Greetings and Appreciatation for Community Champions

[cleews]

Hey everyone!

Chris here and just want to say hi. I have been coping with depression for 16 years now and landed myself in hospital for a good 2 months to recover from that. Depression still hangs around, and I won't say it is so much of a battle but more coping with it. It has gotten dark sometimes when it rears it head, but never again in that abyss and chasm as before. Now that I am in a good headspace and have my defences and mechanisms, thought I would like to join in and contribute, help and volunteer for BB.

Just browsing the forums make me realise the dark issues that people are facing everyday. And that most of the Community Champions are like many of us, having dealt with our own demons and fights. Yet, they have the mental strength and fortitude to tackle some of the darkest issues head on and try to help others. That is strength and courage and I really salute you all for doing that. Personally for me, I have volunteered to be in a mentor role in an organisation for LGBT folks. I anticipate I will be facing situations similar to what the CCs address on the forums.

The depth of compassion and kindness, is nothing like I've encountered before. So my question is, how do you do it? What are your strategies to keep yourself going and at the same time help others facing their problems and lending a helping hand?

Cheers to all of you champions.

Chris

[MsPurple]

Hey Chris and thank you for the kind words.

I decided to volunteer for mental health awarness because i was looking for work post uni and In the last year of my degree I really struggled with mental health. I was at my worst and was finally given the diagnoses of GAD. Long story short I told on my my uni clinical educators who supported me for the rest of the year. I then said I would want to help others with mental health issues, as I was in a better place and let her know if she ever needed some insight or wanted me to do anything for future students to hit me up. She then got me to talk to students (via skype) about mental health and university services. I was quite open about my struggle, which was suprising to one of the lecturers there who had no idea.That was my first volunteer kinda work I did for mental health

While working and looking for a career job post uni I decided that doing some volunteer work would be good for me, however due to working a casual job with varying hours it made it hard. I found beyond blue had online volunteer work through blue voice so I joined them. I have submitted some work which has been used for some of their campaigns and I was also part of the advisory counsel. I discovered the main forums (the ones we are using now) through blue voice. They advertised for community champions. I decided to apply after spending some time looking at the forums. I applied, had a trial period (I aimed to get over a100 posts as that used to be a requirement before being a CC) then they gave me the honour of being a CC. The beauty of this volunteering is that is has always been flexible. I have moved states since starting volunteering with beyond blue and having missed out and didn't have to resign because of it. I also can do it around my work schedule and social life.

I do it because I want to pay it forward. I had great support from headspace, uni coordinators, friends and family and I know not everyone has access to these things, so i wanted to help those who may not be otherwise able to get support. I also do it when I can. I try not put too much pressure on myself to be on here all the time. I also have learnt my limits. I can help everyone, and some posts I can not answer, but I do what I can. I also know when I need to take a break, so when I need time off I give it to myself.

Thanks again for your kind words. Let me know if you have any other questions

MP

[blondguy]

Hi Chris

Thankyou for having the strength to write such a heartfelt thread topic (and thanks heaps for the super kind feedback too!)

You have done some serious 'time' where depression is concerned and I think you are a champion as well as an inspiration to so many here on the forums.

The bulk of the 'hits' that Beyond Blue get are readers only (70%) which is why I am on here......just to make a small difference and remove the silly stigma that is associated with mental illness. I used to have chronic anxiety for 13 years followed by 21 years of depression and yes it hurts even though I have a good medical team.

If I can say a humble thankyou for volunteering in an organisation that is LGBTI focused. That is a huge commitment and you are to be commended for doing so Chris

I hope that you can share your experience on these forums to assist others (only if you wish of course)

You thread is not short term in any way. There are many super gentle people here on the forums that can be here for you if you wish Chris.

You really have a huge heart and so much knowledge I hope you can post back as many times as you wish Chris

The new posters are the the true Champions here. Without your input and experience there would be no forums

My kindest thoughts for you Chris

Paul

[white knight]

Hi cleews

Chris, its commendable you volunteering for an LGBT group.

Ive been around here nearly 5 years and it might interest you that Ive written about 160 essays made as threads. This is not only to help others get a different perspective on their illnesses but its been therapy for and a learning curve. Im 61 and retired.

My maindrive comes from the challenges of finding answers. Psychs arent available all the time yet we are 24/7. When someone has an illness the obvious answers elude them. Its great to get their approach to be more positive

I still endure my down times but during those I'm still active here ...i fight it a bit.

Im glad you are here and over time you may consider our own LGBTI threads and even a champion position down the track. Theres no pressure.

thanks for your appreciation

Google Topic: the balance of your life- beyondblue

Tony WK

[demonblaster]

Chris Hi and welcome

First up what a battle you've had/having Kudos for how far you've got

Beautifully articulated thankyou for that and I 100% agree you guys absolutely rock and am so grateful to you all that make this an exceptional site, I'm talking to a LOT of people about here and telling them about excellent moderation how good this place is and run, and how absolutely GOLD the champions are.

Thankyou from deep everyone

[blondguy]

My Apologies for interrupting your thread Chris....

DemonBlaster...Thankyou big time for your super kind feedback and the help you provide to so many. We have spoken before and it would be great to catch up with you again 🙂

If we didnt have Cleews or Demonblaster posting then their would be no forums and I wouldnt be a volunteer here anymore!

Thanks guys for being here..big time......Paul. Please excuse me for butting in on your thread Chris..

[demonblaster]

WOW Blond Hi good to see you again 😄

Hey don't be sorry Blond, keep it rollin lol. Seriously that's beautiful what you said thankyou ...really. Touched me and as I tell em but we already know I'm touched lol

Can't believe I did a short post, yip there's hope yet 🙂

[Just Sara]

Hey Chris and welcome to our caring community!

It's admirable when people turn up to help out when they're suffering themselves. So well done and thankyou...

I also volunteer as an LGBTI+ peer supporter (and MsP above) We welcome interesting and willing helpers with bells on! lol

I just wanted to pop in to say 'Hi' and greet you with others who've already responded to your lovely introduction.

I so look forward to seeing you around the forum Chris...

Kind thoughts;

Sez

[MarkJT]

Chris, thanks mate - appreciate the words.

Super work from you to intending on helping out in the mentor role in the LGBTI community. Brilliant.

I do this because i am a massive believer in that out of every negative situation, you must find a silver lining. To me that silver lining is helping out other people. We all have unique mental health stories and showing those that are struggling that they are not alone is very powerful. Then if I can help someone see the light out of their darkness, that is what keeps me going.

Great to have you within the forums.

Mark.

[startingnew]

Hello Chris and welcome to our BB community.
Well done on supporting others even though your struggling yourself. Its really good to hear from people who while doing it tough there is progress. Thats what give us hope that we can get better too.


I would also like to say a BIG THANK YOU to all our community Champs as well as our Bluevoices members also. Many whom have and still continue to support me and many others, despite your own struggles


so thank you very much