Hi Everyone It’s great to have you a part of the community and we hope
you stay connected. For information on a range of topics that support
with managing your mental health during the pandemic, check out the
Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support Serv...
View more
Hi Everyone It’s great to have you a part of the community and we hope
you stay connected. For information on a range of topics that support
with managing your mental health during the pandemic, check out the
Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support Service page, which includes
resources on ‘Taking control in uncertain times’, ‘Why staying connected
is so important’ and ‘The importance of establishing a routine. If
you’re currently experiencing thoughts and feelings that are
overwhelming or impacting your daily life, we’d encourage you to speak
with a GP or mental health professional. If you’d like some support with
finding a suitable health professional in your area, visit the ‘find a
professional’ page on our website or check-in with one of the
professional mental health counsellors at our Support Service - 1300 22
4636 / https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/get-immediate-support
for online chat & email (responses within 24 hours). Community Voices:
What are people talking about? Struggling with School I'm not sure how
to say this, I find it so hard to write what I'm feeling and going
through. I'm going to try, this may sound weird but here I go. I have
been feeling down again, being stuck in lockdown has made it hard. I
have felt a lot of pressure from school and home, people expect so much
of me and I feel I don't live up to their expectations. -
Someone-who-sleeps (Read more here) For the last few years I've
gradually been loosing motivation to any school work, homework and I
hardly study for exams. Now that I'm in year 12 and currently sitting
trials, I realize how bad it has gotten. I've been expressing to friends
and family that I have lost all motivation but it's getting worse and
worse and every strategy that I try to cope with this doesn't work. My
lack of motivation is so overpowering that I feel like I'm just watching
my life go by but I can't do anything. - Abi_555 (Read more here) I'm a
16-year-old male in year 11, and I've been feeling quite depressed
recently, or more than usual, which has made it difficult for me to
function as well as I should. I've started CBT and taking
antidepressants, but I'm worried that if I keep going at this rate,
things will only get worse and I'll fall further behind in school and
life. I'm at a loss as to what to do. – DetectivePanda (Read more here)
Supporting A Loved One’s Mental Wellbeing What is my role now? I've done
all the things i can think of. I've gone through the process of
researching and organising therapists more times than I can count, but
he needs to talk to them to make the appointment, and hasn't. I've
invited him out of the house daily, he doesn't want to go. - Violet12
(Read more here) My friend is currently recovering from a catatonic
episode that happened sometime last week, and I was wondering if anybody
had any advice or experience in helping someone during these situations?
This isn't her first episode, but it is the first to happen around other
people and everyone was at a loss for what to do. – sinkingships (Read
more here) I have spent this morning reading posts and replies and
already feel reassured and not alone any more. I have admired the
courage and resilience of those that post and the compassion and wisdom
of those that reply. What a safe environment has been created here. My
first enquiry is about how to support and encourage my 17 year old
daughter after her confronting but apparently helpful experience of a 3
week residential in a youth program. – Belaine (Read more here) Staying
Well: Coping During the Coronavirus Pandemic During this lockdown has
been hard, COVID in general has been hard. Last year I just lost my
father near Christmas from cancer in a different country, I was stuck
there for 5 months (pretty much isolated) before I could come back to
Sydney. When I got back here I had to undergo quarantine for 2 weeks,
terrible experience. At least for a 1 I was able to work and go out; but
then lockdown occurred and I feel as though there’s no more hope. I lost
another special someone in my life due to cancer and this time I
couldn’t attend the funeral. – Magicdragon (Read more here) The words we
choose are powerful. Instead of using the expression lock down, I think
of it as "The current adjustment period". This expresses to me what we
are all going through at the moment. Each one of us is adjusting to life
as we have never experienced it before. By placing emphasis on the word
"current" it allows me to stay in the now mentally. - Resilience21 (Read
more here) I was chatting with some friends the other day in a group
text and we were talking about funny things we see on our daily lockdown
walks.... Then we had a fab idea to do daily scavenger hunts on our
walks and share the photos of it. Obviously, we can't share photos on
here, but I thought it might be a bit of a different activity for those
States in lockdown. - Gabs_ (Read more here) Meet Beyond Blue’s Newest
Community Champions Miz HappyHelper88 Positive_vibes89 sbella02 Banksy92
Read more about the Community Champion's team HERE Valued Contributor
Award Our Valued Contributor for the month of August is ‘The Bro’ ! The
Bro has been nominated for their efforts in sparking new discussions
across the forums while ensuring others feel appreciated and listened to
when sharing their own story. Thank you The Bro! To read more about what
a Valued Contributor is and how you can nominate a fellow community
member, please refer to our thread Nominate a Valued Contributor here:
https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support BB News/Resources Today on
World Suicide Prevention Day, we’re sharing the stories of eight people
who found a way through. For more information and to watch everyone’s
story, click here Check out Coach Craig’s (our resident Mental Health
Clinician) most recent conversation about helpful ways to turn emotional
struggles into strength. Feel free to join the conversation here Looking
after yourself while supporting someone When you’re constantly worried
about the mental health of a loved one, it can be easy to forget about
your own wellbeing I know I need support, but how do I ask for it?
Talking to someone in a safe space can help you figure out what you’re
feeling and work through it.