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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Where to start?

replies: 3

Hi there Just wanting to see if anyone else has been in a similar situation. For years I have struggled along just hoping that it was just a phase. But when I finally actually get the courage up to ask for help by a GP, I felt like I was an idiot for raising my concerns. So I left it and just tried to make changes. Fast forward to now and again even though I had made changes in my life. I still feel like I’m swamped by feelings of depression and anxiety. Again I brought up my concerns now with another GP and I feel like its a similar situation. Anyone else been in this sort of situation and what’s the best way to ask for help?

New to the forums and can't seem to access replies

replies: 6

Hello All,I will post again to introduce myself, but I need advice on accessing the replies to posts. I see red text which gives a number then the word "replies", however clicking it does nothing, there is no live link. Nor can I see any other possible way to find replies. In addition I found in the FAQ a mention of "nested replies" which might work but I cant see any way of accessing that either. I already checked in my settings. I hope one of you can help.Thanks in advance,Panthora.

Hello, I am here to fill my lonely afternoons

replies: 3

I am retired and have had mental health issues, mainly depression, since I was in my twenties. Gradually over all those years I have learned to manage things with medicines and being aware of symptoms coming on, so I rarely have a crisis any more. That makes me very lucky, but still my afternoons feel empty, so I joined these forums to give me a distraction. Maybe I can find some help and give some help at the same time.

Hello

replies: 2

Hi everyone. I'm a middle aged male, recently separated with 2 young kids. I've managed moderate to severe depression (and to a lesser extent anxiety) for most of my adult life. My depression doesn't change who I am, during an episode it just tends me towards grinding anhedonia and anergia. It has probably made me a hopeless husband, but I'm a great dad. After separation, it's been impossible to get any quality time with the kids because my wife has weaponised my mental health against me (ie. unsafe, incompetent, etc). So the black dog is back again. Anyone else been in similar situations and pulled through?

Is it selfish to say: Why me?

replies: 2

I am a mid 30s female and have high functioning anxiety and depression. I lost my best friend to suicide just after finishing highschool which had a huge impact on me. I've never been able to make friends easily anyway, but after that whenever I find myself in a downward spiral, I push anyone who care about me away.When my parents split, my father attempted to end his life numerous times. And on Xmas eve, both my parents attempted. As a result, I absolutely hate Christmas and happy family situations.I have been bullied at work by people in managerial positions. I decided to stand up and make it heard, but all it did was shine a spotlight on me and my mental health issues as the "problem".My partner and I of 14 years split up on new years eve. Mutual agreement, but still very heartbreaking.I am constantly asked when I am going to have kids - Like it is a compulsory part of life. But after everything that life has thrown at me, why would I WANT to have a child? To pass on my mental illness and insecurities onto some poor kid... to please people who wanted to end their own lives at one point regardless of the effects it would have on their own children.... to bring a child into this messed up life of mine....I cant even sort my own life out. Back to the question, am I selfish for cursing the world and saying: Why me? *note: yes I have seen psychologists and am taking prescription medications for all of my problems. I'm not suicidal. I just need to vent somewhere to someone. I live in QLD and have no family and no friends here, all I have is my cats - as wonderful as they are, venting to them just doesn't seem to have the same effect Thanks for listening ♡ ☆it's okay not to be okay☆it's not weak to speak

Hi all! New here.,

replies: 1

I’m new here., so just wanted to introduce myself, Im Allaine., I got BPD and long standing battle with SH and Suicide. Had numerous attempts and the number still keeps going… I have issues with impulsivity and abandonment which I’m trying to address.., currently doing some therapy that should help me get thru but am keen in knowing other therapy that everyone have done that helped them… so ye., hi y’all and hope everyone’s doing fine…

I need to vent

replies: 9

hello all, this is my first time posting here. I'll try to keep this short and to the point, although I don't really know where to begin. I've been going through a really difficult time lately and it's becoming really overwhelming for me. My relationship with my family is really bad, particularly with my mother. She is always looking for a reason to argue with me and demands so much of me. For as long as I can remember she's always been a terrible parent. As of lately my relationship with her has become much worse. She constantly belittles me, and compares me to my sisters in law. She makes me feel absolutely worthless, to the point that I feel guilty for even existing. I'm starting to find it very difficult to get out of bed in the mornings, and I no longer find pleasure in activities that I normally enjoy. I'm beginning to spend much of my time between work hours playing video games and avoiding having any sort of social life. I feel like I cant talk to my friends about it because they either won't understand me, or I'm worried that they'll begin to think differently about me. Unfortunately I'm stuck living with her and my eldest brother for the time being, so I feel like I have no escape from this madness. I'm able to hide my emotions quite well, so none of my friends or colleagues suspect anything is wrong with me. I just don't know what to do, and I don't know how much longer I can continue like this before I reach my breaking point. I'm sorry if this all sounds like rambling, but I just need to vent somehow!

Here to help

replies: 1

Hi Everybody. I have decided to give some of my spare time to help those in need of support on a few forums. My love tank is full and I have lots of experience with helping people with depression, anxiety and other mental health difficulties. Hoping ... View more

Loneliness

replies: 3

Hi , feeling really down today. Thinking about how I don't seem to be getting anywhere.I have 3 Sister's, who are all well off. Have their own, lovely homes . No Mortgages.I was the one who Cared for, our Mum and Dad .And was there with them when they Passed away.I don't have much money to be able to do the things, I'd like to do .And have told my Sister's. And my Children .But they all have their own lives . And don't really have time for me .We all seem to be separated . I don't make friends easily.For the last , 5 years . I have not wanted to live anymore .I know I should get out and do other things . But I just can't get motivated.

Online chat and call counselling

replies: 3

Hi guys, sorry to be posting this here, but I have a question about a post I wish to make and need to know if it would even be appropriate, allowed or what section I could even post it in?Would it be allowed to post a topic on peoples general (no naming counsellors and things or anything of course) experiences with the online chat and call counselling service? I’ve been using it recently and would love to chat with other members here on the forum about their overall experiences? However I understand if it wouldn’t be appropriate to discuss. Thoughts? Thank you.

Meet your community champions! replies: 10

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

Where to start? replies: 3

New to the forums and can't seem to access replies replies: 6

Hello, I am here to fill my lonely afternoons replies: 3

Hello replies: 2

Is it selfish to say: Why me? replies: 2

Hi all! New here., replies: 1

I need to vent replies: 9

Here to help replies: 1

Loneliness replies: 3

Online chat and call counselling replies: 3