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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Time to reach out

replies: 3

Hello, my name is Paul, and I'm having trouble figuring out where my life is going. I feel like I'm stuck in a cycle of the washing machine that never ends, and I can't seem to break free. I've never been fired, but I want to know what I did wrong because I have an intellectual disability and am on the autism spectrum. I'm also pursuing a bachelor's degree in justice studies at a university. Every job I've ever had has either ended up in liquidation or been eliminated due to funding. I'm so sick of this that I've all but given up looking for work. I mean, I'd like to, but I don't want to be taken advantage of. I've been married since January, and my wife has two jobs to keep money coming in. She's such a loving partner who doesn't care if I find a job and doesn't mind my disability or my Centrelink money. I just want to know what is wrong with me; I feel like I need to give up now and just disappear; I feel so lost and afraid to speak out to anyone; I'm not sure what mental health problems I may have; I really need help figuring out what I may be struggling with; I'm just losing everything around me; I'm a strong guy; everyone loves me; they say I'm such a big-hearted guy; they say I'm down to earth; they say I'm always willing to help out. I apologise for my outburst, but it was a joy to meet you all. I look forwards to hearing any advice or assistance you can provide. Palrium

Manager is harrassing/bullying me at work

replies: 11

Hi, I have been having difficulty with my immediate manager at work. She has recently been promoted to a higher role, and I have stepped into her old role. She is constantly trying to discredit me with my managers and colleagues. Gone so far to create the impression that im lazy and bad in my role. She has been doing and saying things over the past few months that I have been documenting, but this week someone put in a formal complaint because I dont wear my mask, but a few people including managers, dont wear them. She has since been watching me like a hawk and today managed to get me in trouble for recycling paper, which is akin to committing a crime in the laboratory I work for. She constantly looks for reasons to complain about me and once took something I said completely out of context to create the impression I am a deviant and dont intend to do my job properly. I dont understand why she targets me as all I want to do is work and forget about the place. She is an avid rule follower, so when I deviate from the rules, she feels the need to "punish" me, even though others do the same thing. What is wrong with this woman and what should I do about it?

Lots of support and still struggling

replies: 6

Hi all, Nice to meet you I suppose I am posting because I feel a little 'stuck' and have a feeling others might feel similar? I have quite a few mental health difficulties, for which I have LOTS of support (friends, GP, Psychologist), yet I still feel terrible and low most of the time. I have been implementing learnt strategies, and they are helpful, though if I were to imagine a mountain where mental wellness was at the top, the strategies only take me up a single step as the difficulties have been happening for so long. I feel like it would take a minimum of 6 months for me to get anywhere near my level of mental wellbeing that I had 2 years ago. Alongside mental health challenges, loss/grief and sickness have also likely impacted my mood. I know my friends are always there to listen, but it really doesn't feel like enough or like life is worthwhile. I am safe for now, I have a safety plan, but I am struggling to drag myself through the days - there are only a few things that keep me going. Thanks for reading, I look forward to talking to you all x

Overwhelmed & Lost

replies: 9

Hi Everyone, first time here for me. I left my highly stressful job just recently and started another job that I have found to be just as stressful. I plan to resign tomorrow from this new job. I guess my concern is being unemployed. I, like everyone have bills to pay but I am a mess and don't think I can continue to go to work in this headspace. Just reaching out to see whether anyone has experienced this and how they get through it?

Hello Everyone :D

replies: 6

Hello, everyone! I joined this forum because I never felt comfortable with sharing my problems with people I know, but I feel comfortable with sharing it with people I’d not know. Hi, I’m Alina, a 12 year old girl who has just started high school. I have trouble fitting in and am constantly worrying about how I look. So I’m just here to share my problems, because it manages to get most of the weight off my chest once I’ve said everything. thankyou for your support

Want to speak out my story

replies: 3

Hi Everyone,Nice to meet you all.Had been so stress recently. I am just want to share my story.I joined a big company as 12 months contractor, my boss is happy on my work as he told me he will change me to permanent once there is opportunities available. There is a colleague resigned, my boss gave that permanent position to the guy who joined as contractor 3 months after me. Then the boss told me you will be next in queue. A year later, boss extended my contract to another 12 months as I did well on my work. Then there is another colleague moved to another team. So I asked and he told me to apply. After I applied and had interview, he told me he gave to external candidate which is more experience than me. However, the truth is he gave to a guy who joined our team as a contractor just 2 months ago. I am so upset and I found out the reason is because I am not good at show off. So even I did well on my work but he just prefer someone can sweet talk even can't do the work properly. I applied many jobs but I am not good at doing interview, so keep fail. In my mind, I think I am a stupid loser as others keep telling me you are so stupid. No one will believe what your boss said if they are in the same situation as you. Also they always say to me, you did so many times in interview and still not doing well in interview.Thank you for listening, it is good to speak out.

Time to reach out

replies: 9

I was diagnosed, years ago, with depression and social anxiety. I also have a chronic condition that limits how much I can do physically. And I am a recovered alcoholic (sober 7 years).My mental health is really bad at the moment. I've spent the majority of this year in bed (mostly due to physical pain). When I am physically capable of doing anything I find it a huge effort to do it. I avoid anyone outside of my household because socialising makes me so tired. If I get interested in something it doesn't last. I feel like I'm just wasting my life away and I really don't want to be like this

Ok so this is awkward

replies: 4

Hi! I am depressed! I am also good at wearing a mask of calmness and concern for others at most times and so it feels awkward to be honest about it. At least I know I'm talking to people who know what it means to have depression. Dysthymia has been with me since I was about 15. I have had about 4 major depressive episodes. I suffered alot of bullying by exclusion as a child and my family, well, I haven't spoken to my brother or sister for years (nor they to each other) and I do not speak with my parents about anything that concerns me or about my feelings in general. I haven't been able to do that since I was 9 or 10. I just shut up about what concerned me with them because well - they weren't very helpful. I was being bullied at school and their advice to me was to ignore it. So I ignored it and spent my lunchtimes in the library. I ignored the fighting in my home between my brother and sister and parents and spent my time in my room reading books. I am 42 now. I have no kids (although I would have wanted them dearly, and am very maternal at heart) I do have a partner who is the most kind and patient person I have ever known. I withdraw from him too. I was terribly depressed in my late teens and twenties. A few things worked for me to get me out of it though. I discovered there was a lot of meaning in giving to others and listening so I studied first to be a personal carer. An antidepressant also helped. I used a few CBT strategies. By my late 20s and early thirties I had a semblance of a normal life and studied medical sciences and then medicine (yes I am a doctor and yes I feel very awkward posting here because most of you guys come to see us for advice and it might make you lose faith in medicine if you knew your doctor wasn't doing very well in their personal mental health department. Please believe me, when you go to the doctor the time is yours, for you, not for the doctor. The doctor uses their professional knowledge to help you. ) I am now reaching a downward part of my cycle which goes like this... Be on antidepressants, give to others, work hard, have some achievement and social interaction at work, feel good enough. When feeling good enough; stop anti-depressant because don't like side effects. 6 weeks later feel like shit, don't get out of bed, think of all the terrible things that could happen to patients constantly. This cycle has been going on for five years now and am gearing up to tackle it again.

Depression, anxiety or something else I have no idea.

replies: 1

So I'm not sure where to post this as I'm relatively new to this but here goes. For a long time I've been feeling not myself, when I say that I mean complete opposite of what I usually am. I am an outgoing person usually quite confident and forthcoming, but of late I've been feeling very down more than usual and closed off from people. I've been having thoughts that have been saying I'm not good enough or I'm not worth the time and overly worrying about situations which are completely out of my control (just to name a few) which then in turns physically impacts me feeling sick in my gut and cold which in turn stresses me more to the point of being very irritable and angry. More than that I've been distancing myself from friends going out on occasions and I honestly can't say why I do, I feel tired a lot of the time, can't find pleasure in things in which I used to enjoy doing, but still try to find the good things about them and why I do it. And to be completely honest I feel super lonely, my best mate left to go to the army and we were like two peas in a pod, but he's gone and now I feel really lost and lonely. Not only that but being used and abused, rejected by people you care about. One person who I cared about dearly left me and for someone else, and I can honestly say I have not delt with it yet, I still feel hurt, quite worthless and empty really as I've had heaps of experiences like this. I have no idea how to go about sorting this problem out but I am scared about going and seeing someone regarding purely because I don't like opening up but also I feel like my future goals may be impacted, but I am willing to make a sacrifice again for the betterment of my health, so any advice is welcome.

I quit alcohol...day 7

replies: 8

Hi everyone, I have been drinking heavily for years to the point where my health was suffering, my relationships were on the verge of being destroyed, almost losing my job. I am female btw.Last Thursday, I just decided to quit. I saw my GP yesterday after having blood tests done. He said that I've gone a week...the worst of it has come and gone. I have no cravings, am coping without it.My question is: Is this bubble going to burst or am I indeed on the road to recovery? I am not on any medication - I'm just enjoying my family, my cats, my job... is this enough?

Meet your community champions! replies: 10

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

Time to reach out replies: 3

Manager is harrassing/bullying me at work replies: 11

Lots of support and still struggling replies: 6

Overwhelmed & Lost replies: 9

Hello Everyone :D replies: 6

Want to speak out my story replies: 3

Time to reach out replies: 9

Ok so this is awkward replies: 4

Depression, anxiety or something else I have no idea. replies: 1

I quit alcohol...day 7 replies: 8