Welcome and Orientation

Pinned discussions

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

All discussions

Sorted by:

Start a discussion

Newbie

replies: 1

Hi everyone , I think it's time for me to start speaking about what I'm really feeling inside.but I'm still a little nervous so I think I'll start when I'm ready.

Do I have depression and anxiety??????HELP...

replies: 1

Well where do I begin?? I don't want to write my life story but I am struggling to understand why at my young age I feel like my life is over... I am 28yrs old & have started noticing a change in myself (unsure of what it is) but its like no matter what I do in my life whether its reaching a goal or getting one step closer to where I want to be I find I'm still not happy and end up feeling like I do it all for nothing & that my life really doesn't mean a lot and that I've left a lot of things to late even though I am told all the time I am still young I really don't feel it, I don't want to think I'm depressed and have anxiety but I do have a lot of the symptoms. And it runs in my family... Could someone please help me out I don't want to let this take over my life like it has been.... I want my life back the happy me before this started.... HELP PLEASE!!

Hi guys newbie here

replies: 3

Hi guys, I think it's time I looked for some help so I joined the forums, I am here reading other people's posts for inspiration but I might post up my situation when I feel ready cheers guys

Hi :)

replies: 7

Hi guys I'm new here, so not really sure what to write lol i am 32, male and from Queensland last December for a reason I'm still a little bit unsure about, I had a bad anxiety attack and I was quite depressed for the months before. I am looking forw... View more

New & Struggling

replies: 5

Hi, I've been a forum member for a while but never really posted. Just a quick introduction. I'm a 38 year old guy, who has been battling depression off and on for the last 10 or so years. This time of year has seen my depression come back in a big way. I usually keep quiet about how I feel, I don't have a great deal of friends and those that I do have are typically struggling with their own stuff. I haven't been on AD's for over 18 months as they weren't really working for me, I'm starting to think I may have to go back to that. I'll be booking an appointment with my doctor soon to discuss options. I know I also shouldn't compare myself to others but I've found myself doing that a lot more in the last 6-12 months, I've been single for over 2 years and it seems that everyone around me is happily partnered and seems to have their lives together and are buying houses, having babies etc. All makes me feel like I'm missing out on living by being stuck in a rut. I'm hoping this year will bring bigger and better things but in all reality I'm finding it really hard to be positive about the future.

Hello

replies: 9

Hi everyone I am new to this website so I don't really know where to start. It is comforting to know there are so many other people who experience similar issues, mainly anxiety in my case. Social anxiety is probably my biggest issue and I have lived with this for almost as long as I can remember. It can be a very scary and lonely place to be. Having other people to talk to or listen to, who understand how I feel is such a nice feeling. Cheery

Hello Everyone

replies: 6

Hello Everyone! I joined up onto the forums about 2 weeks ago, as soon I was confirmed I closed the website and avoided it until now. I pondered why I did this, obviously in the act of signing up, I want to in some way get help for the way I feel, read other peoples experiences and perhaps make some friends with people who actually understand what I'm going through, yet anxiety still has a ridiculous hold on me. I've concluded that just the act of writing the first post stresses me out so badly I didn't even have the motivation to do it. I'm sure a lot of you feel similar to me on this...having anxiety and depression is EXHAUSTING and even asking for help is tiring, having the motivation to say "I'm not okay," is at times impossible. I would say I'm pretty impressed with myself for finally sitting down and writing an introduction, so I'll keep it nice and short and hopefully build up more momentum to write more in the future. My name is Alex, I'm 25 years old and an identical twin (which I add because it has a huge significance to my identity). I'm a long time anxiety and depression sufferer with a history of abuse. I live in the country on a large property surrounded by forest, I'm a huge animal lover, I enjoy reading, gaming and swimming. When I am in a positive mood I also enjoy writing. (Right this moment, writing this is excruciating though). Thank you for having me on here and I look forward to getting involved. xo Alex

Not managing at home

replies: 9

I been treated for an anxiety disorder since February 2017 and was getting better, but recently have taken a turn for the worse and I ended up going to the hospital this week just to get someone to see me. I was told the next day this was not the right course of action, but I did get a review and my case manager is looking at ways to help me. I had a funeral for a relative the other week, which was hard. I have not worked since September 2016 so money is a big problem and also finding something to do during the day. I have tried everything I could to manage. It seems to work for a little while, then stops working. I just start crying and cannot stop. I don't know what is wrong, I just get so bored and frustrated I don't know what to do. I live by myself so I often get lonely and do have friends, but they have busy lives and none of them live near me. I have been trying to manage by myself, but it is hard and also I have sleep apnea which I use a machine for so sleep is a big issue. I keep waking up so early and cannot get back to sleep. That's all I can think of for now, look forward to chatting in this group. Tim.

Saw your light on...

replies: 1

Hi, I retired about four years ago. When I did I had come thorough several years of using the Beyond Blue on-line resources to help me through some management issues with fellow workers having mental health issues; and then my own mental health issues. Had the great pleasure of meeting Georgie Harman recently. Just thought I'd jump back on board to keep in touch with issues and maybe help out.

New and in need of support

replies: 3

Hello everyone, Im been struggling with anorexia and bulemia for several years now. My recovery has its constant ups and downs. At one point i was back to my original weight, but i have since then had a massive relapse and i am in need of support. I have found that the forums boards are mostly about depression and anxiety and need some help on were to post. I am also in need of some social interaction as i have ostracized myself from my old friends. Does anyone know of any social groups? Thanks guys - really nervous about all this as i dont like coming out.

Meet your community champions! replies: 10

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

Newbie replies: 1

Do I have depression and anxiety??????HELP... replies: 1

Hi guys newbie here replies: 3

Hi :) replies: 7

New & Struggling replies: 5

Hello replies: 9

Hello Everyone replies: 6

Not managing at home replies: 9

Saw your light on... replies: 1

New and in need of support replies: 3