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.

[Pixie15]

Hi Mal32,

If you have a look at the resources on the site here you will find a downloadable book for carers which has a lot of useful information. Please take care of yourself and your children today. It is a lovely sunny day where I am and I am planning to get out into the garden this afternoon. I hope you are feeling a little better today. 

cheers,

Pixie.

[Sawyer]

D_Maree,

You are not alone. Especially here. Welcome to the forums. If you look under some of the other smaller forums there are many people who feel the same. There also useful forums on treatment options and strategies for coping that others have found effective.

[Mal32]

Hi Pipsy thankyou for ur words appreciate it....spent the day cleaning and shopping getting school gear ready etc then took the kids out for dinner...having showers now so will slow down shortly I hope...I noticed a couple of repys to my thread and will digest as much as i can...thank you so much again...

[pipsy]

Hi M32.  So pleased to have given you hope.  Hopefully next time you see your wife, she will be feeling much better and can talk about her feelings.  If she doesn't, or can't, don't be offended, sometimes it's hard to tell our loved ones why we feel down.  We have to understand ourselves first if we want others to.  There's none so complicated as people.  The more we think we know, the less we understand.

Best wishes, my friend.

[White_Rose]

Dear Kaza

Hello and welcome to Beyond Blue. It's good that you have written in here for some help. I can only imagine how bad your life has been and I send you my love and a big cyber hug.

I also left my husband and found life very difficult for a while. Well, that's not quite right. Life was great for about a year and then I fell into the biggest pit of depression. It was truly awful.

You are looking for the positives but they are not in the past. Trying to remember the good times with your husband sounds OK but I suspect it may lead you to try and reunite with him. The bad times were also part of the past, and while I am not suggesting you dwell on them, do not forget they are the reason you left.

I know it's difficult to look to the future when you feel your world has turned upside down and nothing makes sense. I agree that family and friends are not always enough. It's sad but true that you have to have been through depression to understand how dreadful it is. So I suggest you see your GP and have a chat about how you feel. You may or may not be referred to a psychologist, but do not refuse a referral. A professional who knows how you feel can be a tremendous help.

Also explore the BB site, especial the blue tabs at the top of the page, and read as much information as possible. Good information will give you more resilience and skills to get back on your feet.

I also suggest that you read other threads on the forum. Try Depression, Anxiety, Supporting Family and Friends, Relationships and Family Issues. Join in one or more conversations and/or start your thread. Replies to you via the introduction page tend to get lost amongst all the other new posts. Starting your own thread will keep all your comments and replies in one place and will be easier for others to see and respond.

I look forward to talking to you on your own thread.

Mary

[kanga_brumby]

Hi all I'm a newby So be yourselfes

[Mal32]

Thankyou Pixie 🙂

[Chris_B]

Hi the seeker, I'll email you some further instructions.

[Chris_B]

Hi Wong, welcome to the forums. You'll find lots of conversations you can get involved with here. Have a browse through the threads in the other forums and post some replies. A good, non-threatening place to start is on the Community board, where we have some non-mental health related topics like favourite movies, music etc.

[Chris_B]

Hi Hooot, thanks for posting an introduction. Please have a look in the Supporting Family & Friends forum, you will find lots of threads there from people in similar situations. You can also start your own thread there to get some replies.

Also, please see the Caring for someone section of our website for further resources.