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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Responding to triggers

replies: 3

Hi everyone, I’m new to the Beyond Blue forums and have been really touched to witness the warmth, empathy and acceptance that is being modelled so richly here. As I read through the forums, I find myself really wanting to help and support people through their struggles. But then, I find myself being triggered much of the time too! So I’d love to find out: how do you respond to triggers? Mags

I have no excuse to feel this way

replies: 2

Hi everyone. I have a roof over my head. A paid for car. Food whenever I force myself to make it or get it. A supportive family (albeit in other countries) and really good friends, who I avoid. I had a decent job but I quit in February and I'm living on my savings I wanted to use for something good in my life and odd work here and there. I enjoy company, when I force myself to get out the house. When I eventually get into bed, I make myself go to sleep by imagining I'll never wake up again. I chain smoke. I do nothing. I don't speak to anyone because I feel guilty about not having a situation that could cause my self loathing. Everyone has way more drama than I do. I went to a doctor two years ago, when I was still pretending to be a human being, and asked about help with this but he just gave me some mental health search pages from his printer. Am I just a lazy dead weight? I'm hoping to find direction in seeking help on here and wish you all a day that is kind to you!

Dealing with Depression in Pre-Teens

replies: 6

Hi, I have been dealing with behavioural issues with my now 11yr old daughter for a numbers of years. However for the past 2-3 years we have bene dealing with anxiety and depression. She is really angry all the time, talks to me like i'm trash, plain refuses to do things for herself like getting breakfast or putting her own clothes in the laundry. Constantly will tell me i don't love her, she should just die, i should just get rid of her, that i love her sister more than her etc etc. She is constantly fighting with friends & it's always their fault according to her, they're bullying her. I have taken her our GP in the past & we saw a Child Psychologist for a while- however she just played games, dolls & did drawing with her. Covid lockdowns have only intensified the situation. I have been working full time & the girls staying home with my husband who is working full time from home. I have requested to only work part time (20hrs) from this week to spend more time with my daughters. However, this morning was just a huge meltdown as i attempted to help her with her school project. We both ended up in tears. I then made an appointment with the GP who is putting it down to Covid stress & want to see what some multi vitamins, exercise and creative outlets (i.e. art) will help & then when she can finally return to school if that will make things better. Then if after that if she is still having these meltdowns she will look at referral to a psychiatrist. Please give me someone to talk to & some advice or assistance..... at My wits end!

Newbie, intro - about me and struggles

replies: 1

Hi there, I'm Sharkboy (they/them) and I don't actually know how I found these forums but I am glad to be here. I was trying to look up some things on anxiety, mostly because I have concerns I may be experiencing psychosis or delusional disorder. I do see a psychologist regularly, but an hour session never feels like enough to get out what I need to talk about. There is a long list I guess. I worry about jobs, whether I'll just be unhappy forever because I'll never find work I like (I have ADHD and autism too). I worry about being able to support myself outside of the housing assistance I'm in. Feel really hopeless and unable to believe I can function on my own at times. On top of that, the pandemics been a massive stressor of mine as I have suffered severe health anxiety for many years and it has amplified since the beginning of this year. I also have I really struggle eating properly (part of the health anxiety), I get nervous ordering food because I always think it'll make me sick. I think I am at the point where my stomach hurts no matter what I consume because of how bad the anxiety is getting. One of my partners has also got me feeling down lately, and I wish I felt I could talk to them about it. I'm usually okay about communicating with them, but this one instance has me so anxious and worried. I suppose a positive is I'm looking forward to being able to hire a car for a road trip after lockdown. And I cannot wait to ride a horse again. Thank you for listening Sharkboy

Uphill Battle

replies: 6

Hi everyone, I have just joined BB and would really like some support and companionship. Since I was about 12, I've had many bouts of depression over my lifetime. In my early twenties I started to get anxiety attacks, mainly social and performance related. I've managed to get the depression under wraps most of the time with the help of anti-depressant medication, but the anxiety is an on-going handicap. It doesnt happen as frequently, but it still rears its ugly head regularly. I'm looking forward to getting to know people here.

Newcomer intro

replies: 5

Hi, I’ve joined here to find people I can relate to, that I hopefully find a way out of the mess I’m in mentally. I’m depressed, have been for years. Going through a bit of a bad patch at the moment. I feel dead inside. Have zero motivation. Hate leaving my house, and am full of anxiety. Lastly, because of all this, I’m feeling like not living anymore. Haven’t got any ‘plans’ to end it just so you all know. I just want to find me again. I want to live again. Thanks for reading.

I don't know how I'm feeling.

replies: 6

Hello, my name is Jiero and currently I haven't been able to do anything. I'm usually a happy and goofy person, but lately a lurking feeling has been surrounding me. I don't think I'm sad, nor depressed. But I can't seem to enjoy anything anymore, and as a result I end up sitting by myself in a quiet place doing nothing. It doesn't matter where, as long as I'm alone. Outside, in my room, in the living room, in the toilet. My dream of becoming a pro artist has also been losing it's fire ever since I've been feeling this. I believe that it's burnout, but on another level where instead of not being able to draw, it's: I can't do anything. Not to mention, I have two people who I thought were my friends, but are constantly mocking me, telling me that I will forever be alone, a loser, a virgin yada yada yada other insults. Most of the time I don't let that stuff get to me but it's recently made me contemplate about what I have done in the past to let them call me those things so easily. Was it because I can never achieve anything in life? Maybe. I'm not sure anymore. Anyway. If I were to pinpoint where I need help with: How do begin to enjoy my life again? I've tried a lot of new things, but I never get any pleasure from them. I want to draw as well, but I'm constantly haunted by the huge expectations on my back.

Newbie intro

replies: 2

Hi all, So I've never reached out before so this is my first time joining a forum. It's wierdly making me anxious introducing myself but I am so grateful for the chance to connect. I'm in my mid 30s, a mum, a health care worker and generally quite outgoing. In the last 5 years, life's changed and at times I feel like I'm burning on the inside. I don't really have any close friends anymore and my relationship with my family has changed massively. As far a work goes, my colleagues have their own cliques but from a professional perspective, they're a good team. I'm still very fortunate to have people in my life who love me. Sometimes I don't want to talk about how I feel because I don't want to be like a burden. It's ridiculous how hypocritical I sound because Im really passionate about supporting anyone who needs it. Its just hard to admit that sometimes I need it. I actually like my own company in general but this lockdown has isolated everyone and I feel it's getting to be a bit much. I've lost my enthusiasm for the things I love so part of my being here is self-awareness and an attempt at being proactive in the preservation of my mental health. I guess I made the right move joining because I already feel better. I look forward to future discussions and guys, it's really amazing to see people supporting each other. Thanks again for listening. A.C - Party of one

Heya it's murd

replies: 3

Hello I am really really new here and honestly wanting to help others in the same situations as me or different ones, I'm usually a friendly guy that will understand what you are saying and I try to make everyone happy

New member and nurse struggling

replies: 6

Hi all I’m a nurse in regional Victoria and really struggling with work at the moment we don’t have any COVID positive cases in our hospital it the way our nursing has changed so much it’s really hard to deal with I didn’t go to work today as I couldn’t cope with people I’m finding because of lockdown that when I have a few days off as I’m on my own at home I don’t want to go back to work and deal with all the rules and what we can and cannot do I know everyone is struggling but feel like I’m letting the team down as some nurses are doing doubles and extra shifts and I can barely manage my seven shifts a fortnight just need to chat thanks for reading this

Meet your community champions! replies: 10

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

Responding to triggers replies: 3

I have no excuse to feel this way replies: 2

Dealing with Depression in Pre-Teens replies: 6

Newbie, intro - about me and struggles replies: 1

Uphill Battle replies: 6

Newcomer intro replies: 5

I don't know how I'm feeling. replies: 6

Newbie intro replies: 2

Heya it's murd replies: 3

New member and nurse struggling replies: 6