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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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Hey, I just realised I'm probably depressed

replies: 6

Hi, Last night I had a bit of a realisation, I don't want to be clinically depressed, but I think I probably could be and need to do something about it. I think I've been in denial for a long time. I looked at my recent behaviour from another perspective and it became painfully obvious. I've been having problems for a long time and tried to solve them in other ways, not wanting to admit to myself that it could be a problem I couldn't fix on my own. So here I am, on my first steps down a probably long but hopefully successful journey. Thanks for reading.

My story

replies: 3

Hi all, Long time depressant, first time on BB. My Dad has just recently passed away, although he was sick for a long time, it was quite sudden and a bit of a shock to the remaining family. I have not got along with my mother in the last 10years, I have two sisters whom have their own problems involving mental health issues and drug abuse. Reasons why I do not speak much with them. Dads passing brought us together, momentarily. But then the manipulating and arguing started again. And now I feel alone more than ever before. I have been struggling with depression and anxiety for most of my life. I tried to hide from it using alcohol and drugs as an escape. Which worked for a few years, until my body and mind couldn't keep up. for the last few years I have been working really hard on trying to sort myself out. I have been sober for 7months leading up to my Dads funeral. I have worked hard on changing my social connections, I have been seeing a counsellor and also a chiropractor which is another story. I am struggling now. I have been unemployed for two and a half years. I have indirectly cut myself off from so many friends. People who I would normally drink with. My drinking was to avoid my anxiety, which worked a treat. Although it fuelled my depression. I feel stuck now. I want a job, not for the money, but to have an excuse to get out of the house and meet people. Although every time I log onto a job search website I freak out. The voices in my head get louder. (not qualified, not good enough, no experience, ect) My job network provider is really nice, although I feel like I am going no where. I don't know what kind of work I even want to do. I just wish it would be with good people. I have back problems which limits my mobility. I believe in people being holistic creatures. I am not sure if my back needs any more rest, or if it is too much rest that is causing me to not heal. This is the beginning of my story. I thought I would just splurt something out to get started. I am sure some can relate. looking forward to chatting

No more eggs

replies: 3

Thats how I feel. Been a long 30 years, realised at 18 that I had a depressed nature and just wasn't like those around me. I've run the same race as most here, rise and fall, on meds, off meds, pshyc sessions, yoga, meditation. In the last15 years, divorce, lost my home, pets, move to a big city, remarried, immigration to Australia had amped it all up so that I have chronic pain (also had small brain bleed), confusion and thumping, bursting feeling in head. All anxiety, awful thoughts which I see on this forum called intrusive thoughts. Can vouch for how what I know now as a mixed mental unwellness has made me physically sick. Am able to work part time now, fell from fancy corporate job in city that helped my decline 5yrs ago. I feel isolated socially, struggling to maintain a 2nd marriage and my kids think I'm mad and eccentric from way back. Am hoping to turn the corner thanks to reading so many brave peoples posts, realising I am not alone. Next step would be to get onto mental health program through my Gp, not the 5 EPC Medicare, as I cannot afford the gap. In the past I have had very "iffy" counselling, and some very expensive private sessions which were fantastic. But also embarrased by the stigma. The time is now to admit that I have more than vague mildmdepression, but anxiety, ptsd and voices and images that cause me great discomfort and anxiety. I have always felt inadequate and never able to make the grade. I have very accomplished brother and sister and I am the home maker, baker and earth mother type. My mother comes from a family wracked with mental problems and seeing her now old and still unfullfilled and untreated scares me - the waste of good life and many wretched years, not to discount the impact it has on other family members.

Agnes1961

replies: 5

Hi. This is my first time reaching out so I'm not sure how to start. I just feel a bit lost. I lost my husband due to illness a couple of years ago and recently lost my job that I loved due to redundancy. I have been experiencing lack of confidence and overall sadness at my situation. I am trying to feel grateful for all the good things I have in life but it's hard to keep a positive outlook sometimes.

The Lost Post Detective

replies: 5

There seem to have been a number of you referencing 'lost posts' over the last few days. There have been some very difficult to diagnose gremlins on these forums in the last few years, and we haven't had any major issues for a while...so I'm opening up this thread in order to gather some information from those of you who have experienced this. If you have had a post go missing, then please let us know in here - BUT we need you to include the following information, otherwise we're firmly in needle/haystack territory: 1. Describe in as much detail as possible exactly what happened at the time you lost your post - what happened on the screen? Were there error messages etc? 2. Where were you posting (name of thread)? 3. When were you posting (time of day and date)? 4. What type of device are you using to post (desktop machine, phone, tablet), the browser you're using (Safari, Chrome, Firefox), and the operating system (Windows, Mac OS) Thank you...

The Long Road

replies: 13

I'm 66. I am a retired professional. When I was 40 I contracted Ross River Fever, ended up with Chronic Fatigue. My GP told me to get over it! I got a new GP. Then I fractured a vertebrae. We had a 4yr old son & a brand new daughter, a brand new home and interest rates went up every month. Medication didn't help. My poor partner!!! She finally dragged me of to a psychologist who explained my condition. It seems funny but I had no idea I was depressed. I had no idea about anything. I lived in a black hole for over 2 years, don't remember much at all. The psych gave me simple tools that I use to this day, stand tall, head held high and a bunch of other stuff. With support from the above mentioned and my marvelous boss I "got better". Over the years I've had 3 nervous breakdowns and a few less serious episodes. In 2011 I was divorced, had surgery for prostate cancer, changed towns, bought a large house which I share with my beautiful daughter and reinvented myself. The next 4 years were the best of my life. Then the cancer returned, I had radiation therapy which doesn't seem to have worked. That doesn't really concern me by itself. I am a musician with arthritic fingers, I have a herniated disc pressing on my sciatic nerves. For the last 4 years I have enjoyed acting as Treasurer for a large Community Service Organisation but now my mind can't cope. I can't even walk my beautiful dogs. Injury and depression aside I have been physically, intellectually and politically active all of my adult life. I have much to be grateful for but now I am just tired and apathetic.

No section for Military Veterans?

replies: 6

I've just registered and visited the forums and your website for the first time. I am really very concerned that you have no information for currently serving and discharged Military Veterans. I may be female and I may only be 38 years old, but I fall in to this category. I am a survivor of abuse in the Australian Defence Force and I have Major Depression, several Anxiety Disorders, OCD, Panic Disorder and PTSD. It's all well and good having shiny, professionally photographed celebrities and sporting identities rating as ambassadors on your pages, but what about those of us who have done the hard yards serving our country?? It is a huge disappointment to see we don't even rate a mention. How about opening up some portals for Veterans to connect with each at Beyond Blue? Fair enough we can attempt to fit in under "Women" or "Men", but unless you have actually served, others cannot easily identify with or relate to our unique life and work experiences.

New member who is ready to connect & help

replies: 3

Hi everyone, I am new member of beyond blue! I am currently finishing my bachelor degree in psychology. I myself have previously been diagnosed with depression and anxiety. It was a difficult, confusing and very overwhelming time in my life. I found it so hard to acknowledge my anxiety and depression; I was in denial for a very long time. It was difficult sometimes for the people around me to understand because it is not a 'physical injury' that can be seen, however it does not mean it is not as serious as a physical injury. Through the help of a psychologist and medication I was able to process my emotions and was able to learn coping mechanisms that helped me work through some of my issues. This is essentially what inspired me to enroll into a psychology course. I hope to further help others as best to my ability because it definitely changed my life for the better. I really hope to get to know some of you

Help with Social Anxiety Disorder

replies: 2

Hi, I'm new here and not sure where to start or find the right place for questions on social anxiety disorder?

New to this

replies: 3

Hi all, my name is Iain and I often get low, don't have a lot of confidence and have self esteem issues. I'm married to a beautiful girl with 2 wonderful children & would do anything for them I try to make myself happier by seeking other options, partner wise, to make myself feel better My wife has found out about this and to say she is unhappy is an understatement. I've done the wrong thing and want to make amends so that I can get the trust back that I am now craving I'm here just to talk and know there's other people that I can chat to. To know there's others out there who understand and can help with advice Cheers

Meet your community champions! replies: 10

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

Hey, I just realised I'm probably depressed replies: 6

My story replies: 3

No more eggs replies: 3

Agnes1961 replies: 5

The Lost Post Detective replies: 5

The Long Road replies: 13

No section for Military Veterans? replies: 6

New member who is ready to connect & help replies: 3

Help with Social Anxiety Disorder replies: 2

New to this replies: 3