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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

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Skoi Hello! New here. I'm looking to help others where I can, and try to work out what to do in my situation.
  • replies: 3

So this is me: 39 years old, married (unhappily), Mum to disabled daughter, trying to work out how to change my life for the better! I'm going to post in the Families section, and would really appreciate if you could check it out if you feel you can ... View more

So this is me: 39 years old, married (unhappily), Mum to disabled daughter, trying to work out how to change my life for the better! I'm going to post in the Families section, and would really appreciate if you could check it out if you feel you can help with ideas, suggestions or support. I look forward to hearing others stories. Thanks

mildly 1:34 am
  • replies: 13

I have been reading the forums for some time and im not sure how it all works. As stated in the title its 1:35 am and im here....alone. I had to put my best ( and only ) friend to sleep (my dog) two days ago. I am now totally alone, when i say i have... View more

I have been reading the forums for some time and im not sure how it all works. As stated in the title its 1:35 am and im here....alone. I had to put my best ( and only ) friend to sleep (my dog) two days ago. I am now totally alone, when i say i have no friends its a simple fact not a cry for help. I am in my mid 50's and very anti social. Anyway i thought coming here mbut ight get some stuff off my chest, and im fighting the urge to delete all this. any way......

Zelda1000 Hi! I'm new here
  • replies: 13

Hi! I've just signed up to beyond blue after being diagnosed with depression a few months ago. Its taken me awhile to get the courage to sign up here cos I've found it really hard to accept that I have depression. I've only been able to tell my partn... View more

Hi! I've just signed up to beyond blue after being diagnosed with depression a few months ago. Its taken me awhile to get the courage to sign up here cos I've found it really hard to accept that I have depression. I've only been able to tell my partner who still thinks nothing is wrong with me and my sister who has been the only one I have been able to talk to about it. But I feel she has her own issues and life to deal with that I don't feel like I can burden her with my problems hence why I'm here! Hoping to find out a way to deal with this through the support of others here on beyond blue. Thanks!

Margaret2 Hi I am an old newy
  • replies: 6

Hi I am an old newy ,should have joined years ago but I am rather private but at my age who knows I may learn a thing or two here's hoping I have had depression with severe anxiety and things are just too hard anyone got an opinion is welcome. Margar... View more

Hi I am an old newy ,should have joined years ago but I am rather private but at my age who knows I may learn a thing or two here's hoping I have had depression with severe anxiety and things are just too hard anyone got an opinion is welcome. Margaret

likewiseaxe Story of a sibling
  • replies: 6

My younger brother would have been 21 tomorrow but sadly he is no longer with us. The black dog got him you could say. He was only 16 years old. I understand that what my brother was going through was pain beyond pain, suffering beyond suffering and ... View more

My younger brother would have been 21 tomorrow but sadly he is no longer with us. The black dog got him you could say. He was only 16 years old. I understand that what my brother was going through was pain beyond pain, suffering beyond suffering and agony beyond agony. It must have been a daily struggle to see through the thick fog that was in his vision whenever he opened his eyes. It has not been an easy journey since then - in fact quite rocky - but I hope that I am on track to clear the woods some time soon. Life is a tough journey and I feel lucky to have made it this far relatively unscathed. I am 27 now. I thought I would write this post (first-timer) to remind anyone who takes the time to read this that they are loved. You might not know it, but there is one (probably more) person (or people) who love you. I loved (and still do love) my brother and not a day passes that I do not wish that he was around. Did I let him know it? Maybe. I wish I could have taken some of his burden, eased his load, and shown him how much I really cared. Everybody is worth saving and I my brother was no different. So that's how I feel - I hope that my message resonates with some of you. Nick - I miss you!!

may86 Immediate anxiety help please!
  • replies: 1

HI all Having some majob anxiety issues right now and looking for some immediate strategies to get me through the next few hours and hopefully get some sleep. Continued negative thoughts about something I can't change but feeling a lot of guilt about... View more

HI all Having some majob anxiety issues right now and looking for some immediate strategies to get me through the next few hours and hopefully get some sleep. Continued negative thoughts about something I can't change but feeling a lot of guilt about, feeling it's' my fault. I can' stop analysing the what-if of it all and solve something that I can't. Feeling quite panicking and worse right now as at home with nobody to distract me. I've battled this for years and on the plus side have finally given in to getting some quality treatment. Trialling some medication as of yesterday which i had thiught for a long time i probably needed but was very adverse to it - thinking i could 'fix' myself. Unfortunately appointment with psychologist not until late Jan! Hoping to get this under control over the next few days. X

Wonder__woman Work suggestions please
  • replies: 3

Hi all. I have met a few lovely people already on this site..and for that I'm so grateful. I was just wondering if there is anyone in the know about what sort of work I could look for that requires minimal social exposure..such as a job just replying... View more

Hi all. I have met a few lovely people already on this site..and for that I'm so grateful. I was just wondering if there is anyone in the know about what sort of work I could look for that requires minimal social exposure..such as a job just replying to emails ..or the like ?. Im not proficient at typing but I can learn . What other jobs can I look into .. perhaps working from home ? Im qualified in child care but due to my illness and meds thats out of the question... i have experience in cleaning but that's about it . Im getting desperate and consequently extremely anxious ... Any suggestions would be so appreciated.

Dorey Why do I feel down
  • replies: 1

Was diagnosed with Anxiety and Depression 2months ago and was put on medication, couldn’t believe the change after 6 to 7 weeks but lately I feel am slipping back to the old me. Why

Was diagnosed with Anxiety and Depression 2months ago and was put on medication, couldn’t believe the change after 6 to 7 weeks but lately I feel am slipping back to the old me. Why

Ballza Depression and medication
  • replies: 3

Hi all... Was just looking for some people’s stories on depression and what it feels like to them, how they cope with it and also changing medication??? Ive been using a certain type for 13 years but it seems to have stopped working, changed to a new... View more

Hi all... Was just looking for some people’s stories on depression and what it feels like to them, how they cope with it and also changing medication??? Ive been using a certain type for 13 years but it seems to have stopped working, changed to a new one last night, not real sure how I feel about it though!!!! Starting to think I don’t even need it, and weather I can carry on living a normal life without it!!! Ive used a very low dose on the last brand. Now started off on a very low dose of the new one!!! Hope this makes sense, and I hope everyone is well..

Brightlight Too long
  • replies: 5

Hi Everyone, i have suffered with Anxiety for over 25 years now. I never knew what it was but now I do I’m on medication ever day for the last 5 years it helps me get through life but something has changed lately. I have also donated money and raised... View more

Hi Everyone, i have suffered with Anxiety for over 25 years now. I never knew what it was but now I do I’m on medication ever day for the last 5 years it helps me get through life but something has changed lately. I have also donated money and raised money for beyondblue but never joined as I’m a private person. Now my my life is changing I need some help and to understand what’s happening to me more as I’m really struggling. Anyway nice ice to meet u hope I can find some people to talk too and also share some of my experiences for others.