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Cyclone Alfred - Mental Health Support

replies: 0

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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Just saying hello on here.

replies: 11

Hey. I'm in my forties, male. Just ended up here. Saw there is a lot of other people coming on here talking about their situations. Don't like talking about myself. Like to talk about other stuff. I will say I have had a lot of problems in my life. And seem to have gotten to a point where things are looking positive. Really don't know how I'm alive and functioning. I believe it is God had some purpose for me, he wanted me to experience the bad in life and live to help someone else get through it. I think I am in a permanent state of denial of how bad my situation is. I broke up with my girlfriend about five years ago. I have had break ups before but this time haven't been able to recover for too many years. I tried my very best but it wasn't meant to be. I know I was getting played from day one. Just don't understand how stupid I was. Yeah just thought I'd try to talk to somebody on here. Not very good at talking to people on the internet. Yeah I've looked all over for some kind of help. Can't seem to find any. But that's ok. I think I'm gonna make it. There is too much I need to do in my life, and it feels as though I haven't started living a normal life yet. I've lived my whole life in fear. Finally I am able to stand up for myself and try to do the right thing. Sorry don't know how much sense I am making. But still think it is worth a try to talk on here. Yeah a lot of problems going on I was going to these meetings for support but decided to stop a fair while ago. And quit taking medication. Now I just study and do some exercise as much as I can. Yeah one thing I know is how bad this world can be. But I have overcome the bad and am ready for the good. Yeah feel free to say hello to me on here but sorry in advance for my poor internet conversation skills, I guess talking online is something I am afraid of.

Hi, just a new member who wants to chat to someone

replies: 8

Hi everyone,Just feeling a little bit of pressure and feeling a bit down and looking for someone to chat to. Am I in the right place? Sorry if I am not. If not, can someone point me in the right direction?

Hi

replies: 6

I am really struggling with life. I see it as easier to finish things now than continue. Alit has happened in the last year where my wife wanted an open relationship which I agreed to reluctantly. It only lasted for 2 weekends but I have never recovered and continually have moments of depression with flashbacks. I have contemplated suicide on 4 occasions and just see it as a way to finish the ongoing pain and depression. My wife has been good asking to talk about it and advised it was a fase she went through last year and loves me very much but I think it's just easier to get rid of the pain and depression and let her move forward.

Pension

replies: 3

Hi I'm not sure if my question belongs here but here goes. I'm 59 and on NDIS. I have a medical condition which will result in me not being able to work shortly (Wheel chair bound). Am I able to claim disability support pension as well as topping thi... View more

Testing round 2.... 🙄

replies: 4

Hi all, so I had written a post before and unsure if it posted or I deleted it ? I have been reading posts from others and I happy to know I'm not alone , well we are not alone. I had a mega panic attack last year and since have been very anxious with a few full on attacks during the past months. I'm not sure is I have depression (or is that hand in hand with anxiety?) I have had high and low periods lately,where lows are numb feeling almost nothing is exciting or makes me laugh..I have to force it at times. My overthinking chatter worries and annoys me , this can be frustrating and exhausting at times. Most of all since my panic attack is that I'm scared to drive far or on busy roads . Any tips to overcome the driving anxiety ( my panic attack happened when driving, unsure why it happened) I have always been a confident go getter type person, untill now. Now I'm not so sure .

Hello!

replies: 3

It's taken a while, yet I am posting my first thread on BB's Forum! One of the important lessons I have learned through seeing a counsellor for 3 years now, is that healing takes time. And how much time, is dependent on each individual's experience/s. The counselling has been a life-saver, though now I believe/feel it is the right time to reach out and have contact with others who are travelling a similar road, and establish a network of support. I am always in awe when reading some of the posts, at how courageous those individuals are - to share their vulnerability and experiences.....and hopefully access support and compassion as a result.

Big feels, lonely, insignificant, unseen, unheard, unimportant and invisible.

replies: 10

I am feeling all the big feels of loneliness, insignificance, unseen, unheard, unimportant and invisible. That’s just the surface really. I have a partner and who is oblivious to how I am feeling. He is not the type of person to be sensitive to many situations. Most nights of the week, too much alcohol has been consumed by him, although I am grateful that he is generally a happy drunk unlike my first husband. My life is boring and consists of sitting at home and scrolling social media and watching tv. I have a spinal problem that was diagnosed in the last year that has made exercise difficult and painful at times. I also have spinal stenosis where the nerves are pinched and I spend a lot of time lying down as that is less pressure on my back. Sometimes while I’m walking my back gives way. There is no real chance of fixing my back, only managing it and the pain. I do need to lose weight which would help, but thats not easy either. I don’t have any friends except for an older lady who is lovely and I visit her every couple of months and it’s usually because she has phoned me and she needs my help with her computer or phone. I don’t work but I used to have a really great job ( 10 years ago) and was the frontline face of the organisation and since meeting my husband and moving to be with him I seem to have lost my way. I don’t have any purpose. My husband comes home from work and tells me everything and I mean everything he did at work, including all the conversations he had with the team in his department. I switch off sometimes. I feel like I know everything about them. He comes home and switches on his laptop and continues to work. The days are gloomy and worse now winter is here in Vic. This is just a part of the big picture. I just feel so blahhh, teary, lonely and just sad.

Can crying be a sign of strength and not weakness.?

replies: 47

Something happened to me recently which inspired this thread. I was preparing an event with a group of people I had known for a little time when I accidentally broke a full length mirror. My first reaction was to be startled and then cry as it triggered me and it was so unexpected. Instead of people seeing if I was ok, they commented that I was weak because I was crying, they whispered that they were amazed that an adult would cry over such a small thing. Someone told me they thought I was stronger and disappointed I cried. After a few minutes I was fine but sad my crying was seen as a sign of immaturity and not being strong. So I want to know if you have experienced people reacting when you cry..? I am someone who didn’t cry much as a child but now in my senior years I can get teary quite easily which I accept. I am surprised at what happened to me and now wonder if those people will see me differently. Do you think most people see tears as weakness. .?

Introduction. How I got to where I am today…

replies: 3

Hi, I’m at such a loss… I am becoming more and more uneasy, sad and just regretful about what my life is turning out to be.I have a great job and without sounding obnoxious I imagine lots of people would take my position in a heart beat.Everything started going down hill with the birth of my son in Jan 2020. From the get go I struggled adapting to life as a dad. First it was all the lack of sleep which seemed never ending but I knew would resolve itself in time. Then my son was diagnosed as Autistic. He is now 2.5 years old and is still non-verbal. He is a gorgeous little boy but he is so frustrated and miserable. I can’t help but think what the future holds for him and my wife and I and it scares me… I don’t want this for my life. I hate to say it but sometimes I feel like I should just leave, but I don’t think I can bring myself to do that… I feel so trapped and don’t know what to do. sorry this is probably a ramble of sorts. I just don’t know what to do. Im so miserable now… I hate that I feel like this but don’t know what to do…

Christies

replies: 6

Hi, I have had for about 4years. My older brother went missing in 2001 and they unfortunately found his remains in 2018. At least we have closure and he's resting in peace. The first 2years we're very difficult for me but I find talking about things that most men don't. I also am a full time carer for my mum and I still can't imagine how she feels burying her 1st son. The last 2years have been a little bit better because I'm on medication for my PTSD which helps. I also am involved with a support group for Carers, I joined just over a year ago. We are all Carers and it's all about us Carers which means we can all relate to each other. Exactly

Cyclone Alfred - Mental Health Support replies: 0

Meet your community champions! replies: 10

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

Just saying hello on here. replies: 11

Hi, just a new member who wants to chat to someone replies: 8

Hi replies: 6

Pension replies: 3

Testing round 2.... 🙄 replies: 4

Hello! replies: 3

Big feels, lonely, insignificant, unseen, unheard, unimportant and invisible. replies: 10

Can crying be a sign of strength and not weakness.? replies: 47

Introduction. How I got to where I am today… replies: 3

Christies replies: 6