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Sophie_M 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 Be... View more

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.

Aaronsis 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 th... View more

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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Moonstruck What if I say the wrong thing to someone who needs support on the forums?
  • replies: 7

I sometimes see new threads from regulars.....or first-time newbies with a problem I'd like to give support about....or I feel I can identify with..... but not being trained, or a professional, or expert in any way - just struggling myself....I am a ... View more

I sometimes see new threads from regulars.....or first-time newbies with a problem I'd like to give support about....or I feel I can identify with..... but not being trained, or a professional, or expert in any way - just struggling myself....I am a bit hesitant in case I say the wrong thing, make the person feel worse, or totally going down the wrong track to help or support them. Any tips?......thanks...Moon S

Pink_elephant New to the forum
  • replies: 2

Hi, I have finally tapped into this forum - been pretty scared about it. However, I am sure I will meet other like minded beings here. My story briefly is: 2 years ago I was terminated from my Management job at an op shop. I had death threats and con... View more

Hi, I have finally tapped into this forum - been pretty scared about it. However, I am sure I will meet other like minded beings here. My story briefly is: 2 years ago I was terminated from my Management job at an op shop. I had death threats and consequently was terminated on ' stress' leave. I recently relocated back to Melbourne from Brisbane, so, at times feel quite alone and that i am going Nuts. I have 2 sons who are both married and have there own lives, and live interstate. I am a widow and live alone. I want to work through this anxiety and connect with others for both support and understanding.

B1982 2nd and real intro
  • replies: 3

Hi,this is my first day on here as - I feel like a failure - a mother, wife, teachers assistant, can't keep friends cause I always put my foot in it - I gossip and I can't help myself I feel as though it will make me more friends, and I know it doesn... View more

Hi,this is my first day on here as - I feel like a failure - a mother, wife, teachers assistant, can't keep friends cause I always put my foot in it - I gossip and I can't help myself I feel as though it will make me more friends, and I know it doesn't I hate it but can't help myself. I drink too much when I go out and say things to people that mean the most to me that make me want to run away and never face them again, but I have to. I smoke cigarettes and I don't want to, but I like doing it!! My parents have lost everything and are living with friends and the stress they have been through is like they are not here anymore, my kids don't really even care if they don't see them, don't miss them or care that when they do come around my parents are very vacant and don't listen.... im very all over the place emotionally don't really know who to talk to or where to go... Thank you

Bikedave Why me?
  • replies: 2

Having lived with depression, ptsd and anxiety for the last 5 years just when I thought I had a handle on it life is turned upside down again. I have just come home after 3 months in hospital due to a bike accident. Nearly losing everything that matt... View more

Having lived with depression, ptsd and anxiety for the last 5 years just when I thought I had a handle on it life is turned upside down again. I have just come home after 3 months in hospital due to a bike accident. Nearly losing everything that matters to you in one early morning ride can destroy you. For 3 months in hospital I lay on my back watching as my muscle mass diminished, finally with a loss of 13 kg. The question I woke to every day was why me. Well I died on the operating table but came back for a reason and the 58000 followers of my story on Facebook enhanced my belief that there was a reason. I believe that reason is to help others with there demons by sharing my story.

B1982 New
  • replies: 2

Hi, im new to this and glad there is an option to express things that are normally hard to say out loud. i go through my ups and downs mostly ups but my downs hit pretty hard! Im not sure what else to say right now apart from I'm a wife, mother of 2 ... View more

Hi, im new to this and glad there is an option to express things that are normally hard to say out loud. i go through my ups and downs mostly ups but my downs hit pretty hard! Im not sure what else to say right now apart from I'm a wife, mother of 2 and work as an education assistant part time.... anyway hope everyone that has come at least this far are ok and working through whatever problems that are in their lives right now. i look forward to connecting with you. bianca

SimplyMe_37 Managing my illness for over 15 years but struggling this year
  • replies: 4

Hi, I'm new to this site. I saw my gp on Friday who is recommending I see someone as I haven't been feeling that great lately but still managing to get up in the morning and getting on with what the day brings. I don't really want to see anyone right... View more

Hi, I'm new to this site. I saw my gp on Friday who is recommending I see someone as I haven't been feeling that great lately but still managing to get up in the morning and getting on with what the day brings. I don't really want to see anyone right now as I'm worried that if I open this pandora box right now it will bring me back to square one. So I thought maybe I'll join and see if hearing other people's experiences will help me refocus and get back on track. Anyways just saying hi and go from there.

selftruth Introduction from Self Truth
  • replies: 2

Hello Everyone. I suffer chronic depression and a few other illnesses. I have an ABI from a stroke. Though I present well after 9 years of fighting the illness and the effects of an ABI from my stroke I may just have to accept that working will not h... View more

Hello Everyone. I suffer chronic depression and a few other illnesses. I have an ABI from a stroke. Though I present well after 9 years of fighting the illness and the effects of an ABI from my stroke I may just have to accept that working will not happen. I am on a DSP. I find it very humiliating as I want to be more productive than I have been of recent times. I hope to use this forum for support and to provide support. Cheers Guys

thomas1029609 first post - not a new member
  • replies: 16

I signed up late last year and just finding the courage to say hi well the short story been on medication and going to counselling for almost a year with a few ups and downs, my life lately has changed with a fair few positives from buying my own hou... View more

I signed up late last year and just finding the courage to say hi well the short story been on medication and going to counselling for almost a year with a few ups and downs, my life lately has changed with a fair few positives from buying my own house to meeting an awesome partner and now with a 10 week old baby. i still some days feel why? and what am i doing? what am i doing wrong? I also sometimes feel the counselling isn't working and just a lot of telling me what i should do not helping with the situation like the empty advice my mum would give when i was a child (just be happy and it will be ok). however my job well today had a surprise performance review and well made me feel like just wanting to walk out the door and quit. i had issues over the last 2 years and about 12 months ago got worse. the managers comment how they "saved me" and convinced a client to keep me, along with past issues etc and interview feedback from a prospective client. i know i need to get out of my job and i feel im only just hanging on at present, iv applied for some jobs and had some interviews but my struggle is when already feeling depressed and down to be the bubbly, enthusiastic, confident and ....i look at those words in the job description and feel how? thanks for reading

Rin2 Hi
  • replies: 4

Hi everyone. So I am currently struggling in life. Feeling absolutely lost most of the time but at the same time, too calm to save my life. The last time I've been to the GP was to get my thyroid checked, because I've been having low mood and have lo... View more

Hi everyone. So I am currently struggling in life. Feeling absolutely lost most of the time but at the same time, too calm to save my life. The last time I've been to the GP was to get my thyroid checked, because I've been having low mood and have lost weight. Having previously gotten blood test results, I have always shown abnormal thyroid levels (or something like that) but it wasn't all too severe to be worried about. So with the terrible low mood I have concluded that maybe my thyroid problems have gotten worse. However, as I got to talk to my GP alot more about my 'supposed symptoms', he ended up with the conclusion that I may have mild depression and that my thoughts about my thyroid must be my way of coping with it. That maybe I was looking for something physically wrong with me so it would be easier(kinda) to treat, but as it turns out it's actually something mentally wrong. That made me realise a few things, like being blind and not seeing the truth. The truth that I was unhappy, which I couldn't admit to myself because I was always the happy person. The person in the group that was always hyper and loud, so this was something completely opposite. But then again, I'm certain that it wasn't all pretend. Maybe until recently when I'm not as loud or ecstatic as I would normally be, and even quiet at times. However, ever since that last visit to the GP, things have gotten down hill. I spent most days being unable to get out bed, I ate once a day, loss of motivation at uni and even failing things which made me felt more worthless and would spent my nights crying myself to sleep and this would last for 2 weeks. It has happened on 2 occassions ever since (the last one being 2 months ago) and I feel like it's back, even though i feel like it's always been around. Maybe I should go back to the GP and get checked again and ask for proper diagnosis and help ? Especially the fact that it scares me how I can act so calm on the outside when I am internally stressing about everything deep inside.