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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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Kyzzy I was a great mother
  • replies: 6

I wish I could just hit rewind! I have 5 children and 2 step children. All I ever wanted to be was a mum. Raising a blended family (2x2 yo & 2x4 yo) had its challenges but my husband and I worked through them and we did a fantastic job. We had a daug... View more

I wish I could just hit rewind! I have 5 children and 2 step children. All I ever wanted to be was a mum. Raising a blended family (2x2 yo & 2x4 yo) had its challenges but my husband and I worked through them and we did a fantastic job. We had a daughter together a few year later. She was such a great baby and a real charismatic toddler. I still didn’t feel like our family was complete. We decided to have one more child. Famous last words. We had twins. I wasn’t really worried about having two babies, I just thought oh well it’s just an extra nappy change and an extra feed. BOY WAS I WRONG. Having 7 kids under 9 was tough. I really struggled with the twins with very little support from anyone. My husband worked long hours and had an hour and half round trip to work and his work was physical and draining. I think that was the point when I started to feel useless and felt like I wasn’t a good mum. I won’t bore you with all the details from then to now but the twins are 11 now, and I feel like I have failed my whole family.

Hagrath Old Guy Anxiety
  • replies: 11

Hello one and all, first time trying a forum don't really no what to expect but sometimes you just got to try, I've sold my house and moving to Tasmania but cant find a house to buy and am forced to pay an indecent amount to rent while I continue to ... View more

Hello one and all, first time trying a forum don't really no what to expect but sometimes you just got to try, I've sold my house and moving to Tasmania but cant find a house to buy and am forced to pay an indecent amount to rent while I continue to my search. But before I leave I have been hit with severe anxiety with lot of what if questions, regrets in selling, Pets to relocate, poor sleep etc etc, My wife has a chronic illness and as such wants to move closer to our son but I am so anxious with fast heart beat, sweating, nausea and lack of sleep. So there's my brief intro I'm very stressed at the moment so sorry for rambling.

Strugglingtocope81 STRUGGLING & NO IDEA WHERE TO START
  • replies: 14

Hi all, I am scared, I have a wife and a 6yr old and I have been struggling with happiness and love for a while now and all I have tried to do is what's best for them. I have forgotten about me clearly. Have I failed them?? My wife wants to leave and... View more

Hi all, I am scared, I have a wife and a 6yr old and I have been struggling with happiness and love for a while now and all I have tried to do is what's best for them. I have forgotten about me clearly. Have I failed them?? My wife wants to leave and take the little one with her as she believes I need help and she is not happy as my attitude, snipy comments and frustration has taken its toll. Never been violent but clearly I've messed up along the way and about to lose it all. Struggling to sleep, anxious and past week even thought about the worst.... how can I expect them to be happy with me when I can't see the light. Tooday I reached out to GPnas I know I need help and a plan but cant see me Saturday!! I feel the constant pain and sadness over me 24/7. I even looked today for support groups or meet ups for males in Perth but I can't even find that! It's just this overwhelming feeling of uselessness and even self petty right now and I have NO idea how to even start to understand or start this process of loss! The family are still here but different rooms and all I want is to show my family how good a dad and husband I can be... Or am I just destined to fail like everything else I do!

Nanata Newbie here needs help
  • replies: 4

Hi, I am new here and recently felt awful about myself. I have been working with children for the past 6 years and these last few weeks have been challenging for me. I am here to help myself going through this stress so I can help the children with t... View more

Hi, I am new here and recently felt awful about myself. I have been working with children for the past 6 years and these last few weeks have been challenging for me. I am here to help myself going through this stress so I can help the children with their anger. I am regularly being swear and screamed at, slapped, kicked and hit by a child, but still need to keep myself strong for the other children under my care throughout the day. I cried almost every morning before going to work and after I finished my shifts. I love the children and would love to find my passion back. My body is suffering just as bad as my mental health. Advise/support would be so appreciated.

Michael4305 Returned after long time
  • replies: 3

I think I posted in the forums back in early 2017. I have had a very interesting last few years. Many up and downs as we all experience here. I finally went and got professional help. Not easy and I'm on my 6th therapists (cptsd child abuse). I do fi... View more

I think I posted in the forums back in early 2017. I have had a very interesting last few years. Many up and downs as we all experience here. I finally went and got professional help. Not easy and I'm on my 6th therapists (cptsd child abuse). I do find it hard as I work away and the doctors / specialists chop and change. You start to be getting somewhere then they get transferred. I find by then I don't need any help, but 5 months down the track the Dog is on the loose again. Mood swings, road rage, can't be in crowded spaces and like being alone. I'm 48 years old and I still need help. So I'm back, and getting treatment. I have also slightly opened up to my boss about my problems. Very understanding and somehow seemed like another weight removed from my body. My advice is to open up more to your mates. I have had many breakdowns / panic attacks over the years and it is normal, even manly to cry in front of others. If people around you think opposite, well their the weak ones. Many mates I have lost in recent years (similar background). Late 2017 was difficult, but 2 good mates new something with me wasn't normal. Thanks to them I have had a complete change. My alchol / drug problem is no more, I still drink but not 30 rum cans in a sitting only 6 if I'm lucky and only on weekends. Drug free since 2017. I have recently given up smoking 30 day habit since 14 years old. I look back now and think why did I keep it in for so long and also live such a self destructive lifestyle for so long. The sooner you start talking the easier it gets, it never leaves you but your in control. Thanks for allowing me to join. Regards Mick

Harry07 This is very new
  • replies: 4

Hi, I felt it was finally time to reach out to someone. I am nowhere near comfortable enough to talk to friends about the way I feel, so thought I'd start here. There's a lot going on at the moment. I'm leaving Australia after 7 years living here, I ... View more

Hi, I felt it was finally time to reach out to someone. I am nowhere near comfortable enough to talk to friends about the way I feel, so thought I'd start here. There's a lot going on at the moment. I'm leaving Australia after 7 years living here, I have a 17 month old who has never met any of her family and becoming a parent for the first time has had an incredible strain on my relationship with my wife. We are so different on how we think she should be brought up but we have no one to mediate because all of our family is back in England. I love her, I really do but I feel like anything I do, big or small really gets on her nerves. My mind goes to a really dark place and the feelings I have towards myself are really low after an argument, even the really small arguments and carries over the days following when we are back on talking terms, it takes a while to snap out of it. I have the Beyond Now app installed incase those thoughts progress any further. I don't know how to get on the same page as my wife but hopefully once we have some family support our relationship can regrow. It feels odd posting this to strangers, but hopefully this will be the first step of many.

Scarab Hello
  • replies: 5

Just new here. Feeling quite anxious about posting here. I have been dealing with chronic depression and anxiety and need a safe place to talk. Thank you for any replies or suggestions.

Just new here. Feeling quite anxious about posting here. I have been dealing with chronic depression and anxiety and need a safe place to talk. Thank you for any replies or suggestions.

Jgrace Dealing with depression
  • replies: 3

Hey! im currently studying year 12 at school, doing dance after school and working. I’m starting to suffer from some serious depression and anxiety to the point where I can’t keep up and go to school dance or work. I feel like I’m spiralling and can ... View more

Hey! im currently studying year 12 at school, doing dance after school and working. I’m starting to suffer from some serious depression and anxiety to the point where I can’t keep up and go to school dance or work. I feel like I’m spiralling and can concentrate on anything that I used to be able to do easily. I’m just isolating myslef laying in my bed and crying and I don’t know how to get out of it. Any first steps I should take? I feel sick of having to be that person who is always upset

Flightmode41 Feeling constantly stressed
  • replies: 3

Hi all! I’m new to the forum. I really just want a safe space to just say how I’m feeling. I’m a single mum to a five year old boy who’s just started school this year. I’ve just started a new job too, and it’s full time for the first time since I hav... View more

Hi all! I’m new to the forum. I really just want a safe space to just say how I’m feeling. I’m a single mum to a five year old boy who’s just started school this year. I’ve just started a new job too, and it’s full time for the first time since I have my son. And I’m struggling. Not so much with the work, with the routine. Even the seemingly simple task of getting my son dressed or brushing his teeth causes me stress. I find myself yelling all too easily and it’s not only affecting my relationship with my son, but also my mental and physical health. mid last year I was suffering from pins and needles all over my body. After a raft of neurological tests nothing was found, so I put it down to a stress reaction. And now it’s happening again and I can feel myself reaching the point of burnout again. Add to that, I’m sad. We moved back to Sydney after living in another city for 15 years - I lament my old life, I miss my friends and I miss financial freedom. I have a lot more going on in my head than I can write down right now, but I just wanted to reach out and say hi, and share my story.