Welcome and Orientation

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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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I'm another newbie

replies: 1

Hi all,These forums seem like a great place - I found them by Googling problems I'm having, and finding threads by others going through the same, so that was kind of nice (but sad).So here's me introducing myself, as much for my benefit as yours:I'm 24, recently-ish returned to Perth after living in Melbourne for 5 years. I returned due to my partner developing separation anxiety, but it probably wasn't the best choice for me as I was at a top uni and working a respectable job over there and now I don't have much going on for me - people who know me would disagree, but it all feels pointless to me. I've had on and off mental health struggles for years (anxiety, depression, PTSD, ADHD) and they've recently gone on again, thanks to health-related anxiety and phobias being triggered by my bad health. I struggle to manage these certain health issues, and don't have a supportive family to hold my hand, so everything kind of spirals. I've been struggling with suicidal ideation a lot lately, which is exhausting me. I'm not at risk of doing anything, but I've gotten so distressed that I've even considered taking myself to hospital. I'm so tired of it. I've started to look for a psychologist here, and if anyone in Perth sees this and has recommendations I'd love some - there may be a thread for that already so I'll go look. I have never found a psych I've clicked with so I'm hoping to find a match. I usually get irritated because I've quickly felt 'smarter' than every psych I've had - that's not necessarily true, I just have a mile-a-minute mind, and need to find someone who I think can keep up with me and/or take my attitude, cause if I think they can't I fail to trust them. Thanks for listening beyondblue’s clinically-trained moderators often work offline (invisible to you) on issues relating to suicide or self-harm. At the same time, general supportive comments from the community are encouraged. If you have concerns around suicide or self-harm, please phone our Support Service on 1300 22 4636. Normal 0 false false false EN-AU X-NONE X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0cm; mso-para-margin-right:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0cm; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi; mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}

The highs and lows of being mentally interesting.

replies: 1

Gosh, where to begin. I grew up in the UK and moved to Australia aged 32 and have been here for 13 years. My parents divorced when I was eleven and even though my Dad was still around, I was devastated. My Mum re-married to a man who was agressive, domineering and violent - although he was never physical with me, he was utterly terrifying to live with. I grew up with serious self worth issues and often felt like a fraud. I moved to Australia and very quickly fell pregnant to a man I barely knew (the fabulous thing is that we have been married for 12 years and have two wonderful children) and was first diagnosed with post-natal depression when my daughter was 12 months old. Since then it has been a rollercoaster of highs and lows, times of feeling very clear headed and focused and times of being in that deep, dark well of despair. I have started numerous businesses, most of which I have closed due to depression and all of which have been unsuccessful because of it. I was working as a Life Coach in 2010 and even won an award, but I thought that I had somehow tricked them into giving it to me and that one day they would find out that I wasn't even capable of helping myself, let alone anyone else. So I've bumbled along for years, spend A LOT of money on "stuff" and businesses and it has caused many problems within my marriage. A couple of months ago, I found myself back in that tunnel, lost in helplessness and darkness. I went back to the doctor who doubled my medication and it was only when my husband mentioned to a therapist that I'm like an elevator (either at penthouse or basement), that it was suggested I might be Bipolar ii. I am now about to begin a formal diagnosis for this and have my first psychiatrist appointment on Monday. I vary hugely between barely being able to get out of bed, to feeling pretty good and knowing that my experiences of mental illness can help others. I am a living story community presenter for the Black dog Institute and when I'm feeling good I am very open and honest about my mental health, because I know it helps others. Of course, when I'm in the cloud, I don't want to speak to anyone at all, let alone admit to anyone that I'm struggling. So, I'm so glad to be here and hope that I am able to offer valuable contributions as I continue on my journey. It's nice to be among people who truly get it. Thanks for reading.

I am new and I'm looking for advice

replies: 1

I'm 38 depressed, addicted and lost. I am hoping anyone who has been where I am may be able to point me in the right direction thank you

I am new

replies: 3

Hi I am new to blueVoices I am a 56 year old grandma that suffers depression and extreme anxiety. I thought I would write for maybe some support and maybe share what works for me

New to forum.

replies: 1

Hello. I am 61 year old female. My life has been complex and I have a number of conditions that overlap. One of my problems is a profound grief over the loss of my partner of 17 years some 2 years ago. I suffer chronic depression and have done all my life. I have self-injured since as early as I can remember that being age 7. I had a suicide attempt in 2003. I have Asd. I am an artist. I love to make pictures. 12 months ago I was visiting Australia on business and thinking of relocation from my home in Mexico. I accidentally let my visa expire. I thought it would be easy to get back but it proved near impossible. I became stranded in the outer suburbs of a rural town. I have become very depressed. I will never see my home again. I have talked to my business manager and I am contemplating to leave Australia and relocating in Central America. I have had a string of health problems. I was bleeding internally and had to wait 2 months for a proper examination. The wait and fear of cancer made me very ill. The condition was examined and it was a inflammatory illness. That was resolved. I had 3 days break from crippling anxiety. Than my dentist found a problem in my mouth that needs biopsy. My luck is unbelievable. Again I have become severely depressed.I hope this form can help a little.

hello

replies: 1

New to this site - not sleeping and distressed so thought i might call by.... bottom line is - i am lonely.... bone numbingly, heart breakingly lonely. i have suffered long term depression and bpd for a really long time and just when i think things are getting better something happens and i am once again dragged into the black murky depths. i just want a simple happy life with friends and a supportive partner. Honest to god I dont know why it all has to be this hard. anyway - thanks for listening

Communitys

replies: 2

What does beyond blue do within communitys?

First timer

replies: 3

Hi I have been "plagued" by depression, anxiety and OCD for as long as I can remember. Looking forward to discussing coping strategies to get through the week with others experiencing same issues

i finally want to help myself

replies: 3

Hi, I'm K I'm 37 and its the first time I've ever been on a chat line. I have had anxiety since I was 3 I reckon, then depression in my teens wich I covered up with illegal drugs wich led to violent relationships and in the end a broken jaw in 3 places wich brought on P.T.S.D.. Now for the first time I'm seriously doing something about it to help myself, my family helped me before now and that didn't fully work. I'm doing this myself and hopefully I can get support from this site, the stories I've read have been similar so far I feel good about putting myself out here on this site.

me so far

replies: 6

hey, my name is paddy, im 23 and live in vic. my life started off pretty normal, middle class family, a few good friends and engaged to the love of my life. through out my life i have always been there for people, the shoulder to cry on, the giver of solid advice and always been very head strong. i have had a lot of very close "friends" stab me in the back and kick me while i was down, a few near death experiences and all the rest. it never seemed to bother me and i always got over it but one thing that happened this year brought everything back hard and fast, now i cant seem to escape. all the little things have built up and resulted in alopecia (hair loss) which i am fighting. i saw my GP a few months ago and he told me i suffered from anxiety and depression. i thought i could deal with it by myself as i always have but this time i need help. this is my first post here so forgive me if i am abit all over the place. the things i am fighting at the moment are random mood swings. i will be happy and jolly and laugh with everyone but once it goes quiet i feel like i dont have the right to be happy, like how can i be happy when so many people i love hurt me so badly? after all these years i have learned never to trust anyone, not one single person or animal that walks this earth and that hurts too. sometimes i get a little down and think about it then suddenly the walls are closing in and i have to get out of here. i see reminders of dark times everywhere and cant help but notice them and dwell on it but thinking i cant be like this at the same time. reaching out for help has sort of gone both ways for me, my partner which sort of brought the whole thing on helps as much as she can, my parents didnt really give me much, my friends dont understand although they try to. i am sick of people constantly promising me things but not following through, that gets to me alot and has happened since i was very young. i think back, i have never hurt anyone so why do all these people hurt me? on another note, love my hunting, love fishing and spearfishing. so thats me. anything you would like to know about me please comment and i will get back to you when i can. take care

Meet your community champions! replies: 10

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

I'm another newbie replies: 1

The highs and lows of being mentally interesting. replies: 1

I am new and I'm looking for advice replies: 1

I am new replies: 3

New to forum. replies: 1

hello replies: 1

Communitys replies: 2

First timer replies: 3

i finally want to help myself replies: 3

me so far replies: 6