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.

[Andrew_T]

G'day everyone my name's Andrew, I'm 22 and I have been surrounded by various forms of mental illness throughout my life. Like everyone I have a story, however mine is incomparable to some people seeking help through these forums. Suffering from depression, I developed a bad attitude and a negative outlook on life. I knew that if I didn't change I was going to live a very miserable life, so last year I decided enough was enough and started a journey on my pursuit of happiness. There was a time in my life when being as happy as I am today didn't seem possible. I joined beyondblue to offer support to those in need and to discuss the personal and social issues within our society.

[White_Rose]

Hello Magda

Welcome to the Beyond Blue community.  Your post is beautiful, positive and will give hope to many who come to this site. Thank you for writing in.

Mary

[Feeling_hopeful]

Hi everyone, I'm new to BB and actually quite nervous about posting on here (don't know why). I can't quite bring myself to speaking to a professional again, but hoping that these forums can be a positive outlet for me and help me when I'm having some really bad moments. I've been having a lot lately. I have suffered from depression for as long as I can remember, with my worst period in my early 20's - I'm almost 30. My fiancé is in the Defence force and we are currently posted in a state where I have no family and friends. He is away so often that I have actually been finding it hard to be happy when he is home. Going back and forth from him being home and then being away, really messes with my moods. I'm often sad and angry and take it all out on him and my workmates. I'm hoping I can control my moods and learn to think positively, to keep myself from sinking to another low. 

[Smiles218]

Hi everyone,

my name is Ben, I am 29 and I have struggled with depression and anxiety through out my life, I have been blessed with a second and even a third chance after beating depression though I still struggle with my anxiety.

I would like to offer my support for those who are really going through some tough times and let you know that you are not alone. I know sometimes it seems like there is no hope, but don't give up! There are people who have come out the otherside, you can too 

[so_wizard]

Hi everyone. My name is Cameron and I am taking my first steps to improve my situation. I'm 43 single and childless. I live alone, have worked blue collar jobs at both ends of the pay spectrum due to the fact I take FIFO construction work when it's available.

At present I'm between jobs living on savings, but it doesn't seem like a holiday.

I have completed a K10 quiz and not surprisingly my outcome was high for depression. I've known this for about 5 years, but can literally mark the day 10 years ago when I first felt a new feeling of hopelessness and despair. It was literally like something broke inside, but I had no idea where to start looking to try and fix it. 

My friends when I was young practically voted me as the first to get married, possibly for my innocent naivety when it came to women. Boy were they wrong. Instead I feel like someone who once had love to bust, who wanted it so bad that he ruined any chance of ever finding something meaningful through his own insecurities is now left on the childless scrap heap with all but burnt bridges. All that is needed is a pauper's grave to complete the picture. 

I stay up most nights and through various misadevdntures have grown accustomed to long stints in bed. My libido is dwindled to nothing, or at least not enough to motivate me to try and meet anyone and my love for art and music have all but disappeared. Team sports  never did me any favours socially, as it was always a pack mentality with the wrong type of people I would end up associating with.

To sum up, the landscape seems desolte and barren with no sign of prosperity or companionship, but soldier on I will. If anything I want to leave a legacy that is at least a positive message for my sibling's children. Somehow.

[so_wizard]

I have attempted several posts, some in great detail, yet each time they have either timed out, or just not posted. Consider this a test post. I can't spend all day condesing my situation into a couple of paragraphs, then have them dissapear into cyber oblivion. Cathartic as it may be.

[geoff]

To All those who have posted after my last comment seems to be very distressing to each and everyone one of you, and we would truly love to help you, as Mary has replied to a couple of you.

We could also reply to you on your own post here, and I thank Mary for doing so, because what she, myself and all the other fabulous supporters want is for all of you to generate your own comment so that a greater viewing of people can reply to each and everyone of you.

It is really important that your comment doesn't end here, because there is so much help, advice and suggestions that all of us can give you, so please don't sit on your own, because it won't get any better by yourself. Geoff.

[White_Rose]

Dear Wizard

Thank you for your post and welcome to Beyond Blue. I have a suggestion. If you feel you need time to compose your post, write it in your Word program, or whatever program you use.  Once completed, copy and paste it to BB. Be sure you do a character count first as your limit is 2500 characters.

The Welcome and Orientation forum is more an introduction of yourself to Beyond Blue. Keep it short, with only the major parts of your life or difficulty. If you want to continue a conversation with other BB contributors, or if someone replies and you want o follow up on this post, then start a new thread under the appropriate forum, Depression, Anxiety, Family and Friends etc. Let your responder know you have 'moved house'.

Many people post in the Welcome forum which is great. The drawback is that replies can get lost amongst all the new posts.

I hope that is useful to you.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Mary

[kah2673]

Hello

41/m originally from USA, lived here for 8.5 yrs. had a panic attack about 7 yrs ago (went to the ER, didnt know what was wrong) and really has had me on the edge ever since.  I dont have them anymore, but now i just get to feeling that everything is too hard a lot of the time and just going through the motions of each day...(i do not take meds)..i feel like i am getting by  and not really living...if that makes sense?  Sorry i dont really know what to say on here. Hope to just read what others say and see if i can find something to hopefully get me to some sort of better living standard.

[so_wizard]

Thanks Mary.

To my surprise one of my attempts did make it through! I'm currently using a tablet as my computer is out of action, so my typing is a little slower, as is the general word processing capabilities in this format. But it's all good! I got this! Just glad to have made contact and be here.

Cheers.