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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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Husband left us for family friend

replies: 6

Six years ago, my sons and myself systematically contracted a glandular fever like virus which subsequently developed into ME/CFS. My husband found it difficult to understand, and pressured us to try harder which caused many arguments. About 18 months ago, husband decided to move out into temporary accommodation because he wasn’t coping. He continued to call in and and take boys to appointments as I was too unwell to do so. He continued his active social life and work travel, while we struggled with the most basic demands of daily living. On weekend after Christmas 2019, he took off camping with friends when he was supposed to be spending time with boys and give me a break. When he came back, he revealed to me he had been away with the widow of his best friend (friend of mine) and they had apparently been on a few dates earlier. I was a mess, especially as he had never discussed separation was permanent. In weeks following this, he revealed relationship had been going on for 8 months, and they had strong feelings; she had revealed her feelings for him four months after her husband passed away in Oct. 2017. My husband is still seeing her despite saying how sorry he is that he has hurt us all. At my suggestion - when he was crying & humble - he finally organised to see a psychologist next month to help him make sense of his actions. I have stopped him from dropping in here at home, but he can see boys outside of the home anytime. He misses the boys, but then repeated the same hurtful action of going away with his gf and friends this past long weekend, when he could have been spending time with the boys. I’m struggling to pick myself up physically and emotionally and be strong for the boys (16 & 14). My husband doesn’t want us to make any decisions regarding divorce until he sees psychologist, but I am so hurt and resentful, and feel I need to do something to move on, although not sure I have strength to deal with added burden of legal proceedings. I am unable to work due to my illness. I have great family support but am quite isolated due to the nature of illness. I was on brink of a nervous breakdown when all was revealed, but with help from my sister, 16 year old son and psychiatrist, narrowly escaped falling down the rabbit hole. Not sure how to prepare myself to cope with pain &heartache that is inevitably going to keep coming when we least expect it.

A career in men's mental health. Where to start?

replies: 4

Howdy all, I'm new to the Forum and thought this would be the right place to get some direction. I am 42 years old, a tradesman who has worked his way up to an office position, but for a long time i have felt there was supposed to be a different plan for me. I am compasionate by nature, lending an ear to friends who are in an emotional spot of bother fills my heart. I am a bloke who has a knack for getting men to express their feelings to me which may not have been possible to them in the past. My question is, what is the best way to go about looking into courses that could lead me to employment in helping people with mental health? Thanks in advance.

New to this.

replies: 1

I'm not in a good headspace currently again, and don't want to be around people. My brother died 4 years ago, so naturally I grieved his loss. I also lost my pregnancy 72 hours after losing my brother. I went into a deep depression, but became pregnant again with my son, my 5th child, who just turned 3 today. I was happy when he was born, but had a bit of PPD for 2 weeks, which I put down to not having my brother around. I became pregnant 10 months later with my 6th child. My partner and I were having some issues with his ex and he didn't want another baby, and wanted a termination after I told him I was pregnant. I began to resent him, and drift from him. I continued with my pregnancy, told him I'll give birth without him then and not to bother. He was stressing about his ex and our house (they had purchased it together, and she wanted a large buyout figure to get herself out of her own debts she had acquired over 10 years since they separated in 2007). My mother was on my back about contraception, which I can do with the horrible side effects, so I reluctantly agreed to a tubal ligation to please them. 2 days after having my son by cesarean and tubal, I went into deep depression and have been fighting it since. I want a reversal and my parter wants it to and hates himself for how he acted when I told him I was pregnant and what the tubal has done to me. I've started my RN grad year and recently lost a friend to suicide, so added stress isn't helping. Now with the prospect of elective surgery being postponed due to COVID19, I've just crumbled into a heap, crying and hating myself, my partner and the world. I just wsnt to be happy again and feel like my old self, but I don't believe that will ever happen again. Shouldn't be laying here crying my eyes out and in a mess. Ive kept it at bay lately, but could feel it coming over the past week, reaching it's point last night and being pushed over today.

Hello from Sydney

replies: 3

Hi there, First time poster in here. Thought I should say hello. I have come in here as have been diagnosed with Anxiety that I have developed from work. I do sales, and drive a lot. have had some medical issues that have grown into full fledged anxiety of driving at times. Some days are good. Others.......... Yeah right. Getting on a highway is a no go and not safe for me. Am working on it but some days are good and others are not. Slow progress is still progress. Anyway wanted to say hello and always up for a chat with others. Always happy to talk travel if you are keen. I am American, been here 11 years. This is home now. Thanks

New to me

replies: 2

My journey to depression and anxiety started after losing my job after 18 years high stress and pressure caught up with me. But there are many good people and services available for help and I am grateful for that , the way forward continues. i never... View more

hi my name is BigBoy

replies: 1

hi my name is Blake am 16 years old i have had depression and anxiety from the age of 5 i have had some things go wrong in life i have Chronic pain all over my body and it's making my depression worse every day pain killings don't do any were what th... View more

Hello! I guess this is a journey.

replies: 6

Hi, Long time reader, first time poster. Yesterday, after a lifetime of struggling and the last five years of totally spiralling - I’ve been given an initial diagnosis of CPTSD, Bi Polar type II and possible BPD. I have been medicated for the past 5 years for depression and anxiety, and now the docs are going to introduce anti-psychotic meds and mood stabilisers. I’m feeling a bit lost, as although I have a comprehensive and documented history - the psychiatrist spent 35 minutes with me and left me with initial diagnosis and a loose plan for new meds. I have been unemployed since the end of 2018, and my mental state is debilitating. I don’t have much hope for the future as part of my general outlook - but I’m feeling even more confused as to “where to from here?” regarding all the new labels and conditions. I’m working with a GP, psychologist so I’m lucky in that regard. Does anyone have an advice on what to do immediately after initial diagnosis/re-diagnosis? Thanks,

Hello There. I'm a new member.

replies: 6

Struggling a bit with anxiety. Projecting into the future and inventing scenarios that don't exist!!!!!!! Any help and support will be greatly valued and cherished.

doing v bad

replies: 1

hey been doing drugs and drinking whisky all night funny feel pretty shitty anyway anyone here?

I don’t know what’s going on

replies: 5

My name is Renee and I’m 23 and live in a small country town in Queensland. I don’t really know what’s going on but lately I’ve just been generally struggling to cope with day to day activities, getting out of bed, showering, house chores, going to work. I work in a busy accounting firm and it can be quite stressful at times. At the moment I can’t focus, I feel like everybody at work hates me and I’m making mistakes and receiving feedback but I keep taking this personally so I end up sitting at my desk and crying most of the day. I try to spend time with my friends but I get this same feeling around them as if they don’t want me around or I’m just a burden. I was seeing a guy who I was really comfortable with and he was very supportive but he has just recently broken things off with me because he has feelings for my best friend so I feel like I just have nobody and I’m so alone as I live by myself. I really don’t know what to do. I feel like I could just disappear and nobody would notice.

Meet your community champions! replies: 13

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

Husband left us for family friend replies: 6

A career in men's mental health. Where to start? replies: 4

New to this. replies: 1

Hello from Sydney replies: 3

New to me replies: 2

hi my name is BigBoy replies: 1

Hello! I guess this is a journey. replies: 6

Hello There. I'm a new member. replies: 6

doing v bad replies: 1

I don’t know what’s going on replies: 5