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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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Thank You for These Forums

replies: 4

I just want to take the opportunity to thank beyondblue for these forums. These forums has been very helpful to me in the last couple of months when I been going through some of my darkest moments, and the Amazing community on these forums has been a great help and has been very supportive to me and I relay do Appreciate you all. I also like to thank the Amazing Moderators for your very encouraging emails you have sent me they have helped me through a lot of my struggles, and it amazing how everyone is still offering me continuing support. I don’t where I be without the support of these forums. Please Keep up the Good work the community here does appreciate the hard work you all do at beyondblue Sparkles

Brick walls

replies: 3

I find myself desperate and with no way out of this situation. I am on anti-depressants but although they do help, at the moment I am still struggling because of lifestyle challenges. I am 60 years old and live on acreage in the country with my husband who 72 and is retired. I lost my job (which I loved) a couple of years ago due to my employer downsizing. Due to the isolation of where I live I have to travel long distances (one and half hours) to shop and there is absolutely no chance of any work around here. We have had the property on the market for the last couple of years but rural acreage is difficult to sell in the current economy. We don't have a lot of money - my husband is a pensioner- so can't get away to visit family very often. I know I have to be patient and wait until we sell to truly have the freedom to make changes, but lately I find myself not wanting to get out of bed in the morning. I sleep at every opportunity and am putting on weight. I wish I cared! I feel as though I am in prison and nothing will ever change. I have always read books and listened to music but lately I can't even be bothered doing that. I can't force myself to even go for a walk, or cook decent meals or do anything. I just don't care. My husband is wonderful and understands but he is a very quiet person and doesn't talk much. We have a couple of old dogs and I even resent them because they rely on me for food and I don't want to be tied down to do anything like feeding them or walking them. I seem to have lost interest in everything and have no passion or enthusiasm left. I have spoken to my GP but he just tells me I have to exercise and lose weight. He doesn't seem to understand that I can't make myself do these things. I try to change my thinking but it's just one more "have to" in a sea of daily chores. Do you have any recommendations for pulling myself out of this vacuum? There seems to be a brick wall every way I turn.

New here and feeling stuck!

replies: 2

Hi I feel like I need somewhere to just let out how I feel, where like minded people will understand. I've been suffering from both depression and anxiety for as long as I can remember, some days worse then others. I can't find a reason why I would feel the way I do. It can be very hard for for my loved ones who don't suffer from depression or anxiety to comprehend. I've seen psychologists and I've been put on a low dose anti-depressant. I found the talking helped in some ways, and at first the tablets worked, now they just make me feel emotionally numb. My husband and I moved back closer to home recently to our friends and family to see if that helps. Although now I just feel alone, even though my family invites me to outings I feel like I'm just in the corner. It's not their fault its just how I feel. I also feel like I can't have a normal conversation anymore with my siblings, as I don't know what to talk about anymore. I feel like I'm pushing myself away from my own family. I'm also very slow at responding to messages from them or even remembering birthdays which has caused some issues. I have anxiety about all kinds of things. If I see people talking to themselves I instantly think they are talking about me, I find I can't browse in stores by myself as I worry about being awkward. I also completed a course in Children's Services years ago hoping to get a job in childcare, then my anxiety kicked in and I started worrying about caring for other parent's children and whether I would do a good enough job. So that didn't work in the end. I'm currently studying graphic design at uni online and I'm finding keeping up with the work demand hard. I have the time, but I find some days I'm just sitting there for hours not getting anything done. I also just feel mentally numb, not feeling anything. I lack motivation to do things I enjoy. I often sit at home doing nothing then depression hits at the end of hit because I feel down for not doing anything. Its a vicious cycle.. I just feel stuck at the moment. If I'm on my tablets, I feel numb, no depression, but also I don't feel happy.. I don't feel anything. I just feel blank. If I go off them, I find It's the opposite. I have extreme highs and lows. Nothing really between. I enjoy horse riding but the effort of leaving the house to see my horses is often too much. I find myself regretting things I didn't do in the day bring on a bout of depression. Just wanting a balance in my life. Regards, Lianna

Not sure

replies: 3

Hi not sure if I should be here? I am not suicidal but I have been low on and off for the last few months. I feel like I am in a funk and I can't get out of it. Every time I think things are getting better something else just piles up on top of everything else. I feel like I shouldn't have any problems my life seems great but I feel like I am going backwards literally and metaphorically and I don't know how to stop it. Thanks for reading.

I don't know

replies: 17

Hello, I feel like my stock pile of hope is running out. The older I get the less I think there is another better life in the future. This might just be it. I feel like I just want to stop/have a break, but I can't have one, and it probably wouldn't be helpful anyway. If I stop moving I may not start again. I'm already heading towards doing the bare minimum. As hard as it is I need to keep going, at least for my children's sake. I'm letting down all the people who I love the most. I wish they had better. I wish I was better.

First post

replies: 4

Hi everyone, This is my first post. Im not even sure if im using this site properly. I just know that im tired of being alone and feeling helpless. I was scared to join this site or anything other, scared to talk about things on the internet or at all i suppose. Im anxious. Im struggling. If the slightest thing goes wrong in my day I cant cope. Im trying to get help from a pyschologist, GP. Im reading books. Im meditating or trying to. I frightened there is no solution for me and I cant understand why I cant cope with simple things like leaving the house or going to the supermarket. Things that seem so easy for everyone else. Im worried I'll completely fall apart and take my whole family with me. If I cant care for myself how can I care for anyone else? I dont know where to start to try to make things better. How can I get better and what if i never do?

Hello

replies: 4

Hi, I just created an account for this site. I have depression and anxiety, and have always struggled finding someone I can talk to, that will be able to help me improve. I have 3 kids, two living, and my daughter (6) has been showing signs of anxiet... View more

Honest with myself

replies: 4

Hi All, First time member here. Thought it was time I was honest and reached out past the anxiety. I have thought more and more about joining the discussion...but fear held me back. I am a long time battler of Anxiety, my first thought was as a 6 year old. That was nearly 24 years ago now. It wasn't until I was in my 20's and with a young child that I realised that I couldn't do it "alone" and got help from my doctor. My husband doesn't understand the illness, so has the misguided views of the 'unenlightened', but he still tries. 2017 has been a particularly rough year so far. I have lost a close friend, my husband and I lost very close family member, I was bullied out of my job and our house was flooded with the recent cyclonic weather in QLD (our insurance has denied our claim and we now have a $30,000 repair bill at least). Today I hit rock bottom. I battled through all the above, however today I just couldn't cope. After a call to Lifeline (first ever), a visit from a couple of nice religious doorknockers and a call to a friend I have managed to pull myself back together. However, I don't have a lot of people who understand what is happening mentally, anyone who can relate. I am hoping to find some like minded people here and hopefully gain a friend or two. Thanks for reading...ashamg

Battling on but ever so tired

replies: 4

Hi thank you for giving me the opportunity to talk with someone about the way I feel as now I feel ever so lonely and need of a friend I can rely on as my feelings & communications with Family are not worthy of me no more,I'm not here for sympathy I'm here to chat so I can feel human I work so hard try so hard in life will give my all to help others yet I seem the one to fall flat on my face every single time I'm good hearted person & aleaysbe there for anyone I'm working remote site here in Western Australia I get hardly any contact from my Family I have friends here but it's hard telling them how I feel on the inside yes I smile everyday but deep down I'm not sure what's left in me my family don't seem to know what's it like being away from home long time and working in many remote areas and only going home sometimes I really wish they knew how I feel right now I go to work had my job being a Chef it's very hard I get along well within my work colleagues and put on a braves smile when I get back to Caravan I'm staying in looking at 4 walls no one to talk too then it hurts deep down I'm not in the way to harm myself it's just the loneliess that hurts me it would be nice to chat with someone and knows how it hurts so much honestly I'm not too sure no more I will keep battling along smile be polite and courtesy to people just wish it didn't hurt so much being away and lonely thanks for letting me say my peace I wish all well regards Paul

Best response when a new user posts in an existing thread and needs support?

replies: 10

Hi all, I've noticed a few new users lately posting in existing threads (which is absolutely fine in my mind for most things). But when you need support and help urgently (for example when you're in a really bad place) your post can get lost and not get a reply for days. And in the meantime it's pretty horrible thinking noone is responding to you. I'm in this position currently having noticed a post that needs support that I'm not able to give properly at this time. I need help to get this person help. What is the right thing to do in this situation? Report the post? I have asked the person to create a new thread here but my post went to moderation. If you're able to help can you please search for: username: givemehope Can we maybe keep a thread on BB for asking for help if a user is at risk and needs a response as soon as possible?

Meet your community champions! replies: 13

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

Thank You for These Forums replies: 4

Brick walls replies: 3

New here and feeling stuck! replies: 2

Not sure replies: 3

I don't know replies: 17

First post replies: 4

Hello replies: 4

Honest with myself replies: 4

Battling on but ever so tired replies: 4

Best response when a new user posts in an existing thread and needs support? replies: 10