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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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Chris_B Click frenzy: mark a post as helpful!
  • replies: 0

Hi everyone, Another new feature we've added today is a button to let you mark posts as helpful. Many of our members spend a lot of time sharing their stories and experiences in order to help others, and this is a great way of showing your support fo... View more

Hi everyone, Another new feature we've added today is a button to let you mark posts as helpful. Many of our members spend a lot of time sharing their stories and experiences in order to help others, and this is a great way of showing your support for their words, especially if you don't yet feel up to contributing a word or two yourself. So please click away! Once you have marked a post as helpful, you are unable to 'unmark' it, so the number of people who have marked a post as helpful will only ever increase.

Mares73 changing thread title
  • replies: 1

Hi Christopher I've posted in the depression forum with thread title "Still here & struggling". I really want my thread to stay where it is as that's where I relate most & know most members. But my thread title doesn't catch people's attention as its... View more

Hi Christopher I've posted in the depression forum with thread title "Still here & struggling". I really want my thread to stay where it is as that's where I relate most & know most members. But my thread title doesn't catch people's attention as its too general & if you read what I'm going through you will understand. Could you change the title to "Coping with devastation when your life is torn apart" or "Devestati ng news has torn my life apart" I just want the thread title to reflect the seriousness of what's happening for me so my friends will notice it's serious & perhaps read it & be of support as I have no one but the forum & the members on it are so important to me. But please please don't move the thread elsewhere. I'd be so grateful for your help. Kind regards Mary (Mares73)

Chris_B Word limit for posts - your feedback please
  • replies: 5

Hi everyone, As you'll know, when making posts on the forum you are limited to 2,500 characters, which roughly works out to 500 words - one full typed page of A4 paper. The reason we have this limit is to encourage conversation between members, and t... View more

Hi everyone, As you'll know, when making posts on the forum you are limited to 2,500 characters, which roughly works out to 500 words - one full typed page of A4 paper. The reason we have this limit is to encourage conversation between members, and to give you the best chance of having your posts read and absorbed by people. However, we've had some feedback recently from members that our current limit should be shortened, as even at 2,500 characters this can make posts difficult to read, thus reducing the amount of replies someone might get. What do you think?

Beltane Email reminders when there are new posts to a thread?
  • replies: 3

Hiya Beyond Blue, I like to reply to posts on this site, and then follow up that thread. I wish there was an option to get emails when a new post is added to a thread that we're following/ posted in. I posted in a thread i don't frequent often, and f... View more

Hiya Beyond Blue, I like to reply to posts on this site, and then follow up that thread. I wish there was an option to get emails when a new post is added to a thread that we're following/ posted in. I posted in a thread i don't frequent often, and forget to check it, and the other person in the thread went weeks without a reply... That's why an email notification would be great- never miss a post again, and also know when others are replying to OUR threads. I think it's a great option- is there any chance it could be considered?

Faith_101 Not sure where to start
  • replies: 2

I've clicked on three or four different forums with the intent to talk about things that have me up at 4:30am, yet the furthest I've got is ten words before continuing my pattern of backspacing and logging off! I honestly don't know where to begin. I... View more

I've clicked on three or four different forums with the intent to talk about things that have me up at 4:30am, yet the furthest I've got is ten words before continuing my pattern of backspacing and logging off! I honestly don't know where to begin. I've never shared my story because I never know where to start!

EricR Smartphone app?
  • replies: 1

Hey everyone, does anyone know if there's an app either available or in development where I could use the chat online support feature just on my phone? It also doesn't have to be restricted to just Beyondblue but any other services related to mental ... View more

Hey everyone, does anyone know if there's an app either available or in development where I could use the chat online support feature just on my phone? It also doesn't have to be restricted to just Beyondblue but any other services related to mental health or whatever.

Mal50 My thanks and appreciation.
  • replies: 2

I'm thanking everyone for their kind and thoughtful responses to my posts in Depression and Anxiety in this manner because the site is not iPad friendly. Whenever I've tried to respond to anyone it doesn't send most of the time.

I'm thanking everyone for their kind and thoughtful responses to my posts in Depression and Anxiety in this manner because the site is not iPad friendly. Whenever I've tried to respond to anyone it doesn't send most of the time.

Blondyroses Problems with losing posts when typing
  • replies: 3

Omg!!! I just opened up with a long forum then the friggin thing lost the lot!!! Try again tomorrow!! Wish there was a save button before damn well posting!! Just adds to my stress

Omg!!! I just opened up with a long forum then the friggin thing lost the lot!!! Try again tomorrow!! Wish there was a save button before damn well posting!! Just adds to my stress