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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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Who am I

replies: 3

Hello BB Forums, I am 61 years old and all of a sudden alone. Not that that bothers me too much. But when my father passed away in 2017 and since then I have been fighting hostile siblings and false claims that I am legally with mental health conditions. I have been fighting to keep my sanity and anxiety attacks away by finding distractions in life. I sometimes build plastic models or even play games on my PC. What is strange by avoiding those that are hostile, I wonder whom has the mental health issues. Having learned that anxiety can destroy you in more ways than one thinks. I stopped walking and talking to people. The hardest things are to pick up the pieces and move on. kind regards, Bill of Silence

Estranged Son

replies: 2

I have been estranged from my son for nearly 8 years - his choice not mine. We think he was on drugs at the time as he spread some vicious rumours about abuse he had received at my and his brothers hands. None of this was true. I respect his right to maintain his distance. He has his own wife and children now who he meant and who believed his story. I know this as I contacted his old school friend who told me this. The thing is, my mother and his grandmother is dying with only a few days to live and I was thinking of finding a way to contact him and let him know, by letter. He was always close to her and I feel he might want to know. But maybe not, hence using a letter not FB. My question is does anyone know how to go about finding his address - and, I suppose, should I reach out? He not only cut off me and my husband but his whole family so perhaps he won’t want to know. Feedback appreciated

Same old feeling

replies: 2

Hi, I’m new to all of this. I’ve been struggling for about 7 or 8 months now. I only told my wife last night. It took me a good 5months to work up the courage to tell her, she is now pushing hard for me to get help, which I want but not sure what direction to go. It took me so long to tell her I’m not sure I’m ready to talk to someone yet.Do I go to a doctor first, do I go see a psychologist first. I’m not sure what to do.Any advice would be great.

Tired mum juggling it all

replies: 4

Hello, I've recently joined to find a safe space to learn and share. I'm a busy mum of three (12, 9 & 3) and my youngest has autism and developmental delay. My husband is a recovering alcoholic who works shift work so I have full compassion for single parent life and anyone dealing with addiction. I am studying psychology with hopes to make it all the way to registration. Between juggling NDIS therapies, the kids school requirements, my uni study and now a part time job working in age care, I feel I may be burning out fasting than a cheap candle. I'm not really sure why I am posting tonight, but I felt like reaching out and saying hello to everyone here.

Mid- life Crisis Maybe...

replies: 3

Hello to all, i am very new to this kind of thing not a big tech user but have to try something when all else feels like is failing. I am very alone in this world and i am lost right now. No family no friends no body to talk to. Sold my home to get away from small town torments and teasing just for wanting to live in peace and harmony with nature, living a self sustainable healthy life, but that seems worthy of ridicule among rural towns people. Currently on a road trip to find another place but from what i can see, it will only be the same outcome where ever i go. Can't call on anybody because i simply dont have anybody. Don't know where to go from here but just keep driving... i have joined this forum to seek out anybody who knows of any where preferably QLD where a guy can find santuary?

I am not sure what I am feeling

replies: 8

Hi, this is my first time to post on this forum. I’m 38 yo female. I’m actually not sure why I’m feeling really down lately, I feel really hopeless. I noticed that I just wanted to be on my own. I feel it is such an effort to appear ok to people. People have noticed as well that I’m distant. I wanted to be alone but at the same time I want someone 🤷🏽‍ my thoughts are my enemy

A Right Hand Turn

replies: 2

Hello Have you ever tried to do a right hand turn in life and get it right every single time?I have done many changes in life from job/career changes to changing sporting activities and even states within Australia. When they been planned and the outcome is good, that is the most satisfying thing to have, but when it goes horribly wrong it is devastating. It is ok turn then adjust and review to go on, it seems like when it happens rapidly and without stopping, that is when the alarm bells go off. But what if you did not see it coming and the smallest thing/issue/problem sets you off on life changing experience!Well that's me I am here to break down the barriers of Mental Health, I have become a Consumer Representative for the NBMLHD and are determined to change this stigma! I look back over my life and I have allways struggle with Anxiety, ADHD and Deslexia. Now with Depression and experienced atampted suicide, my outlook on life has changed for ever. My psycologist has tuaght me there is no "Normal", recovery is so much more the just getting back to this thing called 'Normal' but normalising things and saying for what it is being real to myself. No more masks So as you welcome, I welcome you into my world. Coffee?

Hello

replies: 4

Hi. I am going through it at the moment and attempting to process some unresolved trauma from childhood. It's really hard and wish that I had someone to talk to but I really don't.

Can we be friend?

replies: 8

Hi Beyond Blue members, I'm turning 34 tomorrow. I have been feeling so alone all this time, anxiety and depression probably my only companions.But, I denied my feelings for years, only these 2 years I started to realize how lonely I have been. I used to achieve a lot in the past, recently, I have brain fog which makes me get trouble in my professional life. I really want to feel better, feel myself again after these brain-fogs years, I assume you do too, that is why we are here seeking support.I have a very limited social support who understand my condition. If you are looking for a safe genuine supportive connection who understand each other's condition, can we maybe be friends?I am probably not in my best possible self at the moment. But, if we connect to each other, form a small group with deeper connection, maybe we can be a help/support for one another. Thank you

Marriage struggle with two young children

replies: 4

Hi, I’m my wife and I had our second child 8 weeks ago. Our first child was through IVF this took around 18 months which was really testing for us. On top of all that COVID hit the world. Our first was a boy and he developed a real attachment to me (dad). My wife really struggled with this and felt he hated her and thought we would be better without her. This was really tough for me as I knew he loved her and he would show that, but she play it all down. The struggles got really bad and I would cop messages like having kids ruined her live and she regrets ever meeting me as I did this to her. Thankfully she seemed help and the psych have really helped her. We were lucky enough that we fell pregnant naturally with our second. We wanted two kids but didn’t expect to have one this soon, but we’re happy about it. The pregnancy went well as my wife didn’t get preeclampsia like last time and everything was tracking well. The baby came a week early as she was a bit small. My wife tried to give birth naturally, but we ended up with a cesarian. Unfortunately post birth her BP went up and she had an extended stay in hospital which was not how we expected this birth to happen. But we got home and settled in nicely until now. My wife is having those feelings of being hated by our children and is saying she is resenting me again and if our second child hates her she will leave us. I just don’t know what to do. I run my own business so I have been able to drop everything and come home is she needs help, but it seems to not be working and I feel it is putting stress on me from a business side of things as well as a mental side. has anyone been through similar things? I am at loss as to what to do. thanks for listening

Meet your community champions! replies: 10

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

Who am I replies: 3

Estranged Son replies: 2

Same old feeling replies: 2

Tired mum juggling it all replies: 4

Mid- life Crisis Maybe... replies: 3

I am not sure what I am feeling replies: 8

A Right Hand Turn replies: 2

Hello replies: 4

Can we be friend? replies: 8

Marriage struggle with two young children replies: 4