Welcome and Orientation

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Meet your community champions!

replies: 13

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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Hi, I'm new here

replies: 5

Hi, Im after some advice if that's okay. Last month I found out I'm going through menopause early at 27 and won't be able to have kids and then also found out I had a brain tumour. I am lucky that the tumour looks like it has stopped growing but my moods have been all over the place since. I can't quite describe it, I'm fine one minute then the next I'm having trouble breathing and thinking and I just start crying and shaking. Some days I'll crying for hours on end. It's getting more and more common and I'm having trouble telling anyone about it. I've seen my doctor a few times but we just end up talking about other things. I keep trying to tell her but I just can't. I'm after any suggestions or guidance for what I should do next

My First Thread

replies: 2

Hi My name is XRSW, i just want to be known by that name. I'm actually a very happy young man, but because of my sexuality, it makes my world crumble down and dark. I knew I had been gay for a reasonable amount of time now, but I have been scared and hurting inside, ever since my brother found out about me. He was older, much manlier brother, and rather homophobic person. When I was still in high school, my brother found a chat of me and my then boyfriend, and he questioned me about it. He asked me to pray to god, to make sure I didn't end up in hell for what I am. When I wanted to come out to my parents, he gave me a talk of how they would be sad and ashamed of me, which led me to not come out to my parents up till today. Coming from an Asian family, this is not normal. From what my older brother made me think, I am a disgrace to the family if I were ever to show my sexuality, and would rather I mask it in tons and tons of sadness and hatred. But my saving grace is my oldest sister, who accepted me immediately once I came out to her. She is still my point of where I talk to in order to keep me sane and know that I am not doing anything wrong and I should not be ashamed of myself. Besides my brother and family, my love life has rocked my relationships with many of my very close friend. I had a very close friend who was "cool" with what I am once I had confessed to him, but never reply to any of my messages or calls ever again. Just like that, many years of friendship was over. But what led me to become depressed is that the add-ons of death of family members, friends and stress from University makes me need to talk to people, to allow me to share about my problems. One of my close friends passed away. It made me sad that even though I wasn't as close to her, but once she is gone, you would only remember the good times you had with her. She was sort of my older sister when I was doing cheer-leading in High-school. And to top it all of, the death of my grandparents sort of set it all of, as my grandmother was the sweetest person you can ever talk to, cooking homemade noodles and caring about others before herself. When all of these add up, my heart sank, so deep I thought it was not even salvageable, but when I had people to talk to, it made it tolerable. But for now, everything is not too bad, but its not good either.

New to online forums a bit nervous

replies: 7

Hi im new to this feeling a bit nervous about where to start. I have had depression for a number of years and all was under control until recently. I had a few distressing things happen to me in my work place that caused my depression to become worse. I also now get very anxious about a lot of things that never use to bother me and i find this very hard to deal with was hoping for a little advice.

Hello - I'm new to the forums

replies: 1

Hello, I am new to the forums. I'm a woman, 55 years old, and in May this year I underwent bariatric surgery (sleeve gastrectomy). Since surgery I have experienced fatigue and just recently I've had a major depressive episode. This episode has taken me from being a high achieving PhD student and professional in the public service, to being unable to study or work. I have had so much time off work that my boss is getting sick of me. I am currently off antidepressants and will start a new type of antidepressant later this week. I am on a waiting list to see a local and trusted psychologist.

What do all these symbols mean?

replies: 2

Hello everyone I've been here for a little while now and have noticed that under some members names theres icons such as the bus and one thats a badge with BV And also some members have community champion, blue voices member I sure theres more but i ... View more

Hello, finally

replies: 3

Hello all, I've tried posting so many times now, but I always back out. It makes me a little nervous, although I know it shouldn't. I'm 31 years old and I wish I could say I have hobbies, but I stop and start so many things, maybe that could be a hobby in itself! I do however think I am a creative person, I often find myself trying different creative outlets. I was diagnosed 2 years ago with Rapid Cycling Bipolar and ADD. I see a psychiatrist once a month and each visit is a medication adjustment. I guess I'm finally writing to see how others have gone through their journey to stable. It feels like it's been so long and I've stopped getting closer to what I think normal feels like. I keep thinking that one visit I'll be told I'm stable and its time to sort out maintenance. The depressive lows always hit me the hardest and some days I still feel like I could just sleep all day. I remember what I was like before my first episode and I'm struggling to come to terms that that may not be in my future anymore. I spent about a year before getting help completely isolating myself from everyone. I went from a close circle of friends to none at all. I often think about trying to repair those friendships but I feel like they are beyond repair and now I'm just left lonely. I also don't want them seeing me, my medication has caused me to gain so much weight, it's just embarrassing now. I'm really hoping to hear from someone who has come out the other end of this because it's really starting to wear me down and I'd love some reassurance that normal is maybe possible. My life is passing by and I'm stuck in an endless cycle of medication, poor health and doctors appointments.

Hello ( I'm new here)

replies: 5

Hello thanks for the add

New BPD

replies: 4

After 20+ years of believing I had depression and anxiety have just received a diagnosis of BPD... mixed feelings... relief...overwhelmed...I have unfortunately bought into the negative stereotype of BPD and am now "one of those people" so feeling a ... View more

Helping Hand

replies: 2

How do I apply to become an Ambassador for Beyond Blue?

Tired, stressed, unmotivated, worthless, empty mum

replies: 4

Don't know how to introduce myself... The title of my post explains it.. I feel like I hate my home and I really am over repetitive chores and lifestyle.. I just feel tired all the time. I want to hibernate and have zero motivation.. Been feeling like this ongoing for about a year. I've been on and off anxiety & depression mess for about 6 years.. I've been off them for about 2 months as I hate relying on medication but this lack of motivation for anything is really taking its toll.. ive got 3 kids and an amazing partner who just lost his job.... I don't want to write an essay... This is meant to be an intro after all. Sooo.... Hi! ☺️

Meet your community champions! replies: 13

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

Hi, I'm new here replies: 5

My First Thread replies: 2

New to online forums a bit nervous replies: 7

Hello - I'm new to the forums replies: 1

What do all these symbols mean? replies: 2

Hello, finally replies: 3

Hello ( I'm new here) replies: 5

New BPD replies: 4

Helping Hand replies: 2

Tired, stressed, unmotivated, worthless, empty mum replies: 4