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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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Pixie15 Just curious.
  • replies: 1

Hello, Just noticed that some of the posts have a lot of views. Wondering how views are calculated. Thanks Grateful Today.

Hello, Just noticed that some of the posts have a lot of views. Wondering how views are calculated. Thanks Grateful Today.

Mares73 Where do I get a beyondblue wristband?
  • replies: 2

Dear Christopher as you may know I will be attending a Royal Commission hearing into my case of harrowing abuse by a Priest. I'm nervous & don't have much support so Geoff had a great idea-that I wear the blue BB bracelet. Could you organize me to be... View more

Dear Christopher as you may know I will be attending a Royal Commission hearing into my case of harrowing abuse by a Priest. I'm nervous & don't have much support so Geoff had a great idea-that I wear the blue BB bracelet. Could you organize me to be sent one? I'd really appreciate it. Beyond Blue is an outstanding organization & whenever I'm asked what support I have I say Beyond Blue & try to educate people about this site. I can't thank you & the team enough for the support you provide. Lve Mares

Chris_B Beyondblue forum meetup event in Perth
  • replies: 12

The beyondblue National Roadshow is coming to Perth and we’d like to take the opportunity to thank our valued blueVoices members and online forum members face-to-face. Come along to this casual afternoon, join in and have a go at playing lawn bowls. ... View more

The beyondblue National Roadshow is coming to Perth and we’d like to take the opportunity to thank our valued blueVoices members and online forum members face-to-face. Come along to this casual afternoon, join in and have a go at playing lawn bowls. It will also be an opportunity meet people from your local community, chat with beyondblue staff, find out about local mental health services and listen to a special presentation from beyondblue youth speaker, Annabeth Bateman. Date: Sunday 25 May Time: 3:30pm - 5:30pm Location: Sorrento Bowling Club Percy Doyle Reserve, 40 Warwick Road Duncraig, WA 6023 Snacks and refreshments will be provided. Family and friends welcome! Please let us know if you’re coming by sending us an email to bb@beyondblue.org.au with numbers. If you have a special talent, and you’d like to contribute to or participate in the activities on the day, we’re open to all ideas and happy to discuss. The Roadshow team look forward to meeting you on the day!

les breaks my heart
  • replies: 3

i have recently posted a few posts. it breaks my heart that i can only offer words to the many people out there who are hurting. what else can i do ? i have all the time in the world but i feel helpless that i can not do more to help people. les

i have recently posted a few posts. it breaks my heart that i can only offer words to the many people out there who are hurting. what else can i do ? i have all the time in the world but i feel helpless that i can not do more to help people. les

Struggler Thread In Wrong Place
  • replies: 1

Hi BB I posted my first thread *Depression - Being Driven From Employer To Employer* in the Community Board. I meant it to be in the Employment and Workplaces section. Can it be moved to the relevant spot? Sorry, I am still learning. Struggler

Hi BB I posted my first thread *Depression - Being Driven From Employer To Employer* in the Community Board. I meant it to be in the Employment and Workplaces section. Can it be moved to the relevant spot? Sorry, I am still learning. Struggler

les localised BB
  • replies: 3

i would love to see beyond blue become more localised . wouldn't it be nice if we could help each fix a lot of lonyness which does not help with depression. example when i am home alone i get very depressed and of course the cogs in my brain keep rol... View more

i would love to see beyond blue become more localised . wouldn't it be nice if we could help each fix a lot of lonyness which does not help with depression. example when i am home alone i get very depressed and of course the cogs in my brain keep rolling around. when i was working as a taxi driver and also a pilot for oversize vehicles all over oz. my fellow workers would say to me "boy you are the funniest bugger i have met" to a person. i put it down to be surrounded by people, which tends to gee one up. if BB was more localised to our respective area's we could mix and relate have meetups etc . just a thought but i think mixing with others helps ......les

Over_It1 Thank You
  • replies: 5

Just a huge shout out to the team on the phones for being there and helping my wife find the help that she needed after the Community Assessment Team (CAT) hung up on her when she was in dire need of help for myself. Fantastic job, I am now in hospit... View more

Just a huge shout out to the team on the phones for being there and helping my wife find the help that she needed after the Community Assessment Team (CAT) hung up on her when she was in dire need of help for myself. Fantastic job, I am now in hospital getting the help I soooooooooo dearly needed. Once Again Thank You

bucketlist newbie who has reached out
  • replies: 2

Can't say I have written on a forum before however I have never felt so desperate before. I have known my "meltdown" was coming for a long time just didn't realise it would hit the way it did. I have spent the entire morning feeling completely hopele... View more

Can't say I have written on a forum before however I have never felt so desperate before. I have known my "meltdown" was coming for a long time just didn't realise it would hit the way it did. I have spent the entire morning feeling completely hopeless and sobbing uncontrollably. I know I have felt miserable for quite some time now and bit by bit have destroyed or isolated myself from friends apart from a couple really. I have stepped out of groups I belong to unable to cope with the feelings of despair and thoughts that others in the group are "leaving me out". I know I have been doing it to myself all along. I have finally calmed after reading posts and following the links on this site however think it may have more to do with exhaustion from this morning episode. I found myself in such a state of despair that I felt I need to call an ambulance only the thought of not knowing what to say was wrong with me stopped me.I did manage to just call my GP now and make an apt for Friday where I will put my hand up for help. I am embarrassed to do so however I don't ever want this morning to happen again although somehow I know it will.I have been putting one foot in front of the other for so long now that I am physically and mentally exhausted. I don't know if this morning was me hitting rock bottom or a mental breakdown but I am still shaky and nervous,taking things very steady and calm so I can reach out and get some help.I think maybe I should have done it a long time agao.

emmalou Introducing myself
  • replies: 3

Hi Everyone, My name is Emma and I'd just like to introduce myself. I'm not new to depression but I'm pretty new to this website and these kind of forums. I've just recently been diagnosed with having depression, the 3rd time in my life, and I think ... View more

Hi Everyone, My name is Emma and I'd just like to introduce myself. I'm not new to depression but I'm pretty new to this website and these kind of forums. I've just recently been diagnosed with having depression, the 3rd time in my life, and I think I will probably have to be on anti-depressants for the rest of my life. I'm lucky that I have friends and family that can support me but I don't think they fully understand how I feel and I guess that's why I decided to come on to this forum so I could maybe talk to people who truly understand how I feel and what I'm going through. Depression is something that I have always had to cope with, in fact I think I was depressed even as far back as my childhood. I've been on anti-depressants, then off them, then on them again, going back and forth now for most of my adult life and it's taken me until this very year, 2014 to realise, that depression is something that I will have to live with forever. Has anyone else out there had that same kind of feeling? That depression will always be with you? Today I'm optomistic though as I know that while I have this disease, I can learn to live with it. Depression can be controlled like any other disease, I can lead a full and happy life if I choose to stay on the right track and get help. I know I can except who I am and learn to coexist peacefully with this disease. Thanks for reading.