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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Greetings

replies: 1

Hi there, I've decided to be brave and join the beyond blue forums. I have been dealing with stress/anxiety and depression on and off for the past two years. I feel like I’m currently in trouble with myself. I have recently made a big change in my life and have gone back to something that I left previously this year. I hope it gets better with time but I am struggling to cope on a daily basis. I dont mean to sound like a wreck, but it helps me to put everything out there, rather than keep it bottled inside. I will hopefully be posting more about my experiences and worries through other forums. Thank you, whoever you are, for taking the time to read this.

Chronic fatigue

replies: 18

Had Cfs for 18 years there seems to de no help or no one that cares.it messes with your head you can't work to unwell .even friends and family think you are lazy.cant be around negative people.had heart attack reasently wife left dog died fairly lone... View more

Hi, looking for some advice.. new here

replies: 10

Ive just googled depression forums and this is the first one that showed. Lately ive been building up the motivation to try and find someone to talk to about issues in my life etc, and try to develop a positive outlook, things are starting to get a little unbearable. Went to the doctor for the first time today and apparently I can see someone in about 8 weeks if I do this 2 page questionnaire and a blood test... Makes me kinda keen to hand it in and bury my head for 8 weeks. I was kinda hoping the process would be a little more like, "Heres a list of highly skilled professionals in the area, call one and go see them" Does anyone here know of a type of professional that I can call and see in a reasonable time frame, like tomorrow or something? or any other method of help, that isn't over the phone... im tired of boiling over on things and getting crap advice. I tried to word it nicely, thanks.

Introduction and seeking advice

replies: 2

Hi guys, I am a new member and would be greatly appreciative of any help or guidance with dealing with negative thought patterns. I have been dealing with anxiety and depression for as long as I can remember. I tend to go through waves or cycles of both from time to time. I have problems with repetitive negative thoughts and scenarios that manifest themselves in my day to day thinking for example thoughts of family ones passing away or embarrassing scenarios occurring to me. I am searching for tools to counter act this negative psyche as it is becoming draining and is affecting my life considerably. Much thanks.

First Time Ever Forum User

replies: 22

Hi, have never used any online forum, looking to talk to people who know what people with depression are going thru or have gone thru

Hello everyone :)

replies: 2

Hi everyone , I have just joined blueVoices and wanted to introduce myself. My family has been battling with depression and anxiety for many years, and mental health has played a big part in my life ever since I can remember. I have both, friends and family, that deal with mental health issues and it will be great to get into touch with some of you about your own experiences. I was dealing with depression and anxiety for most part of my adolescence but never had the courage to talk to someone about it and get help. In my family, mental health was still something that wasn't really talked about. Fortunately I had big changes in my life (moving away to Australia by myself and starting new, finding a partner and friends that were very supportive) a few years ago that turned things around for me. I still have days on which I feel a little low, but I don't feel that depression is ruling my life anymore and I can confidently say that I am happy with my life. Acceptance of mental health issues in nowadays society has helped me realize that struggling is not something that needs to be hidden but that help is out there. Always wanting my children to have a better life and to grow up in a more accepting society, I chose an educational pathway in this field and graduated with a bachelor in psychology last year. Knowing what I know now, I realize that my mother possibly suffered from depression for a very long time, maybe even throughout most of my childhood. Talking to her about it now, she admitted that he had looked for help but had negative experiences with it and then just tried to deal with it herself, too. About two years back now, her life also changed drastically (in a positive way) and she too is now happier and on the mend. My sister has now been diagnosed with depression and anxiety about 8 months ago and I am very glad that she was able to seek help and has a great support network around her. My mother and I made sure that her experience was different than ours and that she knew that we were always there for her. I might be a world away (my whole family still lives in Europe) but we are all still very close and always only a call away to talk about what is happening in our lives. My sister has benefited greatly from both of our experiences and her treatment plan seems to work for her. I am really looking forward to getting into touch with some of you and hear your story. Talk to you all soon.

Empty nest

replies: 6

Hi. My only child just left home and I’m really missing him. We are very close. I won’t see him until Xmas

It is AOK to be feeling This Way

replies: 2

Hi, just joined this Forum. Each day for me I wake up feeling it's a hurdle. Energy levels Up & Down. I tend to dream about the past and dwell in previous hurts and not get beyond it. This darned "Cloud" sits over me and I just can't seem to shake it. I'm no spring chicken so have been battling with depression for years. And I am frightened I just can't get past it. All I want to do is wake up feeling happy. Is that so hard to ask??? I'm not going to give up because Today I reached out and asked for "Help" and that is why I am here. I think one of our biggest issues in life is if we start from a bad place and have the "Unfortunate Background" of coming from, dare I say, Not such a great/supportive background. It really makes things tough for us from the Outset. Just darned difficult. We just repeat the same mistakes and feel soooo darned guilty for it. And that eats us up trying to improve on our past. We are not our parents, I respect that, but I really hope reaching out Today, I'm in the right place to explore moving on from these past hurts.

Life

replies: 2

I feel like screaming and crying. I feel like kicking and just dying. I want to give up, I hate life.

Introducing myself

replies: 1

Hello I am new to the forums. I have depression. I had childhood depression in year one and my mum fixed it for me. She’s always been there for me. Injave fournchildren And did itnprwttybtough for a lot of years with the father of three of my children cheating lying and stealing for ten years we were together. I met a new man after we split and I am now married to him. My eldest daughter has a daughter And today I ‘broke up’ with my daughter and I’m so afraid I won’t see my grand daughter again. I have a support around me which is good but I just cannot get horrible thoughts from my head . i am hoping I can be helped as well as maybe help others here. thank you for offering a safe place to get extra support - sometimes a stranger is more helpful than a friend

Meet your community champions! replies: 10

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

Greetings replies: 1

Chronic fatigue replies: 18

Hi, looking for some advice.. new here replies: 10

Introduction and seeking advice replies: 2

First Time Ever Forum User replies: 22

Hello everyone :) replies: 2

Empty nest replies: 6

It is AOK to be feeling This Way replies: 2

Life replies: 2

Introducing myself replies: 1