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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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happy_hearts Happy hearts
  • replies: 3

Hi I'm new to beyond blue but not new to the conditions it represents. I was diagnosed with depression/anxiety a few years ago now. With the help of medication, a loving family and friends and a much happier home life I manage really well. For sure I... View more

Hi I'm new to beyond blue but not new to the conditions it represents. I was diagnosed with depression/anxiety a few years ago now. With the help of medication, a loving family and friends and a much happier home life I manage really well. For sure I have my low days but the good days certainly win. Does any one out there find it difficult to talk to work mates or seniors of your work place. Or do you find its easier just to stay incognito...

JH91 Artist within
  • replies: 2

Having never enjoyed being told what to do at school like most of us, I didn’t care too much about my results or what I wanted to be when it all finished. School was fun though, my fondest memories when I’m old will be of the funny times and friendsh... View more

Having never enjoyed being told what to do at school like most of us, I didn’t care too much about my results or what I wanted to be when it all finished. School was fun though, my fondest memories when I’m old will be of the funny times and friendships made. But it ends really really quickly then suddenly you’re a 17-18 year old thats been catapulted into the ‘real’ world after 13 years or however long it is of being nurtured in schooling systems. A good majority of us move away as soon as possible and pursue a further education in University, Tafe etc. Others stay in their respective home towns with good friends and enjoy the simple life, surfing, drinking, working casual or part-time jobs they don’t mind all that much to earn just enough to get by. I’m sure there are others though that end up like me, having always been a creative human just never having an outlet to express it through I found myself in a rut as soon as the final HSC paper was handed in. After enjoying a year of freedom during my first year out of school I suddenly fell into this dark hole that spiralled quickly, being told I had depression leading to the doctors putting me on anti-depressants which only made matters worse. I spent a long period of time hating myself, the world, despised the thought of life, endless nights without sleep and only agitating myself more because I knew I had nothing to be sad about. My family treated me with the utmost love, provided me with food and a beautiful home to sleep in as well as friends that I would’nt trade in for anything. Nothing made me happy though full stop, I had bled too many tears of sadness, would’nt go outside, I’d just sit there on repeat for however long it was during this black period of my young life. This was until I discovered the beautiful thing called photography, having taught myself how to create art in both digital and analogue formats I have built up a following of over 25 000 followers across my social media platforms. Travelled both overseas and domestically across Australia, worked with people I never imagined being in the same room let alone collaborating together, help solo and joint exhibitions. Only a week ago I slipped over on a rock and broke my camera and new lens completely, I have applied for a sponsorship with Canon as I can't possibly afford a new set up when I have been saving to go overseas for the next 3 months. Fingers crossed something magical happens because everything happens for a reason.

PurpleShade Why can forum posts be read by members who haven't signed up?
  • replies: 3

Hi. I was curious if there is a reason that the forum can be so easily read by members who haven't signed up ? It seems with such sensitive information being shared, that creating a little more privacy could put posters more at ease. Its just a thoug... View more

Hi. I was curious if there is a reason that the forum can be so easily read by members who haven't signed up ? It seems with such sensitive information being shared, that creating a little more privacy could put posters more at ease. Its just a thought

Misdem Hi Frustrated about mental health issues
  • replies: 3

Hi.. 48, been diagnosed with depression since 16. Over the years being able to be me has been the problem but I'm getting there and also much better at managing my condition. What I would like from this forum is areas to talk about current affairs wh... View more

Hi.. 48, been diagnosed with depression since 16. Over the years being able to be me has been the problem but I'm getting there and also much better at managing my condition. What I would like from this forum is areas to talk about current affairs when they relate to mental health.

flower_girl1 Just a quick suggestion
  • replies: 2

Hi BB i had a thought upon coming here. I wanted to call your phone number but I was too nervous as I had no idea what to expect. What if ou put together a short transcript or 2 of a typical conversation on your phone line? It might make it seem a li... View more

Hi BB i had a thought upon coming here. I wanted to call your phone number but I was too nervous as I had no idea what to expect. What if ou put together a short transcript or 2 of a typical conversation on your phone line? It might make it seem a little less daunting if you have already read some similar conversations. Just a thought. flower_girl

MisterM Beyond Blue Facebook page - my post was seen on my facebook friends' newsfeed
  • replies: 4

Hi Beyond Blue, I posted on your Facebook page a cry for help and hours later had my Facebook friends messaging me to say my post appeared on their newsfeed. Upon finding out I quickly deleted my post despite it containing many comments of support, I... View more

Hi Beyond Blue, I posted on your Facebook page a cry for help and hours later had my Facebook friends messaging me to say my post appeared on their newsfeed. Upon finding out I quickly deleted my post despite it containing many comments of support, I didn't get the chance to read them all as I in panic deleted. I didn't want my post to be shared all over Facebook without me knowing. Now I feel embarrassed by this all as I did not want people knowing about my struggles. I don't know who else saw now. Is there anyway to ensure this does not occur again as I would rather reach out on Facebook but would prefer that it is not shown on everyone's newsfeeds. Thank you.

Space_Penguin New to the On Line Forum
  • replies: 8

Hello. I am new to this on line forum thing. I don't know how to do it. I don't know what to do, and that causes more anxiety. So if someone can help me learn the way around it, I would appreciate it.

Hello. I am new to this on line forum thing. I don't know how to do it. I don't know what to do, and that causes more anxiety. So if someone can help me learn the way around it, I would appreciate it.

MisterM Slow to open pages
  • replies: 2

Hi BB team, ever since I have been on this forum the pages take a long time to load. Just letting you know.

Hi BB team, ever since I have been on this forum the pages take a long time to load. Just letting you know.

Chris_B What should we call these forums? Your feedback please
  • replies: 9

Should we name these forums? Or is the beyondblue forums clear enough, do you think? Some suggestions that came through our blueVoices group recently included: bb Neighbourhood bb Alliance bb Exchange bb Buzz bb Collective Be keen to hear your feedba... View more

Should we name these forums? Or is the beyondblue forums clear enough, do you think? Some suggestions that came through our blueVoices group recently included: bb Neighbourhood bb Alliance bb Exchange bb Buzz bb Collective Be keen to hear your feedback below. Do any of the above names take your fancy? Do you have a suggestion of your own? Do we need a name at all?

Chris_B The beyondblue forums word cloud - what are we talking about? (Updated for February)
  • replies: 4

Hi everyone, Nothing like a bit of word soup to warm the cockles... this cloud below represents all of your words from January, posted here to the forums. The bigger the word, the more often it was used. This is what we talked about last month. Any t... View more

Hi everyone, Nothing like a bit of word soup to warm the cockles... this cloud below represents all of your words from January, posted here to the forums. The bigger the word, the more often it was used. This is what we talked about last month. Any thoughts?