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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What is the meaning to it all

replies: 2

life is an utter and complete lie everything that we've know all our lives is just a fabrication created by ourselves to distract us from the ultimate truth that life is nothing more than a meaningless joke. I don't understand how you're supposed to ... View more

My first post

replies: 4

Hi folks, I have struggled with depression since the birth of my second child 12 years ago. Most of the time I do well on meds. I'm just amazed at how I can go from hero to zero in a matter of minutes. Like today: I had a good day, then one small thing caused a little bit of anxiety and I feel flat! Felt like I needed to connect with people who understand. I have an amazing husband, but he doesn't really understand this rock in my belly... Anyway, I'm about to go to sleep, hoping for a good nights sleep, and tomorrow is work. Plenty of things to focus on.

Newbie here, hey all!

replies: 7

Hi all, After being convinced by the partner, I have accepted that I need to address some issues. I have made some fairly big changes in my life, change of job, lifestyle, and moving in with my partner of three years who also has three young kids. And recently, I haven't been myself and it is starting to affect many aspects of my life. Looking for people to express myself with that may have been in a similar position as I don't believe my friends or family will be able to provide any real help or assistance. Cheers all.

hello all

replies: 2

hi everyone i am new here, i have depression and have had it a year and a half am not medicated yet but soon may have to be

Before starting a new thread...have you tried the search function?

replies: 12

Hey everyone, It's quite common for new members to land here in the forums and start new threads on topics that have been discussed many times already. On the one hand, this is great news, as it means you're not alone! On the other hand, it means we get a lot of members reinventing the wheel and starting individual threads when they could be connecting with and providing support for each other. Typing a query into the search box will usually bring up a whole host of results from our forums. Have a look at the example below using the search term "health anxiety", which is a very common discussion topic for newbies - 284 results! The more we contribute to existing conversations, the bigger the collective resource we build on that topic. Next time you're going to start a new thread, have a quick search first to see if anyone else has started a similar topic already - you may save yourself a lot of work, and make some new online friends at the same time. The search box can be found at the top-right of the screen if you're on a desktop machine, and if you're on mobile look for the magnifying glass symbol:

steve

replies: 2

Hi there turning to this forum for help understand anxiety and depression for my self.

Hello Guys - New Member Here.

replies: 26

Hello, I am new to this obviously, currently having a hard time with anxiety and panic attacks. I am desperate to beat this as I have a young family and need to get back to my old self quick.

am new to this

replies: 22

Hi never tried this before so am giving it a go. Have been depressed for a long time but keep it to myself ,has been even harder to admit it to myself let alone type on a forum..i did the signs test and am now sure i have depression officially..just ... View more

Hi everyone

replies: 2

Hi everyone, just joined tonight as I've been going through anxiety, depression and panic attacks for 9 years now. Over the years it comes on , then goes away, meds seemed to make me worse. So u medicated as such. the last 3-5 months panic attacks and anxiety have come back with such a force that I've been hospitalised 3 times, and almost house. Can't drive further than 4-6klms. Im going crazy. I don't know about you guys but I feel like I need to have a massive fit of yelling, screaming, and just getting it out sometimes. I cry a lot though. i know the people around me try to understand but basically they are useless. My friends have all but given up..... I get the occasional call, but no visits from anyone. I'm on my own during school hours with nothing to do. Except the mounting house work , which I've employed a cleaner for. I know lazy ..... but it helps me at the moment. i feel like I'm letting my girls down they are 12-14. The loves of my life, can barely get the, to school most days.so they catch public transport. They have been really helpful. They truly are my miracles. My partner is trying. Very hard. We own a construction company so he is out of the house at 5.15am and not home till after 6 most nights. He's tired and wants/needs a cooked meal, but tonight had Vegemite on toast (lol, another members name)..... i have really great self esteem, way too much confidence, yet feel helpless, and like I'm disappointing everyone. My panic is now almost daily. anyway, nice to meet you all, hope to make some friends.

Hello I'm new on here

replies: 2

Hi everyone im new to this, so not sure what to really say, i suffer with depression and anxiety found myself locked into a certain space in my house, if i go outside my space i start having breathing problems, I live alone now all my kids have left ... View more

Meet your community champions! replies: 10

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

What is the meaning to it all replies: 2

My first post replies: 4

Newbie here, hey all! replies: 7

hello all replies: 2

Before starting a new thread...have you tried the search function? replies: 12

steve replies: 2

Hello Guys - New Member Here. replies: 26

am new to this replies: 22

Hi everyone replies: 2

Hello I'm new on here replies: 2