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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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Ptsd triggered after years of healing, feeling lost

replies: 8

Hello, My story is so huge with so many parts that I don't know where or how to start... But I know I need help. I have been in this situation and head space before, so I am terrified and feel just as lost as back then. I experienced 2 yrs of emotional abuse from my sister in-law which came to a head at the hardest time in my life, resulting is a mental breakdown and PTSD. I moved away and started to heal and feel more myself, only we have recently moved back and the first time I was at the place I broke, I had a panic attack and realised I hadn't fully healed as I had thought.. But then I saw her for the first time in nearly 6 yrs and Everything has come crashing back like it was yesterday. Now I don't know what to do. I have no emotional support. I am fortunate to have a loving husband who has been there with me, but he doesn't fully understand and isn't good with emotional support and he just shuts down when he sees me so distressed... and professional help is unfortunately out of my financial reach. I desperately want to heal, to be able to function without fear around my family.

Online chat to counselling

replies: 1

I can't seem to get onto the online counselling chat. It has a window which says insert name and tel number and then I can't get further than that.Please can someone help me.I can't speak.as my husband is here

Craving deep connections and struggling with loneliness

replies: 1

Hi community, I'm here because I am feeling like I'm not getting what I need in my close relationships, and the loneliness I'm experiencing is having a profound effect on my well-being. It's triggering depression and anxiety and I'm overeating and feeling lethargic and unmotivated as a result. What I want more than anything is to be seen, heard and appreciated for being me. I particularly want to be seen and celebrated for being a woman - for the beauty that I bring to the world in just being me. I often feel like a commodity that is criticised if I'm not who others want me and that my value is being measured on a tally of 'assets and liabilities' I'm starting to feel like no matter what I do I'm not really seen. I NEED to meet like minded people that share my love of deep and meaningful conversation. Not really sure where to start or how to seek support in this. So I thought sharing myself here might be a good first step...

Feeling depressed and lonely

replies: 2

Hi everyone. I'm a 35 years old single mother. I have a 12 year old daughter. She has many mental health problems. I have had to spent time on dealing with her issues from about 2 years ago. I lost focus at work and lost my last job. I'm now stuck in a job I'm unhappy about. The interest rate on my mortgage rose from about 2 years ago as well. So I cannot afford to lose my current job. I want to take some time off work, I feel that I also can't afford the time off. Because of the pressure from having to deal with my daughter's issues and my financial problems, I withdrew from friends and families these 2 years too. Now I feel so depressed and lonely. I would like to connect with someone who is going through something similar. Thanks.

Scared I'm about to lose my job because of my mental health.

replies: 3

Hi all. I didn't know if I shoukd post this is the depression or anxiety area as it's both that is affecting my job, so I hope this is OK. I am 45 and I work full-time. I've struggled with my workload and productivity on and off because I get overwhelmed and just... freeze up is the best way of describing it. It almost feels like brain fog, the moment I start getting anxiety it's like I can't see past the problem and I can't get the tasks done. Then because my productivity is bad, I get depressed and procrastinate and it's just a vicious circle.I feel like a failure because I can't manage my workload, but I also worry about asking for help because I am afraid I'll be judged or my boss will think I am useless. My bosses know I struggle with my mental health. I've used the EAP before. I feel frustrated and upset that I've gone backwards and feel like I am letting my bosses down, my colleagues down and the clients who depend on me to do my job. (I work in disability support services)I took today off work because I was so overwhelmed and depressed. My boss sent me a meeting invite but it doesn't say what the meeting is for. I think it's because of my performance. I hate the idea that I am going to have to walk in there tomorrow and once again tell them that I am not doing well and that I have failed them again.At what stage are they going to just tell me "this isn't the job for you" and fire me? I feel like I've ruined everything.

Returning to Beyond Blue

replies: 11

hi all, just thought i'd post one of these up, last time i was on the forums was probably 2020-ish! so glad these forums exist, they helped me a lot in the past and i hope they will help me again, as well i hope to help others in the process! Recent Depression and Anxiety flare-ups have bought me back here seeking advice and kind words, my whole life i try to think of myself as a kind person and try to be a good person, but unfortunately its something i have to actively supress as the saying goes others mistake my kindness for weakness and pretty much almost always try to take advantage, its just so unfortunate.Combination of moving house and trying to find a new job has been a killer as well, however i guess most of my anxiety and depression comes from work related issues, mainly dealing with nasty people with big egos who are always looking for ways to cut you down or make you feel small, again its so disapointing as theres no need for it, people can be kind, but they just choose not to it seems Anyway thats it from me for now, somebody please tell me i'm not alone here! looking forward to chatting with you all sometime -G

i never planned for 60

replies: 5

hey heyWow where to start Iam usually the one solving others problems and giving advice all my life.I know what to do, but cant clear my head...cant seem to make any new friends.meanwhile wife and step sons have wiped me for no reason and dont speak?... View more

Pained life

replies: 2

Hi I live with chronic pain, I'm 56 in 6 weeks and I am trying my best to cope "A normal Life".I function at high levels of pain but its getting to me.I don't normally reach out, but I'm looking for some advice towards strategies I can use to help li... View more

Feeling on the edge

replies: 1

In last two weeks I've applied for 30 plus jobs and silently screaming on inside as I don't have physicality, emotionally, or financially the ability to get evicted from not enough income, im just putting it in the either so I feel lighter xx

My mum is dying of cancer and Im so angry

replies: 9

My mum (50) was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer out of nowhere 2 months ago.we were told 4-6m.shes been so strong and being her oldest child I have tried so hard to keep it together for her and my own family.i can't process any feelings going on. I've done the denial part and now that I understand our new reality I'm just so angry all the time with little to no triggers and not myself at all. I can't seem to talk to anyone about it cause I don't know what to say.but now that my reaction to knowing she will pass soon is affecting my own family I have booked a docs appt. My gut turns st the thought of her not being here. Then I feel bad knowing so many people have it worse and I should be grateful she's still here

Meet your community champions! replies: 10

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

Ptsd triggered after years of healing, feeling lost replies: 8

Online chat to counselling replies: 1

Craving deep connections and struggling with loneliness replies: 1

Feeling depressed and lonely replies: 2

Scared I'm about to lose my job because of my mental health. replies: 3

Returning to Beyond Blue replies: 11

i never planned for 60 replies: 5

Pained life replies: 2

Feeling on the edge replies: 1

My mum is dying of cancer and Im so angry replies: 9