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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Birthday alone again

replies: 4

So today 27th April is my 56th birthday and my second in my whole life alone. No family or friends just me and my dog. It’s so hard not having anyone to even wish me happy birthday or give me a card or anything. I think this will be my last, the pain... View more

New Member Into

replies: 2

I'm unsure if I'm doing this intro in the right area!My name is Clinton, and I have just Joined Blue Voices. I live in Coffs Harbour with my Wife and 3 adult children. I have a Corporate job and a side hustle Business so life is Busy / Stressful I was inspired to Join after hearing a volunteer give a talk at a recent event and share her story about mental health and her own personal battles. Last year, I was at my Lowest Point and planning the end; however, by slightly opening up to a couple of people and then seeking some professional help, I'm still here. Life still has challenges some days/ weeks but it is on the improve most days. Anyway, I would like to do more. I find when I share my stories, others open up and share too, and if I can help just one person, that would be great.

anxiety disorder - reassurance needed

replies: 2

hi, I'm currently experiencing a serious bout of anxiety and struggling with keeping it together. I have had to take unpaid leave from work and am starting to take anti depressants. I have a good medical team helping me but I feel like I'm getting worse than better. I'm also needing to care for my three children and keep my mental health issues a secret from them. It is exhausting. I'm seeking reassurance that I will get better, that the medication will work and that I'll get back to 100%. I have taken these anti depressants in the past and they did eventually work, but I'm worried they won't work this time and I'll be like this forever. Any support would be very helpful!

Hopeless

replies: 2

Human society, organizationally speaking, is shaped something like a pyramid, or perhaps a tall, narrow cone, with a small proportion of society living at the top possessing most of the wealth whilst the majority of society wallows at the bottom with little opportunity and negligible wealth; and it is an irony of society that these factors are only more extreme in socialist countries where the common folk live in extreme poverty working to achieve nothing but the enrichment of the ruling classes and whatever local flavor of oligarch happens to exist in their neck of the woods.And yet everyone from the government to the many self-help guru’s to those who exist to proselytize to us about the wonders of our society (the media, etc.) would like to have us believe that hard work and constant self-improvement will lead us to prosperity in the future, a wonderful world where the “cone” is somehow miraculously flipped on its head, where everyone currently at the bottom of society is somehow “wealthy” insofar as they can afford to pay their bills and own a home and retire early, before decrepitude ultimately consumes them … just tell that to the people dependent on tips to survive in the USA or those working in pseudo-slavery in China or those trying to get by on near starvation wages working for companies like Amazon, or even someone like me in Australia who had an average education in various schools, famous more for their violent students or incompetent teachers (I had a teacher who didn’t even know what century it was) and who have survived up until now in low-paying jobs that increase their pay rates just enough to keep in line with inflation, and sometimes, not even that…The truth for me and most people of my generation is that I will have to work until I die, and due to the fact that I am single I will never be able to afford a home of my own, no matter how hard I work. Don’t tell me that this can be fixed, we live in a society that is created by, maintained and wholly exists to maximize profits and enrich an already wealthy minority, the struggling majority is paid half-sneering lip-service and little else by those in government who should exist to create a livable future for all society, not just the ones who eat off of golden plates with platinum cutlery…I don’t come here looking for solutions to my problems, I know I am ultimately doomed, I have no illusions. We have been betrayed by those who claim to care for us, we are alone, and we will die alone.

Messy intro + any reason on why meeting a professional is nerve racking?

replies: 1

Hi I thought maybe my first ever discussion should have me do a mini intro and maybe a question to keep a convo rolling? I’m trying to distract my mind since it feels really heavy right now with stress :c I am in my first year of university (straight out of high school), I have autism and social anxiety. So, taking this first step reaching out is very very much out of my comfort zone. I have a friend that has been suggesting me to reach out to a professional due to my stress levels but my anxiety just flies through the roof. In the end, I’m not sure why I have this anxiety even though in the back of my mind I know I need to talk to somebody who can deal with a massive life-story dump. I don’t think a friend deserves that kind of mess :,) This sounds more like a brain dump… so sorry if I am not making sense right now I guess a question I have to keep this discussion rolling is: to anyone that has gone through this anxiety to meet a professional knew why? Or did you figure out why you did back then?

Starting

replies: 3

Hi not sure if I am doing this right? Finding it hard to drag myself out of the state I’m in. Feeling depressed and wanting it to stop.

Hi~

replies: 2

Hi, have the sads today, and thought I'd say hi. My brother died 22 weeks ago tomorrow, and for whatever reason it's just hitting hard today.

Anxiety at new job

replies: 3

Hi, I’m Josh and I have had a career change at 53. I’m working in a smart centre and struggling mental with the culture of the place. I’m coming up to 6 mths and are really struggling with negative thoughts and things that’s are really happening. I s... View more

Greetings

replies: 3

Hi,Quick intro, I’m a 38yo male with a history of mental illness, anxiety and depression. It’s been a journey of discovery; one of myself and life in general. I never presume to be out of the woods or declare boldly I’m cured. I know at any moment life can take a turn and I can go from the mountain top to the valley in a blink. It’s quite damaging to ego and pride to suffer that fall so I guard myself by practicing humility.Although the valley has the benefit over time of producing resilience and endurance, each valley offers new challenges but also opportunities to grow and become stronger. Gratitude has helped me appreciate the world around me during the highs and the lows.It is an underestimated power, or at least was to me in the beginning. If you can appreciate life when you’re striking out; you can appreciate it even more when your hitting home runs. I hope to contribute to the community in sharing and also listening because it is difficult sometimes and we could all use more support at times. Cheers.

Just wanted to say hello

replies: 6

Hello everyone, I signed up a couple of months ago but this is my first post. I'm hoping to feel comfortable enough to open up, so maybe I can find a way to deal with everything going on in life like everybody else I guess because I have no idea wher... View more

Meet your community champions! replies: 10

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

Birthday alone again replies: 4

New Member Into replies: 2

anxiety disorder - reassurance needed replies: 2

Hopeless replies: 2

Messy intro + any reason on why meeting a professional is nerve racking? replies: 1

Starting replies: 3

Hi~ replies: 2

Anxiety at new job replies: 3

Greetings replies: 3

Just wanted to say hello replies: 6