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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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Chris_B 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 ... View more

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:

Steven2 steve
  • replies: 2

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

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

Shrew 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.

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.

4godsake 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 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 wanted to try and chat about it..

Jhcoffee 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 an... View more

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.

Comettail 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

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 the nest. Thanks comettail

vegemite_on_toast Just saying hello
  • replies: 12

I have always had a solid group of friends however over the last two years so much has happened and we have all drifted apart, leaving a bit of a hole in my heart. I am in a relationship with a man who is simply incredible. I have returned to uni and... View more

I have always had a solid group of friends however over the last two years so much has happened and we have all drifted apart, leaving a bit of a hole in my heart. I am in a relationship with a man who is simply incredible. I have returned to uni and am working casually which means I have a lot of my plate throughout semester and it leaves little time for socialising with my friends and puts my partner under a lot of strain - as he is the only one who i see regularly and therefore i discuss everything with him and its a bit much. I ensure I make simple plans like dinners, however people cancel on me a lot and it makes me feel lonely and kinda unappreciated. I make sure I call people and have sincere conversations however I am feeling somewhat exhausted from all the trying.. and when I stop my phone doesn't ring, and I inevitably don't end up speaking to anyone for weeks at a time which upsets me so much. I know I am loved, I know that my friends are busy with children, work, life, partying, yoga and all the other glorious stuff they get up to, but the crappy feeling it still there, when logic doesn't really comfort. I have a history of depression.. it was an extremely tough time for me and I am super aware of my emotions and do not want to fall back into a dark place. Soooo my point is.. i am online for a chat.. with people who are bloody lovely (from what I have read), empathetic, funny, thoughtful and kind. x V

S600_coupe Just lick to say hi
  • replies: 16

hello everyone Ive been Married for over 25 years now,my sexual performance was great then.for the last 10 years now its getting worst.I cant get erect my body feels all tence up an cant relax . Ive tried ED treatment ,my colestrol under control,bloo... View more

hello everyone Ive been Married for over 25 years now,my sexual performance was great then.for the last 10 years now its getting worst.I cant get erect my body feels all tence up an cant relax . Ive tried ED treatment ,my colestrol under control,blood pressure good.it probly don't help being a shift worker .ive never smoked or takin drugs I'm so lost what to do now.

Revil Hello
  • replies: 5

Hi there. I'm new here. I guess I should start off by saying that I have struggled with depression, anxiety, and OCD since I was very young. I've also recently learned that I may have autism. Lately, I've felt incredibly lonely. About a month or so a... View more

Hi there. I'm new here. I guess I should start off by saying that I have struggled with depression, anxiety, and OCD since I was very young. I've also recently learned that I may have autism. Lately, I've felt incredibly lonely. About a month or so ago, my mother kicked me out of home. The only person who was willing to take me in was my best friend's family, who lived 3 hours away. I had to uproot my entire life and quit my job just so I wouldn't end up sleeping out of my car. My best friend and I no longer get along, and apart from her, I have no other friends. I just want to reach out for help. And hopefully, offer help to those who need it in return. Thanks to anyone willing to listen to a lonely woman's rambling.

Blitzen Hi I'm New.
  • replies: 9

Just sayin' hi cos it seems the thing us newbs do first. Had agoraphobia for 15 years p.a and anxiety. I just had a baby... Been a rough 5 years. Was coping pretty well considering all. Thanks for hearin me.

Just sayin' hi cos it seems the thing us newbs do first. Had agoraphobia for 15 years p.a and anxiety. I just had a baby... Been a rough 5 years. Was coping pretty well considering all. Thanks for hearin me.