Welcome and Orientation

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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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First post, feeling worn down.

replies: 11

I am feeling unsure of myself with indecision and little self confidence being my daily companions. I have suffered betrayal, loss and major changes and they have taken their toll. The last few years have been a mammoth struggle just to survive. At times I coped and reacted poorly, which added extra time to my sentence of recovery and rebuilding my life - myself - is a work in progress. I am exhausted and weary and now I need recovery companions. People who know exactly what it is to be here where I am and perhaps I will be able to use a little of my own experience to help someone else.

Hi. Bipolar for a long time

replies: 5

Diagnosed about 10 years ago, but the signs were there for a lot longer. Seems like there are some interesting things here so I joined.

Never posted on mental health forums before, so here I am - trying something new.

replies: 3

Many years of depression/anxiety under my belt & though I've had medical treatment, I've never reached out to others experiencing the same things. It's a tiny bit absolutely terrifying, but maybe it's time to try new things. My name is Natasha, hello to all & I'm going to take a look around at what others are posting to get a feel of what this community is like. I'm hoping to work up the confidence to get involved & learn from other people's experiences. Thanks for reading

Insomnia with a side of Anxiety

replies: 2

Hi there, i am new to this forum. This is something that I really should of done years ago so then I wouldn't be back to this world of Anxiety.... just in the last week my once managed Anxiety has taken on a new terrifying form...i guess I always new that it could but this has rattled me to the core and worst of all my children are witnessing all of it. I guess I know that the sleep deprivation is definitely fuelling the anxiety fire... i was just wondering if anyone else has tips to prepare for sleep...i haven't slept a wink in 2 nights.....i have seen my GP and a Psychiatrist and a Psychologist this week.....I am just struggling

So exhausted.

replies: 2

I have struggled with depression/anxiety throughout my life. After having my son i experienced severe pnd and stayed in a mother baby unit for a month. My husband works 7 days a week. I have a daughter, after her birth I was anxious but not as bad as first time. My husband works constantly, i work full time and pretty much look after kids on my own and run the house. The past 4 years have been awful in my marriage. I have left once but came back as i was on maternity leave and no money. My husband is not a bad person, he just doesnt love or care for me in a way that I need. He does not support me as a husband or my kids as a father. This year my sister passed away, ive lost two cousins just recently. Ive also found out that my heart is not working as it should be. Im 40 and i am just so sad all the time. It takes every ounce of energy i have to go to work, look after my kids and keep up with everything, the last 6 months i am getting worse and worse. I feel as though everything is hard. This weekend i have basically lay around all weekend and my kids are stuck here with me. To top this all off i am constantly eating and putting in weight. I broke down to my mum a few weeks ago and no help from her. My husband just wont stop working and i dont know what to do anymore. My house is so messy and untidy because ive given up and i dont know what to do. I cant make anyone understand the extent of this and how debilitating it is. I once used to be fit and motivated, i used to be optimistic but ive lost everything, my soul feels gone, lost. And noone helps me so i can get better. This poem i wrote a month ago. Sadness lives inside me. Wrapped around my heart, my lungs, my muscles. It slows me. I cant move. There is no forward, only standing still. Watching things arrive and then watching them go. Trying. Reaching. Struggling against it. Too strong for me now. Im empty. The void widens. My light is dimming. I want to run. Anywhere anywhere. But i cant move. Emptiness beckons me. This is where you end. This is the last stop, the last thought, the last. Empty. I dont know what to do anymore. Why cant I get myself better anymore. I have no motivation anymore. Thanks for reading.

HI

replies: 2

My name is Catherine I have just been diagnosed With postnatal depression and I just dont know anything about it or how to cope etc Just wondering if Anyone can help Me?

Hi everybody !

replies: 23

A good start would be introducing myself, although briefly. I have no trouble opening up. I am well aware that I have been damaged by a chaotic past (physical, sexual abuse, addiction, the feeling of always being out of place anywhere, anytime etc...). Although a lot of work has been done on my issues, it is an ongoing process. From childhood, I have found I could communicate with animals better than I would with people. This has been my saving grace....I wouldn't have pulled through without my dysfunctional family's dogs and horses. Asperger's syndrome was unheard off in those days but hindsight and research seem to indicate I grew up with it. For as long as I can remember, I have been trying to repay this debt of gratitude. Both professionally and privately, I have been involved in trouble-shooting for horses and dog rescue. I specialize in rehab, taking on only those who have nowhere else to go as deemed unrehomable to work on them on a 1 on1 basis. Without this motivation and responsibility, there are many days when I wouldn't bother getting out of bed. Although other areas of my life are to say the least dysfunctional, this focus on issues beyond my own has had a positive impact both on my charges and myself. There's no way one can be a successful trainer (hate the term "behaviorist") without a lot of training work on oneself. I live by choice in the outback. Although I wouldn't have it any other way, it does nothing to alleviate a sense of social isolation. I hope joining this online community can help. Perhaps I can also offer support to other sufferers.... See what happens !

New member -- advice and help please

replies: 4

Hi All, This is my first time here and I just wanted to seek some help and advice I currently am experiencing some mental health issues and depression. I can't work and my family is about to fall apart. I've also had prior long term drug and alcohol abuse in and out of rehab which doesn't help. Everything is quite stressful at the moment and money is becoming a problem for me and my family. Prior to all this happening I was working and have full personal insurance cover (life, income, TPD & trauma) which has been with me for 5-6 years now. Is there any way I can speak with the insurance company to seek some assistance ? Can someone please give me some advice ? Thanks

New to this

replies: 1

I don't even know where to start. I recently only went to the doctor to get help for how I'd be feeling. I've been suffering from depression on and off for 20 years. I'm in my early 30's. I've had a rough couple of years, both parents had illness father passed away early 2016 and mother passed in June this year. It took it's toll on me. Working full time, caring for them, driving long distances and trying to balance everything. I kept breaking down, cried all the time so I decided I needed help from more than my husband (who if I didn't have I wouldn't survived it all) and my close friends. I didn't want to feel so horrible all the time. Doctor put me on medication 2 months ago. It helps, but some days are worse than others. Doctor thinks talking to others will help with my recovery so I signed up to beyond blue. So I am hoping someone here will listen, give me some ideas on how to beat this and help me find my balance in life.

Raising funds for Beyond Blue 😊

replies: 11

Hello administration... I have been reading thru the BB website and wish to raise some funds for BB. I have worked and grown up at a local Family run swim centre for 37years... I am thinking to ask my boss if we could host a swim a thon with our kids electing a distance to swim and gain sponsorship accordingly... We recently raised funds for Brayden Davidson who went on to win Gold in the high jump at the Disabled Olympics in Rio. I think it would also help raise awareness of BB amongst the youth in our community... I know a local printer who would assist in a Poster and graphic designer who works for said printer... I am thinking say February-March next year being 2018... Could you please let me know if this idea of mine is a viable one? It is something that I can do to give back to our BB community. Thank you

Meet your community champions! replies: 10

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

First post, feeling worn down. replies: 11

Hi. Bipolar for a long time replies: 5

Never posted on mental health forums before, so here I am - trying something new. replies: 3

Insomnia with a side of Anxiety replies: 2

So exhausted. replies: 2

HI replies: 2

Hi everybody ! replies: 23

New member -- advice and help please replies: 4

New to this replies: 1

Raising funds for Beyond Blue 😊 replies: 11