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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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LittleLunaa New Here !!!
  • replies: 6

Hello Everyone, Im new to this... Not sure if im doing this right and this is a big step for me but i would like to say Hello and introduce myself

Hello Everyone, Im new to this... Not sure if im doing this right and this is a big step for me but i would like to say Hello and introduce myself

Jamac Newbie anxious nurse
  • replies: 4

Hello all, New to online forums. I have recently started to see a psychologist for my anxiety-something i feel i always have struggled with but has become a lot worse recently. Moving towns-regional to melbs and then straight into a lockdown. I moved... View more

Hello all, New to online forums. I have recently started to see a psychologist for my anxiety-something i feel i always have struggled with but has become a lot worse recently. Moving towns-regional to melbs and then straight into a lockdown. I moved away from friends and career of 14 years to start a new career as a registered nurse at the age of 34. Started my graduate year as a nurse, which is a hard year as it is, then with the pandemic on top of it has been a challenge. This life change has not been easy. A lot of changes and new things which i struggle with. Social anxiety means i have not made any friends yet in melbs and general anxiety and overthinking is making my thoughts/beliefs in my mind very strong. I am very good at hiding it with avoiding and keeping it to myself, which i thought was helpful but got the courage to go to my GP and started seeing a psychologist.-one of the hardest things i have done. But talking about my beliefs in my mind and struggles i think is the start of getting somewhere to understanding my mind, anxiety and loneliness. Looking forward to chatting, listening and learning from you all.

e_e Thanks for having me
  • replies: 8

Hi, I’m e e, and I just wanted to say hi. Having a few issues at the moment, but I’m coping ok. During Covid I’ve been talking a lot to a couple of single friends every day. But it’s wearing me down and I have to start setting boundaries. Any suggest... View more

Hi, I’m e e, and I just wanted to say hi. Having a few issues at the moment, but I’m coping ok. During Covid I’ve been talking a lot to a couple of single friends every day. But it’s wearing me down and I have to start setting boundaries. Any suggestions on how I can tell them to back off without hurting their feelings would be most welcome.

Snrme Sleeping too much and lack of motivation
  • replies: 7

I am a 70yr old retired female. I have never been a morning person or an outgoing type. When I retired 4.5 years ago I started sleeping longer and longer. Unless i really have to go somewhere I struggle to get up. I have sleep apnea and use CPAP and ... View more

I am a 70yr old retired female. I have never been a morning person or an outgoing type. When I retired 4.5 years ago I started sleeping longer and longer. Unless i really have to go somewhere I struggle to get up. I have sleep apnea and use CPAP and have been diagnosed with major depression but I don’t have depressing thoughts or feelings. I just want to have the ability to get up in the morning and the motivation to do things. I live by myself so have no one to answer to. When I am away staying with family I can get up and be “normal”. I realise that the longer I go on like this even the smallest exertion will be impossible. Is anyone out there suffering the same symptoms. Any ideas on how to motivate myself.

Robbie33 Surviving abuse in a long marriage
  • replies: 4

Apparently my story is all too common. I was married to a covert narcissist for 50 years and now I have to learn how to be free. How do I find ‘survivor’ groups in Sydney… where are they?

Apparently my story is all too common. I was married to a covert narcissist for 50 years and now I have to learn how to be free. How do I find ‘survivor’ groups in Sydney… where are they?

Faith_10 Guess I just need to get it out
  • replies: 3

Hi I'm 61and I somehow thought that I would have sorted this stuff out by now. Oh I've got a few issues like most people but at the moment it's my job that's causing me the most stress. Due to my years of experience I was given a slightly more respon... View more

Hi I'm 61and I somehow thought that I would have sorted this stuff out by now. Oh I've got a few issues like most people but at the moment it's my job that's causing me the most stress. Due to my years of experience I was given a slightly more responsible position in my new job , however I am considerably older than everyone and initially was practically ignored and given menial tasks, to the point that I would drive home crying in my car . Then after a few weeks they realised I knew what I was doing and started berating me for "not stepping up" So I just kept to doing the less skilled tasks and excelling at them. Leading to more remarks. By this time I have lost all confidence in myself, I assume they all hate me , laugh at me and talk behind my back .So I start taking time off, more and more and I'm lying to my husband saying I'm going to work every day I handle the finances so he dosent realise. But this just makes me hate myself more , I can't bear him to look at me the same way they do so I don't tell him I am so tired all the time I can't sleep, I ve had anxiety and depression before and I can't bear to rock up to my GP and get the antidepressants that I can't tolerate. I don't think I'm a bad person, I would never intentionally make anyone else feel bad, so what is it about me that is unlikeable, I keep saying right pull yourself together and I can fake it but not for long. This reads a bit pathetic, I'm sorry

Blossk77 Help with pain from infidelity
  • replies: 5

I’m after some support from those who have experienced infidelity in their marriage. And those who have worked hard to salvage what they have. My husband cheated on me with a family friend and I caught them naked together (not engaged in sex). We hav... View more

I’m after some support from those who have experienced infidelity in their marriage. And those who have worked hard to salvage what they have. My husband cheated on me with a family friend and I caught them naked together (not engaged in sex). We have been working HARD for 4 weeks since I discovered the affair, and I truly believe we will work it out. Many factors lead to this (not self blaming...just being real). I could really benefit from support from those who have been through this and survived. I need guidance on the process, and how long I will feel this immense grief.

Nin63 What now?
  • replies: 4

Hi, I was under therapy but as my area no longer bulk bills I cannot afford help anymore. I'm not sure where to turn. I need a place to vent.

Hi, I was under therapy but as my area no longer bulk bills I cannot afford help anymore. I'm not sure where to turn. I need a place to vent.

RebeccaR I don’t know how to move forward
  • replies: 8

Hi my husband died last year after a long illness in which I cared for him myself at home. Because of this I was very much house bound for years as I had to get someone in to be with him if I want out. It had been my plan to do some travel with my da... View more

Hi my husband died last year after a long illness in which I cared for him myself at home. Because of this I was very much house bound for years as I had to get someone in to be with him if I want out. It had been my plan to do some travel with my daughter. I was even wanting to go to Russia and study art at the academy for term. But now it seems none of that will be possible for the foreseeable future. In fact it feels like I don’t have a future and I can’t get any answers that I need to be answered! My concern at the moment is I don’t want the vaccine….at least not the ones they have currently on offer. But will take Novavax or Covax if it becomes a situation that I can no longer do anything in society. I have deemed at both theses vaxes which are like the traditional ones are safe to use. I actually don’t care if they are effective. I will only take them so I can get my life back. Which I don’t feel is a good enough reason to take them! Then I will be signed up to this vax passport and all that goes with it with gov telling us to take anything they thing we should take. BTW I enjoy wonderful health and take no meds and am very natural in my approach. I feel not just my future but most peoples future is bleak and we are heading towards some sort of dystopian nightmare. I feel they are changing everything in this world now. It’s going to be a whole new ballpark for everyone. I can’t shake these feelings off. Nobody can convince me otherwise and most of my family and friends are seeing the same thing to a greater or lesser degree. They are either semi professional or professional people eg therapist, architect, teachers, computer programmers etc. What I am trying to do is to not go into denial about what’s coming down the pike but to try and feels less stressed and worried.

Briwnie 35 years married gone
  • replies: 4

Hi I’m new to this so bear with me. Really struggling with mental health, my husband has been seeing another woman and I’m in a world of hurt. It was initially an online thing with someone from his teens. I found out accidentally enemy going paper wo... View more

Hi I’m new to this so bear with me. Really struggling with mental health, my husband has been seeing another woman and I’m in a world of hurt. It was initially an online thing with someone from his teens. I found out accidentally enemy going paper work for him snd promptly left. We reconciled after a 5 week break as he said he wanted me and our marriage to work but she is persistent even when he asks her not to call she fors and as far as I can tell will stop at nothing. Although I feel he enjoys the attention. we have been through so much together but now he seems willing to throw all of it away. He claims he loves me but loves her also. I have tried everything I can and feel desperate and depressed. Suicidal thoughts creep in constantly and I think I have just about exhausted friends and family. Sorry for the rant but a complete mess.