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Cyclone Alfred - Mental Health Support

replies: 1

Hey everyone, We acknowledge that many of our Forums members here are currently facing the impacts of Cyclone Alfred and might be feeling uncertain, afraid and overwhelmed. We wanted to create a separate post here to come together during what may be a distressing time for many of us to support one another. Recognising that the impacts of a natural disaster can occur both before, during and after, we have prepared some resources which we hope can be helpful: From the Queensland Government, Useful information to help you get ready for a cyclone:Home | Get Ready Queensland Emotional Preparedness: Prepare your mind | Australian Red Cross Three-steps-to-emotionally-prepare-for-the-disaster-season.pdf What now? Coping after the event: Coping after a crisis | Australian Red Cross Maintaining wellbeing in the face of long-term stress | Australian Red Cross Emergency preparedness guide | Australian Red Cross As always, if you wish to speak to a counsellor, the Beyond Blue Support Service is available via phone 24/7 on 1300 22 4636 or via beyondblue.org.au/get-support for online chat. Stay safe, everyone, and take good care of yourself during what can be a deeply challenging time. Kind regards 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 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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Brand new and really confused

replies: 3

Hi I’m new I have PTSD have for many years had stacks of different diagnoses. Anyway was after a little advise.Have recently moved states and have tried getting help. I had an assessment appt a month ago and they said they would let me know the next week. They haven’t I’ve phoned once a week for the past two weeks and they say they will get someone to call me but no one ever does. Now I don’t know if I should keep trying or if that seems like I’m harassing them. You know attention seeking. I just don’t have a clue what to do I’m struggling but I don’t want to be a annoying. Anyway thanks

Newbie

replies: 2

Hi my name is Kate. I have depression and PTSD. I live alone but I do have a small Jack Russell terrier named Rosie. she is my best friend and she helps me on my really bad days, and my really good days. She is my best friend. I live in North East Victoria and there aren’t many services here that can help people with PTSD. Living in a country town can be hard - compared to people who live in the city, who have access to everything and it’s only a short distance to get there. If we need access to anything - depending on the service, we have to travel 40mins to 2 hours. i’m having a bit of a rough patch at the moment and I don’t know what to do. days like this - I absolutely hate it....

New to this

replies: 2

Hi, Im new to this. I needed to find somewhere to communicate how I'm feeling between psychologist appointments. I have had one of those years where nothing seems to be going right. I have had 2 grandparents pass away this year. change in job (which I have started my new job this week and have really struggled everyday) and my husband and I have been dealing with infertility and been doing ivy this past year, plus I have had some stomach issues and food intolerances. My anxiety came on out of the blue 2months ago and really hasn't gone away since. I find the mornings the hardest and just always feel like a can't relax. I hate the way it makes me feel. I find it really hard to eat food in the morning and sometimes at all through the day. I decided to go and see a naturopath/kinesiologist at the very start of this and had been prescribed medication, that is supposed to help hormonal imbalances plus other female issues. I really think this is making me feel worse though as I really have NEVER felt like this ever before. Have sometimes had moments of sadness after a setback and never lingering this long. I really want this to stop and not get in the way of me living my life. I want to go back to the girl who used to crack jokes and be fun to be around. My husband has a new business and is always really busy and lately not home a lot. I don't think really understands how I feel or a way to help me through it.

New here looking for answers!

replies: 7

Hi, Ive just joined to try to get some answers on how to deal with my adult daughters anxiety and depression, its been 2 years now and she is still very up and down. Anyone else in the same boat?

help with accessing help

replies: 33

40yrs old and I've recently broken up with my partner of 8 years and its pretty clear to me i'm suffering panic attacks and potentially long term depression. i rated 'high' on the k10 test, and have made an appointment with a gp what things will be d... View more

Hi, newbie who’s a little confused

replies: 3

Hi, I’m new to this and just looking for somewhere to chat. I’m feeling odd these days. Just tired and groggy all the time. Worried about everything but I can’t seem to find the will power to do anything about It. a lot of the time I’ll be fine and the next second I’ll be unable to control tears from falling or my mood will just shift and it’s never for the better. I’m not exactly going through a rough patch, I know I’m really lucky with what I have and I am grateful for it. It’s just that I can’t stop worrying about weather I’m doing the right thing, if I’ll get yelled at for being wrong and my mind always goes to worst case scenario first. It’s really tiring. what confuses me is, where do I go from here to help my mind be a little kinder to myself and feel more confident and calm. thanks if you’ve read this, it feels good to get that off my chest and talk about it.

New member checking in and hoping to find some support

replies: 2

Hi, I'm a single woman in my early 30's. I've never been diagnosed with or medicated for any mental health issues but have always struggled with depression and anxiety and it seems to be exacerbating the older I get and I just don't know where to turn to for support or help. My mum died last year. She was very young. I feel like it just happened so quickly that I didn't even get a chance to process or mourn her loss. It's like I was just trying to get through her illness and the funeral and helping my dad clear her things out because he couldn't face their home without her. I regret so much. I knew she was sick but was in denial about it killing her so I put on a brave face and just told myself she would get better. We never got a proper goodbye or the opportunity to talk about life. We were so close too. I wasted so many beautiful opportuities at the end of her life because of my denial. Is this normal? I tried speaking to a psychologist last year, referred from a local GP (I move around a lot so don't have a solid doctor). But I was just uncomfortable and didn't gel with her. I'm still open to seeking professional help but where do you start? I'm just feeling so alone and struggling to cope. I wish I had a good friend or partner to turn to but I don't. My few friends don't know what's going on because I put on a happy face. I don't want to be a burden and I find it really difficult to open up anyway. I suppose I'm here just looking for a support system of sorts and maybe some resources to lift me up and provide me with the help I need. Appreciate anyone who takes the time to read this:)

Hey guys

replies: 6

Hey everyone hope you are as well as you can be I'm new here I did signup sometime ago but never really got on I find it extremely difficult to talk to people about my anxiety and now seem to be getting depression on top of it in turn is making the anxiety even worse today is the first time I have felt like it has just got way to much for me and right now want to call beyond blue just to talk to someone but in a weird way feel like I'm just being a pain in the butt lol Im working in the centre of NSW and 80kms from any town and just feeling alone and anxiety is through the roof ATM And stuck in a bloody dust storm most of the day haha Would love to meet some friends on here that know what I'm going through as they have to Well that's enough from me till I get on the computer takes to long on the phone typing lol

Losing dad

replies: 5

I lost my dad to prostate cancer which metastasized to bone cancer nearly 2 years ago. When he was diagnosed it was already widespread throughout his body. I spent 7 months living with him from home to palliative care. I still feel angry and sad about the way he died. When I'm in certain circumstances - like a recent visit to hospital I feel sad and teary. If I see someone dying on tv etc. I find it very hard to watch and sometimes I'll leave the room. I know dealing with grief takes time and I just go along with these feelings not trying to supress them or justify them. I just get tired of feeling like this sometime

New Member, "Hi"

replies: 4

Hi I don't really know what to say, I was recently diagnosed with serious depression and anxiety, and my GP/Psychologist pointed me in the direction of Beyond Blue. My Psychologist has advised me that it might be helpful to reach-out to people who ha... View more

Cyclone Alfred - Mental Health Support replies: 1

Meet your community champions! replies: 10

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

Brand new and really confused replies: 3

Newbie replies: 2

New to this replies: 2

New here looking for answers! replies: 7

help with accessing help replies: 33

Hi, newbie who’s a little confused replies: 3

New member checking in and hoping to find some support replies: 2

Hey guys replies: 6

Losing dad replies: 5

New Member, "Hi" replies: 4