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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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Lost any ideas?

replies: 2

Hi this is my first time posting I don’t know what to really say The last 2months I have noticed myself slipping away from things I totally enjoy things that once made me happy I have been diagnosed with depression/anxiety which I have struggled with for years my sex life has taken a turn for the worst my partner thinks it’s her fault which is far from it she has been so supportive and amazing to me my work life is taking a major hit as well I can’t stand been in my job it brings me so much discomfort and makes me more anxious then I already am there any ideas how to slowly bring myself back from the dark to where I once was the happy bubbly person ??

Looking for some advice.

replies: 1

Hi, my name is Christine, I have been suffering with depression and anxiety since April this year. I also suffer from panic attacks . I am taking medication and seeing a psychologist. When I have to leave the house I suffer with anxiety diarrhea. This has become very debilitating. I am wondering if anyone else suffers from this condition and what Strategies they use to stop it from happening.

first timer

replies: 3

Hi all , this is my first time posting and dealing with anxiety / depression , I don't know why but since I began this journey I found typing / talking does help. like most I am curious as to thoughts and how it all works / tips on how other people cope , the more info I receive the more comfortable I am with my condition. Compared to where I was 2 months ago I consider myself lucky if not through good support from family / websites / the mindspot online course / doctors / meds / phycologist and hard work , I have sucombe to the fact its a long journey and there may be some ups and downs but believe I am ready if not for me but my wife and two girls. best of luck to you all.

Lost & Feeling Helpless

replies: 2

Hi, I'm new to BB , I am a recovering Alcoholic. I have lost my family & myself completely. I'm on shaky ground and just need some advice, support & encouragement. I've suffered with an Anxiety Disorder for as long as I can remember. I have been forced to leave my husband & two children & am now living with my parents who are caring for me while I learn to walk again.....it's terrifying. I've hit Rock Bottom many times, and been in & out of Rehab, this time it's cost me my family. I am tired of the emotional pain & struggling to cope but I think about the girls and know that I am loved by too many people to give up. I have to find a way out of the darkness...yet again. I have done it before & I'll do it again & I truly hope this pain can serve a useful purpose eventually. Dee

Hello

replies: 5

Hello, Im new here. Would like to talk about my own issues and such, maybe get advice on life and living for my issues.

Hello :)

replies: 2

Hi everyone, This is my first post. I have never used a forum before so I am a bit nervous about it, not really sure where to begin but I know I am doing a good thing for my mental health. I cannot get into a psychologist at the current time. I am hoping I can get some advice to help me feel less empty/alone also some tips on how to work through low self esteem and Social Anxiety. I also hope I can help people along the way as well Thank you

~ I’m new ~

replies: 3

I’ve only decided to join these forums because I realised that my mental health has been rapidly declining, and I thought it was a good idea to hear everyone else’s stories/situations. I’ve been suffering from untreated depression and anxiety for about 3 years, and undiagnosed bipolar for 2 years. This past year my grades have been dropping for no know reason and my friends seem to not like me as much as they used to, I’ve been putting off going to a doctor because I didn’t know how I would explain it to my family but I’ve decided it’s time to face my fears and go to a professional about what’s going on currently. If anyone has any advice it would really help right now

Hello Everyone

replies: 1

I've been on many forums before, but never one like this. I really hope to become apart of this community by sharing my story and hopefully helping others along the way. In retrospect, my mental health issues have been with me since I was very young, but unfortunately, they weren't detected until I was an adult. At age 19 I was diagnosed with depression and saw a psychologist, but I wasn't ready to receive help and so I squandered the experience. Then last August I had a very real and life-changing mental breakdown. I didn't speak to anyone for a week and had to slowly rebuild myself. I was diagnosed with anxiety and have been on medication since. During this last year, I have sought professional help, started a new career, got engaged, bought a house with my finance, struggled immensely with my anxiety, and within the last week, I've had a relapse and quit my job. I am now seeing a new psychologist and looking at my future prospects. That's my mental health in a nutshell. Life isn't easy at the moment, but when is it ever?

Introducing Me

replies: 2

Hi all. I've just signed up in the hope I can find ways here to help my adult daughter who suffers from anxiety and depression. Sadly, the fact that she suffers from this is not a surprise to me because of her history. Her mother also suffers from these things and has been through anorexia, OCD, panic attacks among other issues. We have been divorced for quite a few years now and sadly, our relationship is little more than polite. I am remarried and very happy in my new marriage. My wife is very supportive, has a good relationship with my children and is happy to do whatever she can to help so this is a good start. Anyway, I guess this is about introducing me so I'll restrict myself to that if I can. I am prematurely retired (aged 60) and play a lot of golf. I don't have great numbers of friends but I value the ones that I have. My own history includes bouts of depression at times especially when I was young and suffered bullying at school. I think I am reasonably well adjusted these days but I do find it difficult to maintain good friendships because I suppose I still have some anxiety about other peoples' opinions of me. This causes me to be less proactive in my friendships than what is probably ideal. That said, I think I cope fairly well with life most of the time. I will probably have a bit of a look around and perhaps post elsewhere about my current concerns. I hope that my presence here can add to this community and that I can also find information that can help me to understand how to help my children.

New to BB forum.

replies: 8

Hi everyone, I am new to the forum world, not really sure how to work this but I’m sure I’ll pick it up along the way! I’ve come to the BB forum because I cannot get into a psychologist at the moment, a friend recommended I check this out to see if it could help me. I hope I can get some advice to help me feel less lonely and empty also some tips on how to work through my low self esteem and social anxiety, I am really interested to read about some of your experiences. I also hope I can help people in return

Cyclone Alfred - Mental Health Support replies: 1

Meet your community champions! replies: 10

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

Lost any ideas? replies: 2

Looking for some advice. replies: 1

first timer replies: 3

Lost & Feeling Helpless replies: 2

Hello replies: 5

Hello :) replies: 2

~ I’m new ~ replies: 3

Hello Everyone replies: 1

Introducing Me replies: 2

New to BB forum. replies: 8