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Meet your community champions!

replies: 12

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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Just joined. Change of medication challenge

replies: 5

Hello. Need to off load to others who understand this illness. Frustrated by the ongoing recurring nature of depression and anxiety. im struggling getting thru each day waiting for change of medication to reach therapeutic levels. I wish now I'd not changed medication as I am more unwell now. I have to consciously nip my negative thinking in the bud. I dissolve into tears at the slightest thing. 8 weeks on new meds. One week at doubled dose. Waiting waiting. This illness has stripped my self confidence. In that viscous cycle of not being able to do things that might help me like going for a walk. Its very hard to accept this illness. I have to work so hard not to get really hard on myself thinking I should be able to "rise above it". Remind self , if I could , I would. I joined forum because it's very hard for others to understand this illness unless they experience it themselves. I get self conscious about talking to friends and family about how I am feeling because it is just so ongoing. 6 years now of being really unwell. Thanks for listening.

Feeling so down

replies: 5

Hi guys my name is Mel, I am new to this thread and have decided to join as I am feeling so down. Lately I have experienced alot of online bullying and while I try to brush it off, it really affecting my selfesteem. I originally turned to social media as I was already feeling down about myself and liked interacting with other adults. I have been very socially isolated and had a relationship that was falling apart, social networking was my escape. At first it was great, I really liked the positive attention I was getting at first eg compliments etc but now things have taken a negative turn. I have really bad anxiety and feel that everyone hates me and I am so depressed, I wont go out and leave the house! I usto be a bubbly, outgoing girl with a great sense of humour, now that part of me is gone! I am just hoping there is someone out there, who is willing to listen!

Looking for answers

replies: 1

Hi, I'm hoping to connect with others who understand my story and can offer me some hope! I come from a family of three siblings and consider myself to come from a very dysfunctional family. I grew up with a depressed father, who worked very hard to provide but, wasn't there for us in the way a father should be. My mother was verbally abused from him throughout their marriage and I suppose you could've has viewed them as an odd couple. The dynamics have caused quite a few arguments throughout the family over the years and we all now just tend to do our own thing and, live our own lives. I admit I try to stay as much away from the family and see my parents on the odd occasion, avoiding family dinners and special occasions. In the last year, to say my world has turned upside down is an understatement. My husband has suffered a catastrophic injury at work, which has resulted in him losing his independence and, may result in him not being able to work in his industry again. He's also not able to drive and not sure if he ever will. I've have watched this incident result in loss of friendships, lack of trust, feelings of helplessness and isolation. I have re-evaluated every single person I called our friends, and feel saddened by the lack of humanity and support. I am a mother to three children and feel that I haven't been able to be a proper mother since the accident. I've driven my husband to and from appointments, at times up to four times a week. I'm saddened that not one person has had any compassion for me as a human and at times, I feel so exhausted Id be happy to just not wake up. The most hardest part of this whole situation, is accepting things have now changed and the least you expect from friends and family, the less disappointed you'll be. Right now, I am just surviving putting one foot in front of the other and go to bed trying to sort out how out situation is going to get better. As parents we had plans for the future, now we fear what's ahead. My husband has had therapy but is now showing symptoms of PTSD and I can see the effects it's had on my children. A smile can hide the pain but the heart breaks slowly in pieces every day watching my husband, who was once a strong healthy man, turn into a recluse. I do often ask, "Where is my happily ever after?". I have no answers right now and hoping you can share your experiences with me. I look forward to it.

A Friendship Hub

replies: 40

I’ve been observing members, including myself, trying to form friendships and connections with each other on our BeyondBlue Forum. This trend is evolving and as such, doesn’t have a format to provide space for people to develop these associations. Each thread has a topic which can and has progressed into long term support which is fabulous; some, including me, are finding it difficult to keep to topic as well as nurture this growing desire for a closer connection. Another issue is of course anonymity/privacy and how this important aspect supports the sites reputation as a safe haven for sufferers of mental health disorders and related concerns. As this site can have up to 70,000 views per month, it might be interesting to create a simple (one off) user survey. Information and statistics gathered could encourage BB to further develop its value to the community. An added bonus is the consultative process itself. Users who fill out the survey are providing information as a holistic approach, that’s inclusive and representative of individuals having a voice that matters. Identifying trends/gaps could be useful in supporting a new type of forum structure or a whole different section of BB, allowing members to converse similarly to a chat room; or at the least, have a forum ‘hub’ where members can create their own space to request time with specific users for instance. I’d like to hear (read) what members and moderators think of these suggestions. Please submit your thoughts as they are valued and worthy of recognition. New members are very welcome to add to this thread as well. Kind Regards…Just Sara Definitions User: Anyone who views the BB site for information as well as forum participants Member: Read-only forum users or those contributing to forum threads. Moderators: ChrisB and Sophie_M

New to all this and not sure if this is the right thing to do and nervous

replies: 6

Honestly i dont know if writing any of this is going to help, and im very nervous whilst typing. I dont really know where to start. I really wanted to go see my family doctor but everytime i book an appointment i get way to nervous and cant physically bring myself to spit the words out. I know i need some help though but its very very hard for me to actually say those words to ANYONE! Im going to be 25 in 2 weeks and have a recently 6 year old daughter whos just gone on school holidays after finishing her first year ever at school. I have a partner who turned 30 in september weve been together for just over 7 years and weve dealt with ALOT over that time but recently had some legal issues which started when he was arrested out of the blue on september 23rd. Since then ive been struggling VERY badly as families SA got involved and alot of drastic major changes have happened or been forced upon me. I just honestly dont know who to turn to or who can help me, better yet HOW anyones suppose to.help me when i cant even bring myself to ask and i always push it all down and pretend everythings fine so i dont get judgement or questions and have to talk about it cause im worried theyll just think im crazy or something... its so hard to explain but i no somethings not right with me and i jst dont no what to do. Im sorry if this is not whats meant to be written or if i sound stupid or something So scared to even post this cause i dnt want to sound like an idiot!

New and nervous

replies: 3

Hi...i have untreated depression and anxiety....i cant go to any social gatherings and i cant communicate / talk to people. I dont have any friends (people i say hello to but no one who visits/rings me) my family dont even contact me..i feel like i am always making an effort to get people to "like me" but have no luck. I feel embarrassed to go to a dr...i got a mental health plan months ago...no direction given as to what to do with it so still unused...my husband is 'over it' and i dont have his support..in fact i have been told to keep it to myself..great hey...he can be supportive...on his terms. I do really love him and believe he loves me (although i wonder how anyone could) Cant blame him totally as my head has been messed up for years..my first time talking to anyone at all...

New here, trying to work out who to talk to or how to process the mess my life is.

replies: 2

Hi there, Have hit a pretty low ebb in life, not sure whether I am legitimately depressed. I don't even know where the line between anxiety and depression is, and for the most part what I feel is numb. I'm turning 45 on Monday, have 50/50 custody of my 17yo son who is awesome. His mum and I separated 10 years ago (my decision) and I have had a string of disastrous relationships since. My latest was to stupidly get involved with a married woman I worked with. Other staff found out and assumed I had sleazed onto her (she was very much the instigator), and I wore the heat for two years afterwards while she left the company. I was made redundant in June which was pretty traumatic and sudden, and I now find myself working night shifts alone 9 nights a fortnight. The married woman still lives with her husband, claims she ended the relationship two years ago which I don't believe at all.....but every time I try to extricate myself she loses the plot, has resorted to driving past my home in the middle of the night and calling and messaging me constantly. I feel trapped and alone. My friends and family have distanced themselves from me as a result of this mess and I don't really know where to turn these days. I am the first to own the mistake I made in getting involved here, but don't know how to recover my life, my feelings of worth or my self-respect. This woman now claims to have been diagnosed with MS and that lingering doubt still exists that she may be telling the truth.....turning my back seems a horrible thing to do if she is telling the truth. Feeling like a real idiot to be honest. Just punch drunk and not knowing who to talk to or how to process the mess my life is.

New and frankly feeling a little hopeless

replies: 9

Over the last 6 months I've been involved in a 5 car pile up ( my car was written off and I was injured) been part of a administration/liquidation and lost 21k in owed salary, leave, super and entitlements, Jane been unable to find work, and recently was told by my long term partner that she wasn't happy and she was leaving me that evening. Prior to these events I was already trying to overcome PTSD, depression and anxiety with exercise, mindfullness and social engagement with moderate success - off medication. Since the breakup I've been insular, hopeless and not sleeping, and it feels like these recent setbacks are just part of a snowball of several misfortunes that add up across the last 7 years. I haven't taken medication for many years but I'm feeling like I need to, as I'm both depressed and also having physical anxiety attacks. I'll be seeing my GP soon, but wondering if there is anyone who knows whether the SSRIs or related new drugs still have all the bad side effects they used to?

Hi

replies: 3

Hi all It's been a while since I've needed to reach out for support. After an extended period of work and general life stress my body and mind are starting to rebel - morning nausea, worry, lack of focus, low self-esteem... I've been fortunate to be able sleep very well and quite a bit in recent times but other symptoms have started since catching up on rest and it can be a little daunting. Hopefully this board will help me to work through what is happening to my body and to keep my mind calm. Cheers

Feeling a bit unmotivated, depressed and still full of Christmas turkey

replies: 2

Hi there! I am trying motivated to do some of an online course, which needs urgent attention and really I can't afford to put it off any longer than I have been doing. The weather is not helping today as it is thundering and raining. Usually I would go for a walk and this would improve my mood vastly (walking off the Christmas turkey), but I am stuck in the house with my dog who is suffering from separation anxiety. I have schizophrenia and various forms of tardive dyskinesia. I am tired of having this illness. I first got this illness when I was 19 and now I am 38. I had an aunt also with this illness and she killed herself at 36 years of age. I remember my mum's reaction to hearing about her death when I was a teenager and it was just terrible. I just wish sometimes I had a bit more luck, but I do know of others who have it much worse. I do however have a wonderful supportive family and friends, but there is always a bit more baggage to carry around with this illness and that little bird that wanted so much just so much to be totally free, was limited somewhat and sometimes she feels very sad about that.

Meet your community champions! replies: 12

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

Just joined. Change of medication challenge replies: 5

Feeling so down replies: 5

Looking for answers replies: 1

A Friendship Hub replies: 40

New to all this and not sure if this is the right thing to do and nervous replies: 6

New and nervous replies: 3

New here, trying to work out who to talk to or how to process the mess my life is. replies: 2

New and frankly feeling a little hopeless replies: 9

Hi replies: 3

Feeling a bit unmotivated, depressed and still full of Christmas turkey replies: 2