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Meet your community champions!

replies: 12

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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New Member / Current Speaker Ambassoder.

replies: 7

Time for me to be involved again. I've had a year and a bit off speaking for beyond blue. Hence joining blue voices. Im looking forward to being of assistance to anyone and of course being assisted by others. Mental illness is a journey and you never... View more

Hello everyone! :)

replies: 2

Hello everyone, My name is Ken. I decided to join this online forum as I wanted to assist others who are experiencing mental health problems. Like many people on this forum, I too have experienced the effects of anxiety and depression. I understand just how debilitating it can be to be afflicted with such disorders. I have witnessed first hand the cruelty of depression as my loved ones have also been affected by it. As a result of my experiences, I feel that this community is invaluable as it can provide hope, strength, and compassion to those who feel trapped in the darkest of places. Indeed, this is a service that is most noble in its cause. In addition to my personal experiences, I'm currently undertaking a PhD in Psychology so I hope that my knowledge can assist others who are in need. As a caveat, I must state that I'm a researcher not a clinician (although I hope to be a clinician some day). Resultantly, I am unable to offer clinical diagnosis, however I'd be happy to offer suggestions or perspective on things if need be. I look forward to hearing from you. Cheers, Ken

Hello :)

replies: 4

Hi everyone Long term reader, first time poster. I've spent lots of time reading some of the great advice posted in these forums and finally worked up the courage to sign up. Looking forward to reading more of your experiences, advice and getting mor... View more

Hello All!

replies: 3

My name is Selena, I'm 36, living in Brisbane, I work as a freelance pet sitter in addition to volunteering in the roles of administrative assistant and playgroup assistant. I'm a long term sufferer of depression and anxiety and I have this in addition to ADHD, specific learning difficulties and a mild case of Aspergers. It's been a long and at times arduous journey, but I manage the best I can. Right now I'm teetering on the edge of an episode which I would consider to be fairly mild at this point (I am on medication so that helps) I am aware of the contributing factors, underemployment, a recent romantic disappointment (which was mainly my fault for misreading the signs etc) my location which makes me desperately unhappy and family stuff. I am working through this crap now, but I know I'll make it because I always do!

No one knows

replies: 2

I'm here because when something happened to me I found a way to hide it from everyone. I have been running away from it for so long that now I feel its too late to tell my now husband of 2 and half years. I can't tell the people I used to be with or the people I'm with now because I fear they wont believe me as it happened so long ago and I never told anyone. I hate that they don't understand why I am the way I am or why I act the way I do and hide so much of me. I cannot bear to be this way anymore. I need to be strong for my children now, I cannot let them see how vulnerable I am and I cannot tell them what happened. I need to find a way to deal with this. I just don't know how>>>>>

New to this

replies: 3

Not having a good day. Stressing over the silliest things. Very teary. Feeling very alone. Have lost my appetite. Hubby very supportive. Have made a doctors appointment for monday. Just feel very alone.

Never Ever Giving Up

replies: 2

Hi to everyone, first up I apologise for the bad spelling and grammar. Last night was the first time I discover this online chat and I must say its a credit to all who post and answer question with some great feed back and Australia is a great place for having a site that lets normal peolpe help who have lived and breathed depression and anxiety. Im 45 and from a rural life. I suffer from Anxiety, depression and a extremely over active mind that shrinks have laughed and said it's just you mate, bit hard to cop when looking for answers ha ha. I would say all my life I have had anxiety and can remember from a young child chest pains that would drop me to the ground. About 3 yrs ago the Dr also said I was suffering depression and it also triggered dyslexia which when you work with measuring steel it's can be a costly excerise !!!. They put the dyslexia and depression down to been sexually abused as a child by my stepfather over 4 yrs. For over 30 yrs I dealt with what I thought was my way of dealing with it. It go so bad as no matter where I turned or on the radio there was always something about child abuse. Last year I finally went through the process with the correct authority's but it got to a stage where for myself and my family it just was so hard to deal with as reliving it step by step over and over again was not worth the trauma it had on myself every minute of the day and also the quality of life for myself, my children and partner was getting to much. After 30 yrs I had never had a sorry and in the end I finally got from the horses mouth A full apology, ( The rest is a bit complicated ) Has this improved my life, yes it has but I still deal with many demons each day and to where I am today and were I have been has been my journey and no one else's. My stuff ups, my triumphs, my life has all has been my choice. I feel depression and anxiety are caused by mostly two trigger points not really mentioned that much ( my opinion) and I personally know my two trigger points are "Love" and "Money" and the second causes so many issues and I have lost two colleagues in the last 12 months from depression and big debts and also a nearly lost my dad as well for the same thing. The biggest thing I have found is you need to take full responsibility for your actions. Life is tough and anxiety/depression it's even harder , but the key is seeing what triggers it and I have found there is always a fairly simple reason and it's normally from my actions. Thanks

New to this - not sure how it can help

replies: 13

I'm 64 years old, have a loving wife (hasn't always been easy, but still together after 42 years), 2 loving children and 4 loving grandchildren. What more could an old guy wish for! I also have a fairly large extended family, some of whom are very supportive, others I have issues with over things from years ago where I have felt deeply hurt. I have never made my feelings known about those things, but can't let it go in my own mind. Have talked to my wife about it, but not the people concerned. I have suffered from what I consider mild depression on and off over the years. I have always been awkward and nervous in social situations. I can't walk into a room with people and have the confidence to approach anybody to try to start a conversation. I'm usually ok in work situations because I guess it is clearer what is expected of you. As a consequence I avoid social situations where I might have to talk to people. Even walking down the street in our small community is hell for me and I avoid it as much as possible. I'm sure people think I am rude, arrogant or aloof (all of that?), whereas I'm just extremely shy. We therefore don't really have any friends. We always seem to lose contact with friends we had in the past from a couple of different towns. On the odd occasion we have initiated contact, it hasn't been reciprocated and we assume they didn't really like our company. Guess we are lucky we have family! My wife does have some friends she meets in the social things she is involved in. My general self esteem is pretty low. As well as all the above, I feel I haven't achieved what some of my peers and siblings have academically. I just feel that I am a very mediocre, boring person. From time to time, this really gets me down and I cease to function properly. I have had counselling in the past, but it never seems to do much. Perhaps I don't take on advice offered to me, but I don't see how I can change from the person I am. As I have said, I am very lucky to have a loving family. Without them I wouldn't want to be here.

hi to all

replies: 1

hi im new here my name is pete i have pdsd and i hear voice . sorry for my spelling is not good but will try to spell .

New here and lonely

replies: 1

I live alone in a rural area. Being an older male it is hard to make friends when by oneself. Also I have been diagnosed with cancer and my prognosis is rated as poor. I spend a lot of time at hospital (300kim away) which involves a lot of driving. I do not have a carer or anyone to help me. I am posting really to put myself in the picture of where I am at - to put into words what I feel and what is going on in my mind. I often wake up during the night and my mind seems to race around going over my health issues. I do try and be positive but find it hard to get off my backside to do things that interest me, but once I do I get satisfaction from doing whatever it was. I guess my biggest fear is of dying. I do not feel ready yet but there is nothing I can do except to try and get the best I can out of each day. I have read some other's problems and know that my anxiety is small compared to the problems that some have. ok , that's it for my whinge - sorry not to sound happier but wish I could put feelings into words better. Gerry

Meet your community champions! replies: 12

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

New Member / Current Speaker Ambassoder. replies: 7

Hello everyone! :) replies: 2

Hello :) replies: 4

Hello All! replies: 3

No one knows replies: 2

New to this replies: 3

Never Ever Giving Up replies: 2

New to this - not sure how it can help replies: 13

hi to all replies: 1

New here and lonely replies: 1