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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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lo

replies: 1

Hi.I'm aLmoSt. that's all.

Just looking for supports

replies: 1

Hi everyone, I'm extremely new here and I just need help just managing and getting help, I'm not sure who I can reach out to about the issues that's why I am here. Im a 19 Year old aboriginal girl i am also adopted but here is what ive been feeling. I've recently been having more panic attacks than usual. before this year i only have had a handful of panic attacks but recently this year I've had quite a few and it has messed me up to the point I couldn't focus on work and had to take a couple of hours. The following feelings i have felt most of my life but i cant manage like this anymore:- having negative thoughts that everyone secretly hates me and that I'm going to be alone forever.Also having negative thoughts that no one wants me here and they are all putting a front so that they don't get blamed for being the reason of my death. But i also get that everyone has their own things going on and i cant burden myself onto them because they are dealing with their own problems. I also feel like i am not loved even though i have 3 siblings and a very caring mother but at times i feel like she hates me and im a burden And she would be much more better if i wasnt here. If you have felt any of this could you please let me know what helped you and how i can deal with these emotions. Thank you!

hi everyone

replies: 3

I had a bad day today so i thought i might try to make myself social instead of wallowing in my own self pity.....so hey

Overwhelmed

replies: 1

Just thought I’d try this as it’s something I haven’t explored before. I guess I’m overwhelmed by life and the many events that have happened over the last few years. I have been through two recent relationships-both being abusive. Nobody is perfect but the gaslighting and associated abuse from consecutive people has left me ‘spiritually depleted’. I am trapped in a continuous state of thinking about the most recent relationship and her abhorrent behaviour. I am getting help but I think I need to hear from other people who have experienced a similar thing.

Sad and lost middle aged man.

replies: 3

Hi, this is my first post, I'm not sure what I'm doing but I'm here to try something new anyway.I'm a lost soul and in a way I think I always have been but recently I've been feeling down so much more. I'm in my 50s, live alone and don't have much of a social life. I have no kids, my only family are my 80 something parents and an older brother who is currently in remission from blood cancer. I'm scared that one day they'll be gone (it's inevitable of course) and I'll be on my own with nobody to grow old with. I recently broke up with my perfect match after a 3 year relationship, the main obstacle was she lives in NZ and the airport goodbyes were getting harder and harder everytime.. we both work full time so it was always 2 wonderful weeks together every 6 months or so before one of us would have to leave. Sadly the expense, our mental health and emotional well-being was getting too hard to take so I decided to walk away.. now I'm feeling completely lost and alone, today especially is a teary day for me. I feel so bad that I broke her heart and in the process broke my own heart as well which I never wanted to experience again after my only marriage ended in divorce several years earlier But it's not the only reason I'm sad, deep down I've always felt sad about life, I've never loved life really. I've loved a lot of moments in my life but once I'm home and on my own I just feel lost again. Anyway, I'm not sure what more to say right now, I'm just hoping to get through one day at a time, I'm not sure I've ever been so low as I am right now So hello Beyond Blue, hopefully someone here can help me with my mid life blues

Hi

replies: 2

27 years of depression

replies: 2

I (27f) have been living with major depression, anxiety, stress, borderline personality disorder and pre menstrual dysphoric disorder for as long as I can remember. I have done all the things you think someone with these issues would do, both good and bad. unfortunately like many I have seen the point of no return too many times, with endless professionals turning me away because it is difficult to treat, my organs don’t absorb medication right, and my work hours go down, then pay, then I have no therapy at all. I feel I am dealing with this completely in my own just like I did 15 years ago. I am nearly 30 and those kind of actions aren’t acceptable as I am supposed to know better, and I do. It just starts a horrible cycle. I feel there is no advice I haven’t considered or taken on board. Every resource has been exhausted. Hospitals let me go home. don’t get me wrong, I have a support system and many things to be grateful for.

Short intro

replies: 5

Hello, my name is Merricat. I am a woman in my 60's who lives happily on my own. I have no formal diagnosis to share with you but my Dr of 35 years said that I show signs of ASD. I do not want a formal diagnosis as it's not important to me. For the time being I am just going to read the posts on this forum. Maybe when I feel more comfortable I will post a thread to explain why I am so frightened at the moment. Thank you.Merricat

First Post. Just Struggling. Need Advise

replies: 3

First post here so apologies if I am in the incorrect area. I'm a 31 year old Male and I've bottled up a lot of this over my life but recently it all came crashing down. I am single, have been all my life. It recently hit me that I am going to die alone if I don't do anything about it. This is what triggered my mental breakdown and why over the last couple of days I've basically eaten nothing, slept, done nothing productive and of course crying to myself. The problem is, 99% of people my age have at least had previous relationships they've learnt from. I am petrified of starting on the dating apps. The fear of not getting a match and validating that I don't deserve happiness stops me from doing it and me being extremely shy, socially awkward and introverted also doesn't help. I also hate taking photo's of myself as I despise how I look in photo's so I don't have anything to add to my profile. The most recent photo I have that I like is from 5 years ago. Add on top of this I'm still a virgin so I'm terrified of disappointing someone on my first time. I don't think I am afraid of dating itself, it's the fear that no one will actually want to give me a shot. Plus I actually just don't know how to meet people and I don't really hear much good news about the dating apps. I don't necessarily hate myself but I more hate the fact that I am unable to actually commit to fixing myself. What can I do to gain some confidence in myself? I am petrified of putting myself out there and every time I convince myself to try I setup my dating profile and when it comes to adding pictures I freeze. Appreciate any help. I don't really have anyone I'm confident in talking to.

Janine

replies: 2

Hi Everyone,Thank you BB for all that you do and allowing me to become a part of this amazing forum.I am a Mental Health Support Mentor with 'Lived Experience' of mental health and recovery.Previously working as a Peer Support Worker (family & friends)I research and study in my quiet time and work in the community, and I am very passionate about all mental health and well being.

Meet your community champions! replies: 10

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

lo replies: 1

Just looking for supports replies: 1

hi everyone replies: 3

Overwhelmed replies: 1

Sad and lost middle aged man. replies: 3

Hi replies: 2

27 years of depression replies: 2

Short intro replies: 5

First Post. Just Struggling. Need Advise replies: 3

Janine replies: 2