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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 Be... View more

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.

Aaronsis 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 th... View more

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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Statesman Broken
  • replies: 3

I am looking after someone very close to me (serious health issues) but feel I am running on empty. I was already broken so what ever I can give does'nt leave much. I'm not going anywhere, I can't. This feels very hollow. Strangers who know where I a... View more

I am looking after someone very close to me (serious health issues) but feel I am running on empty. I was already broken so what ever I can give does'nt leave much. I'm not going anywhere, I can't. This feels very hollow. Strangers who know where I am coming from but still can't feel my sore thumb, how could you, you don't know me.

BgEd Never good enough
  • replies: 3

I've never felt good enough. I'm angry at anyone who seems successful. Any criticism or failure sets me off moaning about others success and how useless they are. I think the humans, the system is so unfair and I feel powerless to do anything to chan... View more

I've never felt good enough. I'm angry at anyone who seems successful. Any criticism or failure sets me off moaning about others success and how useless they are. I think the humans, the system is so unfair and I feel powerless to do anything to change me.

BgEd I just looked through this site and all I see is "donate"
  • replies: 3

I want help but all I see is other asking for money. Why is the first page here asking for money. I want money, donate to me instead. Beyond Blue give something back.....

I want help but all I see is other asking for money. Why is the first page here asking for money. I want money, donate to me instead. Beyond Blue give something back.....

Chippy1759 Hi all
  • replies: 1

Just saying hi! Going through the spin dryer of life atm. Seems like a safe place to be right now. Homeless, relationshipless and feeling pretty worthless.

Just saying hi! Going through the spin dryer of life atm. Seems like a safe place to be right now. Homeless, relationshipless and feeling pretty worthless.

Shelby_01 Totally lost
  • replies: 1

My partner of 37 years has just been diagnosed with depression he isshift worker so for some time I have been putting a lot of things down to being tired. he went to doctor on his own choice 2 months ago he is on medication. He has spoke to me about ... View more

My partner of 37 years has just been diagnosed with depression he isshift worker so for some time I have been putting a lot of things down to being tired. he went to doctor on his own choice 2 months ago he is on medication. He has spoke to me about his confusion and sadness I am 1000% behind him all the way. The other day he told me that his doesn't know If he is in love with any more which nearly ripped my heart out we have a excellent relationship never ever fought always do things together. And he told me no matter what happens he will always love me. I am just hoping this is apart of his mindset at the moment I am still doing everything the same as before he told me cause he is my whole world and cannot imagine my world without him in it everyday iam hoping this is part of the condition until he get his medication working any advise on what or not to do would be very much appreciated thanks

Guest_025 Trying to Settle Down After a Long Journey.
  • replies: 10

Thank you for having me on the Beyond Blue online forums. Hello to All those who have Been Encouraging Each other in times of need whether a short period or long ongoing journey. Well done! Don't know where to start so I'm just Hello. Regards Migrato... View more

Thank you for having me on the Beyond Blue online forums. Hello to All those who have Been Encouraging Each other in times of need whether a short period or long ongoing journey. Well done! Don't know where to start so I'm just Hello. Regards Migrator

Forward_only Imagined isolation or not?
  • replies: 13

Hi everyone ! hindsight is a wonderful thing hey people's? I should have done this or I should have done that kind of thoughts pass through my head at times and I wonder if I would have been different if I'd made other choices and been in a different... View more

Hi everyone ! hindsight is a wonderful thing hey people's? I should have done this or I should have done that kind of thoughts pass through my head at times and I wonder if I would have been different if I'd made other choices and been in a different position in life. I perceive myself as lonely in a crowded room too often to count, and it frustrates me how one minute I can be happy with the way I'm relaxed on my own, then go on a downer as if everyone has abandoned me just because at that moment I am alone while everyone gets on with their life without me. Then I blame myself....it must be me right? Then I feel mad and want to pull away even further from people. I don't socialise in person much at all, mainly one on one on phone and internet. So am I really as isolated as I feel ? Or the isolation is more a state of mind? Thanks for hearing me...

Emzykoko Where do I start?? So much to say but which is the "right" thread?
  • replies: 4

Hello I'm Emzy and I'm a 30 something chick with ABI, PTSD, ADD, Major Panic and Anxiety Disorders and Extreme Social Phobias. I joined Beyond Blue quite awhile ago but found the whole process of posting in or joining a forum EXTREMELY daunting. Ther... View more

Hello I'm Emzy and I'm a 30 something chick with ABI, PTSD, ADD, Major Panic and Anxiety Disorders and Extreme Social Phobias. I joined Beyond Blue quite awhile ago but found the whole process of posting in or joining a forum EXTREMELY daunting. There are so many threads that are the same topic, the dates are all over the place, I don't know if I'm posting correctly or if whatever I have spewed onto the page has just gotten lost in cyberland.. I'll try to find a "NEW MEMBERS" forum, but it seems that all the "Newbies" are now old hat and the thread has been going on for months.. I'm like a toddler that needs to be taken by the hand and baby stepped through what really shouldn't be difficult - I know that I am exacerbating and making this way more difficult than it actually is but that's ADD combined with Major Panic and Anxiety, PTSD and Social Phobia for you. If anybody could steer me to a newbie newbie thread or one that's patiently friendly with a novice like myself...I'd really appreciate that. I have been wanting to reach out for so so long. Things in my world are dark and have been for a while. I know that Beyond Blue members will be able to indentify, and hopefully in sharing stories of hope and recovery, the site AND the world won't be such a daunting place anymore.

Tryingtoworkmyselfout Anxiety about moving out of my parents house after a long injury
  • replies: 1

Hi everyone, I've never written in a forum before and I feel a bit anxious doing it but here goes. I've become very isolated over the past 2.5 years after getting an injury that required surgery (major on my neck) which then developed into chronic pa... View more

Hi everyone, I've never written in a forum before and I feel a bit anxious doing it but here goes. I've become very isolated over the past 2.5 years after getting an injury that required surgery (major on my neck) which then developed into chronic pain, taking lots of medications, then eventually, depression and anxiety from the constant on going pain. I have become quite dependant on my parents over this time as I have gone through a lot of stress with the insurer (was a work injury) and even though I know moving out is desperately what I need to start regaining my independence (I just turned 40)! I've been having panic attacks about it! I just wondered if anyone else has been in a similar situation where they had to move back home with their parents after living and working independently for many years and bc of their physical or emotional injuries (or both) became dependant on their parents and then found it really difficult to leave? I've just bit the bullet and paid a bond for a lovely flat which is close by to my parents which should be affordable when centrelink finally comes through. I have a little bit of savings to help me before that kicks in. It's a financial risk, but the risk of staying home seems worse as I can't move on with my life and get better. Would love any support or shared experiences. E xx

Marg270 My life is falling appart
  • replies: 2

I suffer from rheumatoid arthritis. For the last 11 years I have not had a pain free day. My mother is 84 and dying of cancer and my dad has suddenly decided to abandon her care. My family is counting on me to take on the role of carer and I am not c... View more

I suffer from rheumatoid arthritis. For the last 11 years I have not had a pain free day. My mother is 84 and dying of cancer and my dad has suddenly decided to abandon her care. My family is counting on me to take on the role of carer and I am not coping physically and mentally.