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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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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.

Guest17 New here. Hoping to learn about others experiences.
  • replies: 3

Hi all, my name is Adam. I'm 42 and an aged care worker. I have just made the step of finally admitting to myself that I'm depressed. I'm not sure what I'm looking for by posting here.....maybe just to cleanse my mind a bit Nobody is aware of my prob... View more

Hi all, my name is Adam. I'm 42 and an aged care worker. I have just made the step of finally admitting to myself that I'm depressed. I'm not sure what I'm looking for by posting here.....maybe just to cleanse my mind a bit Nobody is aware of my problem.....I'd be stunned if nobody suspected though. I tend to be the life of the party, and people keep telling me that I really seem to have it all worked out (which bothers me a lot - can only imagine how scattered THEIR minds are, lol). Until October 2012 I was a full-time carer for my grandmother who had Parkinson's Disease - it was a life-sapping experience incomparable to any other I've had, and in the process I think I forgot how to care for my own needs. The decision to be a carer probably typifies what goes wrong in my life....I have attracted partners who are needy and tend to use up my resources and then move on. I have a serious inability to handle abandonment, and constantly crave a feeling of belonging, which I am never able to find. I have zero friends that I trust, though many many acquaintances that expect me to be there for them in their times of need. Sorry if all that sounds whiny.....it's not intended to be. I just want to give a little background as to why I'm here. Would love to hear other people's experiences and see if some mutual sharing can help. Hope this finds you all smiling. Regards, Adam

scorch links taking me somewhere else
  • replies: 14

Hi I've been trying to access a thread started by Matty, but every time I click the link it takes me to another thread on a different topic started by someone else. I have never had this happen before. The thread it takes me to doesn't even appear an... View more

Hi I've been trying to access a thread started by Matty, but every time I click the link it takes me to another thread on a different topic started by someone else. I have never had this happen before. The thread it takes me to doesn't even appear anywhere else on the forum list that I can see... Is this happening to anyone else or just me???

Neil_1 Dr Brian Ironwood - Man Therapy ads ...
  • replies: 0

Dear all I don't know how many of you have seen the latest ads on the teev for depression and mental related illnesses for men - there is a link with Beyond Blue to it - and the character who does the short, sharp ad is a man called "Dr Brian Ironwoo... View more

Dear all I don't know how many of you have seen the latest ads on the teev for depression and mental related illnesses for men - there is a link with Beyond Blue to it - and the character who does the short, sharp ad is a man called "Dr Brian Ironwood" - it's a really 'get you in' kind of ad. I believe done very well. I hope that it can bring out of the woodwork anyone who is suffering in silence to come forward and seek help. To those people behind this initiative, WELL DONE. Neil

mumov3 Newbie
  • replies: 2

Hey all, Newbie here I was very hesistant about signing up. I was thinking of just joining looking reading and helping you all and not post, as I am a person that don't like expressing my feelings or letting people know what's wrong! and I think I ne... View more

Hey all, Newbie here I was very hesistant about signing up. I was thinking of just joining looking reading and helping you all and not post, as I am a person that don't like expressing my feelings or letting people know what's wrong! and I think I need to stop tricking myself and get advice," help" if u want to call it that! I am a mumov3 girls, from Tasmania! I have suffered anxiety and depression since 2006- have had my ups and most definately downs. x

deepgreen Another Newby
  • replies: 2

Hello I have been advised to notify of my recent decision to register with this forum. I am keen to stay in touch with these online forums to help me with my depression/anxiety as I do not want my relationship with my amazing partner to suffer for it... View more

Hello I have been advised to notify of my recent decision to register with this forum. I am keen to stay in touch with these online forums to help me with my depression/anxiety as I do not want my relationship with my amazing partner to suffer for it. (I think it already is)

Leah77 Hi, new to forum, but not new to depression
  • replies: 2

Hi All Just introducing myself. New to the forum, hoping to get support and help others. First became ill with clinical depression and anxiety at about 21 years old. I am now 36 years old. The anxiety seems to have been treated but I am still struggl... View more

Hi All Just introducing myself. New to the forum, hoping to get support and help others. First became ill with clinical depression and anxiety at about 21 years old. I am now 36 years old. The anxiety seems to have been treated but I am still struggling with depression. Will post a thread in the depression section. Cheers

orion New to the forum
  • replies: 1

Hello all, I'm new here and just letting of some steam. I am on meds for my on going depression and trying to stay positive. Being unemployed does not help and I've been looking for work for a while now. Going through endless job lists on the interne... View more

Hello all, I'm new here and just letting of some steam. I am on meds for my on going depression and trying to stay positive. Being unemployed does not help and I've been looking for work for a while now. Going through endless job lists on the internet and finding nothing! At this rate it wont be long before I lose my house! I am 50 and I am not getting any younger the competition for jobs is unbelievable, I don't have much hope for the future how can anyone enjoy life without having enough funds in the bank? I don't know what I am going to do....suppose on until I cant go on any more. Thank you for taking the time to listen.

the_motorcycle_boy New Kid On The Block
  • replies: 15

Hi, I'm new to this forum. I am hoping it could be an outlet for me and perhaps I may be of some assistance to others. Depression first hit me when I was around 30 in the shape of a virus that wouldn't go away. Things worsened till I had a breakdown ... View more

Hi, I'm new to this forum. I am hoping it could be an outlet for me and perhaps I may be of some assistance to others. Depression first hit me when I was around 30 in the shape of a virus that wouldn't go away. Things worsened till I had a breakdown in 1991. I was diagnosed with Major Depression and Melancholia. I made a good recovery only to get sick again when I went off medication. Since then I have struggled with my illness but all the time believe I have been improving. Anyway, that's my story in a nutshell. I sincerely wish everyone dealing with this illness the best for the future.