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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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Wonder__woman Work suggestions please
  • replies: 3

Hi all. I have met a few lovely people already on this site..and for that I'm so grateful. I was just wondering if there is anyone in the know about what sort of work I could look for that requires minimal social exposure..such as a job just replying... View more

Hi all. I have met a few lovely people already on this site..and for that I'm so grateful. I was just wondering if there is anyone in the know about what sort of work I could look for that requires minimal social exposure..such as a job just replying to emails ..or the like ?. Im not proficient at typing but I can learn . What other jobs can I look into .. perhaps working from home ? Im qualified in child care but due to my illness and meds thats out of the question... i have experience in cleaning but that's about it . Im getting desperate and consequently extremely anxious ... Any suggestions would be so appreciated.

Dorey Why do I feel down
  • replies: 1

Was diagnosed with Anxiety and Depression 2months ago and was put on medication, couldn’t believe the change after 6 to 7 weeks but lately I feel am slipping back to the old me. Why

Was diagnosed with Anxiety and Depression 2months ago and was put on medication, couldn’t believe the change after 6 to 7 weeks but lately I feel am slipping back to the old me. Why

Ballza Depression and medication
  • replies: 3

Hi all... Was just looking for some people’s stories on depression and what it feels like to them, how they cope with it and also changing medication??? Ive been using a certain type for 13 years but it seems to have stopped working, changed to a new... View more

Hi all... Was just looking for some people’s stories on depression and what it feels like to them, how they cope with it and also changing medication??? Ive been using a certain type for 13 years but it seems to have stopped working, changed to a new one last night, not real sure how I feel about it though!!!! Starting to think I don’t even need it, and weather I can carry on living a normal life without it!!! Ive used a very low dose on the last brand. Now started off on a very low dose of the new one!!! Hope this makes sense, and I hope everyone is well..

Brightlight Too long
  • replies: 5

Hi Everyone, i have suffered with Anxiety for over 25 years now. I never knew what it was but now I do I’m on medication ever day for the last 5 years it helps me get through life but something has changed lately. I have also donated money and raised... View more

Hi Everyone, i have suffered with Anxiety for over 25 years now. I never knew what it was but now I do I’m on medication ever day for the last 5 years it helps me get through life but something has changed lately. I have also donated money and raised money for beyondblue but never joined as I’m a private person. Now my my life is changing I need some help and to understand what’s happening to me more as I’m really struggling. Anyway nice ice to meet u hope I can find some people to talk too and also share some of my experiences for others.

Tinsel Feeling Blah.....Newbie
  • replies: 3

Hi everyone First time poster testing the waters here. I don't talk to anyone about feeling depressed and anxious these days. So I am hoping this might help. Tinsel

Hi everyone First time poster testing the waters here. I don't talk to anyone about feeling depressed and anxious these days. So I am hoping this might help. Tinsel

Tee71 Anxiety
  • replies: 7

Hi all. Im new to this forum and seek understanding from likeminded people who suffer the same as me. Im so scared and feel me tally ill and feel im losing touch with myself. I would love to seek others advice and tips to help me overcome. Bless you ... View more

Hi all. Im new to this forum and seek understanding from likeminded people who suffer the same as me. Im so scared and feel me tally ill and feel im losing touch with myself. I would love to seek others advice and tips to help me overcome. Bless you all.

Wander Newbie here
  • replies: 2

Hi all, newbie here, I'm not really sure where to start but I suppose I'll start by making some introductions, I'm 27, female and dx with bipolar spectrum disorder, cyclothymia is the "soft bipolar" dx that reflects my symptoms the best, but I suppos... View more

Hi all, newbie here, I'm not really sure where to start but I suppose I'll start by making some introductions, I'm 27, female and dx with bipolar spectrum disorder, cyclothymia is the "soft bipolar" dx that reflects my symptoms the best, but I suppose I don't fit nicely into a category. I also experience ALOT of anxiety and the occasional panic attack. I'm here to find others who share similar experiences to mine and can shed some light on it all

Lily_Pond Introducing myself
  • replies: 3

Hi, I've just joined the forum after reading a bit on the beyond blue site. I'm a single mother of two adult children and am struggling with anxiety and depression, with no support network, so I'm hoping that joining the forums here can help me to co... View more

Hi, I've just joined the forum after reading a bit on the beyond blue site. I'm a single mother of two adult children and am struggling with anxiety and depression, with no support network, so I'm hoping that joining the forums here can help me to cope a bit better with the challenges I'm facing. Looking forward to getting to know people on here and hopefully being able to offer some advice and support as well as read and learn.

Aree Anxiety
  • replies: 3

I have been suffering from acute anxiety in the last few weeks. It is a terrible feeling of fear, a problem I have struggled with for a long time on and off. I can normally remove myself from the fear but this time I feel paralysed. My GP is helping ... View more

I have been suffering from acute anxiety in the last few weeks. It is a terrible feeling of fear, a problem I have struggled with for a long time on and off. I can normally remove myself from the fear but this time I feel paralysed. My GP is helping me and I have a wonderful supportive husband. I just can't stop repetitive thoughts that seem to me unresolvable. It is such a struggle. I am trying to live in the moment but my whole being is enveloped in this fear. Hopefully one day it will just go away. I keep looking for answers but there seems to be none.

lind66 Lonely
  • replies: 1

I am concerned for my son who has came out 12 months ago. He went through hell at high school suffering severe anxiety and old.Since coming out his mental state has never been better. He has put the past behind and is trying to move forward. he has r... View more

I am concerned for my son who has came out 12 months ago. He went through hell at high school suffering severe anxiety and old.Since coming out his mental state has never been better. He has put the past behind and is trying to move forward. he has recently come back from being away overseas for 5 mths and is doing a 7 weeks diploma. He has tried volunteering previous and has come back to that but has no friends.Not one. he is extremely lonely and i am concerned as i can see a down ward spiral of depression and not from lack of trying. he has been through so much and its not in his nature to give up but he has now because he feel he has tried everything.Adelaide is very clickie and has not many community support for 20 year olds. He has gone to several but they weren't very welcoming.