Immediate support
Immediate support

Welcome and orientation

Welcome! If you’re not sure where to start, that’s OK. We’re keen to know more about you and what you’re looking for on our Forums.

Start a discussion

FAQ

Find answers to some of the more frequently asked questions on the Forums.

View the FAQ

Forums guidelines

Our guidelines keep the Forums a safe place for people to share and learn information.

View the guidelines
Jump to
Start a discussion

Pinned discussions

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

All discussions

Start a discussion

Garth1 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... View more

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.

ShinySparkly 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 upse... View more

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.

Baron_sherry 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.

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.

AyGok 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 ... View more

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.

Jayno First post - Hi :)
  • replies: 4

Hi all, I’ve had a bit of a look at these forums from time to time, but thought today I’d drop in and say hi. Things have been going well in my life lately. As a little background I am 28, have had a previous diagnosis of bipolar II and after struggl... View more

Hi all, I’ve had a bit of a look at these forums from time to time, but thought today I’d drop in and say hi. Things have been going well in my life lately. As a little background I am 28, have had a previous diagnosis of bipolar II and after struggling with alcohol for some time, been sober ten months now (thanks I think to dealing with my other issues as well as the alcohol problem specifically, oh and a bit of good luck!). I’m in my final year at uni after many years on and off studying and just finding this last bit hard with trying to focus on finishing placements, exam prep etc and not being distracted by the prospect of finishing (and all that that entails). All going well I should be finished in July. Anyway, just thought I'd check in. All the best

Milk_Tea Long-time lurker, first time poster
  • replies: 2

Hi everyone. I've been lurking around the BB community for a while and finally joined. Nice to meet you.

Hi everyone. I've been lurking around the BB community for a while and finally joined. Nice to meet you.

AzureFox21 Newbie - Finally took the plunge and joined BB
  • replies: 7

Hi, I'm not sure where to start exactly! i have been putting this off for awhile. im 32 years old. i have been dealing with anxiety, panic attacks and depression for years but only sought medical help and medication a year ago. Even with the medicati... View more

Hi, I'm not sure where to start exactly! i have been putting this off for awhile. im 32 years old. i have been dealing with anxiety, panic attacks and depression for years but only sought medical help and medication a year ago. Even with the medication i am not coping all that well - one day i will be so happy and the next i can come crashing down, other days i'm just lost. When i have a bad panic attack i cannot stop crying, i start shaking so badly and breathing becomes really hard. Sometimes i get bad thoughts popping into my head out of no-where??!! I would never act on them but they scare me and im scared to tell anyone close about them. I think my job is making me worse, its physically demanding, short on staff all the time and they expect you to work harder to make up for it. always overtime overtime overtime. the over all mentality is if your sick - work thru it. the stress is thru the roof. I wake up tired and in pain every day just to work and return home tired, stressed and in pain. Repeat the next day. I have tried looking for other jobs but i cant even get an interview. a job agency finally contacted me and said they would find me a job but only if i signed up to do an online uni diploma for business . I got excited - signed up and that was the last i heard from them. Then the online uni screwed me over and now (long story short) i have a $20,000 vet- help bill and no diploma and no new job. i had a huge break down after that and used up all my sick leave and work is angry with me. I have just signed up with a place that helps people with depression get jobs and hope they can help me because i feel like i am going to lose it soon and walk out - but i cant afford to do that.

guest_1242 Happy Llama, Sad Llama, Totally Bipolar Llama...
  • replies: 13

Hi all! I'm Alice, ( the darker version of your regular Wonderland variety Alice.) You can all just me Alice, or Ali, etc.. (or 'If you'll be my bodyguard, I can be your long lost pal. I can call you Betty, And Betty when you call me You can call me ... View more

Hi all! I'm Alice, ( the darker version of your regular Wonderland variety Alice.) You can all just me Alice, or Ali, etc.. (or 'If you'll be my bodyguard, I can be your long lost pal. I can call you Betty, And Betty when you call me You can call me Al.') My brain is a combination pinball machine and lyric/ quotation jukebox. A couple of words in the right context and just like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're gonna get... I'm a rapid cycling bipolar type 2 with a bunch of comorbid In-App-Purchases attached, and I swing harder than Sia does from a chandelier... I'm broody, moody, depressed, angry,.. ('I'm a sinner, I'm a saint I do not feel ashamed I'm your hell, I'm your dream I'm nothing in between You know you wouldn't want it any other way') Yeah it's gets annoying pretty quickly...you should try it from this end. Guess I'll see you 'round... (Cue Arnold....) Alice.

LilSis New to BB forums
  • replies: 1

Hi Everyone. I've been a longtime supporter of BB but until now have not taken the plunge into these forums myself. I was diagnosed with anxiety approx 3 years ago which was quite a relief as I then received an answer to what was happening & also som... View more

Hi Everyone. I've been a longtime supporter of BB but until now have not taken the plunge into these forums myself. I was diagnosed with anxiety approx 3 years ago which was quite a relief as I then received an answer to what was happening & also some help. During the last year I seem to have had a run of bad luck with my physical health & in turn a lot of time off work which has seen my job performance suffer. Outwardly I'm a very confident & bubbly person but sometimes it's a whole different scenario in my head. I'm doing my best to 'keep going' lately but am really struggling. I try to do all the right things: fresh air, exercise, eat well, rest etc but that old anxiety demon is being very persistent of late. I would be most grateful for any advice or tips to help me through this latest struggle thanks & good wishes to all!