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.

[Sea-n-sky]

Hi everybody,

I just noticed my introductory post is missing from this forum.

I did introduce myself on 20th August 2014 by posting in the older peoples forum, Subject:- Introduction.

That's where you'll find my introduction if you want to.

Sorry it was posted in the wrong forum.

Cheers. 

[TheSteve]

Hi, I'm TheSteve. Formerly known as just "Steve" on Youthbeyondblue. I've been here for a while. So, call me Steve!

My goal here is to help as much as possible, and to educate where possible. I have significant prior experience with anxiety, depression, insomnia, near mental breakdown, and most importantly, recovery. I have not suffered for some time, but feel an obligation to share that which is learned and can be of help to others, as my primary goal in life. There is no higher calling for me, this is it.

I am aware that if we can all help each other, we can not only make a difference in our own lives but a difference in the world. It goes around, what we do, good and bad, does not end with our actions. Drop a rock in a lake, watch the ripples. That is my view on our actions.

I have had many tremendous experiences with people on Beyondblye/Youthbeyondblue over the years, and I intend to have many more. I am a "lifer". So, if I can ever be of help to you, please, reach out.

All my best to the community and each individual that our community is comprised of.

Steve

[Sea-n-sky]

Hi Steve,

May I quote from your post:-

"Drop a rock in a lake, watch the ripples. That is my view on our actions."

Just to register:-  I agree with you - almost 100 %.

However I'm an older guy, and not trained in these matters.

With me it's instinctive.

Perhaps  being trained in it, may not be so important after all ?

Regards,

Sea-n-sky.

[Sea-n-sky]

Welcome on board aidjm.

It was no problem reading your story. It was actually quite pleasing as it indicated to me that  you have already taken the most important steps. You have joined Beyond Blue, have posted your story and have already engaged with a professional psychologist.  .

Things should get better from now on.

I now refer you to your 2nd last paragraph :- quote:- " I guess I'm joining this forum just to connect with some people that are feeling what I'm feeling etc. etc. etc.

Well I’m sorry if I disappoint you when I say that I am not one of those people that is feeling the same way as you are. Quite the opposite in fact. However, I have felt that way in the past, and that is why I am getting back to you now. 

I'm an old guy 68 years of age and have lived most of my life already. 

I am not a therapist and completely untrained in this sort of stuff. Instinct is the only attribute I posses.

The first thing I shall say is that I reckon you have already done most of what you need to do.

You have taken a break From:- .

1.Leaving high school and the associated stresses and demands of that environment.

2. then immediately jumping into University and even more stress and demand..

That, I think , maybe the biggest contributor  if not the sole cause, of the way you are feeling these days.

Have you heard of, or did anyone ever tell you about  A GAP YEAR ?

Your psychologist should keep you right from now on, but if you do want additional support then just post in this forum again, or telephone the Beyond Blue helpline 1300 22 4636, which ever you feel most comfortable with.

Just do not go back near those cliffs you mentioned. 

Good Luck.                                                  .

Things should improve from now on, but if you want a bit more support, just post again - it really is that easy. Someone will reply, maybe even me, if I'm around.

Cheers.

Sea-n-Sky.

If you would like to continue the dialogue - just post again.

[TheSteve]

Cool, I love the philosophy. Life is the greatest teacher, the trainer we must all learn from. I would vouch my friend that you possess more than just instinct: experience.

Experience + instinct = honed power

[Sea-n-sky]

Hi Steve,

Thanks for the kind recognition.

Life indeed is the greatest teacher, but it's only when I got fairly old that I began to realise that. I was just too busy to notice it before.

If only I knew then, what I know now, and could start all over again.

"More than just instinct" ? Well yes you are right, experience/s of all kinds, some wonderful, some good, some bad, some horrific. Those are the true life experiences which everyone I suppose faces at some time or other.

I am not sure about the "honed power" - it depends what you mean - but like all power (and energy) it sure must be of interest to some, whilst to others it will be of no interest at all.  I suppose.

Thanks again for your kind recognition/understanding.

Have a great day.

Regards,

Sea-n-Sky

[aidjm]

Hi Sea-n-sky, thanks a lot for the reply. I appreciate the kind words 🙂

I agree, I think all the stress of school has definitely been the main contributor. It was a slow buildup, but it was definitely there.

Funnily enough, I had planned to have a gap year after school. I even found a list on my phone of things I wanted to do on my break. I'm not quite sure exactly why I jumped straight back into school. In part I think I succumbed to pressure from my parents and relatives. Don't get me wrong, they're not overbearing dictators or anything. They knew studying acting was my dream, so they gave me a few nudges. I think subconsciously I felt like I had to do what they said. And when the applications came back successful, I thought it would be silly not to go. Looking back now, I think I really did need that gap year, and I wish I'd done things differently. I'm trying not to feel too bad about it. On the plus side, I'm now at home for a while, so I could at least have a gap half-year, even if it's not exactly in the way I pictured.

Thank you for offering support. Rest assured things feel a bit better today, and I'm staying away from cliffs.

I'm happy to chat some more if you like.

Thanks again!

Aidjm

[Sea-n-sky]

Hi again aidjm,

Thanks for getting back with the great news.

Stress at school and all that stuff - well of course it must have taken a toll on you.

We are human beings, not machines to be plugged in and expected to run and run  24 x 7 for 365 days of the year.

School pressures, peer pressures, Parent pressures, the pains of growing up, these are  like mountains for you guys to climb, whilst when I was your age, they were more like gentle rolling hills. We didn't have the internet, (nor TV) so were spared a monumental cascade of all those medium provide,  much of it unwanted, I suspect.

I don't know how you guys cope with it all. I certainly couldn't have done so at your age. No way. I can't cope with now, but I am able to "shut it down" when required, when it becomes overbearing.

If you do become an actor, you can be sure you are going to have to become an expert when it comes to control of that kind. You will not only be playing your own part, you will also be playing the part of another person, that role you are acting. It's going to take some effort to master the art of separating yourself, from the part you are playing.

Anyhow its great to hear you are away from those cliffs. Now have some fun - you don't have to go full speed ahead into everything.Take your time. You'll just burn yourself out, if you don't, and in all probability, without any warning at all.

You've been running too hard I reckon. Youthful exuberance I reckon. Be kind to yourself, and always reward yourself for achievement..

I'm an oldish guy, but I've lived a fairly hectic life, and seen many things.

I can tell you now that too many people become failures, simply because they try too hard. That's not a crime, but perhaps it should be.

Slow down, pace yourself, and resist others who perhaps try to set that pace for you. You are not "Bulletproof". Many young people think that they are. That's youthful exuberance, I suppose.

If you want to be a great actor, then surely that's what you will be, provided you go about it the right way. Burning yourself out prematurely ain't going to achieve anything. It will destroy you.

Well there you are, and now you recognise it.

What things did you have on that list for your gap year ?

I'm intrigued 🙂

Some of them must include fun.

Be happy, that's what brings out great personality.

And that is what everyone likes.

Even more, in an actor - I suggest.

Cheers.

Sea-n-sky

[white knight]

I recently read an article on facebook. It started off about Robin Williams and quickly went on about all the pressures of life we all have in this modern world.

One comment intrigued me. "If, with all this modern day life, the fast lane, the hustle and  bustle, that a perosn copes really well and isnt saddened by the worlds events of conflicts....then they are the ones with the mental illness."

Just something I thought I'd post.

[Sea-n-sky]

That is a very good point, white knight.

I certainly can't disagree with it.

Disturbing, isn't it.

Sea-n-sky.