Immediate support
Immediate support

Welcome and orientation

Welcome! If you’re not sure where to start, that’s OK. We’re keen to know more about you and what you’re looking for on our Forums.

Start a discussion

FAQ

Find answers to some of the more frequently asked questions on the Forums.

View the FAQ

Forums guidelines

Our guidelines keep the Forums a safe place for people to share and learn information.

View the guidelines
Categories
Start a discussion

Pinned discussions

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

All discussions

Start a discussion

Brendon89 New to this but been surviving since 14 . Depression, anxiety
  • replies: 2

Just started this, I thought it would be a good way to meet and discuss same topics. Besides my partner and some friends don’t talk about my illness. Keep it hidden at work. Brendon

Just started this, I thought it would be a good way to meet and discuss same topics. Besides my partner and some friends don’t talk about my illness. Keep it hidden at work. Brendon

Guest_835 Introduction
  • replies: 2

Hi my name is Carolyn and I am a End of Life Doula and a Funeral Celebrant. As I have experienced the lost of my mother in April 2017, I experienced all the emotions associated with it, hence my new career. Watching my father in different stages of g... View more

Hi my name is Carolyn and I am a End of Life Doula and a Funeral Celebrant. As I have experienced the lost of my mother in April 2017, I experienced all the emotions associated with it, hence my new career. Watching my father in different stages of grief even to this day is a lesson for me. Beyondblue is a great way to help those in need.

mangomoments starting again, again, again
  • replies: 3

Hello I've just joined this website. I've been a single parent for 15 years - I've been living in Australia for 15 years and emmigrated with my ex-husband all those years ago because he wanted to. A few years in and I discovered he was having an affa... View more

Hello I've just joined this website. I've been a single parent for 15 years - I've been living in Australia for 15 years and emmigrated with my ex-husband all those years ago because he wanted to. A few years in and I discovered he was having an affair and eventually he left. My children at the time were 2 and 5. Over the years I've handled the best I can but I have no family here and no old friends - and being Sydney, friendships have come and gone and few have stuck. I feel I've lost touch with all my old friends in the UK. We've only been to afford to go back twice. Now, with my kids 16 and 13, I've got more time to myself and realising how lonely I am. I'm dreading Xmas, as I always do. Dreading being on our own, again. I've just grown so cautious of people who are married because of the way I was judged and outcast in the past. I really want to be part of a group of friends I feel I can be myself with - but I just don't know how to make that happen. I'd love to be in a relationship, but even though I put myself out there, I can't seem to find any one suitable. Would love to hear of success stories from other single mums x

Lovey85 Needing some advice on a broken marriage
  • replies: 5

Hi, I am new to this forum and hopefully will find some advice and understanding. I have been feeling trapped in the past few years, where in my marriage my husband has lied to me on many accounts in terms of finances and also chatting up women onlin... View more

Hi, I am new to this forum and hopefully will find some advice and understanding. I have been feeling trapped in the past few years, where in my marriage my husband has lied to me on many accounts in terms of finances and also chatting up women online that are strangers. As a result he is in a large amount of debt and there is constant lying from his end and broken trust. I have confronted him on these things however he is in denial. He is on antidepressants and seeks conselling. The option of seperation is not ideal as we have a young child. Most days i feel stressed and overwhelmed with sadness and anxiety. I was looking to join or start a support group in my local area but dont know where to start. Need some advice also on how to start.

ApolloXY Introductioney
  • replies: 1

Hi! I'm currently a high school student up in Queensland, and have been looking for a forum to find other people to talk to about LGBT topics and share experiences, or just to chat about recent events, memes, etc. I've been experiencing gender dyspho... View more

Hi! I'm currently a high school student up in Queensland, and have been looking for a forum to find other people to talk to about LGBT topics and share experiences, or just to chat about recent events, memes, etc. I've been experiencing gender dysphoria recently, for about 1 and 1/2 years, infact. I'm currently seeking help in the form of counsellors and hopefully some sort of official documentation to recognize my "transness". I am attempting to transition from male to female, and am looking for a place to express myself and talk with others.

TylerTheCreator Newbie
  • replies: 3

I want to learn more abt mental health so i can help myself and friends

I want to learn more abt mental health so i can help myself and friends

Guest_2 Wanting support with BPD
  • replies: 6

Hello, I’m 26, female with BPD. I’m really struggling and wanting to connect with someone that genuinely understands.

Hello, I’m 26, female with BPD. I’m really struggling and wanting to connect with someone that genuinely understands.

Lani_ Introduction
  • replies: 2

Hi, my name is Lani, I'm 21 years old and I am from Penrith, NSW. I love music, reading and I have a passion for writing. I was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome at the age of three, and over the last few years, I have developed severe anxiety to th... View more

Hi, my name is Lani, I'm 21 years old and I am from Penrith, NSW. I love music, reading and I have a passion for writing. I was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome at the age of three, and over the last few years, I have developed severe anxiety to the point where even the smallest of situations can send me into a downward spiral. I've joined the forums in hopes I can find some like-minded people to talk to and perhaps help me through all of this, as I am at a lost of where to turn too, month-long waiting lists and medication just do not seem to be helping much anymore

Swirlyshirley Burned out and not sure about next steps
  • replies: 3

Hello I've never posted online before so this is a bit terrifying. I've been treated for depression/ anxiety/mood disorder for 18 years. Despite this I somehow find myself in senior management role in a small company. Over the last 5 years I've often... View more

Hello I've never posted online before so this is a bit terrifying. I've been treated for depression/ anxiety/mood disorder for 18 years. Despite this I somehow find myself in senior management role in a small company. Over the last 5 years I've often been told to manage my work/life balance better. Work is undergoing some major changes/uncertainties at the moment and there is a freeze on recruitment. My boss quit a few weeks ago, I've lost 3 team members and work keeps piling up. The new boss came to see me recently and said he was worried about my health. He wants me to work part-time hours (with reduced pay) and move into a different role with nobody reporting to me. I have no qualifications or experience working in such a role. I was completely blindsided. Turns out one of my staff had raised concerns about my stress levels. I told my boss that I didn't think it was fair for me to be financially worse off when it seems like a much better idea would be to help me manage my ridiculous workload better. He said he would think about it and it hasn't been discussed since. In the interim, he asked me to extend the contract of one of my staff but early the next morning rang to say he'd changed his mind. Too late. I'd already told them. This is just one of many examples of him constantly shifting the goal posts. I have no idea what I should be doing anymore or what decisions I can and can't make. One minute he's completely hands off and the next he's cross that I've overstepped the mark. It's either complete radio silence when I email him about something or he's sending me weird shirty emails. Yesterday morning he sent me a very curt email (cc'ing 2 of my colleagues) remonstrating me for doing something that I can only describe as a basic admin task that I have been doing for years. No explanation as to why. And that has just brought me undone. I've recently started seeing a new psychiatrist and am on some new medication. I'm in a very dark place and am feeling extremely vulnerable. So, my question is, does anyone know if I can be forced into a different, part-time role? I'm also thinking of taking some personal leave for a few days (weeks?) starting Monday and I'm not sure whether I should disclose that I'm having some mental health issues that have flared up due to stress. I will ask my psychiatrist for a medical certificate. Apologies for such a long and rambling post. I'd be eternally grateful to hear from others who may have been in a similar situation.