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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 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:)

replies: 4

I'm new here and have been suffering from sever anxiety for about 18 months now. I feel so alone and useless because of my thoughts and I'm not sure how to deal with them.

Bereavement

replies: 2

My mother was killed in a car accident in december and the rest of my family have died by sudden deaths except my father and I was wondering if there was any online forums in relation to this.

Heartbroken

replies: 4

Hello. I'm new to this forum. Just heart broken about my two sons the struggles they've had to endue since primary and high schools ,bullying,failed relationships,working and now unemployed,drug taking and drinking with mates .I can't see a positive future for them with the cost of living and prices of houses . I feel there depression and anger and its hurting me and my wife every day.I have cancer in 5 different areas and have to deal with that also were not coping well.same negative thoughts every day.I don't know what to do.sometimes I just can't handle it any more its becomes too overwhelming. Salem

This is quite the awkward thing...

replies: 7

Hi there, Thanks for taking the time to read my thread. As the title says, this is quite an awkward thing - to open up like this. But here I am so here's a little about me. I'm married with two beautiful kids, who are doing wonderfully at life. We were all doing wonderfully. My partner and I both had professional, management jobs. in 2015 my job was beginning to get too much for me and I was having troubles with anxiety. I eventually resigned from my job and took some time out to complete a book I've been writing. Fast forward three years. My book had been published and I've had some fantastic reviews in publications and amazing feedback, brilliant initial sales, but things have died down. I've had to attempt to return to the medical professional work I was doing previously to make a living to help support my family, but the anxiety comes back worse than ever in the high-paced work I do. I can not handle it at all and I've struggled through three short term contracts, the last ending with me resigning prematurely. I tried then to take up a much easier job in a different field, but struggled just as badly here as well. I am now just weeks away from losing my registration in the medical field I work in due to not being able to maintain the accreditation standards, we have sold our house to make life more affordable and have chewed through the money from the sale. I have sold my car, cancelled my life, health and contents insurance to make life more affordable, and am at the point where I'm seriously considering either walking out on my family who are otherwise thriving (and all the time being very supportive of me) to alleviate them of my situation, or, ending this dark spiral down a path that I cannot see leading to anything good. I spoke to a phsychologist for a while and it simply did not work. Thanks for taking the time to read.

Menopause...thought I was prepared!! Not for this!

replies: 1

When I look back I think I'd been struggling for 3 years. Different HRT Doctors visits. 2 years ago Hysterectomy for heavy cycles. A lot of Migraines and just not feeling myself.Then 6 weeks ago it all happened Woke up with Anxiety Panick attacks. Fear!.Loss of appetite.stopped eating.couldn't go into work. Went to doctor and put me on higher patch of HRT and Anxiety tablets. But not to expect a quick fix , can take 6 weeks to work. So I'm starting to feel a little better.. not without hard work. A Therapist.Meditating.Sustagen.Mindfulness. Kiensology.Walking the streets in morning with the dog .feeling I was going crazy and would end up in hospital. Ringing beyond blue in desperation. I'm trying every day sometimes it's so hard...but I think I'm getting there. I have a great doctor.a very understanding husband .a some very close understanding supportive friends.whom I asked for help..not like me cause I'm normally the one who helps everyone else. So wasn't prepared for this journey!!

First post - I’m at a loss

replies: 2

I’m really struggling at the moment. I have literally no one to support and love me. I have three kids and work four days a week. I have no family as we are estranged. I don’t have contact with them as they have been abusive to me in the past so I cut them out and they have cut me out. I’m married but we are not really getting along anymore. We never have sex and he sleeps in a different room. We don’t argue all that often and he is nice to me but I feel like we have just grown apart. I feel trapped that I can’t leave though as I’ve never been on my own and don’t know how to be. I’m also scared about losing my house if we break up, we would have to sell and I go back to renting which terrifies me. We also have pets and most rentals don’t allow pets. I couldn’t stand to lose my pets. I am down and depressed most days due to abuse I suffered growing up. Starting counselling soon, hopefully that will help. My husband had also said that if we broke up he would take the kids which also terrifies me. This is just a small snapshot of my life. There is much more. I really need help!

Best books for anxiety and depression - First post

replies: 2

Hi everyone, i am new to this and this is my first time posting on the forum. i am 19 years old and currently struggle with depression and anxiety for basically as long as I can remember. i just have a question, I was wondering what are the best books to help with anxiety and/or depression? What have you found that helps the most and where can you get them? Thanks in advance

Help.... my boss is a narcissist

replies: 4

Hi all, I've never used any kind of support page before so i hope me posting on here is ok. I dont even know where to begin, firstly i would love some advice but otherwise any kind of support is just nice. I currently feel like im out of options and all i have left is just a case of suffering in silence and hoping the matter will eventually go away. My problem with narcissistic abuse is with my boss, im trying to look for another job but thats easier said than done, i used to love my job but now its a struggle to get out of bed everyday because i know I'll have to face him. Ive been reading up on the behaviour of a narcissist and can see how my situation fitted into his personality, as some would say i suppose he "groomed" me, making out to be a friend when he wasn't, in doing so i confided in him when i had personal problems, i later started to get suspicious, i started to feel he was manipulating my circumstances for his own personal need, it then got to a point where we had a new girl start in our team, i noticed the matter even more as he would try and play me off against her which i tried not to react to but it does slowly break away at the confidence i once had, im now working on a project with this girl and we both report directly to him, im sure you can imagine how it now feels, ive tried to open up to the girl and make her aware of what his like but i feel like she is manipulating the situation to further her career so at the moment i feel very much on my own in this situation. Apologies for such a long message, i know there isnt a lot that can be done in this situation but any comforting words are welcome.

Hi, I'm new here

replies: 8

I hope I'm doing this right, just saying hello. I've never participated in a depression forum before. I hold down a full-time job and my employer is aware I've been struggling with depression. They're very understanding. Most of my problems revolve a... View more

Moving

replies: 2

Me and my partner are moving from Kalgoorlie for a lifestyle change. We won’t have any family or know anyone. We’ve been dating for a year and we’re a pretty easy relationship! Just wondering if any people have made a big move before and not had any ... View more

Meet your community champions! replies: 10

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

Hello:) replies: 4

Bereavement replies: 2

Heartbroken replies: 4

This is quite the awkward thing... replies: 7

Menopause...thought I was prepared!! Not for this! replies: 1

First post - I’m at a loss replies: 2

Best books for anxiety and depression - First post replies: 2

Help.... my boss is a narcissist replies: 4

Hi, I'm new here replies: 8

Moving replies: 2