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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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Zan Gi'day world.
  • replies: 1

Decided to join this "Beyond Blue" thing ... see where it leads. To confront my "depression", caused by a severe head injury with permanent frontal lobe damage (where all of those feel good endorphins were once produced) I began writing down my thoug... View more

Decided to join this "Beyond Blue" thing ... see where it leads. To confront my "depression", caused by a severe head injury with permanent frontal lobe damage (where all of those feel good endorphins were once produced) I began writing down my thoughts and revisiting my life (even the darkest parts that I'd pushed to the back of my mind and locked in a box and placed in a deep dark dungeon ... or so I'd thought). Rediscovering that box and unlocking its contents not only released the memories but it also brought back to life the ghosts and demons that embodied them. Mine hasn't been a "Wonderful Life" but hey - it's what I was served & it's all I have ... and facing my demons has brought me to a place of understanding that I wouldn't have attained any other way. The following is one of my first poems expressing my depression, as I began that journey of self-discovery. Reading it now I hardly recognize the person I was when I wrote it, but I know it was just a slightly younger version of myself at my most fragile and desperate. That is both the joy and the pain of changing and growing and becoming someone more than one once was. Sometimes the tears still come, but they are no longer tears of desperation. For those of you still going through this phase, please know that it will pass if you allow it to. Depression can actually become a friend and mentor on the journey to ones own self enlightenment. Never give up. ‘BEYOND BLUE’ 2006 "They say it’s blue - I know it’s grey. I see no colour, there is no day -- It’s dull inside, my mind’s a fog -- It’s all the pills they’ve got me on. I can not sleep I dare not wake, This hurt inside just wont abate -- And so I stare Into my dark and find in there a dying spark. It is not hope, all hopes been crushed -- but it is life If only dust. I am that dust, from rock well worn -- torn from mountain eaten by worm. I am the sea in every vein, From river flows and gentle rains -- I am the air with every breath, So even dead I am at rest. And when I die I will return, Eventually Another Form. " Many poems and stories now fill books and novels that I hope one day will be published. If not they have still all helped me to come to a place of acknowledgement that, like you, I am also a unique and gifted individual on the same path to greater self awareness and enlightenment.

A_Tech PTSD?
  • replies: 3

Hi, I'm new to the forum thing so don't really know where to begin. I was wondering if there is a dedicated chat room for PTSD?? I know there are many aspects of PTSD that are the same as depression, anxiety etc, but its also so very different. It wo... View more

Hi, I'm new to the forum thing so don't really know where to begin. I was wondering if there is a dedicated chat room for PTSD?? I know there are many aspects of PTSD that are the same as depression, anxiety etc, but its also so very different. It would be nice to chat to others that KNOW what I'm talking about. I can find heaps of sites in the U.S. but the time difference makes it hard. Waiting with anticipation, Thanks

Big_Unit BIG UNIT
  • replies: 7

Hi All, I suffer from anxiety and mild depression and would just like to say hell and here I am.

Hi All, I suffer from anxiety and mild depression and would just like to say hell and here I am.

blackcorvus Online Forum too slow
  • replies: 2

Why does it take so long for forum posts to be "approved"? The few posts I've made only appeared after a couple of days. Hardly responsive and not encouraging participants. The online chat his very hard to access. The last few times I tried i kept ge... View more

Why does it take so long for forum posts to be "approved"? The few posts I've made only appeared after a couple of days. Hardly responsive and not encouraging participants. The online chat his very hard to access. The last few times I tried i kept getting an error that my phone number was of incorrect length. Which wasn't true. what gives with that? The lack of any sort of spontanaity in the forums makes it a why bother. There isn't any real help here only just a pretty website.

lovetobeoutside Where to share personal stories?
  • replies: 4

Hi everyone, A friend told me about beyond blue and recommended that I share my story here. Is there a place, other than threads, to do so? When I click on Personal Stories, I am presented with several stories to read and story categories to choose f... View more

Hi everyone, A friend told me about beyond blue and recommended that I share my story here. Is there a place, other than threads, to do so? When I click on Personal Stories, I am presented with several stories to read and story categories to choose from. However, when I click "Share your story in our online forums," it just directs me to the main forum page. I have written up my story and posted it on my blog. I am willing to share the link (if that's allowed? From what I read about unacceptable posts, I couldn't tell if it was *no* links, or just no inappropriate links). I am also willing to submit it, or just paste it into a thread if that's the thing to do. Guidance on how best to share, tag, etc. is much appreciated and thank you in advance for being understanding of my ignorance!

Bananie New start
  • replies: 2

Hi everyone, apologies from the start if I'm not very eloquent. My life is wonderful, I am financially ok, I have a home, I have a job, I have wonderful family. I've worked very hard to move on from 2011/2013 and now have a job that I adore, my kids ... View more

Hi everyone, apologies from the start if I'm not very eloquent. My life is wonderful, I am financially ok, I have a home, I have a job, I have wonderful family. I've worked very hard to move on from 2011/2013 and now have a job that I adore, my kids are wonderful. Why do I continue to put that at jeopardy with my thoughts. Feeling very lost but pushing through

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