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Cyclone Alfred - Mental Health Support

replies: 0

Hey everyone, We acknowledge that many of our Forums members here are currently facing the impacts of Cyclone Alfred and might be feeling uncertain, afraid and overwhelmed. We wanted to create a separate post here to come together during what may be a distressing time for many of us to support one another. Recognising that the impacts of a natural disaster can occur both before, during and after, we have prepared some resources which we hope can be helpful: From the Queensland Government, Useful information to help you get ready for a cyclone:Home | Get Ready Queensland Emotional Preparedness: Prepare your mind | Australian Red Cross Three-steps-to-emotionally-prepare-for-the-disaster-season.pdf What now? Coping after the event: Coping after a crisis | Australian Red Cross Maintaining wellbeing in the face of long-term stress | Australian Red Cross Emergency preparedness guide | Australian Red Cross As always, if you wish to speak to a counsellor, the Beyond Blue Support Service is available via phone 24/7 on 1300 22 4636 or via beyondblue.org.au/get-support for online chat. Stay safe, everyone, and take good care of yourself during what can be a deeply challenging time. Kind regards 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 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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Help!

replies: 2

I am stuck in a public toilet in a shopping centre because my kids and everyone else have stressed me to beyond breaking point! Your sign is on the back of the toilet door thank goodness. I'm going CRAZY and no one cares!

Hi

replies: 4

Hi Everyone I am new here, 1st post. Not really sure what to write, not really sure on anything at the moment. Just that Im tired very tired and really mad. Hoping just hoping at the moment.

Help

replies: 2

Help im here I got home late last night after a big night wasn't supposed to be mates went home and I stayed on by myself for some reason. I don't know what's happening I feel out of control and don't know to regain control. I have a family and need to look after them but I can't even do the right thing by me. I float week to week trying to ride the highs and lows but can't seem to get on top I don't know what to do

Hello from newbie

replies: 3

Hi, I'm new to this forum and just wanted to introduce myself. Having had depression and anxiety for many years and finally learning better to manage this I thought it would be a good idea to join the forum and exchange ideas, experiences and ways of managing this illness. I've been reading through some of the posts recently and it amazes me how many people are dealing with these conditions and that many face judgement and discrimination because of their illness. I don't normally openly share with people that I have a mental illness, however I do share with people I can trust and who won't judge me. I look forward to learning more about dealing with depression and anxiety on this forum

Lost Newbie

replies: 1

can't work out if there are several forums under different topics or does everything go to this one? Feeling daunted at finally making the effort to find out what's available online without having to fight my way through page after page which doesn't seem quite relevant. Also feel very relucant to express my negative feelings as it's so 'not OK' in daily social contact. All too easy to just give up, log out & foget about it.

New to beyond blue

replies: 2

Hi I am probably doing this the wrong way around, as I have already posted a few days ago. But I want to introduce myself. I am a wife to a very supportive husband and a mother to two beautiful children and a fur baby. I am a great friend and a hard worker. I Also have been diagnosed with GAD with some OCD traits. This diagnosis is relatively new, the OCD part anyway, it was about 5 years ago it was GAD. Mostly I worry about illnesses, either for myself or the children. This time I convinced myself I was schizophrenic (even though my Gp, the psychiatrist and the psycologist said I wasnt, that they'd put a million dollars on it). I read all about it and convince myself I had the symptoms, and to be really honest a small part of me still worries, every time I feel nervous, paranoid ect. Last time it was MS. So there it is, laid bare.

Trouble with chat

replies: 2

Hi I am new here and I am trying to get on the online chat. I have tried many times but it says unable to connect to server. I have cookies, java allowed so I'm not sure why it's doing it. Please help.

Finding the courage to speak out

replies: 2

My name is Kat and it is my first time to this forum. I am not good at talking face to face about my disorder to anyone as it is too overwhelming to be summed up in a few words, not to mention impossible to explain to someone when you don't fully understand it yourself. I have suffered depression/anxiety for many years, but have just lately started on a real downward spiral and feeling at a total loss, so while introducing myself to the members here, I would also like to thank you all for being brave enough to speak out as you have so people like me can read here, feel a little less alone. I will hopefully find the courage (and the words) to contribute to this forum soon, but until I do, just reading has been a big help, so thank you.

Hello and Hi

replies: 1

Hi there. Today marks an important day for me. After having one of the Beyond Blue volunteers come to my workplace yesterday to speak on his journey, I walked out of the presentation and realised I needed help. Interestingly enough, I've been down this path before. I've had my mental health plan, visits to the GP, psychologists sessions and have even tried medication. In the end, I ditched the medication and made a major lifestyle change, including a new job. Things still aren't 'perfect' and over the last month or so, I've realised I still have a while to go before I can manage my anxiety and depression and hopefully rid myself of that gut wrenching feeling on a daily basis. I'm looking forward to my psychologist session tomorrow. The thought of talking about everything, already makes me feel better. I know its a step in the right direction.

I'm guessing this forum doesn't allow p.m to other users

replies: 3

Is there anyway to contact other users? Or was this feature purposely disabled?

Cyclone Alfred - Mental Health Support replies: 0

Meet your community champions! replies: 10

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

Help! replies: 2

Hi replies: 4

Help replies: 2

Hello from newbie replies: 3

Lost Newbie replies: 1

New to beyond blue replies: 2

Trouble with chat replies: 2

Finding the courage to speak out replies: 2

Hello and Hi replies: 1

I'm guessing this forum doesn't allow p.m to other users replies: 3