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Cyclone Alfred - Mental Health Support

replies: 1

Hey everyone, We acknowledge that many of our Forums members here are currently facing the impacts of Cyclone Alfred and might be feeling uncertain, afraid and overwhelmed. We wanted to create a separate post here to come together during what may be a distressing time for many of us to support one another. Recognising that the impacts of a natural disaster can occur both before, during and after, we have prepared some resources which we hope can be helpful: From the Queensland Government, Useful information to help you get ready for a cyclone:Home | Get Ready Queensland Emotional Preparedness: Prepare your mind | Australian Red Cross Three-steps-to-emotionally-prepare-for-the-disaster-season.pdf What now? Coping after the event: Coping after a crisis | Australian Red Cross Maintaining wellbeing in the face of long-term stress | Australian Red Cross Emergency preparedness guide | Australian Red Cross As always, if you wish to speak to a counsellor, the Beyond Blue Support Service is available via phone 24/7 on 1300 22 4636 or via beyondblue.org.au/get-support for online chat. Stay safe, everyone, and take good care of yourself during what can be a deeply challenging time. Kind regards Sophie M

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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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.

Everything is just too much

replies: 2

I don't even know where to start , my life seems to be one big mess nothing but bad happens never any good. I'm always upset or crying I get angry and annoyed easily ! I was in a domestic relationship for 7yrs he abused me controlled me and we had 2 children together. I was scared to go outside I wa scared of people I was scared of love because the love I was shown was hurtful and nasty. I left my children's father after 7 long years . 2 years later I still get harassed by his family members ( I stopped my children from any contact with them as they are all drug users/dealers) I found a new boyfriend it took me almost a year to actually get him to want to be in a relationship with me. He was completely different he was so nice so protective so caring so loving he made me happy again made me feel good about leaving the house . Then I pushed him away because of all the things that happened to me in past relationship I was so scared and paranoid of it happening again that I was accusing him of talking to other females , I'd start petty arguments because I was paranoid or scared of him just leaving me in general I hated when he left me I always wanted to be around him as he made me so happy . Instead I pushed him away and I'm trying to deal with the fact that my problems have ruined the relationship I wanted so badly with the person whom I loved and still love as this only happened two weeks ago . I'm at the point where I'm unsure of what to do with myself . I work night shift so it's easier to look after my children but all I do is think about being at home where he would have been . I don't really know how to deal with a breakup as it was so easy to leave my kids father after all the things he had done to me . Anyway then there is my children who I completely love and adore more then anything and if it wasn't for them I'm pretty sure I would be dead by now they are the ones that keep me here they keep me sane . But they also drive me insane I try my best for my kids and I try not to be angry or stressed towards them but the way they behave and don't listen to a word I say really annoys me and gets me to the point where I get really upset and bust out into tears because they simply don't listen they will argue and fight constantly I know this is normal but I feel my kids are overboard ! Then when it comes to going out they just don't listen they don't behave and I can't smack them as I don't like hurting them . At bed time it takes them3 hours to get to sleep

New member, going through a tough time in life.

replies: 9

Hey everyone, my name is Shaun and I'm new here. I've recently fallen into a state of anxiety and sleep deprivation. As of a couple of weeks ago myself and my partner went away to catch up with some of her old friends and during this trip one of her friends started to hit on her. This didn't sit well with me and brought back some issues that I had in the past which I thought I was all done and dusted with. Ever since then I have been extremely anxious about other people hitting on her and that I am going to lose her to someone else. I trust her 100% but I don't not trust the intentions of other people as some people do not have the respect for others relationships.

New member, looking to make a difference

replies: 3

Hi, I'm a 33 year old guy from the UK who has moved to Australia permanently. I've been pretty lucky with my life, well educated, sporty, have a decent job, but i also suffer with crippling bouts of anxiety which come and go on a monthly basis. It was something i never spoke about and was able to hide pretty successfully for about 10 years, and i managed the symptoms through drinking and using certain drugs, nothing too extreme but enough to balance me out at social gatherings (which used to be a trigger, funny though because i was a pretty social guy!) I think i am a pretty highly functioning sufferer, i still force myself as much as i can to do normal stuff when i'm having bouts of anxiety, and i think this is borne from not wanting to admit to people i have a problem. I eventually told my fiancee about it after we were together for a while. She helped me to get help, and i was treated with medication for about a year before coming off the medicine, which was a horrible experience. I still get bouts of anxiety now, it hasn't gone away. But it is better. Rather than a constant, daily fear that follows me around i now get affected once a month or so, but the effects last for maybe a week which is long enough for me to forget what normal feels like. Then suddenly its gone again. I read that suicide from depression is the leading cause of death for young men, and i can totally believe it. There is still a stigma that admitting you have anxiety or depression means you are mentally weak, and it is something i am not quite ready to openly admit myself to friends and family, but i'm getting there. I talk more now with my missus about how i'm feeling but it's hard showing that side of me, because i spent so long trying to hide it. But through all of this i realised that it can't just be me feeling like this. And i want to make a difference. What i want is to help other people who have issues like me. I will not let anxiety define who i am. I may never be rid of it, but i can and will live with it, and if i can help other people get to the same place then more power to them. I live in Tasmania now, and if there are any events that need volunteers i would be more than happy to help. In fact if there's anything that needs doing please get in touch. Like i said i want to make a difference, and maybe get the strength to be more open about my own issues. Thanks

Removing myself from a thread

replies: 2

Is there a way to remove myself from a thread so I don't keep getting the updates to it in 'my threads'? Thank you

Cyclone Alfred - Mental Health Support replies: 1

Meet your community champions! replies: 10

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

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

Everything is just too much replies: 2

New member, going through a tough time in life. replies: 9

New member, looking to make a difference replies: 3

Removing myself from a thread replies: 2