Members new and old, introduce yourselves here

[Chris_B]

Hi everyone,

This is (what will hopefully become) a mega-thread for members, new and old, to introduce themselves.  I'll kick off:

My name is Chris Banks and I’m the online communities manager at beyondblue. Basically, I’m here to help out, contribute to discussions, and answer any questions you may have about beyondblue. I work with a team of moderators behind-the-scenes who keep the forums running 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

I’m 37, originally from New Zealand, and have worked as a filmmaker, journalist, and musician.  I’ve spent a good chunk of time working in the mental health sector too. I have lived experience of bipolar disorder, depression and anxiety, and have been living in Melbourne for nearly two years. In my spare time I enjoy movies, music, hanging out with mates, and I barrack for Hawthorn, much to the disgust of some of our regular members!

I’m not a psychologist or counsellor (although I have seen a fair few of them), so I can’t give medical advice. Like everyone else here, I can provide peer support only.
I really enjoy being part of the community and virtually meeting the many different people of all ages who come through everyday, even if they're not feeling the best when they arrive on the doorstep. Hopefully in your time here you'll feel less alone, and pick up some tips and encouragement for the journey.  

(passes on the talking stick)

PLEASE NOTE: This thread is for introductions only, if you have an issue you would like to discuss ongoing with the community, please start a new thread with your topic in the appropriate section.

[644Amy]

Hi Emma.

I feel exactly the same about meeting people, i find it very hard to open up my heart to people as i seem to get hurt when i do.which makes it hard to make good friends.i also feel very alone so you are not alone there  🙂

Welcome to the forum and feel free to reply to me if you like.amy.

[644Amy]

Thankyou Caroline

Thats very nice of you.

Hope you also have a Merry Christmas 

Amy.

[644Amy]

Hi Sarah

Welcome to the forum.

I dont know anything about fixing your problems but i definitely relate to them absolutely. Pushing people away or just keeping them at arms length away. Makes one feel very alone.

But there are lots of simular people on here who are very nice.

All i can suggest is keep posting on here, i definitely feel less alone now.just writing this to you is making me connect with another person and that has to be good i think.

Regards Amy.

[Peeps]

Hi. Like many others I am finding this time of year really hard. I have depression,and seem to be having more bad than good days lately. I have a wonderful husband,an amazing son,this should be enough to stop me feeling sad!! I work in a very stressful environment,and have to go to work Christmas Day with a big smile on my face pretending everything's ok . Coupled with an aggressive and demeaning manager,its soul destroying. I know I'm not the only one going through this,and there are many people worse than me,but just thought by reaching out on here I could find some help. Thankyou xx

[644Amy]

hi Peeps

I said a very simular thing a few days ago when i joined that my problems seem so small compared to others and i was told that we are all as important as each other and our problems are all as important as each others.Everyone feels things different and i dont think there is a right or wrong way to feel. I also have good things in my life and sometimes its easy to focus on the negatives rather than my positives.Im no expert in just a person who is depressed with anxiety and i need to reach out to people.i hope this helps in some way, even just knowing your not alone with these problems.xx

[Chibam]

Hi Everybody,

I'm Jake. I'm 31 and from the Blue Mountains west of Sydney. My story's more complicated then what I feel like going into now, so I'll simply say that I'm trying to recover from a long stint with some bad therapists. It's been 2 years since I finally got free from the last one and I'm a little disappointed with myself that I haven't been able to get the problems that arose from that out of my system by now. But, it is what it is.

If there is a place for me in this universe, I certainly wasn't born into it. I find myself unable to relate to neither my "community", nor anybody within it and this is just about the worst thing imaginable. I don't understand the people in my world, so naturally I can't form any connections with anybody. But there's nowhere better I can go and there's no real help available for someone who people don't consider to be "one of us".

If anybody's looking for a last minute Xmas gift idea for me, I could really do with one of those magic compasses Johnny Depp had in Pirates of The Carribean, that point the way to whatever you want most in the world.

Jks! 🙂

Anyway, to anybody reading this, I hope you have a Merry Xmas and a Happy New Year. I know that's something that people just say because their supposed to, but for what it's worth, I really wish it comes true for at least some of you. This world needs a lot more happiness.

[geoff]

dear Sharon, I hope that you can post on the site, you have made your first comment, so we hope that you have trust in us. Geoff.

[geoff]

dear Jake, Peeps, Emma, Caroline, Sarah and Emlove, hope that I have you, so I hope that you can post on the site, you have made your first comment, so we hope that you have trust in us. Geoff.

[kek]

Hi,

I have had a shocking month at work and have found myself in tears every day for weeks now. Christmas brings it out. I'm 37 and single and live alone (in a very big house).  I have a wonderful family - three brothers all married with beautiful kids. I don't think they realise how lonley it is being the only single person in the family. This Christmas day they are all at their inlaws.  Leaving me on my own with my parent.  Don't feel rejected much. 

I just feel so alone.  Don't have a massive group of friends and of course they all have lives so have spent the last two days of my holidays at home in my pi's not talking to anyone. 

My life is great and I feel like I'm just having a pity party and I need to just snap out of it. 

I think I'm also feeling rotten because I liked a guy and he just got engaged so feeling a bit hopeless as well.  

Sorry got a bit random and all over the place but I feel better I've got that off my chest.  

My brother has battled depression before so I've been here before figuring out how to talk to him but never felt this bad myself for so long.  

Thanks for helping me feel a bit better 🙂

Kel

[644Amy]

Hi Kel

I felt that same way when i joined that i was just being a winger as my life is actually pretty good, its just i feel very alone and with that brings sadness and other stuff.I also have siblings who are married and have there own lives.I had my own family 6mths ago but i had to leave them due to me being transgender.

You have done well to come here and put your post up, you must have a lot of pain in your heart.I can also feel your pain of the man you liked as my wife/ex has just met another man and it hurts a lot.

So i post here just to let you know you are not alone and i ask you to reply if you want to or create your own post as we like to help others here.Its a bit hard to chat on here but feel free to say hi or anything.hope to hear from you. Amy.