Welcome and Orientation

Pinned discussions

Meet your community champions!

replies: 14

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

All discussions

Sorted by:

Start a conversation

Never Give up

replies: 2

Hello every one, I am a health professional and public speaker, it is my pleasure to join beyond blue today, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all beyond blue staff and volunteers for the great work that they do and make difference in people's life, men's mental health is neglected for ages, it is good to see that people are now talking about men's mental health and organisations like beyond blue is playing an active role. '' This is a message to anyone and everyone who have suffered from a mental illness, who is suffering from a mental illness or who is at risk of having a mental health issue- Guys you are not alone and there is millions and millions who have this problem- But the good thing is that the illness can be cured, it might take few days, few weeks, few months and even years, but do not get disappointed and never-never-never give up, work your way up to where you want to be in life, you can do it, I can do it, anyone and everyone can do it, Lets join the club and beat mental health issues. Good luck " Thank you

26 year old living with borderline intro :)

replies: 2

Hey Guys, Ive signed up here as I am seeking advice on a certain area of which I will post in the Staying well Thread. For now, Let me start of with a Friendly Hi to you all. I am a 26 year old male who struggled through misdiagnoses of schizophrenia, then to be wrongfully diagnosed a bipolar + mild psychosis. after several wrong attempts with meds, and doctors/phycs I was finally teamed with some amazing help and diagnosed with borderline. I have undertaken the DBT course which I think was fantastic and should be available for anybody struggle with Mental health as the information/tools ect would be great use to absolutely everybody. anywho, Ive been through the dark stage where I was lost/confused and all the other not so wonderful feelings and emotions that come with it. I am now doing great and continuing to learn/use new tools and gather as much helpful information as possible. I am much better prepared for the troubled days than I have ever been before. anywho, I hope to speak with you all over the days

Hi im new

replies: 3

Hi everyone. I have recently just joined and looking for some support thru a really tough long road ahead.. i a mum of 4 children, my eldest who os 10yrs old has adhd/odd/asd/spd and epilepsy, he has also been diagnosed with anxiety disorder and depression he was also sexually abused by hos father and recently becam a perpetrator himself., my other 3 live with their father due to this. I miss them dearly as the father is not even letting me spend time with them and I am struggling everyday to get thru.. but anyway.. i am hoping to be able to share my stories and hopefully work thru them all with some support.

I always lurk forums, never post. Here goes nothing.

replies: 8

Hi. I've been a part of forums and online communities for most of my life. But I never post anything, or even reply to posts. I lurk, because I feel like I have nothing of value to add to conversations, or that people would find my thoughts boring ("ughh, no one wants to hear me say that" I always tell myself). But I want to try it out. I'm in my mid-twenties, visiting Australia on a Working Holiday. I know no one here, I'm travelling alone and life seems pretty dark at the moment. I'm in casual employment, always broke, I feel like my housemates are sick to death of me, and I'm terrified I'll screw up every social interaction I end up in. My only solace is my art, and lately I've been very unhappy with the quality of my work. I'm tired of being scared of everyone. But I don't know how to be better.

Hi all , new here hoping to seek advice

replies: 1

Hi everyone , I’m new here . So after several weeks Of thinking I have a heart problem I just had an appointment with the cardiologist who ran extensive tests advised there is no issue with my heart and I’m very healthy . Looks like anxiety is the cause - I still for some reason keep thinking there is something medically wrong with me - I’ve developed into having some nice panic attacks lately and a constant all day shortness of breath . Any advice on how to tackle this ? I had my first session with a psychologist who advised me that changing my mind was the way and controlling panic rather then seeking medication which I was happy to try as my panic attacks are waking me up from my sleep with a shortness of breath .. I just don’t feel like me anymore and any advice or anyone whose had the same experience would be appreciated ! Thanks guys , Ash

Hello. first time posting

replies: 6

I’m feeling a bit lost and alone. I feel a bit weird posting on here. Like I’m talking to the sky at night. Things are always up and down. Getting more down than up these days. There’s no one to talk to. Is there anyone out there?

Hello, I am new here.

replies: 3

I have been struggling over the past couple months with what seems like depression that has come back from the past. It runs in my family, and although I have never personally been treated for it, I have seen the effects on my family members, and unfortunately, I think it's my turn. I live far away from my friends and family, and feel like I lack support and personal connections with the people around me. I won't go into detail with how I have been feeling, but I feel like my attempts to get help have failed and I need some encouragement. I've visted a GP with the intention of having an assessment for a Mental Health Plan. Because I don't have someone to open up to, I wanted to talk to someone. Rather than taking the time to assess me, the doctor simply said "I won't waste either one of our time" and prescribed me anti-depressants. Am I supposed to believe that taking these pills will solve the problem? I know they'd make me feel better... but I don't want a temporary fix. I really want to speak to someone. As with anyone with anxiety would understand, making this appointment was already stressful for me. I've been so discouraged to make another appointment... but I don't think I should wait anyone. I don't think I CAN wait anymore. Here for some encouragement. Hoping I don't sound helpless. Thanks.

New member

replies: 1

hello, I've no idea if I'm doing the right thing. This is my first attempt at posting here, just want to say Hi.

New member saying hello

replies: 3

Hi everyone: I found this site today when I was looking for online support. It's wonderful that there are sites like this out there. I'm Rishie, 46 years old and almost totally blind from birth. I'm a Christian and I love to sing, read, write, do crafts and hang out with my friends. I have depression, migraine headaches and I sleep too much. I think that has something to do with the depression. I'm trying to overcome that, but it's like one step forward, one leap back. Still, some progress is better than no progress I suppose. I'm also dealing with the loss of a loved one. I was in a long distance relationship for 5 years with someone who made me very happy. He passed away 3 months ago. My best friends, who I would usually turn to at a time like this, are away because of family issues which I totally understand but still, it's hard. If not for my faith and if not for my little dog, I don't know where I'd be! Anyway, that's enough for one post. Thank you for reading this and I hope you have a good day.

Jess, 28,

replies: 3

I haven't read any threads here so not sure how people go about this. I'm 28, diagnosed ADHD at 25 and have had mixed emotions as I slowly begin to understand what I am. A possibly new diagnosis is BPD, I have done some research and almost every part of it resonates with me. Mostly my behaviour and approach in relationships.. as I do research, I feel less and less hopeful about possibly getting better and recovering. I have had bouts this past fortnight of just wanting to make everything stop. Part of me is well aware that NOTHING is wrong.. (yes, there are serious family issues hence possible PTSD) but I am intellectually aware that my life isn't actually that bad..... my level of intelligence is fine, people may say that I am attractive? I am fun, funny, have many interests, speak a second language, enjoy travelling and have a lot of love inside of me (just not for myself) and overall, probably not a boring person. In fact, some people think that I'm really cool and want to send time with me. But what do I believe? Well, my brain tells me that I'm a piece of crap, I'm worthless and that I of course will always be abandoned because they will eventually see what I "know" about myself. I am struggling.

Meet your community champions! replies: 14

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

Never Give up replies: 2

26 year old living with borderline intro :) replies: 2

Hi im new replies: 3

I always lurk forums, never post. Here goes nothing. replies: 8

Hi all , new here hoping to seek advice replies: 1

Hello. first time posting replies: 6

Hello, I am new here. replies: 3

New member replies: 1

New member saying hello replies: 3

Jess, 28, replies: 3