Welcome and Orientation

Pinned discussions

Cyclone Alfred - Mental Health Support

replies: 0

Hey everyone, We acknowledge that many of our Forums members here are currently facing the impacts of Cyclone Alfred and might be feeling uncertain, afraid and overwhelmed. We wanted to create a separate post here to come together during what may be a distressing time for many of us to support one another. Recognising that the impacts of a natural disaster can occur both before, during and after, we have prepared some resources which we hope can be helpful: From the Queensland Government, Useful information to help you get ready for a cyclone:Home | Get Ready Queensland Emotional Preparedness: Prepare your mind | Australian Red Cross Three-steps-to-emotionally-prepare-for-the-disaster-season.pdf What now? Coping after the event: Coping after a crisis | Australian Red Cross Maintaining wellbeing in the face of long-term stress | Australian Red Cross Emergency preparedness guide | Australian Red Cross As always, if you wish to speak to a counsellor, the Beyond Blue Support Service is available via phone 24/7 on 1300 22 4636 or via beyondblue.org.au/get-support for online chat. Stay safe, everyone, and take good care of yourself during what can be a deeply challenging time. Kind regards 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 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 discussion

Lost

replies: 3

Well I think I have depression I've never really spoken to anyone about it. I think it started when I was in labour with my 5 year old which then turned into untreated ptsd. Today's a bad day. I don't really know why. My hubby is so busy at work and lately it just feels like no matter what I do it's just not right. He is stressed and busy and worried he isn't going to have everything done for all of the customers by Christmas. I took our little ones to see him this afternoon after our 5 year old finished school and he hardly even spoke to us. He owns his own business so it's not like he has a boss to answer to. Our 1 year old isn't sleeping. I get up to her whenever she cries I think everything is just taking its toll I get so short and cranky with my 2 beautiful kids and I hate it. They deserve a happy and fun Mum and I'm not any of that. I don't know what to do.

Terrified of returning to work

replies: 2

Hi there, I have Bipolar II and am currently recovering from a severe depressive episode that was triggered by work stress and an unreasonable workload. I have been on sick leave since the end of August and spent almost 2 months in hospital. Theoretically, I should be returning to work at the end of January, but at the moment this thought really terrifies me and causes a lot of anxiety. I have worked as a teacher in an elite independent school for eleven years, but feel really traumatized by my recent experience with total overload, pressure from so many angles and a workload that could only be met if I didn’t sleep much for periods of up to a week. I find I am mostly able to manage my medical conditions (bipolar and type 1 diabetes) under reasonable working conditions and can usually function with some level of work stress. However, this recent experience has totally floored me. It's unlikely the workplace expectations will change. My care team is quite adamant I only return three days, but then how do I respond to peoples' questions and how will I cope with the social anxiety I now seem to have????

help

replies: 4

hi, my name is lucy and im in 9th grade. so far i have been to two therapists and my gp for my depression and nothing seems to help. i get up dreading the fact i have to go to school and will cry myself to sleep at night thinking about it. not only do i get depressed but i get angry and i will start becoming physically violent with myself and sometimes when i get in that state i will get a feeling of sickness in my stomach. my family knows about my depression but doesnt seem to think its effecting me the way it is. i cant think clearly and i just constantly hate on myself. i feel as though everything good that happens to me is taken away from me because everytime i get an oppurtunity it is just taken away from me and that makes me really angry and depressed. i hate the way i am and i just dont understand whats going on with myself and i feel as though im just dragging my whole family down with me.

Been lurking for answers; first time poster.

replies: 12

Hi everybody, I joined this website a few months back to find some common ground. It helped to read similar situations, but I found it difficult to introduce myself into an already well-established community... So I lurked. Now, sitting here with a solid hour or so of uncontrollable tears flowing down my face have I decided to finally taking that first step. To summarise where I am right now in my life; I'm a 28 year old female who has not been working for over 6 months. I quit my job to help my father who has been diagnosed with Dementia (I am his only child and my mother and her side of the family has been forcefully estranged due to his paranoia/delusions). He is currently 71 years old and I have fortunately been able to find a nursing home for him to stay during a respite period, with certain permanency when the time comes. He had been living alone in a 2 storey home, with a huge front and back garden (pool included) that had not been maintained for at least a year... Since he kicked my mother out of the house. He's also always had hoarding tendencies/"finds order in disorder". Being alone, he forgot/couldn't be bothered to cook, clean the house, garden, wash himself/his clothes. He knows how to drink, though... And that he does. He also has Diabetes and has had open heart surgery. It has been a slow process and has felt like there would be no resolve in sight for a long time. I did not realise that the tests and Geriatric specialist appointments would need to be spread out so far apart... All the while, I see my father deteriorating before my eyes. I was very fortunate to be able to get him into the closest nursing home to his house and within a week of meeting the coordinator. I felt like things were looking up... But... Over the weekend, somebody who I considered my oldest friend basically said that she is tired of being my "counsellor" and that I can't use what's been going on in my life as an excuse to reserve myself until I need somebody to talk to. I thought that's what friends were for? My partner is not Australian born and is my only support through all of this... But lately, he has pulled away from me as well. It could be something that is lost in translation... or, he has previously stated that he feels like being my partner is more of a job than anything. All I feel these days is that I'm drowning in a pool and the people who I thought would lend out their hand to help me out are pushing my head under. Any responses are welcome. Thank you.

Introducing myself

replies: 10

Hi there... My name is Matt... I’ve posted a few threads on here, but I haven’t taken the time to introduce myself!!! Im a 42 year old tradesman, Married to a beautiful woman and we have 2 beautiful little girls together... I’ve suffered from (what I didn’t know at the time) anxiety, probably from as far back as I can remember... Had my first anxiety attack when I was 19, which lead to depression (which again, I didn’t understand at the time) On turning 28, I thought enough is enough and went and visited a go, who told me I had agoraphobia... Seeked treatment through medication, which worked wonders up until now!!! Things have taken a bit of a turn... I feel like I’m back to those old days!! Anyway, enough rambling, that’s my story!!! I guess I’m just here to meet people who are going through similar things as me... And looking to share stories with!!! I look forward to talking with you all... Its one thing I’ve learnt in the past months, is to talk about it!!! Take care, I hope everyone is battling on and doing well!!! Matt

Lonely new person

replies: 7

Hey everyone, I feel super sad that I have turned to an online chat forum because i cannot speak to anyone about how i feel. My family is super supportive when i get depressed but i feel like such a heavy burden, I cry alot and shut myself away and if anyone from my family even comes close to asking "are u okay" i have a melt down because i am not okay. I moved to a new suburb this year and I know no one down here. The only person who comes to see me is my partner and we don't get along much anymore. I have a new part time job in the suburb i now live in away from my 'friends' and although i really enjoy the team i work with i still go home and feel so alone. I live far away from the other suburb and no one has attempted to make the effort to come down and see me, only my partner. I am constantly traveling so far away from home to see them when no one makes the effort to come and see me and no one really understands how far away i am. Long story short i have stopped all attempts to make an effort with any of my old mates and no one has called or messaged me in such a long time and if they do they expect me to trek it down to them. I get promises from friends saying they will come down next week and catch up but then they never follow through. I refuse to make the effort when no one will do it for me. I am so sick of spending Saturday nights at home either working or doing nothing. All in all i am just super lonely ad depressed and i need a friend because i'm drowning in my own self pity.

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

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 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......

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 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!

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

Cyclone Alfred - Mental Health Support replies: 0

Meet your community champions! replies: 10

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

Lost replies: 3

Terrified of returning to work replies: 2

help replies: 4

Been lurking for answers; first time poster. replies: 12

Introducing myself replies: 10

Lonely new person replies: 7

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

1:34 am replies: 13

Hi! I'm new here replies: 13

Hi I am an old newy replies: 6