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Sophie_M Meet your community champions!
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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?
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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

All discussions

Frannie Just joined
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So to be factual I'm 66, highly intelligent but born of elderly parents, only child. Mum had me on meds from an early age because i was anxious but the best thing i ever did was move out of home to go to uni! Mum tried to stop me doing that. Dad died... View more

So to be factual I'm 66, highly intelligent but born of elderly parents, only child. Mum had me on meds from an early age because i was anxious but the best thing i ever did was move out of home to go to uni! Mum tried to stop me doing that. Dad died when I was only 20. So first marriage - too early and I walked out on him as i was sick of his business ethics (or lack of). Second relationship 19 years, ended with him having an online affair four years ago. I kicked him out. All to do with development stuff (land). So I was saddled with a place I couldn't sell. All our retirement plans went up the spout . Under a hardship provision I just sold recently and am now moving. So much stress. So much a holding pattern. Settlement now end October. Hopefully a new chapter. But my wine consumption is bad. Unfortunately I don't get hangovers so not much negative feedback. But still trying to lose the 4 kg I put on earlier this year with my hip replacements. I'm normally a really fit active person. But I'm not that person right now - probably half that person. I'm not happy with myself.

WishyBee New to Forum
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I’m so glad I found this forum. Other peoples perspectives really help me, it’s good to know that I’m not alone with my thoughts. I’m hoping my replies might help others too. I’m middle aged in years but much older in life experiences/trauma.

I’m so glad I found this forum. Other peoples perspectives really help me, it’s good to know that I’m not alone with my thoughts. I’m hoping my replies might help others too. I’m middle aged in years but much older in life experiences/trauma.

Keeping-On Newbie questions
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I just joined tonight and I’m already confused. How does this forum work ? I see there are posts with a huge lot ‘unread’ attached to different people. I thought the forum would be VERY alive, especially considering the state of the world now. The ‘s... View more

I just joined tonight and I’m already confused. How does this forum work ? I see there are posts with a huge lot ‘unread’ attached to different people. I thought the forum would be VERY alive, especially considering the state of the world now. The ‘state of the world’ sure is stressing me out. Can someone help please ?

Conundrum I feel like a ghost.
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Hello, first time here. Feeling very low. Don’t know if anyone will answer but it’s good to get it out anyway. About 6 weeks ago my father died. He was very old. But he is the only person in the world who really loved me. Since then my latest boyfrie... View more

Hello, first time here. Feeling very low. Don’t know if anyone will answer but it’s good to get it out anyway. About 6 weeks ago my father died. He was very old. But he is the only person in the world who really loved me. Since then my latest boyfriend or “partner” left me, although he was the one who pursued me and told me he loved me. Now he feels lack of necessary vibes or emotions and didnt want to continue. Now I feel used and mistreated once more. Did I do something wrong. But not worth fixing or working on. I have no children. Some Nice enough family members but not close. They have their own children partners and lives to get on with. I was on depression medication for years after a bad time in my life. But have been gradually weaning off them cos they seemed to keep me from experiencing real feelings and relationships as well. I was doing well. But now life has gone to shit again and I feel such despair for a life not well lived. I don’t understand why I have managed to survive but have not earned that strong and dependable love that others have. . I am quite attractive. I am well educated. I have always earned good money and own my house. I have something of a good personality. I have a handful of good friends. I have my dogs who I love deeply and need them to keep me wanting to live. They also need me and deserve a good life. My single responsibility. I don’t know where I went wrong or why I am alive. I could disappear without leaving a ripple except in my dogs lives. How has it come to this again and again and again. Is there anyone else there?

Guest_56771116 New Member - I suffer from depression
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Hi all, My name is Serena and I am 28 years old. I have suffered from depression and anxiety my whole life but lately it seems to be getting worse. I don't know what to do. All I do is sleep all day, make excuses not to go into work, and withdraw fro... View more

Hi all, My name is Serena and I am 28 years old. I have suffered from depression and anxiety my whole life but lately it seems to be getting worse. I don't know what to do. All I do is sleep all day, make excuses not to go into work, and withdraw from every body. I am at a loss. I'm starting to struggle with studying, even though I have a great first semester. I am at a loss on what to do. I feel like I don't know who I am anymore. I want to get rid of these nasty habits that hurt me.

Sush Need support
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Hi Everyone I am new here! I’m soo grateful to find a community that cares and supports each other… Such a great place To introduce myself I am a Single Lady whose kids are grown up and now after a long journey with kids and meaningful life….. I am f... View more

Hi Everyone I am new here! I’m soo grateful to find a community that cares and supports each other… Such a great place To introduce myself I am a Single Lady whose kids are grown up and now after a long journey with kids and meaningful life….. I am finding myself a bit lost, sad and overwhelmed stressed and excited exhausted.I know there are people who are worse off … I know there is a lot to be greatful etc etcstill I am a human who feels alone and wants someone who cares loves me and supports me in this life journey I have been trying to find myself a best friend who I can share life with but I couldn’t soo far !day in and day out all by myself now I am at a point of despair…Trying to exercise, church and connect with friends still miss the close friend Mum narcissistic but I try to be reasonable with lovely sisters but they have their life.daughters who don’t enjoy time with me as I am not fun mum to be with as I would rather with my friends too I am going to become a grandmother which is exciting but I have to go to same place where I left after abusive marriage which freaks me out overall I am now feeling anxious to go to see my daughter to be with her as she is becoming a first time mumfeelings of nervousness is striking me as I have to go back to place of trauma.ex moved on and married and lives in the same city as my daughter Feeling more alone as I don’t have someone to share my feelings with.I try to stay positive looking after myself and put positive spin like blessings of grandchild, Atleast it’s only a month in the place where I escaped from and I have now built a safe life, no one to destroy my peace etc etc. Want someone supportive to go through this life withenough of being single and alone….Sorry for the long postThanks for taking the time to listen

Rosebud Birthday alone again
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So today 27th April is my 56th birthday and my second in my whole life alone. No family or friends just me and my dog. It’s so hard not having anyone to even wish me happy birthday or give me a card or anything. I think this will be my last, the pain... View more

So today 27th April is my 56th birthday and my second in my whole life alone. No family or friends just me and my dog. It’s so hard not having anyone to even wish me happy birthday or give me a card or anything. I think this will be my last, the pain of being alone and lonely on what used to be a special day is just to much.

Clinton New Member Into
  • replies: 2

I'm unsure if I'm doing this intro in the right area!My name is Clinton, and I have just Joined Blue Voices. I live in Coffs Harbour with my Wife and 3 adult children. I have a Corporate job and a side hustle Business so life is Busy / Stressful I wa... View more

I'm unsure if I'm doing this intro in the right area!My name is Clinton, and I have just Joined Blue Voices. I live in Coffs Harbour with my Wife and 3 adult children. I have a Corporate job and a side hustle Business so life is Busy / Stressful I was inspired to Join after hearing a volunteer give a talk at a recent event and share her story about mental health and her own personal battles. Last year, I was at my Lowest Point and planning the end; however, by slightly opening up to a couple of people and then seeking some professional help, I'm still here. Life still has challenges some days/ weeks but it is on the improve most days. Anyway, I would like to do more. I find when I share my stories, others open up and share too, and if I can help just one person, that would be great.

Guest_87433310 anxiety disorder - reassurance needed
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hi, I'm currently experiencing a serious bout of anxiety and struggling with keeping it together. I have had to take unpaid leave from work and am starting to take anti depressants. I have a good medical team helping me but I feel like I'm getting wo... View more

hi, I'm currently experiencing a serious bout of anxiety and struggling with keeping it together. I have had to take unpaid leave from work and am starting to take anti depressants. I have a good medical team helping me but I feel like I'm getting worse than better. I'm also needing to care for my three children and keep my mental health issues a secret from them. It is exhausting. I'm seeking reassurance that I will get better, that the medication will work and that I'll get back to 100%. I have taken these anti depressants in the past and they did eventually work, but I'm worried they won't work this time and I'll be like this forever. Any support would be very helpful!

Nihl Hopeless
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Human society, organizationally speaking, is shaped something like a pyramid, or perhaps a tall, narrow cone, with a small proportion of society living at the top possessing most of the wealth whilst the majority of society wallows at the bottom with... View more

Human society, organizationally speaking, is shaped something like a pyramid, or perhaps a tall, narrow cone, with a small proportion of society living at the top possessing most of the wealth whilst the majority of society wallows at the bottom with little opportunity and negligible wealth; and it is an irony of society that these factors are only more extreme in socialist countries where the common folk live in extreme poverty working to achieve nothing but the enrichment of the ruling classes and whatever local flavor of oligarch happens to exist in their neck of the woods.And yet everyone from the government to the many self-help guru’s to those who exist to proselytize to us about the wonders of our society (the media, etc.) would like to have us believe that hard work and constant self-improvement will lead us to prosperity in the future, a wonderful world where the “cone” is somehow miraculously flipped on its head, where everyone currently at the bottom of society is somehow “wealthy” insofar as they can afford to pay their bills and own a home and retire early, before decrepitude ultimately consumes them … just tell that to the people dependent on tips to survive in the USA or those working in pseudo-slavery in China or those trying to get by on near starvation wages working for companies like Amazon, or even someone like me in Australia who had an average education in various schools, famous more for their violent students or incompetent teachers (I had a teacher who didn’t even know what century it was) and who have survived up until now in low-paying jobs that increase their pay rates just enough to keep in line with inflation, and sometimes, not even that…The truth for me and most people of my generation is that I will have to work until I die, and due to the fact that I am single I will never be able to afford a home of my own, no matter how hard I work. Don’t tell me that this can be fixed, we live in a society that is created by, maintained and wholly exists to maximize profits and enrich an already wealthy minority, the struggling majority is paid half-sneering lip-service and little else by those in government who should exist to create a livable future for all society, not just the ones who eat off of golden plates with platinum cutlery…I don’t come here looking for solutions to my problems, I know I am ultimately doomed, I have no illusions. We have been betrayed by those who claim to care for us, we are alone, and we will die alone.