Welcome and Orientation

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Cyclone Alfred - Mental Health Support

replies: 1

Hey everyone, We acknowledge that many of our Forums members here are currently facing the impacts of Cyclone Alfred and might be feeling uncertain, afraid and overwhelmed. We wanted to create a separate post here to come together during what may be a distressing time for many of us to support one another. Recognising that the impacts of a natural disaster can occur both before, during and after, we have prepared some resources which we hope can be helpful: From the Queensland Government, Useful information to help you get ready for a cyclone:Home | Get Ready Queensland Emotional Preparedness: Prepare your mind | Australian Red Cross Three-steps-to-emotionally-prepare-for-the-disaster-season.pdf What now? Coping after the event: Coping after a crisis | Australian Red Cross Maintaining wellbeing in the face of long-term stress | Australian Red Cross Emergency preparedness guide | Australian Red Cross As always, if you wish to speak to a counsellor, the Beyond Blue Support Service is available via phone 24/7 on 1300 22 4636 or via beyondblue.org.au/get-support for online chat. Stay safe, everyone, and take good care of yourself during what can be a deeply challenging time. Kind regards 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 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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New here. Hi

replies: 9

Hi there. Basically I'm here because around seven months ago my life as i knew it fell apart and i haven't actually stopped to process any of it and I'm now finding that it is all catching up with me. I can't get in to see a psychologist face to face for around 2 months, bit of a waiting list, so I'm hoping i can find someone to talk to. Just someone maybe to listen and help me understand and come to terms with some of the things going on. Cheers.

Introducing myself

replies: 1

Hi all! I would like to say thank you for letting me be a part of your community. My husband sufferes from anxiety and possibly more. I would absoluty love tips on coping as I do not have anyone to help. I would love to tips on dealing sucessfully wi... View more

My Introduction

replies: 1

Hi, I'm 32 years old. I've had a 6 week battle with depression, anxiety and stress. I'm currently studying science at TAFE. I came across a lot of the websites which are useful. After six weeks I feel brighter, happier and much more lively and energetic. I found a lot of strategies to overcome the odds of depression such as walking and holidays and I was also thinking about going on a holiday. I've been grateful that I received a lot of support from counselors and I can continue to receive the support. Now I can stay on track and move on. I've the battle behind me.

Travelling Australia-Proudly Supporting beyondblue

replies: 2

Hi. My name is Ray and on the 1st of May I set off from Melbourne visiting Bowls Clubs and Local Gyms all over Australia in my Motorhome.I am a survivor of the HMAS Voyager accident and Vietnam Vet and sufferer of PTSD. My wife of 50 years suicided last year after a major stroke. I am no stranger to depression and encourage people to TALK .I aim to reduce the stigma surrounding depression and suicide. I plan to carry out this role long term. As a successful businessman and outgoing community minded person I am confident that I can make a difference. My wife did not talk about her problem to anybody and it cost her a life. It cost my family everything. So far I have met many people willing to talk .

Invasion Day - my feelings and thoughts, need for our people to stand up

replies: 5

Invasion, clearing of our land, fences, strange animals, rum, stealing our half cast children and teaching the ‘black’ out of them, with clothes, with discipline, religion and violence. Stamping out the black – the badness. Missions. Bringing disease that we have been protected from for 30,000 years. Yes, 30,000 years we have lived on this land with our own mobs, with different languages, different ceremony, different skills, different marriage systems. We had physical markers in our environment that were like your fences that warned other mobs not to go there. Our own legal system. Rapists get speared in the leg. They get no bush medicine from their people. If they live, they are banished from the tribe. If they die, good. No jails. No walls, just nature. We left no footprints on our environment. No pollution. So, when you ask yourself why we black fellas fight, abuse alcohol and drugs, have no respect to our elders anymore, is because we are lost between two worlds. White fellas can throw as much money into helping us. It won’t work. We need to find a way to live between two worlds. We need to do it on our own. Our once strong, loving, dreamtime is fading away. We are a fractured, damaged, struggling people. Australia was not settled. It was invaded. Which was quite a popular thing at the time. For any ‘civilised’ nation to find ‘savages’ living in a world of exploration, the ‘savages’ were considered nothing more than monkeys and the land was considered a resource. And here we are now…some of us are making a difference. But then go to some places on pension day and watch the entire aboriginal population have a full on riot in the streets. And have a look at our prisons. Lots of us there for: Theft, battery, rape, murder. When all they needed was their elders to spear them in the thigh and leave them for dead. So ask yourself a question. Where to now? We need to stand up. We need to maintain our identites, we can still go to university, get a good job, but need to keep our real culture alive. We can do this. We really can. Teach our young ones respect, identity, family values, culture. Sorry for my ramblings, but I just needed to get this off my chest. I hope I don't offend anyone. I just see all of this happening, and I believe our ancient culture is worth fighting for.

Hello All - My Intro

replies: 2

Hi there guys, Just a very short intro from me. First off, I'm really excited to be a part of the beyond blue forum. I'm looking forward to the interactions with all member on the site. I am family man. I'm an I.T Consultant by day an entrepreneur by night. The reason I joined this forum is to help people suffering with similar issues to mine which impact mental health. In particular, workplace bullying and workplace issues.

New hello .

replies: 5

Hi. I am new here. 41 female. I have been on Meds when I had my daughter a few years back for overwhelming feelings. Anyway been off them for 8 months and all good. But just recently had what I feel is back stabbing by a so called friend. It has upset me very deeply and I realise it is probably upset me more than it should and I need help to get me through. I feel very very upset every day. Taking over my days. It's only day 2 since another so call friend told me to get help as I am " pushing people away" this has also deeply hurt me and is glued in my head right now , so I guess I am on here to seek support as my so called friends have had enough. I feel like a total freak , weirdo at the moment with no friends . I have been made to feel like I am very wrong to feel like this by people I thought might have been a shoulder. I wish I could be someone else for a day to see how peole see me. I can never keep friends , people are all nice to start off with but soon disapear. As soon as I meet anyone new now I straight away I feel anxious . I am married to the most wonderful hubby who is my rock. Phew I have done it at last Thanks for reading . This is my first positive step . I woke up this morning with the same things in my head and decided today was the day to get the ball rolling. First joining this group and secondly made an appointment with my very caring GP tomorrow.

New to BB thought i should give it a go after being told about it for years

replies: 5

Hi i dont really know what to say

Hi I'm a newbie

replies: 4

Hi I'm having a rough patch. Longtime sufferer of depression, anxiety. Diagnosed bipolar 10 yrs, and recently complex trauma. Will jump in on other topic forums to get sometips. Just wanted to say hello.

day one.

replies: 3

It makes me so nervous writing here as my severe anxiety has paralysed me most of my teenage/adult life. I found out that now depression has joined the gang and we're all in this hot mess. Not going to tell you my story because let's face it, we are all fighting our own battles but it's so interesting to me that we all have different stories but feel the same agony. Its currently just one of those nights were my mind is tells me everything I don't want to hear.. i just worry worry worry about every single detail of my life.. first post first timer on something like this..now for me to press that ' post this trend' button. Feels Scariest moment of my life. stay safe.

Cyclone Alfred - Mental Health Support replies: 1

Meet your community champions! replies: 10

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

New here. Hi replies: 9

Introducing myself replies: 1

My Introduction replies: 1

Travelling Australia-Proudly Supporting beyondblue replies: 2

Invasion Day - my feelings and thoughts, need for our people to stand up replies: 5

Hello All - My Intro replies: 2

New hello . replies: 5

New to BB thought i should give it a go after being told about it for years replies: 5

Hi I'm a newbie replies: 4

day one. replies: 3