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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Abdu

replies: 1

Hi,I am about to have my house cleaned professionally. It's in severe squalor. I was wondering if anyone else had been through the process could give any warnings or tips. I'm the owner, It's a Unit, in Brisbane.I have a mental health care plan and anxiety medication. It's been really difficult to fins help from any agency or the Council despite many websites expressing the theories of my condition being a recognised disorder. I can usually work but this cleanup means both health wise and time wise I can't so I'm also in the process of getting paid through sick leave and super insurance.I get very confused at times as I try to research and plan for this so progress is slow. I am being helped by family.Thank you A

Confused and lonely

replies: 2

Hi. I'm a 38 year old mum and this past year has been so hard. My partner is always belittling me, calling me names and anything he does wrong he blames me for. I've found out some shocking truths about him that's made me feel sick. He constantly lies and takes no responsibility for anything. My eldest daughter a few months back became unconscious and I had to perform cpr. I already have ptsd from my own life threatening asthma attacks and this was even worse as it's my baby. My life already feels overwhelming sometimes and now to make things worse we've been kicked out of our house. Apparently my partner owes $17,000 that I didn't know about and now he's once again trying to pin it on me. It's my fault because he has to buy food every week for our family so he reckons he can't afford it. I feel depressed all the time. I was in coles the other day and just about broke down. I feel like nothing is going to get better despite the fact I know that's not true. I just feel helpless and lost right now.

First post, increased worry and helplessness

replies: 3

Hello this is my first post and I'm not really sure what I'm doing but thought writing might help. I'm 47, married with 2 adult children who have both moved back home in the last 12 months due to relationship breakdowns. They both suffer mental illness, both smoke cannabis and drink, and neither work. I worry so much about them as well as my elderly mum, for whom I am carer. I find myself laying awake, listening through the night for crying or other sounds of distress. When I first wake up my heart starts racing and again, I listen to who's up and what mood they're in. I take on their problems and feelings like they're my own, crying when I'm alone but smiling when they're around so they don't know and to keep their moods high. I'm exhausted. My husband worries for me, and tells me if I don't stop I'll die from worry. I find myself dreading going home, dreading going to my mum's (she lives in a retirement village) and without any real place of rest and solitude. I love them all so much and can't bear the thought of any one in distress and want to make everything ok for them. I worry if I don't they will think I don't care. That they'll then harm themselves or something. It's unbearable. I want to know how to switch off from it all. I suffer terrible stomach pains, shoulder and neck pain and have chronic health conditions myself that I am neglecting. I often make Drs appointments for myself that I end up cancelling because someone else's problems become more important, or in the kids cases I give them my appointment because our family Dr is hard to get into spontaneously. I'm so tired.

Support Resources

replies: 1

Hi, I’m not sure if this post is okay but I’m compiling a list of resources for myself, working in the community service sector for resources. We have many clients who come in with all kinds of problems and it would be great to have places I feel confident to send them for the help and support they need. If anyone has any experiences with organisations that have helped out in the Melbourne south east areas I would love to hear about them.

Hello -first time poster

replies: 2

Hello All. I’m 40 f and I am all over the shop. My other half and I have been together for over 20yrs (not married) we have a 9yr old - thx to IVf . I have endometriosis and adneymosis and looking at a partial hysto. my other half - i love him- but he just beats me down - not physically - more like mentally / emotionally. He got really mad at me for dinner tonight andi overcooked the veges so I had to re cook them. If I showed him I was upset/ tears he will get mad and tell meto stop carrying on . He then later on as we went to bed - wanted me todo something- I have no drive and i said nonot Tonite please - he got allsooky and grabbed my hand .. down there and then guided me I didn’t cry - in my head I was - I didn’t say no -I just did it … and he was happy went tosleep and I’m now wide awake at 1am. Still reeling and trying notto cry - he thinks this hysto will solve all my libido problems - he thinks my anxiety is in my Head. He has strong opinions on mental health so I dont open up. He puts our son down with his sport - as like ajoke - but I can tell it starting to eat at him … he makes gay jokes and homophobia and he knows how strongly view is as my cousin whom I love and are very close too has a long term gf—— and my best friend is gay … so he doesn’t understand how much ithurts me . I don’t know - I’m lost / I have no one to talk too.. can’t talk to anyone … I’m walking on eggshells …. I keep my thoughts to myself . — thank you for listening

Desperately seeking Susan

replies: 5

Where do I start? …. I go back to work tomorrow and I’m dreading it. Every time over the last week that I go to get myself organised … I’m a teacher… it’s like I hit a brick wall I become so overwhelmed, my chest tightens, body turns to jelly and my head becomes mush and I can’t do anything. Just sitting here writing about it brings it all flooding back.Some context: I have been away for 12 months (psychological injury) due to a toxic school environment. That person has now left and I have been easing my way back into school. No class of my own- walk in walkout of other classes.This will be my third term. This term I have a class for one day a week ( behaviour issues) the rest is whatever. I do all the self talk: “it’s only for three days a week, the problem class is only one day a week, it’s an 11 week term then it’s Xmas break, you have sick days up your sleeve take them if you need to” etc. I play guided meditation/relaxation music at night to help me sleep, I stick to my usual routine for meals/ sleep. I go outside into the garden, the cactus house, check the wicker/ hydro beds, mow. When I can settle enough I crochet and folk art paint but I have not painted in awhile. So I feel I’m doing all the Desperately seeking Susan stuff but I still can’t get through, over or under that brick wall for Friday class. Then an email comes through to say that the teachers can decide if they want me to teach a unit of work ( technology- a 58 yr old teaching kids about tech ) in there NCT or our behaviour focus for the week - more pressure, it pushes me down. Hell I can’t get my head around the Friday class without having to go into every class and teach their individual units of tech. The head thinks “don’t be a sook Susan, it’s only 11 weeks then next year you will have your own class” . Easily thought and said but the brain power /confidence/ juggling ability is just not there anymore. Hence all I can do is go to work tomorrow unprepared. Normally that would really freak me out but today it gives me a sense of calm.Yes people say teachers have it easy, good pay, all those holidays- unless you have experienced it you have no idea.

Waking up is depressing 😕

replies: 1

I find waking up quite depressing some days, today is one of those days. I lay in bed and it's an effort to make myself move to get ready for work.. I'm just disappointed I have to suffer through another day, I'd love to fall asleep and not wake up t... View more

PTSD, Anxiety, Racial Profiling, Born in to poverty and all it brings, Family abuse ETC

replies: 1

Being born into an enviroment where success is almost untouchable, and like a bucket of crabs your always being pulled down. I was always the black sheep it was set that way being the youngest of 15 but the only child to both parents and being made to feel like my exsistence is the reasons both families on each side broke down, in the end 33 years later i learned it wasn't my fault. I was also born with a hearing disabilty/deficiency, I was born with only 1 ear properly developed, so I've recieved alot of bullying and shame through out life, being brown skinned only made it worse back in those times alot of racisim and made to feel like I wouldn't amount to anything. I was always a child that lived in fear for different reasons and I still have that fear in life. Growing up with parents who had alcahol abuse issues and physically abused each other which trickled down to my siblings and I watched them live a hard life too. As an adult I take the lessons from all that was and happened. I've somewhat accepted what happened but I have a harder time forgiving and letting go, which now effects and triggers me in my adult life. I now have 2 kids of my own and grateful I've been able to relocate countries and give my kids a better upbringing but I cant get past anxiety, fears and triggers, I realize it when I'm in a public setting and how uncomfortable I am, and my inability to socialize and the envasive thoughts and feeling judged. Or in my relationship no matter how much my partner ensures I'm loved I have a hard time believing it I've always felt used in life for money, to do things and I still carry that mindset. I've been considering a life coach to reset the way I think and maybe implement a healthier functional positive mindset and structure, I'm not really sure where to start. Maybe just someone who can relate.

Hello

replies: 5

Recently joined the forum, just saying hello for now. I'm a well-aged forty-four summers guy. I live with major depression, and have minor manic tendencies. I try manage my moods best I can, but sometimes they overwhelm me. I'm sure most everybody reading this understands how that feels. I hope to connect with real people, to have interactions that mean more than the sundry surface-only ones when I occasionally venture to the grocery, maybe even make a friend ... guy can dream So, "Hello!"

New here

replies: 14

Hii am new to the forums. I have had depression for 8 years and still struggling everyday.

Meet your community champions! replies: 10

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

Abdu replies: 1

Confused and lonely replies: 2

First post, increased worry and helplessness replies: 3

Support Resources replies: 1

Hello -first time poster replies: 2

Desperately seeking Susan replies: 5

Waking up is depressing 😕 replies: 1

PTSD, Anxiety, Racial Profiling, Born in to poverty and all it brings, Family abuse ETC replies: 1

Hello replies: 5

New here replies: 14