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Cyclone Alfred - Mental Health Support

replies: 1

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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January Facing the Day

replies: 9

Hi I’m a 48 yr old with a family but difficulty managing the all encompassing anxiety that has kept me from functioning or moving through what I have which is a good life. I have depression and recurring thoughts of not being safe in the world and so I isolate and am stuck in my thoughts. I’d like to be able to keep doing what I love- yoga, reading, loving the people who are family and friends. I hate being so stuck and want to connect with others who get it .. let’s be brave and try together

Bored and Lonely in life

replies: 2

Hi there. I'm new here so hope I'm doing the right thing. I've been feeling pretty bored and lonely in my life at the moment. I have only one close friend who has been my best friend for many years who lives nearly 3 hours away from me but has a job and a family. I on the other hand, have no job, no girlfriend and no local friends to hang out with so I spend most days at home either studying or watching TV. I am very close to my family who I live with but I would just like to do something different every once in a while but I don't know where to start.

Darren

replies: 3

Hi guys.... never posted before so give me a break on the msg... I'm 51 and have had anxiety and depression now for 20 years... it's been a tough road, but I go to work every day ( most days) and just accept that I have anxiety.... I've been on aropax for the whole time, which I'm sure has helped... However the last few months has been really tough..... went to my doctor and he's just started me on medication..... I'm on day 7 and really not sure what to think....... First 3 days I felt mentally better, but the last 4 days I've been having a bit of a relapse into negative thoughts and feelings... It's really getting me down.....has anyone else had this????..... Not sure whether to continue or go back to just existing......PS...if you're reading this post, you are obviously struggling as well. Keep your chin up and just do what you can... don't overthink everything like me.....I hope you have a better day tomorrow than you did today

Psychologist and social worker not helping": what next?

replies: 3

Hello all. I'm new here. I've been seeing a psychologist but 6 sessions have ended. They were very helpful with day to day strategies in dealing with trauma, loss and ongoing anxiety. Also seeing social worker. But over last several weeks, a serious problem is emerging: it's become totally hands off, no follow ups, no proactive assistance, no advocacy, no thinking outside the box, and absolutely no urgency given what I'm facing. I live in a rural/regional town I describe as a 'service desert'. I didn't move here by choice but to be close to my son, but in 2023 he moved again 200 kms away. This place has become very toxic to my mental health. Since Covid I've come to really hate this place. For good reasons. I engaged the social worker out of desperation. But after 12 months I've noticed very troubling things - they dismiss and ignore the underlying causes of anxiety and depression; days pass into weeks and weeks become a month and nothing has changed: there's no plan, no goals, no practical help, and that's why I sought their help in the first place. But now I'm panicking because my real fear is that they know there's no solutions, but just allow the situation to drag on without any outcome. Eg I told them a month ago I desperately need to see my son, so I'll get on the only bus south. As i'm on low income I can't pay for any accommodation. They've known this for over a year. I expressed my very real fear of sleeping rough, that it was unsafe and potentially dangerous. That much was obvious. I explained this over and over again, asked them if they could use their contacts, back channels, link up with support agencies down there, shelters etc. But there was no response to this. They sent me a link to private rentals on Domain. Totally inappropriate. This has been on ongoing pattern. I now believe that this relationship/arrangement is making my mental health issues much worse. But I now have nowhere and no one to talk to about this. This is a small town. All the health professionals know each other, and I'm scared of raising this at the risk of being cancelled. I desperately need to move from here to a major city, but have no resources to do this. I'm hoping someone here knows what I'm talking about and open up a discussion on this that would be helpful, thank you for reading

New member

replies: 6

Hey, I am a new person in the forum. I'm not really sure where to start but I have been suffering pretty bad of late with depression and anxiety to the point where I haven't been able to even go to work. It just feels like every thing snow balls into this massive overwhelming feelings and pressure that I cant seen to break free of. I have just had my first session with a therapist and she had mentioned this site, so I thought it would be a good start in my recovery to come and see what this forum is like. I was just wondering what sort of self care does every one do? Its part of my "homework" and I cant even begin to start to think about what it is that I like doing any more. I have signed up to a gym in the hopes that I can improve my mood that way but I am just a bit suck on what else I can do. Thank you for taking the time to read my post.

Doing the work of two

replies: 1

The company I work for is reluctant to replace those who leave, many leave due to dissatisfaction and stress. The result is huge increase in (unpaid) overtime just to keep head above water, which is not sustainable. I am often teary, distracted, disrupted sleep and fighting waves of fatigue daily.Have raised my concerns to be met with token and insipid response. Would like to leave but feel too exhausted to look for alternatives and go through interview processes. How have others worked through this.Ironically I work in worker’s compensation which is also a double edged sword.

Cannot sleep

replies: 12

Hi first post bit nervous anxiety about intrusive thoughts and effects on sleep I think I’m ok and handle the thoughts but night time I cannot sleep bad night tonight meds don’t seem to do the trick just a bit desperate tonight

My mum is dying and is going to make sure i end up without my daughter and alone - she hates me

replies: 1

Is it normal for your mum to decide that she just doesn't want to know you, despite being months away from dying according to doctors? She has had care of my eldest daughter (we live together), and for the first few years, I had major issues, which was a long time ago—10 years—and now she wants to take away my daughter when she dies, despite us being so close, and me being in a healthy position, I think, to have her. She tells every single friend, aunt, and uncle that I am the worst person she has ever met, and that I am the reason she has cancer. I do get into really big arguments with her because of this, and she winds me up. She knows how to upset me and then sits there acting like a victim, calling me a psychopath, bipolar, and a "fruitcake," as she likes to say. I mean, I am her carer. I try to be there for her, but she doesn't like me and hasn't for years, and it makes it difficult to deal with. She treats me like I'm her maid—leaves me things like old rubbish and wet dog beds covered in maggots to clean up, and blames me for everything. I clean up her dogs' poop and piss, maggots, and whatever other filth she creates, and she just walks over me, looking at me like I'm a piece of crap. Today, she asked me to move out on my own, despite having no one—no sister, no brother, nothing—and knowing my partner might be facing jail time in April. I am at the loneliest time of my life, and I am terrified of her dying, and I’m most scared of losing Olivia. She wants to send her to live five hours away with my aunt, who can't stand me either. I don't know. I know I have done some very terrible things in my life, but I definitely think I am worth more than the treatment she is giving me right now. She was my whole world growing up, and now she tells me I am a loser who is draining her resources, a liar, and whatever else, saying I need to piss off. Yes, I know I'm troubled, but is she really going to make me go into the world unprepared, alone, and without the means to cover anything right now? Is she really going to make sure Liv is not in my life? Is she really going to make sure I have the worst, most saddest future, and get me back for whatever she is still mad about? I couldn't do that to my daughters. I would never treat Ava or Olivia like that, ever. I don’t know what to do. I know she is sick, and I wish I could be there for her, but she doesn’t want me to be, and it’s hard to find the empathy I should have for her after what she has been doing to me lately

Hey guys my name is Olivia

replies: 4

I am 30 years old and live in Sydney, Australia. I love dancing, cooking and going to the gym. I have been depressed for 4 years, and am working with a therapist and going for daily exercise and eating healthier to try better my mental health. I will... View more

Back to forums after many years, anxiety and panic attacks are back

replies: 3

Hi everyone, I am back to the forums since 2017 when I had a nervous breakdown with anxiety, chronic pain and panic attacks. After so many years of feeling ok I think I felt on old habits like overwork, not listening to my body or mind myself in ongoing stressful work environments. A few weeks ago I injured my back playing with children at work. It was nothing major but I have been feeling exhausted and burn out at work for a couple of years now. On top of that my asthma was really bad these weeks and the usual treatment wasn’t working so I found myself with back pain, emotionally exhausted and having difficulty to breath so this has now developed into full anxiety and panic attacks. I am trying to recover and trying to stop these intrusive thoughts of doom like I am very sick or I may die or catch something terrible.

Cyclone Alfred - Mental Health Support replies: 1

Meet your community champions! replies: 10

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

January Facing the Day replies: 9

Bored and Lonely in life replies: 2

Darren replies: 3

Psychologist and social worker not helping": what next? replies: 3

New member replies: 6

Doing the work of two replies: 1

Cannot sleep replies: 12

My mum is dying and is going to make sure i end up without my daughter and alone - she hates me replies: 1

Hey guys my name is Olivia replies: 4

Back to forums after many years, anxiety and panic attacks are back replies: 3