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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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Pantheress HAPPY NEW YEAR
  • replies: 4

Hi all, I'm new here. I'm hoping joining will give me some support when I'm feeling blue and overwhelmed with life.

Hi all, I'm new here. I'm hoping joining will give me some support when I'm feeling blue and overwhelmed with life.

Gonegirl Hello..New Girl Here
  • replies: 6

Hello...I'm 49, still parenting kids aged from 7-18, separated (amicably, under the same roof, from my husband) and struggling with a Personality Disorder (Detachment)/Severe Depression & Anxiety. I was in a private psychiatric facility for a month i... View more

Hello...I'm 49, still parenting kids aged from 7-18, separated (amicably, under the same roof, from my husband) and struggling with a Personality Disorder (Detachment)/Severe Depression & Anxiety. I was in a private psychiatric facility for a month in February this year, it was the safest and most calming time for me. Once again I am fighting to stay out of hospital. Not because I don't want to be there (because I'd go in a heartbeat if I could) but because it's Christmas and I have children and I'm trying really hard to hang on as long as I can, for them. As each day passes I'm becoming more and more anxious and agitated. My Clinical Psychologist is on holidays for a month, so I feel a bit "out to sea". I don't sleep more than an hour or two a night and usually have to try and catch up. I'm experiencing high levels of guilt right now as I wish I could be more joyful and motivated for my kids. Just getting out of bed in the morning is a major hurdle, never mind functioning as a parent. I tend to use alcohol as an escape, or to boost my confidence. I take ADS, however I'm quite non-compliant and often forget or take them late. Since leaving hospital 10 months ago I've refused to continue on anti-psychotics (they were prescribed to deal with anxiety, not psychosis) they did help me sleep though. Im hoping to find support here as I'm a very private person and apart from my psych, and a few very select people, I tend to hide my issues away and hide myself away (inside myself.) Lou

MissMum New to this and feeling low.
  • replies: 6

Hi fellow members, I am completely new to the forum thing in general. Thanks for this opportunity. So maybe I can just start with who I am. I'm a 30 year old mum and work for myself. I have suffered depression since I was 12. I have had periods on me... View more

Hi fellow members, I am completely new to the forum thing in general. Thanks for this opportunity. So maybe I can just start with who I am. I'm a 30 year old mum and work for myself. I have suffered depression since I was 12. I have had periods on medication. In the last few months my depression is getting worse again. I'm crying everyday, I'm tired all the time, I can see through the fog.. I'm starting to think there is no relief and it will never get better. I have been attending meditation and doing affirmations and that was helping for a while until I slipped into a bad place without even realising it. I feel completely alone. I am a people pleaser so it's hard for me to reach out as I work so hard to hide behind my mask. I recently tried to reach out to family and friends. I literally got ignored not even replied to. Not even "oh that's not good" etc. which has made me feel worse and more alone. My partner wants to help but he has no idea how to help or show support, he's a fix it kind of guy. I'm struggling to be a decent mother as my child means the world to me and I die a little inside every time she wants to play and I'm sitting on the couch crying and fighting my mind with no energy to talk let alone move. She often asks why I'm sad and asks if she has upset me. She is 4!! That's not fair, I don't want to be doing this to her. She deserves so much more. I make sure I tell her how much she means to me and how much I love her and that it's not her fault mummy is sad. any energy I do have goes into looking after her. I don't look after myself at all. I have issues with my weight and pain and that limits me so much and I'm trying to get healthy, I even dramatically changed my eatting but I struggle with sugar addiction. I know my weight limits me and I want to fee healthy and happy but I feel that's mentally and physically impossible. I don't want to waste my life being sad and locking myself away from the world. I recently went to my GP but walked out feeing even more unsupported. I just feel like no one understands. I'm not sure what to do, I feel so trapped in my own head. Thanks for taking the time to read though, I'm sorry if it doesn't make to much sense I'm writing through my tears.

99problems new day new member
  • replies: 2

Hi, l probably should have joined a forum like this many many years ago and the reason for me doing it now is because lm at a very low point in my life and my brain can't give me an answer on what to do. A little about myself. Im an almost middle age... View more

Hi, l probably should have joined a forum like this many many years ago and the reason for me doing it now is because lm at a very low point in my life and my brain can't give me an answer on what to do. A little about myself. Im an almost middle aged guy who was a bullied little fat kid in school who had "those" thoughts constantly pre teen. As l grew up l became the bullier after l hit 6' tall (not a proud moment in my life" butthis gave me confidence and ended up doing quite well at school until l left and started a trade at 17. Ive always been quite a shy guy and quiet but in my older years this has made me talk more than l should and a lot of the time l say stuff l shouldnt. Of recent years this has become an issue in my employment as l always end up saying something l shouldnt and gets me sacked. I dont know why l do it and lm finding lm not very good dealing with people anymore "well so l am told by others". So this, combined with a poor mantal state due to my history and current risk of loosing my house and car and finding out l cant have kids with my wife due to a medical condition she has as well as a lot of other things going on in my head l feel l have hit an almost alltime low. The tears as l write this along with the banging headache and palpitations from stress seem to be a trigger for me to put my hand up and say "yes", l need help and l dont know what to do. Ive been speaking to my GP about my mental state with all the recent job losses, in fact l saw him today for scripts and spoke about it and l was feeling fine. It wasnt until later when l went to the shops to look for something for the wife for christmas that it really started to hit home. She blew up at me for buying her something when l dont have a job. She has a good job but l have always been the big money earner that paid all the bills. Now lm not working lm getting 3 reports a day of what we had in the bank. She never used to be like this but i think my unreliability as the breadwinner has caused her to become this way. Every time she mentions it, it is a reminder that l have failed yet again and with the kids issue,has been really stressing our relationship. I know its not her fault and l dont blame her but l always wanted a family and now lm getting too old to try anything else. I feel like l have failed at every life goal l have had and now lm here writing a breif story on a computer screen in the hope someone will wave a magic wand and take the pain away.

KTOCD Hello, Newbie here!
  • replies: 3

Hey everyone, i have suffered with mental health issues for some time now. Have never tried talking on a forum so it's a bit new. I have been struggling the last month or so. Talking helps me a lot. Just knowing others are out there that understand a... View more

Hey everyone, i have suffered with mental health issues for some time now. Have never tried talking on a forum so it's a bit new. I have been struggling the last month or so. Talking helps me a lot. Just knowing others are out there that understand and who r happy to listen makes a world of difference to me. Thanks KT

Laura1 New to this forum
  • replies: 5

Hi everyone. I'm new to the forum and thought that this would be a good way to share my experiences with people who "get it". I'll tell you about myself; I'm 33 years old, and was diagnosed formally with depression and anxiety when I was 24. (althoug... View more

Hi everyone. I'm new to the forum and thought that this would be a good way to share my experiences with people who "get it". I'll tell you about myself; I'm 33 years old, and was diagnosed formally with depression and anxiety when I was 24. (although it was rampant in my life from about the age of 12.) I have been on medication in the past, but am trying to learn to cope with life without it. I am currently going through a depressive episode, and it's affecting my relationship with my partner. I am trying to do different things, like keeping a journal, thinking "happy" thoughts and reflecting on the good things that have happened during the day. It does get hard sometimes, as I experienced today at work, when I had a bit of a teary, but I feel as though I will get through this eventually. Hopefully by sharing my thoughts etc online, I will be able to help others with similar situations and experiences. Cheers Laura.

Durras Saying Hi
  • replies: 2

Hi everyone, I just joined so pretty nervous actually with what to say. I've been suffering depression for awhile but noticed I really needed help on Monday when I had a few too many drinks and a box of blood pressure tablets in my hand and then burs... View more

Hi everyone, I just joined so pretty nervous actually with what to say. I've been suffering depression for awhile but noticed I really needed help on Monday when I had a few too many drinks and a box of blood pressure tablets in my hand and then burst ted into tears. I went to the doctors the same day and got myself on medication. Yesterday bought a book online called Managing your Depression with Mindfulness for Dummies (hope that arrives soon) I decided today to find myself an online group and here I am, I've also contacted a support group GROW near to where I live. I would love to be off support to help others I'm not here all for myself thou naturally I look forward to receiving support from others and getting to chat with people as well. Thanks Durras

Adrian2 New member here.
  • replies: 5

hi guys, my name is Adrian and i'm just navigating my way around the site, please forgive me if i seem lost...... i probably am. just wondering if theres an area where i can write a bit about myself [biography] any help on this would be most apprecia... View more

hi guys, my name is Adrian and i'm just navigating my way around the site, please forgive me if i seem lost...... i probably am. just wondering if theres an area where i can write a bit about myself [biography] any help on this would be most appreciated. :]