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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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Blackdogshelter Finally taking care of my mental health
  • replies: 4

Hey! im new here. Had depression for 5 years, but only decided last week to seek professional help. during the 5 years I thought I was getting better, but i actually wasn't. So here I am, and I'm glad to have found a place where I can get advice and ... View more

Hey! im new here. Had depression for 5 years, but only decided last week to seek professional help. during the 5 years I thought I was getting better, but i actually wasn't. So here I am, and I'm glad to have found a place where I can get advice and be able to talk about my depression.

KLOVE Newcomer Here
  • replies: 2

Hi, I'm a newbie. I have been living with depression, PTSD & panic/anxiety disorder since I was a teenager. I have many physical health disorders including MS. I'm joining up so I can vent & find like minded people who I can gain some comfort & under... View more

Hi, I'm a newbie. I have been living with depression, PTSD & panic/anxiety disorder since I was a teenager. I have many physical health disorders including MS. I'm joining up so I can vent & find like minded people who I can gain some comfort & understanding from.

ForMeToKnow Welcome
  • replies: 1

Hi I'm middle aged male who has ever since I've come across it made time to financially support BB as various fundraising activities were happening and me. While disappointed to be in a position where I think an unload on these forums will help me I'... View more

Hi I'm middle aged male who has ever since I've come across it made time to financially support BB as various fundraising activities were happening and me. While disappointed to be in a position where I think an unload on these forums will help me I'm really very pleased to join BB and receive some advice or at least kind ears. Great work by the BB team to provide this sort of resource I think males are easily emotionally isolated and this sort of Forum can be an outlet. FMTK

WetGrass New - Ongoing fear and being 'stuck'
  • replies: 5

Hi all, I'm new to these forums. I have been seeing a therapist for almost two years now and making progress - but very, very slowly. I have been diagnosed with Complex PTSD, Anxiety, Avoidant Personality Disorder and Dissociative Identity Disorder. ... View more

Hi all, I'm new to these forums. I have been seeing a therapist for almost two years now and making progress - but very, very slowly. I have been diagnosed with Complex PTSD, Anxiety, Avoidant Personality Disorder and Dissociative Identity Disorder. I am employed in a demanding and challenging career and seem from the outside to be 'normal'. I have a home, live a stable and 'average' life - but I have no relationships at all. I have acquaintances that I occasionally spend time with but no close relationships with family or friends. I keep myself hidden and no one knows me at all. I am terrified of people 'finding out' about my past and my mental health issues and extremely concerned that I will never be 'normal'. I have discussed this with my therapist but I'm hoping there are others out there that feel similarly and have made greater progress than me. I am trying to maintain a positive outlook but it's challenging when I feel stuck with no obvious way out of the situation I am in. I look forward to interacting with people here and hopefully getting some new points of view from people in similar situations. Thanks.

TheFriendlyGoat The Friendly Goat has arrived...
  • replies: 1

Hi Everyone, I think I have typed this first line about 20 times and deleted it out of fear of judgement and then realised that this is exactly the sort of place where people will understand. I have been looking around the site for a couple of days b... View more

Hi Everyone, I think I have typed this first line about 20 times and deleted it out of fear of judgement and then realised that this is exactly the sort of place where people will understand. I have been looking around the site for a couple of days before I responded to a post by Dools in the stay well section. Listing three positive things a day...so simple yet so brilliant. It made me really think about the events of the day, who I have interacted with and how those interactions went. I jumped in to share with the brilliant people on this forum and I was not disappointed with the response. I giggled for a while, thanks Dory! Now I know that this is a friendly, warm place. My struggles with depression and anxiety have ranged from manageable to out of control over the years. I have been getting more and more anxious lately until I couldn't deny it anymore. My family have gone through rough times and my husband is an amazing, understanding support person but I feel as though I rely on him too much. It is time for help. It is time to find more resources and coping mechanisms for myself. I want to regain control. I have started to keep a journal where I break things down to smaller chunks, I have joined the forum and make sure to walk or exercise every day - sometimes that one is difficult to get started but I usually get there. I look forward to seeing you all across the forum. -TFG

PetaG Hello :)
  • replies: 1

Hi everyone, my name is Peta and Im new to this site.

Hi everyone, my name is Peta and Im new to this site.

Me1234 So sad it physically hurts
  • replies: 1

Ive been struggling for quite sometime, i scared myself a little booked an appointment for a doctor ... three weeks later because i slept every chance i could. 5 days ago my family and i were lucky enough to find a duck hatchling in the pool. For fou... View more

Ive been struggling for quite sometime, i scared myself a little booked an appointment for a doctor ... three weeks later because i slept every chance i could. 5 days ago my family and i were lucky enough to find a duck hatchling in the pool. For four days my life was close to perfect. This tomy little thing bought my soms together, softened my husbands heart and i felt like i had a purpose a reason not to sleep the school hours away. We were all happy - i felt a zest for life. on the 5th morning that vibrant healthy blessing was dying. My sons (12 & were heartbroken, i was heartbroken and feel its my fault, maybe he ate something while having a run around? Maybe i missed my husband fog the room with flyspray and not cover his box? I caused my boys to suffer such pain they had to sob themselves to sleep.

Frecklz My first post
  • replies: 2

Hi everyone I have a history of mental health isssue and have been managing them fairly well over th past 20 years or so.... i do feel very lost right now...I have started to not cope again...so sick of these cycles , sleeping too much and granted ha... View more

Hi everyone I have a history of mental health isssue and have been managing them fairly well over th past 20 years or so.... i do feel very lost right now...I have started to not cope again...so sick of these cycles , sleeping too much and granted have a lot of stressors going on in my life at the moment..more than ever business expansions, buy in and selling house, harassment from my ex..I am feeling completely overwhelmed and bottom line is I feeL completely alone and am crying each night In bed with my Dog i just feel so lost, sad and overwhelmed and am not sure where to turn I have all the knowledge in the world about how to deal with my depression, loneliness and anxiety and am usually extremely high functioning ....I just feel i could just lose it at any point and can’t seem to see all the good in my life right now....so hence I am reaching out to those who understand ....yep despite a seemingly amazing life I can’t feel it...I’m just sad, lonely and at a loss I am looking forward to getting some support and guidance ...I’m so sick of having to fight my head ...just over it