Welcome and Orientation

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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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Hi Everyone ~ yeah I love Trees :)

replies: 2

Bullying at work was the last thing I expected, or needed in early 2012. I'd never had a panic attack before then. Fortunately for me, I've a great clinic close to home, so I reached out for assistance early, and received great support from medical professionals. I still feel a bit fragile emotionally when I reflect on the last 4 years. Up until this intense phase with anxiety and depression, I thought if anyone was immune to mental illness... it was me. Suffice to say, I passed that denial phase a few years ago If sharing my experiences can help anyone, I'm glad to contribute.

fairly new here. but my sickness isnt

replies: 5

hi there. iv had this sickness for 12 to 13 yrs now. anxiety and depresion! but when i think about it its probably since i was in my 20,s.(53 now) sometimes it has disapeared for a year or 2 and i think, great im cured. at the moment iv never been worse. i havnt been able to work much because im so nervous and make mistakes and because of the meds i swet bad. so bad that it get dangerous. (im a roofer) constant shaking dosnt help. i go out and just seem to fall off a cliff in despair. one minute im fine then , bang im gone. people i dont know ask if im ok. my whole face changes.like im staring at death. i have to just walk to try to get it together. my friends are incredible with there suport but i know it gets them down also. that tears me apart. i cry about that the most. im so lucky that iv got a litle suport group who have got my back. but most people can pick im not ok and if they ask im just honest with them. if find that most people have incredible empathy! i went off the meds last week but no good that way. one friend is trying tough love and saying that its not just meds i need but to try and think positive. she,s right off course. (bless her) anyway went to center link and they were really good. trying new meds and a few $ will be great. at least i can eat. i hope you have as great people in your corner as me because i would stand a chance. neil

new member

replies: 2

Hey, I am 19 and a mother to a 2 year old. I have never felt a bond with my daughter and I don't like to be around her. Sometimes I wonder if it would be better if I gave her to my mum and never came back. I have bad anger issues and can't control ho... View more

Hello new and nervous

replies: 8

Hi all Here it goes: I am 33 years old with a 9year old daughter and 3 step children. I'm from Adelaide and I suffer depression. I'm unsure of how long for but the last 3 years have been the toughest. I have been in and out of hospital but seem to be not getting anywhere. I have joined hoping to find some light and some understanding I guess. My friends and family don't understand so it's a topic that is never discussed. I hide behind a happy face/life. Which is far from the truth. And also having a big busy family I just don't have the time to deal with anything- I don't get 5mins to myself. So really hoping to turn my life around. So hello from one negative nancy!!!

Hello from new member

replies: 12

Hi, I'm Janksie, I initially started with writing my problems down and now I feel I want to help everyone. I am currently a stay at home mum with a 10 month old boy. I have studied the diploma of counselling and also done a certificate of creative writing. Small achievements but big for me. Anyway, I have been suffering from depression for two years and also have post natal and perinatal depression. I am currently on medication to help me cope with daily life. I live in Brisbane with my husband and his family. We are a joint family. After coming on this site, I feel I want to help people talk about the way they feel and give as much support as I can. I would love to be part of this lovely community as I feel I belong here. looking forward to all of it take care

New Member Greeting

replies: 5

Hello all my names DeanoCurrently I live at the Gold Coast where i have completed my Diploma Of Community Services (case management).I am currently working on my Diploma Of Youth Work in an online mode.My ambition is getting into the Job Network sector to help people get into the work force with the current skillsthey have. I would like to help people who need a career change or young peoplewho have come out of school recently and have no idea where to go orknow what to do with their lives; give them some support and advice onwhere to look for new courses.My background involves a lot of information technology, security training, hospitality training and warehousing. I have come to beyond blue to offermy spare time to help anyone that needs someone to talk to or any advice on something. CheersDeano

Forum navigation - these are not the droids....

replies: 5

Hello, I am navigating using an android ph and in forum conversations with long threads I can't find a way to navigate to the latest post with out going page by page. I can't see a "last page" option or similar. Can someone help me? Thanks, Lost Girl View more

Hello

replies: 4

Hi, Just signed up and trying to come up with a cool introduction I probably don't have in me. I am a 29 years old, living in Sydney. I work full time. I have been experiencing some alarming dark shift of my mood recently, that refuses to go away for days. These are worse than the occasional blues I get. My doctor hasn't officially diagnosed me with anything, but advised me not to be alone. (She thinks I'm lonely). She recommended I find a way to be around people. I confess, it's difficult for me to make friends. The reason I decided to join was I hoped I'll be able to talk to people who might be going through the same thing I am at the moment. So, thank you for having me here. Thank you for this opportunity to write this at all. Regards Sparklemuffin85 I signed up to see if this might help me with preventing any thing w

Depression awareness!

replies: 1

Hi everyone, unfortunately on the weekend I lost a friend to suicide.. And I've been through depression before and know of others who have too.. So I want to do something about it! I want to try and spread as much awareness as I possibly can! If you have any ideas on how I could do this please share with me your thoughts and ideas, such as some sort of event or fundraising day! It will mean a lot to me, thank you in advance!

My introduction - here goes

replies: 4

Hi Im new. I've never done anything like this before. I'm a 30 year old man and am suffering with sex addiction, alcoholism and gambling addiction. I'm holding on but am so scared. I can't seem to do this alone. I need help and I don't know where to start. I want my life back I want to be able to be free from all that is consuming me. Just reading this aloud is really confronting. I never thought this would be my life. I'm hoping to be able to talk with people who are supportive. I feel so alone I'm too ashamed to talk to any of my friends or family. I just want to live. Is there any hope for someone like me? Any advice much appreciated.

Meet your community champions! replies: 10

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

Hi Everyone ~ yeah I love Trees :) replies: 2

fairly new here. but my sickness isnt replies: 5

new member replies: 2

Hello new and nervous replies: 8

Hello from new member replies: 12

New Member Greeting replies: 5

Forum navigation - these are not the droids.... replies: 5

Hello replies: 4

Depression awareness! replies: 1

My introduction - here goes replies: 4