Welcome and Orientation

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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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I'm new and need some advice and help please :(

replies: 22

Hi everyone, Needing some advice badly here Basically why i'm here is am struggling myself a lot at the moment I'm trying to sort my relationship out with the person I am madly in love with. The thing is it's all been really bad timing, I've battled depression and anxiety for so many years at least 20 I know everything about it. My partner I met 5 months ago and we fell in love very quickly, I'm 41 years old and I finally found true love it's a beautiful thing I have to say and I love my partner so very much. Unfortunately I made a huge blunder and woke up one morning and asked her to take me back to my unit I was still renting, I had spoken to the real estate about moving out and asking them to find a new tennant. I had been under a tremendous amount of stress when I made the biggest mistake in up and leaving no explanation :(. My relationship of 8 years had broken down last November and I have a 6 years old daughter from this relationship. The mother of my daughter has been almost impossible to deal with using our little girl against me and not letting me see her :(, I had been dealing with this since last november plus all the stress of everything else monving into my own place, still going to work and functioning as normal as I could, it's been tough I have to say. For the last two months I've been trying to work out things with my partner I met 5 months ago. We both love each other very very much and everyone knows it. More bad news came when she contacted me and had said to me she was 4 weeks pregnant and lost our baby :'(. We were patching things up at the time and it drew us closer again, we have had our ups and downs since then with her car breaking down and needing $2000 worth of repairs done to it, plus she has had her friend staying at her house for 3 months and it hasn't gone so well I have to say. It's put alot of stress onto her and I've been there as much as I could for her through this time it's been so hard we haven't been able to see each other as much as we've wanted. Plus now she is really badly depressed understandably :(. I'm trying to be here for her as much as I can by telling her I'm here to support her and to let me help her through this tough time it's best to have someone there for you as I've tried to explain many times. Any help would be greatly appreciated! Ive ran out of room I had to delete a lot but I can respond again later I guess...

Looking after myself seems too hard

replies: 9

Hi Im new here. I just need some advice. Im dealing with a lot at the moment, more than i can actually cope with. I am trying to support my 2 teens through their own mental health issues (we have just started conselling for them) but Im struggling on my own to keep them safe and work full time. I have my own issues that keep popping up when i feel very stressed and then i cant focus on anything. Im still trying to adapt to life without my husband (he passed away just over 2 years ago). I feel like giving up as its just too hard i have a supportive family but dont like burdenoing them, i am trying to stay positive but its all so hard. Sometimes I have very negative thoughts, they are just thoughts but it really annoys me, i dont know the right way to process them so i think i just push them aside . I simply cant go into all the things going on for me right now on here as there are so many. Sorry to kind of just put this up here without lots of explanation, i think it helps to try and write down my thoughts. I would love to hear from others who are trying to help their kids through grief and anxiety or someone who might just want to listen and help.

Missing out

replies: 2

I was diagnosed with ptsd,anxiety,depression,and other things i forget in 1996 Bacause of metal issues, I choose not to live in society. Choosing the bush on the edge of a town. I Read about All the services available to people,and how metal health can be managed. And how ndis includes metal health I have never been asked about seeing a therepist etc But then again they would be 200ks away. Never had a doctor ask how my meds were,just kept on high dose for decades. Asked about changing meds. Told flatly no. So now I manage my moods with marajuana. No longer unable to get motivated. It angers me that Help is hard to get for invisible no fixed abode individual Unless of course if your in a city,they point you to your accommadation, meds you up,talk to you and actually care. Well thats what i was told

People ask me if I need help, idk what to say...

replies: 2

I have anxiety and depression for at least 5 years now. I used to be in denial but now... I don't care... It is so hard to get help, I feel worthless so I don't know weather I should waste ppl's time. So I say 'I'm fine' how do I ask, even the simplest questions are hard to ask. I forced my self to get help by joint this site because I've had dark thoughts of taking the say way out all day... I'm so sick of asking my friends and making them sad by telling the truth...

Hello, new here and a little lost

replies: 2

Hi all, thanks for having me here. It's a huge thing for me to try and focus on my and my health, but i'm glad to be here, amongst friends and supporters. People who understand and care.

Gay male with anxiety and depression.

replies: 1

I’m a 42yo GWM, although I have not been active for a number of years. I find lately that I am looking for an LTR with someone super special, but I rarely go to clubs or anywhere pretty much as my social anxiety really plays up on me.i always fear that I don’t have anything interesting to say to people and that they will find me boring or stupid, which I’m not. I need some suggestions about how to overcome my irrational fears and start to enjoy life again. I also find that because of my tall height that people are always staring at me or are extremely intimidated by me. Any suggestions on how to overcome these issues would be greatly appreciated. I know I am worthy of love and desire it desperately. Thankyou for reading.

Hi Lovelies! Any Tips on Managing Depression, Anxiety & Over-Thinking? The

replies: 4

Tips unrelated to: - Medication - A psychologist or classes as I am always either working or with toddler in tow. - Speaking to family, because whenever I speak to them about anything all they have to say is 'COME HOME', which doesn't help the situation. - Speaking to friends. Due to my inability to keep in contact through technology with my nearest and dearest. It would not be fair of me to randomly crop up in my worse state, bombarding them with my crazy thoughts. I'm also aware that exercise and fresh air would help me. But I have literally no motivation to leave my bed. Except for having to, to take care of my kids, and work. Thank you all who manage to read through it all xx

Hi I need someone to talk to please I am feeling so lost

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not sure wot to say? hope this anonymous? xxxooo

Anxiety

replies: 2

Hi, im new to this group & posting for the first time, im a mum of 3girls & struggling atm with my relationship really bad

Is my view of life being affected by depression or do so change my life around to beat it?

replies: 4

Hello, New member here but a life-long history of on and off clinical depression. I should know by now but I don't trust my judgement when the blue is so deep. I have a good life, according to most. On the outside it loos like this- a loving partner of 8 years, a child, 2 houses, a dog. On the inside it's a different story: doubts of being the best parent I can be, a partner who is non-communicative and a person of habit (a total opposite to me). It all started again some years ago when I gave birth. My life turned upside down. Health issues for me and baby, stress with moving to the country, no support. I have no family here and my partner's family is more stressful than helpful. Diagnosed with PND. medication. Counselling. The lot. It all helped me not be suicidal but the sadness, the disparity has never gone away. If I were an alcoholic, you'd call me a high functioning one. That's what I am with depression. I get things done but never feel good. I feel lost and lonely. I am sure many others do. Except I find absolutely no point in going on. I am here for my child. It's the only reason I'm still alive. But I can't help but wonder if I should change my life around- leave my partner, go home overseas to family, travel , do what I want. Or is it depression making me feel that my life is so crap?! My partner wouldn't move with us. We've discussed it. He'll never leave his comfort zone. Not even for his child. This was hurtful to realise. We moved to the country once baby was born so I am isolated from all my friends. Previously I had a great career. Now I have no job. First time in 20 years. Do I stay or leave. What will this do to my child?! He has a great bond with his dad. I am so scared of doing something but so over not doing anything. It feels I have tried everything to beat this depression. Cognitive thinking training, psychologist weekly or fortnightly, medication, journal keeping, etc. You name it. It never goes away. It's exhausting. It makes me angry. Then it makes me numb to the whole world. It feels like I have been killed on the inside. Just a shell left that is on auto pilot every day. Please tell me when it will stop. What can I do? Thank you

Meet your community champions! replies: 12

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

I'm new and need some advice and help please :( replies: 22

Looking after myself seems too hard replies: 9

Missing out replies: 2

People ask me if I need help, idk what to say... replies: 2

Hello, new here and a little lost replies: 2

Gay male with anxiety and depression. replies: 1

Hi Lovelies! Any Tips on Managing Depression, Anxiety & Over-Thinking? The replies: 4

Hi I need someone to talk to please I am feeling so lost replies: 2

Anxiety replies: 2

Is my view of life being affected by depression or do so change my life around to beat it? replies: 4