Welcome and Orientation

Pinned discussions

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

All discussions

Sorted by:

Start a discussion

Beyond Blue for everyone.

replies: 3

My husband thinks that Beyond Blue is only about men's mental health. A simple search of this site has proved him wrong. Why do you think he had this misconception?

New BB Chair announcement: Jeff Kennett hands the reins to Julia Gillard

replies: 1

Hi everyone, please find below the text of a media release from beyondblue today. This will be the thread for all comments, discussions related to this topic. ** Former Australian Prime Minister, The Hon. Julia Gillard AC, has been named the new Chair of beyondblue and will take over from The Hon. Jeff Kennett AC, when he hands over the reins at the end of June. Mr Kennett founded beyondblue in 2000 and has led the organisation with energy and commitment for 17 years as it became a world leader in raising awareness of depression, anxiety and suicide prevention. “beyondblue is part of my DNA,” Mr Kennett said. “Outside my family, it has been my most important role. “I’ll miss it, but I’ll miss it less knowing that in Julia’s hands the organisation will go from strength to strength. “Julia Gillard’s influence as a former leader of this country, her warmth and her commitment to the cause make her the ideal person to lead beyondblue when I step down on July 1. “In her we have found a person who is personally committed to the cause and has the ability to cut through the clutter and drive change for the wellbeing of all Australians.” Ms Gillard – who was elected unanimously by the beyondblue Board of Directors – is the first former Prime Minister to run a not-for-profit organisation since Malcolm Fraser launched CARE Australia in 1987. “My father was a psychiatric nurse so I grew up with an awareness of and commitment to mental health causes,” said Ms Gillard. “I’m absolutely delighted that Jeff and the Board have the confidence in me to take over as Chair of an organisation that has made such a difference in the lives of so many Australians, but there is only ever going to be one Founder and without Jeff Kennett there would not be a beyondblue at all.” Mr Kennett said Ms Gillard’s appointment reinforced beyondblue’s fierce bipartisanship. “beyondblue’s work is motivated by something bigger than politics; it’s about a bipartisan commitment to enhancing the welfare of others and that is an extraordinarily powerful force,” he said. “Nobody owns beyondblue. It is owned by the community, in particular those living with mental health conditions, their families, friends and colleagues.” For a video interview with Mr Kennett and Ms Gillard, and still photography please visit: www.beyondblue.org.au/chair-announcement

New and nervous I hope this works out...

replies: 3

I decided to join today in the hopes that connecting with others will help me to dig my way out of this. Long time sufferer of recurrent depression and recently diagnosed bipolar (still questioning that one) Spent most of last year pulling myself out of episodes of depression only to fall back in. Exhausted from fighting this all the time and I hope that joining in these forums is the little thing today that will keep me going

New to BB

replies: 5

Hi I'm new to BB & to forums. After 10 years of poor choices smoking, alcohol, drugs, dv relationships etc. I made the brave move to walk away from it ALL and now I'm feel lost my life at a cross roads and it should be this wonderful time with endless possibilities, instead its more like endless questions. Unsure where to go? or what my next move is? just after someone to be able to relate.

Confused

replies: 2

I have battled with depression and spent 12 months working with a psychologist who helped me immensely. As part of my recovery I separated from my partner who has suffered from depression for 10 years untreated. I recently entered a new relationship and was feeling pretty good about things. However my self esteem has really taken a beating over the past 10 years and I need some serious help regaining it.

lost in life

replies: 1

Hello friends, im student and lost in my life, cant decide whether to go, even i cant understand which way i have to go in my life. for me it is very hard to concentrate in one thing. moreover if someone spending time with me then he/she get bored after 5 minutes. im very frustrate in m y life. every time I feel stressed when i think about it, cant find reason of stress. can you please help me out thanks jimmy

New to BB and to chat forums

replies: 7

Hi all, not too sure where to begin. Trying to let go these feelings and thoughts that keep entering the ol gray matter, but putting it all out there for all to see is pretty foreign to me and I dare say many others. The one thought that erks me the most is my current relationship, I don't sleep with my partner anymore since she insists the dogs (one being a Great Dane) sleep in the bed with her even after some long discussions and arguments the dogs remain. I can't remember the last time we had sex, plus there is no affection or romance forthcoming from my partner either. I am a FIFO worker and life is pretty tough at the best of times when I am on site but to come home put up with more crap is not on. I actually feel like I am a strange in my own house, like treading on egg shells. Mmmmm, where to go from here, your thoughts would be appreciated. Life is too short people. W I am in the seniors bracket in life and like most want a happy peaceful retirement (when it happen, but not yet, still too active).

new here and very scared to post

replies: 16

Hello everyone I'm new here ,first day,and very shy to post...I have bipolar over half my life diagnosed ,BPD,ocd,severe PTSD..I'm here to give support to all and perhaps receive some support in return Happiness and inner peace to all

New here - Anxiety and obsession over Psychosis and Schizophrenia

replies: 7

Hi All, Feels strange doing this as i am not usually one to participate in an online forum however I feel it may be time to start communicating with fellow sufferers and like-minded individuals! I'm a 27-year-old male that has been anxious (diagnosed GAD) since adolescence. My generalised anxiety eventually evolved into crippling panic attacks (multiple trips to ER) many of which I can attribute to abuse of drugs and alcohol. I have definitely settled down on the abuse of said substances over the last few years, however, i can't seem to shake or overcome what I can classify as severe health anxiety. My health anxiety includes both fears of physical health issues such as MS etc and the fear of severe mental health issues, specifically Schizophrenia and psychosis, with my main concern being the latter. I can confidently say that my fear of falling into a psychotic episode stems from what I have come to understand as my "pure O" OCD. Unwanted and intrusive thoughts become 'sticky' and repeat over and over til I have convinced myself that I am going mad. The last few weeks have been particularly difficult for me and I have decided to seek professional help. It's very comforting to see on forums like these that there are so many people experiencing the exact same thing. I'm looking forward to overcoming this and hopefully being in a position to help others that are struggling with this debilitating problem. With all of that being said, I have had one quite concerning symptom/obsession over the last few days. When I am out in public I am continually doing a double take when I see strangers, thinking that they look familiar! It is driving me insane. Obsessing over this is only making it worse. I read somewhere that this is a symptom of schizophrenia.. silly me... as now my mind is playing tricks on me convincing me that I am hallucinating. I wonder if anyone here has experienced this or something similar? It is almost as if my mind is finding things to convince me that there is something seriously wrong. In true hypochondriac fashion, I have taken my concerns of being schizophrenic to a psychiatrist (and a psychologist) before only to be reassured that I am not. That was a couple of years ago now, so could things have changed/progressed? There's my self doubt again. If you've gotten this far down the post, I apologise for the essay, and thank you for reading. cheers M

Hi, I'm LC

replies: 2

Hi, I'm Catherine and online I'm known as LC. I separated from my husband in December last year and am now starting to really go through the stages. We were together 15 years, married 5. Jumped into the relationship very quickly, had issues early, tried to work through them, had our ups and downs and after say 10 years we were in issues, i fell into depression and anxiety as did the hubby and by the end we realised we were both in serious denial anything was wrong. Seperated under a mutual agreement as we are both in our 30s, I want children and he doesn't. I'm 33 now living on my own and as much as I love it, I only just started to realise that i'm on my own, my friends all have kids so they are busy at night and theres no-one who'll go out and have fun and be single with me. The head won't stop going at a thousand miles an hour. I'm not paying attention as much and work is noticing as well as me in every day life. Anyway, I'm rambling now. LC

Meet your community champions! replies: 10

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

Beyond Blue for everyone. replies: 3

New BB Chair announcement: Jeff Kennett hands the reins to Julia Gillard replies: 1

New and nervous I hope this works out... replies: 3

New to BB replies: 5

Confused replies: 2

lost in life replies: 1

New to BB and to chat forums replies: 7

new here and very scared to post replies: 16

New here - Anxiety and obsession over Psychosis and Schizophrenia replies: 7

Hi, I'm LC replies: 2