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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hibernating

replies: 1

Hi, my first time here. For the last couple of months I just can't stay awake, and it's got progressively worse. I get up in the a.m. have a coffee and go back to sleep. Wake an hour later and have to go to sleep again. I just can't stay awake, it goes on all day. I saw a couple of GP's but they weren't very interested, I guess they thought 'he's an old man who lives on his own so he's just lonely and needs a cat.' I was asked if I'd like to see a counselor but the one I saw before was teaching me 'mindfulness' (focus on the feeling of the seat on your bum etc) and was no help. Briefly, I've worked with refugees for the past 6 years and I wondered if maybe all that dealing with constant hardship had burned me out. I'm a Muslim and i feel Christchurch was a real trigger. Thanks..

Never "used" a forum before, 22 years of depression, anxiety and got some new ones springing up

replies: 1

As I've stated I've had depression and anxiety for 22 years, of late, though my anxiety is becoming worse.I have reached the point where I no longer leave my house and I don't socialise at all anymore.I used to love going out, doing anything really, and I used to love being social. I don't have any friends and no family where I live either.(they all moved far away).Social situations are difficult for me, I clam up and get brain fog.Then fight or flight.Usually I go with flight.So now it's resulted in going nowhere ever.Im definitely trying to overcome my fear, and be social, but I can't find anyone to be social with.There are no support groups or social groups in my area, and I don't know what else to do, suggestions?

Depressed or just lonely?

replies: 2

Hi, I’m new to this. Been feeling shitty for a couple of months now. Sad, lonely, irritable, weepy at times over-thinking and anxious. I haven’t seen a doctor, I worry about having this on my medical file if I apply for jobs or citizenship. So I guess I’m reaching out for help. I live with my family but don’t have a lot of friends here. I go to work but don’t see people out of work. How do you make friends as an adult? I’m pretty quiet and boring really, but I do like being around people. And what non- clinical treatments or herbal medicines have people found helpful? Thank you for reading this

Hey Everybody!

replies: 5

Hi everyone. I'm a new Beyondblue member and I am new to this forum so please bear with me when I don't know what to do. My name Frederic and the reason why I joined Beyondblue is that I want to get support from all of the members in Beyondblue, I'm hoping that everything will go well during my prior time here. I hope that everyone is friendly and supportively, I wish all of the members at Beyondblue have a wonderful time during your time here. My last history was being a person who didn't get that a lot of help and support but as the time goes fly by I finally has my chance to help other people. I would be grateful that I have lots of people that support me during my ups and downs. I want to be like those people who always helps their peers and I'm just hoping that my dreams will come to a reality! Thank you Frederic New Member of Beyondblue

How can I communicate without saying the wrong thing.

replies: 3

Hi I'm new to this and would like some guidance to support a dear friend. My friend is an old Royal Aust Navy mate who lives in a suburb of Perth.I live in Melbourne.face to face isn't possible. I have just hung up from him on the phone and feel that I need to support him more than I do. The conversation went - I am going backwards.I don't have the motivation to get out of bed of a morning (My wife has told my GP I would sleep all day if left).I find it difficult to plan and make simple decisions. My GP has upped my Meds. His problem isn't new to me as we have had previous discussions. once sent him a blank bound book and said when ever you feel down just reflect on the good times and write them down. When we talk we are always talking about 'the good ol days' of our time in the service. ny advice would be appreciated - Basha

hello! feeling burnt out and looking for help

replies: 3

Hey everyone. I'm 20 years old and am looking for some advice. I feel I've used up all my energy. I don't enjoy things I used to, I have minimal motivation, my social life has dwindled and study is becoming overwhelming. Up until the past few months, I'd always been a high achiever, very determined, very ambitious and seemingly endless energy. Now I have no enthusiasm for anything. The drive and passion I used to have has disappeared, and every day drags on unless I'm with my boyfriend. I don't know who I am, what I want to achieve in life, or even what makes me happy (which is the polar opposite to what I used to be like). I'm constantly anxious, feeling down, crying or a mixture of the three. It's gotten to the point where it's preventing me from working, studying, and being able to relax / do 'normal' things. For some context, I'm working two jobs and studying engineering part-time. I don't have much of a relationship with my family, but have a loving boyfriend and three trusted friends. All I do is work, study, go to gym, see my friends and boyfriend. Anything outside of that seems like a waste of time. I was seeing a psychologist a few months ago, but am looking to talk to someone again. I want to start enjoying life again, but don't know how. Any help will be gladly appreciated.

New to online anything, new to asking for help

replies: 3

Hi there, I've never posted on an online forum before, and have no social media, so this is a big leap for me, but I'm hoping to get some advice and support from others struggling with anxiety. I have had a rough year of it, have found a lot of support in yoga and sessions with a psychologist, but don't feel I've come very far, and am now grappling with the idea of medication. To be honest, I'm finding it a hard choice to make; it feels a little like defeat. I'm spending so much time listening to the internal chatter, though, that it's exhausting.

New here - going through a break up with a partner who has severe anxiety

replies: 3

Hi there. My partner has severe anxiety and we just broke up 2 days ago so he could focus on his mental health and find himself. I'm struggling to cope with the split and have never been through a break up before, and I'm constantly worried about him... View more

Hey guys

replies: 2

Hi, I live in Adelaide. I hate school rn, I have no friends, I struggle with work. I am literally struggling with my whole life, and nobody understands me. I am willing for anyone to have a chat, and I am willing to make others feel better about them... View more

New here - I just need a few things to start going right

replies: 1

I have been struggling since the suicide of my partner in late 2016. We had just moved to a rural town >2000km away from our families. I have stayed on in the town since purely because I can’t afford to move. I struggled to keep my life together and had a few run inns with the law in the months following his passing. A lot has happened in the last two and a bit years. I met someone and it seemed to be going well and I was planing to move towns so we could be closer. However the relationship fell apart shortly after I lost my job. I have been struggling to pay the bills, and find work. I feel completely alone, which I should be use to, but after having had another partner, it is hard not having anyone to talk to or help out. I can’t even remember how I got through the lonely ness last time, except that I had a job. I feel like I have spent the last two years struggling and could finally see some light but now I am in the same situation. I’m alone, jobless, in trouble with the law and with no friends and no one to talk to except the guy who just broke up with me. I just need a few things to start going right so that I can get moving again. If I get one of the positions I have applied for then atleast I will be busy and I can pay some bills.

Meet your community champions! replies: 10

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

hibernating replies: 1

Never "used" a forum before, 22 years of depression, anxiety and got some new ones springing up replies: 1

Depressed or just lonely? replies: 2

Hey Everybody! replies: 5

How can I communicate without saying the wrong thing. replies: 3

hello! feeling burnt out and looking for help replies: 3

New to online anything, new to asking for help replies: 3

New here - going through a break up with a partner who has severe anxiety replies: 3

Hey guys replies: 2

New here - I just need a few things to start going right replies: 1