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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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Judith12345 Depression and work
  • replies: 2

Hi, I'm after some advice. I've been dealing with depression and anxiety since early high school - I am now in my mid twenties. I go through bouts of depressive phases where I'll start to feel numb and disconnected from most things - I'll avoid going... View more

Hi, I'm after some advice. I've been dealing with depression and anxiety since early high school - I am now in my mid twenties. I go through bouts of depressive phases where I'll start to feel numb and disconnected from most things - I'll avoid going to work, talking to friends, visiting family etc. I've been seeing a psychologist who is lovely to talk to and makes plans of attacks with me while I'm in these phases - the only thing is my motivation to follow through with these plans drops off the next day. I've tried medications before with mixed results - and I had a one off session with a psychiatrist who said that medications likely won't help my situation. I got a new job in a call centre in November 2021. The job isn't stressful in the sense some call centres can be - there aren't any abusive calls, and the only stress I have from it is sticking to KPIs. For the past 3 months or so I've been taking consecutive days off because I'm currently in a depressive phase, to the point where sometimes I haven't gone into work all week. I've been open about my mental health with my team leader and they've been very understanding so far - I've tried different work arrangements but I haven't been able to stick to any of them. It's gotten to the point where I can tell they're also getting sick of me calling in sick and I don't want to lose my job. In the moments where I'm not feeling numb, I know I don't want to lose it and I know I'm screwing things up for myself by not attending work as the days go by. I don't know how to get myself out of this - I'm more self aware than i have been in the years before, and I'll actually plan to go to work now in advance by getting up early, and eating breakfast, but then I'll just cave and call in sick. I know there are no instant solutions but I feel like the long term ones aren't feasible right now. I'm willing to try pretty much anything at this point and hoping someone can help.

Realgal Hello to all
  • replies: 9

I am a 50 plus woman living essentially on my own. I am renting and have casual employment - yes, I am one of those statistics. Divorced, adult kids. I am here because I find the uncertainty is a weight and it has become worse since the pandemic. I h... View more

I am a 50 plus woman living essentially on my own. I am renting and have casual employment - yes, I am one of those statistics. Divorced, adult kids. I am here because I find the uncertainty is a weight and it has become worse since the pandemic. I have suffered from depression to varying degrees my whole life. I am finding it very hard to find joy in things. I often feel angry at my situation and my life has become very small and uneventful. I feel very sad a lot of the time. Even though the word depression comes up a lot in my life, I still have a hard time accepting it or believing it. I am not sure ultimately what it means to live with it as I don't like to accept that I have it. Some days I feel as though everyone except me is getting on in life; has a more interesting life, can achieve more, has more energy, more money and loving relationship etc etc. Then I turn to myself and tell myself that is other people's lives. I feel less valuable. I am hoping that through sharing, I might come to understand what I experience. Maybe I won't feel so singled out and alone. Thank you for reading.

Dean_Dharug My backstory and introduction
  • replies: 2

Hello peeps, I (27m) am new here; I joined after being urged to do so by a Mental Health Officer who has been seeing me since I got discharged from hospital. I suffer from depression, anxiety and only-recently-discovered-and-thus-untreated Austism. A... View more

Hello peeps, I (27m) am new here; I joined after being urged to do so by a Mental Health Officer who has been seeing me since I got discharged from hospital. I suffer from depression, anxiety and only-recently-discovered-and-thus-untreated Austism. Additionally, I am gay and have severe social isolation. I don’t know if this site will help me, but here we go! I’m going to summarise it all here - I went majorly over the word limit my first attempt, so I apologise if it’s brief. Growing up, I didn’t really have friends and this has somewhat come back to bite me at this point in life - my local friends feel more like acquaintances and I barely have any contact with them. In contrast, the friends who I feel closer to are all either interstate or overseas. I don’t have a job or any real purpose or meaning in life; I studied and graduated from University, but couldn’t land a job in the relevant field. A few years back, my mum got diagnosed with cancer and it was unfortunately terminal; we were told “it could be 10 years, or maybe more”m but in the end all we had was seven months. Since mum was a single mother and I was an only child, I inherited the family home, where I live alone (my cat died soon after my mum did). I technically have family, but they were never really on the scene - half-siblings I never meet and aunts/uncles I don’t know. The closest I have is my nana, but it’s difficult to connect with her, and it’s also emotionally painful as it was always mum and I who interacted with her, so now that absence is poignantly pronounced. Mum passing was the catalyst for my ASD diagnosis; I have only very recently gotten on the NDIS, so although supports are starting to occur, they are still very much in their infancy. The event that tipped me over the edge was learning that the man I have loved (an ex, of sorts) for years recently moved in with his current long-term partner. It crushed me that, not only was the man I love sharing his life with someone else, but he/they were living a life I have always dreamed of, whilst I’m stuck here. I have no dreams, goals or ambitions left. I have no family, no job prospects, no relationship possibilities and I feel…so completely and utterly lost and removed from life. So…here I am. I’m trying to set up a routine to get some of my life in place, but it feels completely pointless right now; why bother? No matter what, I won’t get what I want. I hope this is okay to post here - I didn’t know really what to write. Dean

Need_hope Rock bottom
  • replies: 6

How mamy times can you hit rock bottom? I have alcohol and gambling addictions which i have battling for over 30 years i have tried everything to stop. The self loathing and hatred of myself is endless. I am sick and tired of being sick and tired. An... View more

How mamy times can you hit rock bottom? I have alcohol and gambling addictions which i have battling for over 30 years i have tried everything to stop. The self loathing and hatred of myself is endless. I am sick and tired of being sick and tired. Any advice on how to overcome this illness?

Sophie_M Why is my display name (or someone elses) looking a bit different?
  • replies: 3

Hello everyone and thank you for being a part of this wonderful community, You may notice your display name has changed a little bit recently, this is because as we update our Forums some character types are no longer available. Your name may have ch... View more

Hello everyone and thank you for being a part of this wonderful community, You may notice your display name has changed a little bit recently, this is because as we update our Forums some character types are no longer available. Your name may have changed slightly if you joined while we were using some older technology. If your username has updated and you want to chat with us about changing it please contact modsupport@beyondblue.org.au. The following characters are allowed : alphanumeric (a-z, A-Z, 0-9), dashes and underscores Thanks again for all of your support and for making this space the kind, open and helpful place that it is! Kind regards, Sophie M

RainbowCuddle Rough moments
  • replies: 4

Hi there, The past month has been rough as ! My car needed repairing in late May and is finally being attended to so me and my 2 kids have relied on walking, public transport and putting things on hold. I have had to ask for help for lifts from frien... View more

Hi there, The past month has been rough as ! My car needed repairing in late May and is finally being attended to so me and my 2 kids have relied on walking, public transport and putting things on hold. I have had to ask for help for lifts from friends but not very often because I am a people pleaser and absolutely hate asking for help. My mobile phone stopped charging and I am still waiting for Telstra to send a replacement yet a friend lent me her broken screen one in the meantime. I lost contacts and pics but at least I can still communicate if need be, especially with my parents that live overseas. I also broke one of the arms off my prescription glasses so relying on daily disposable contact lenses and an old pair that isn't the right prescription. I also contracted Covid19 after being so careful with my hygiene and what I do. This is Day 5. I am due to go back to work next month after mat leave but I am not ready with all this ****. I have a GP appointment tomorrow over the phone. I have suffered anxiety and depression for a while now. I feel I need some light at the end of the tunnel. I will go back to my exercises and walks after this isolation period is over. Any advice?

Miranda_ Constantly trying to Fill the Void
  • replies: 6

Hi everyone, I’m new here. My partner and I, had our first abortion this year, and I am struggling mentally since. It was my first pregnancy and I feel deep regret and sadness. I have been struggling with depression for almost 10 years now and apart ... View more

Hi everyone, I’m new here. My partner and I, had our first abortion this year, and I am struggling mentally since. It was my first pregnancy and I feel deep regret and sadness. I have been struggling with depression for almost 10 years now and apart from that, this experience has really affected my heart. I am 22 and I work in the mines as an electrician and I have no family or friends for hours away. This is the first year of my life 22 years of life that I haven’t got a single girlfriend. I have forgotten how to socialise and be a normal human. I am terribly lonely, and just need a girlfriend to grab coffee with

Sophie_M Share your experience - Research project needs volunteers
  • replies: 2

Hi everyone, Beyond Blue are joining forces with researchers from Swinburne University, the University of Tasmania and James Cook University who are keen to learn about your experiences using the online forums. So, who can take part? They are looking... View more

Hi everyone, Beyond Blue are joining forces with researchers from Swinburne University, the University of Tasmania and James Cook University who are keen to learn about your experiences using the online forums. So, who can take part? They are looking for people to take part in a research interview who are over 18 years old, live in rural or remote areas, so places outside of the major cities like Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, Adelaide, and all other major cities. By taking part, you’ll be helping us to get a better understanding of how the online forums work for people in rural areas. What’s involved? The university researchers would like to chat for about 40 minutes by a phone call or Zoom call, whichever you prefer! Once you’ve spoken to them, you will also receive a Giftpay e-voucher of $50 as a thank you for your time. All responses will be confidential and they won’t use your real name when reporting their findings. If you’re keen to help out and share your experience using the online forums, click HERE Then, they’ll work with you to set up a convenient date and time for a conversation. Thank you!

Anonymous_mum How to deal with my husbands porn addiction
  • replies: 4

I don’t really know how to write this, I am so lost. I wouldn’t normally reach out to strangers but I can’t talk to family or friends due to wanting to protect my husband and how people might view him and also embarrassment. I thought we were wonderf... View more

I don’t really know how to write this, I am so lost. I wouldn’t normally reach out to strangers but I can’t talk to family or friends due to wanting to protect my husband and how people might view him and also embarrassment. I thought we were wonderful. We have been together for 6 years and we fell head over heals for each other and never fell apart until just after Our first little bub was born nearly two years ago I found out about 7 months after her birth that my husband had a porn addiction and had one from the start of our relationship. I was heart broken, he said it would stop then a month later I found out it was continuing. We have slowly been getting through it and working on my trust but now, 3 months after my second bub is born, I found out he never stopped. i feel like he has taken everything away from me, my memories of him, enjoying being a mother and a family. I am breaking, please.

Corr I'm new
  • replies: 4

Hi, I just joined and I'm not sure if this is for me but I thought I would give it a go. I suffer from anxiety and depression, and I've gone through a break up of a long term relationship recently. I've found I don't really have much support beyond m... View more

Hi, I just joined and I'm not sure if this is for me but I thought I would give it a go. I suffer from anxiety and depression, and I've gone through a break up of a long term relationship recently. I've found I don't really have much support beyond my immediate family and I'm struggling with loneliness as well as finding ways to cope with my anxiety so I can meet new people and try to build a support network of sorts. Thanks for having me!