is miserable and im becoming more and more withdrawn in life and depressed. Thanks

Meet your community champions! replies: 10

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

Is anyone here with service dog replies: 2

First time replies: 3

Anger management replies: 4

Older Single mum of toddler -so very lonely replies: 5

Feeling anxious most of the time replies: 2

Tired and bored with myself replies: 1

New member replies: 7

Just trying to survive replies: 2

Newbie Member - Looking for Support with Social Anxiety/General Anxiety/Touching/Intimacy Phobia's. replies: 7

I'm the best at dishing out the silent treatment.. I need help with dealing with emotions. replies: 8