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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Just a thank you note.

replies: 6

Thank you BB and every member for creating such a safe, supporting, encouraging and loving community!! I want to thank me for finding this forum in time or things would've been soooo different!!! Thank you thank you thank you. GB xx

Self introduction

replies: 3

Hi there, I've never been on a forum like this, so here goes. I have anxiety and depression, and was also recently diagnosed with borderline. I also just exited a relationship so I'm more vulnerable than usual. Hoping to chat to people and read up on... View more

hello there

replies: 2

Hi everyone, I'm new to this forum so I'll introduce myself. I am a woman in my mid 30's & I have struggled with panic disorder for over 14 years now. In the last year I have lost 2 close family members and have found my health anxiety & panic has really hit its peak. I have lots of family & friends who support me but I'd like to chat with people who actually understand and live with an anxiety disorder day to day. Look forward to chatting to you all

My introduction

replies: 6

Hi, I'm a male in early 30s. I feel sad most of the time and I need someone who would listen and help me see life more positively. I'm gay and hasn't opened up to anyone except to my close friends who live in a different country. I work full time and... View more

Heya

replies: 3

Hey there, how is everybody? Just wanted to say what's up. I'm new here. Not quite sure why I'm here but figured I'd have a look around and try share any experiential knowledge regarding my own experiences with mental or spiritual health and life in ... View more

Just another troubled soul

replies: 2

My name is stevie and im 55. I have been diagnosed with severe depression and have tried most medications with little success. I am also in the third stage of COPD. I have had depression all my adult life. I am married but have no children. Currently I am not taking any medication for my depression and thought I was doing okay but seemed to have spiralled back into the abbyss lately. I usually enjoy riding motorcycles and this gets me through but lately that even seems a chore and I have just stayed home and away from people. Not healthy but I seem to do it. Anyway thats me and who knows maybe I could help someone else even if I cannot help myself.

I'm a gestalt!

replies: 6

Hi people. I just joined and chose the title of thread as am just starting gestalt therapy this week, seeking to heal the pain of childhood and adult traumas and CPTSD. gestalt literally means "an organized whole that is perceived as more than the sum of its parts." I do NOT feel organised - quite the opposite (kinda of messed up right now) but I do sense there is a wholeness in me, somewhere, under all the frozen layers of fear and pain and - aaagggh. I am recently identifying my life-long cycles of depression ad breakdown as in fact, rooted in CPTSD: this insight is a great realisation. what do I want? a safe space where I can check in between therapy sessions (it's going to be intense as I have 50 of tough experiences to deal with) and community, as I am currently quite isolated, living in an area here it's difficult to get places and having isolated myself, also. ok, well I will go and say hi to another new person, and I look forward to interacting here......

A newbee

replies: 5

Hi everyone i'm just new here dont now what to say! I'm dealing to anxiety riht now my gp recomend this site to help me what to do been experience this way back 2009 and now it comes back i have 2 kids and happily married all i want is just to be healthy, got issue to hypherthension but everytime my bp flanctuate it started me to worry to much and think too much that causes my anxiety. Hope cant get any advise to you guys.

My Introduction

replies: 1

Hey everyone in the BB community, I've never been on a forum so I don't know where to start... I'm a 32 year old male who has episodes on depression and anxiety from time to time - my story so far is that I originally was seeking help for sex addiction with a psychologist which opened up a lot of emotions in me which I have never used properly due to my background in school and family issues. The only emotion I was using was anger and my addiction helped to get away from my reality at that stage. Now that I have my addiction under control, my emotions are coming to the surface making certain things make me sink into a hole. I have joined this forum more to share my stories and activities to help others like me. Speak soon BB

Hello

replies: 3

Hello

Meet your community champions! replies: 10

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

Just a thank you note. replies: 6

Self introduction replies: 3

hello there replies: 2

My introduction replies: 6

Heya replies: 3

Just another troubled soul replies: 2

I'm a gestalt! replies: 6

A newbee replies: 5

My Introduction replies: 1

Hello replies: 3