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Meet your community champions!

replies: 12

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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Some positive thoughts

replies: 2

Hi Everyone! My first post here - go easy on me Earlier today, using the entire 2500 characters I had written up a major essay on how my life has become a struggle, but then I accidentally deleted it! In the meantime I have been working on a cover letter and resume for a job I am applying for and have found that since doing it I feel somewhat more positive about myself and urge anyone having a rough time to try this even if you are not going for a job. Sit down and write up a proper resume and list all the good stuff you've achieved over your life. I believe its a fairly standard exercise to combat low self-esteem to write a list of all your positive qualities but I've found in the past just doing this in isolation I would often find my negative self saying "yeah but I'm a fake", or "I cheated", or some other self-sabotaging nonsense (cos it really is just nonsense)! I'm wondering if the task of writing a resume gives a formal, specific focus to find those positive experiences and aspects in your life without that negative self-talk getting in the way. And if you are younger and have not yet entered the workforce I guess you could do something similar using achievements at school/sports/interests/hobbies as a basis for this. Just to further illustrate my point I am a shorter stature guy (162cm) on the path to mending my self esteem and I made the mistake yesterday of reading a bunch of blogs and articles about how shorter guys are discriminated against/Napoleon syndrome etc. Of all my negative self-talk in the past that's never really been a major issue to me but I was left feeling pretty rotten and depressed, but as i said after writing up a resume and thinking about my achievements in a formal setting it's put me back into a more positive headspace. Finally one other thing is I never used to fully understand what is meant by not giving a "f***" about others. Its not that you shouldn't care about other people's situation in life or their welfare, but that its none of your business what their opinion is of you, and their opinion has nothing to do with your value as a person. Do unto yourself (as well as others) as you would have others do unto you is my golden rule. Riding this wave of life with you all - see you out there!

Overwhelmed : Which way should I take next

replies: 2

I studied Engineering and migrated to Australia in 2007, after working for 7 years I havnt made much progress in my job and feeling wasted. I had other passions in life , Art , Sociology, etc, My Psychologist suggest I should do something in my field but more challenging to give me the feeling of growth. I suggested Data Scientist. But still thinking I dont have much time, Should I do data scientist or PHD in Sociology?

Bitter Sweet

replies: 2

I never thought I would do this.... going down hill

19 and still figuring things out

replies: 1

Hey, I’ve read a few other threads and I think I’ll just introduce myself a little bit. As I mentioned in the title I’m 19, I work in a bar as a bartender and also the admin during the day. I live with my mum and my brother, it’s always been that way. I own a cat, his names Marcel and I also awn a car that’s on its way out. thats pretty much me, I would like people of all ages to respond to my thread because I would like to know where you are at, what you’ve overcome and what advice or story you could give me from it. I’ve been feeling a certain way that I don’t quite understand yet. I think it’s depression but I don’t want to assume because it’s such a big thing with people my age, to blame a health issue or medical issue when you’re acting a certain way or things are going your way. I hope that makes sense. I am someone that is very happy and appreciate everything I have in my life. I will never take anything for granted but I can’t help but feel upset, or disappointed or just not myself. I am recognising these things and I have tried taking things out of my life and even brining things into my life to change something but it’s just gotten worse. Pretty much I don’t like to say it but I feel really depressed, I’m not sleeping enough and when I do, I’m sleeping into something important I should be awake for or even just a catch up with friends. I’m eating so bad, I’ve been focusing on what I’m eating and I’m still not choosing to change up my diet. My room is a mess, I can’t be bothered to do anything, I do my job at work but honestly if I was in a right mind set it would only take me half a day to do what I take a whole day to finish. I’m going to stop there because I think you get the idea. Anyway, I’m hoping there is someone around my age that could tell me their situation too, hoping to relate to someone. - Lucia

a rough life

replies: 2

My name is Stuart and I currently suffer from clinical depression/anxiety. Since last month my anxiety has and currently is through the roof due to the fact that not only is my partner and I are expecting a baby but my partner is going through a rough time with a former partner because of custody of her kids and that is putting undue pressure on both of us. I have tried talking to counsellors but I have the worst luck due most of them leaving to go somewhere else. My partner is currently getting help from a psychologist but I don't know what to do or who to turn to. stuart

Hi

replies: 2

I'm Peter and I don't know if I'm just sad sometimes or do I need help. I'm normally a very happy person but sometimes I go to some dark places. I was scared of dying when I was a child so I never thought I would have these thoughts. I don't believe I have a reason to be sad but sometimes I think I'm really not worth anything. I have a amazing best friend and wonderful girlfriend but I keep messing up majorly so I think I'm doing more damage than good. I really don't think I deserve her but I feel if I lose her I might tip over the edge into dark hole. I've read some of the threads before posting and I feel everyone actually needs help and support and I'm just some guy who gets unhappy but I really dont want to talk about this with people close to me because I don't want them to treat me different.

I need help things have gotten bad..

replies: 3

Been raised with mentality if you dont work you're worthless.. havent been able to get proper work for as long as I can remember and somehow ended up being an escort.. comes with all it's own problems ontop of my mental health but atleast I could say I was working.. but now.. somebody has sent my photos and everything all around my small country home town and everybody knows and I cant go back there have nowhere to live my partner loves it in that town but he understands why I feel like I cant go back... I feel useless.. I've ruined his and my life even more just be trying to make it better... the urge to give up is getting stronger and stronger each minute that passes... I dont know anymore maybe i dont deserve tk live... does anyone have any advice at all

RB

replies: 1

Hey all Don’t really know how to say this. I’ve been holding this in for so long. Never spoke to anyone after. Pretty scared really to say much. Came forward at work that I was suffering from major depression and anxiety. Didn’t turn out well needless to say. Had time off with with phone calls telling me that I was taking the piss out of the company. When I returned I was told that I now had to earn there trust as if I had done something wrong when I had never hurt anyone or damaged and plant. I was then told that no one wanted to work with me. After that I wanted to to go for a higher position within the company and was told that I could apply for new positions and go for the interviews but I would. Ever get the job that I applied for. Needless to say. My self asteem has never been so low. I’m so scared now to try achieve any goals. Everyday I struggle to get up. I love my partner and my family and at the moment it them that keeps me here. But slowly and surely that strength is getting weaker. I’m really sorry for being so negitive but it’s eating me and I remember being so positive. But all I ever do now is second guess myself. Because I don’t believe I’m good enough. And I believe I have failed my family. Sorry for being so negitive. I don’t know how to be positive anymore. RB

Hi all. An introduction.

replies: 3

Hi everyone, I'm Jay. I'm new to this site and also to the realization that I have been lost for a long time. While I've had some therapy in the past; at a young age for an eating disorder, in my mid twenties for anxiety and depression, and very soon for what I'm believing to be PTSD and the aforementioned mental conditions. I've been to my a GP today and will be back again in two days time to figure out a treatment plan with a clinical psychologist. While I was committed to my recoveries in the past, this time I don't just want get better, I want to be the best me I can be. I believe that starts by admitting that while the circumstances that initially led me down this path were completely out of my control, getting back on track is well within my capabilities. That's not easy with self doubt plaguing me, as well as it being very hard to separate the goody

hi

replies: 3

hi guys I sometimes get depressed and am only on here because I wanted to know if things do get better?

Meet your community champions! replies: 12

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

Some positive thoughts replies: 2

Overwhelmed : Which way should I take next replies: 2

Bitter Sweet replies: 2

19 and still figuring things out replies: 1

a rough life replies: 2

Hi replies: 2

I need help things have gotten bad.. replies: 3

RB replies: 1

Hi all. An introduction. replies: 3

hi replies: 3