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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New to all this

replies: 4

Hello everyone. I’ve been scrolling through the newbie posts trying to work out what to write here but then realised its best just to jump in and see what happens. So here I am. Im 43, never married, live alone and no kids but im happy with that and have 2 kitties that make me happier than any kids would. I’ve always been a very optimistic person until this last month when I got sick with a severe sinus infection and then everything went downhill. I had to take time of work and found myself alone at home and worrying about my health and this seems to have brought on anxiety and a couple panic attacks. Ive been seeing a doctor for the sinus and he suggested anxiety but because I think I can handle everything myself I told him I thought I was ok when I saw him last week. Since then I’ve had another panic attack and constantly feel on edge so last night when talking to my parents Dad told me to go back and ask for the help I need. Dad has anxiety and depression so he knows what he’s talking about. So off to the doctor I go tomorrow. I’m scared and feeling weepy about going but also a little hopeful but mostly scared because I don’t know what this might be the start of. I fear losing the life I’ve built, my job, my house, partner etc etc. I found this forum and decided it was worth joining. I don’t know how active I want to be here but I think having a group of people going through the same things as me will make me feel safer.

Newby in need

replies: 4

I'm 41 mother of 3 kids.22,20 and 18.my alcoholic ex of 2 years has just 2 days ago been diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer.it is awful.my 2 eldest daughters after a very hostile relationship has let him stay with them for a week.He is drinking all day and night and sending me nasty messages.I'm worried for my daughters but at the same time am trying to be compassionate as he doesn't have much time.its very tense ATM . All of our anxiety is through the roof as our safety comes first.it's horrible right now as he also has alcoholic dementia and is very hard to deal with.I'm just trying to support my children at this time.Any advice???

A new kid on the street

replies: 4

New members are encouraged to introduce themselves, so here goes ... Male, married (for 43 years, and to the same person), 64 years old, no kids. Made a serious attempt at suicide at age 19, failed. Had a bout of clinical depression at age 59, successfully treated with counseling. It gave me a technique to deal with approaching depression: controlled anger, born of a sense of injustice. That anger frequently motivates me to address the underlying issue between me and my partner, which addressing always yields benefits for both parties. I recently supported a woman whom I have never met through her divorce. She and I know each other solely through Twitter. We now treat each other as brother and sister. She tells me that of all the people that she has ever known, I am the one that has had most impact on her life. (Good news: she is re-marrying next year.) I discovered six months ago that I am of value to other people. I have started looking into what it takes to be a counselor. My contributions to a relevant Facebook group seem to be being well received. I expect to be busy learning about counseling for at least the next two years. I hope to pick your brains! (And thanks in advance.)

Am in need of help / advice

replies: 3

my daughter is anerixic, she is eating less and less everyday , if i say anything she refuses to eat she doesnt go to a doctor / any sort of health profession nothing, she is loosing weight , again she wont listen to anything i say i dont have friends or anyone i can talk to for advice and now she wants me to do something im not comfortable with at all really need help an apple and one chip for lunch no breakfast, weetbix for tea at sometimes 10pm it takes her up to 2 hours to eat, she also talks on phone while driving I NEED HELP -- GRRR

Anywhere but here

replies: 3

I'm new to the forum as I briefly mentioned earlier. I am a mother a nurse and all of the other things in between I suffer from depression and I struggle everyday my marriage of 18 years is very affected and I feel lost. We have four children (teenagers) All boys 18, 17, 15 and 14 and my parents live with us also. I never thought I could be surrounded by so many people and still feel so alone. But the truth is all I want to do is be by myself my husband does things that make the situation worse and when I try to communicate what it is he needs to stop doing he becomes defensive. I can't cope with him as well as everything else but I have nowhere to go. I have inquired at retreats but they want extraordinary fees. I have my three dogs who are my only friends and most places are no pets I just need to have a break does anyone know of anywhere. I still have to work so having a place to leave my dogs is hard to find but I just need some timeout.

Hello

replies: 2

Hello I just wanted to join to remind me there are other people out there who are struggling every day like me

First Timer here..

replies: 3

Hello, I am new to this site, I'm here because I am first time mother and I was hoping to get any advice/information in regards to my situation. My partner has severe depression and we have only been together for a year, I unexpectedly fell pregnant after only a couple of months together, despite the many ups and downs that have come from that situation we have stuck it out together, however after bub was born I have noticed my partner is slowly regressing into himself. I have tried to get him to get help, but he thinks nothing works as he has been going through it since he was kid and we are both now 23... Ive had a pretty horrific pregnancy and ended up needing to give birth early, after discussing my issues with my GP she is under the impression that I am going through post natal depression, which I am still unsure about. I am constantly freaking out because my child deserves to have two mentally healthy parents, but right now that is not happening. I try to be supportive to my partner, but I feel so down that it is hard for me to be there for him plus all the sleepless nights doesn't help, any advice would be much appreciated as I am at a loss as to how to go about getting him help.. Thanks,

Why deal with it?

replies: 5

I'm a newbie to Beyond Blue. Well I've looked before but never had the courage to share. At the moment I am hurting and it's because my life reads like a soap opera. Ive suffered from depression since I was 9, so that's 50 years. I've sought help in the past but it usually ended up with me being told or left feeling that I was selfish for feeling the way that I do. I've also had it held and used against me which leaves me afraid to open up to anyone again. Ive had a few "life events", less than ideal childhood, a 16 year emotionally sbusive marriage ect. But one, 24 years ago, has come back to me in a way I never expected. 24 years ago my partner sexually assaulted my 12 year old daughter. 6 months later I gave birth to our son who had major disabilities. At the time when I tried to talk to "experts", they set the agenda, told me I was selfish for having my own feelings instead of just being concerned for my daughter. Ultimately it was used against me. So I gave up. I got on with life, and felt that I had become a strong independent person. I even dealt with cancer on my own Now the unbelievable has happened and I have the chance of a relationship again. Whilst my head has gotten on with life my body has physically decided that it hasn't I've seen my GP and he said it's PTSD related and he's out of his depth. So he's sending me to a specialist for the physical side. But I can't get in for 6 weeks, even privately. I know it's selfish, it's not life and death, but I want to deal with it NOW not live with it for 6 weeks feeling as I do I cried yesterday, the first time since it all happened I'm an intelligent human being, I've already done the reading. I can start treating the physical but the root cause is usually traumatic issues that have not been dealt with. So I probably need to find a counselllor/ psych/ psychiatrist as well because deep down I know that's true. But I'm also glad that he hasn't sent me to one because how can you find someone who cares? Who has the time to listen to the whole complicated story AND trust them to not use it against you. How can you fit all that pain into a dozen mental health plan sessions? When you are rural as well it's not easy and everyone knows / is related to everyone. I don't suppose there is a way to find a counsellor who can Skype or something?? I don't suppose that there is anyone that even cares.... I want the chance to be whole again but it really would be easier to bury it like I have done for solong.

New member. Chronic fatigue.

replies: 3

Hi all. As per title. Have been stuck in the hills by myself for years. Will probably look for the fatigue threads mostly I guess.

Long hard struggle

replies: 12

Hi folks- I've been battling depression off and on since my twenties, maybe earlier. Going through a really rough one at the moment...I'm almost 57, and feeling really insecure about my future financially- lots of things really...just thought I'd dip... View more

Meet your community champions! replies: 10

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

New to all this replies: 4

Newby in need replies: 4

A new kid on the street replies: 4

Am in need of help / advice replies: 3

Anywhere but here replies: 3

Hello replies: 2

First Timer here.. replies: 3

Why deal with it? replies: 5

New member. Chronic fatigue. replies: 3

Long hard struggle replies: 12