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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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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.

I need to find the courage

replies: 2

Have you ever been faced with something you have to do no matter what, but you cannot breath just thinking about doing it? That's how I feel, I have to face an issue, a big workplace problem, that I created, I have to face the humiliation, the wrath of my boss and face possible dismissal tomorrow and my anxiety is attacking me. My heartbeat is racing and I cannot eat or sleep,but I must face this. I feel sick, I have no support and I just want the ground to swallow me whole. I have no courage, I'm not brave, my face is hot from the stress and I feel like I'm going to pass out, imagine when the alarm goes off! I don't know what to do with my fear holding me back. I don't even know if I can do this.

Depression or PTSD?

replies: 5

I have been with my ex gf (not sure if we are together) for 1 year it was the most incredible year but slowly she started to open up about a period in her life that effected her where she was a victim of DV. Everything was incredible talking about family, life now/future, common interests, holidays and kids. Then in the space of a week she broke off our relationship as she couldn't be a GF, wife, mother and doubts were coming out of know where, total 360d backflip for all our excitement. Work was overwhelming her and she just had a death in the family and the guy that caused the DV from 5 years ago reared his ugly head. I want to make it work with her as she is the most incredible kind hearted girl anyone has met and can see a future with her, but I don't know what i can do? I offered to be there for her helping her along the way but she pushed me away, it was like she was a different person. I have given her space (as hard as its been not calling or messaging) as she said she will see someone about her issues but I also don't know if it was depression from the culmination of issues hitting all at once of if it was the guy popping up and the DV scared her, and is a sign of PTSD?

Newbie needing help

replies: 6

Hi Pooky here First time post, feeling very anxious at the moment and can't seem to snap out of it. It all started after changing my job a month ago. I have suffered from anxiety before but not this bad for a very long time. I have since quit the new job and gone back to the old one and thought that would sort me all out but no such luck. Feeling very scared that this is not going to go away and is going to effect my old job and family. Any advise would be more than welcome.

Anxiety keeps following me

replies: 9

Hi All! I have come to the realisation just this week that for my entire life, I have been living with varying degrees of anxiety and rarely depression. I'm a 45 year old happily married man with a 9 year old son, a 20 year old stepson and a beautiful home. I had 2 major anxiety attacks just over 2 years ago both of which were bought on by work stress so I eventually left that job. Since then, I've noticed that certain situations or even some thoughts will give me mild anxiety more so than it would have before 2 years ago. After reading up on anxiety and taking the online anxiety test on this website, it's become apparent that this is just how I'm wired and I accept that. Of course, I don't like it but things could be far worse! I have an incredibly supportive and strong wife who's been through it herself but it was situational due to workplace bullying and has been dealt with and is no longer an issue. My problem now is that my current employer is threatening our sales team with the possibility of half of us losing our jobs at Christmas. We've exceeded sales targets this year and he's overspent resulting in us possibly being unemployed very soon. This not very subtle announcement last Wednesday has had me experiencing a heart rate of over 100 bpm, shaking, shortness of breath and constant worry about losing my job and not even wanting to walk in there ever again. With a mortgage, this is not an option. I've made an appointment with my GP tomorrow and I'm taking the whole day off as a Mental Health Day.... as soon as I post this, I'm calling Beyond Blue for the first time in my life. Thanks for reading....I'll keep you posted! Cheers

New in need of support living with a depressed husband

replies: 2

Not sure where to start. I have been holding on for years , now its getting horrible, he won't go to doctors and is becoming increasingly nasty and moody,short temper and blames me for everything. I cant get a word in edgeways as he is always talking... View more

Meet your community champions! replies: 12

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

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

I need to find the courage replies: 2

Depression or PTSD? replies: 5

Newbie needing help replies: 6

Anxiety keeps following me replies: 9

New in need of support living with a depressed husband replies: 2