Reflecting Back on 2021

[Sophie_M]

Hi All,

With only a few more weeks left in the year it's important to be gentle on ourselves and be mindful of the steps we can take to continue to support our wellbeing – no matter how big or small. Writing here can be a great place to start. We hope everyone stays connected during the holiday season and please keep checking in if you need a safe space to turn to during this time. Our community is here to hold space for you. 

If you or someone you care about would benefit from additional supports and resources, please feel free to connect with Beyond Blue’s Support Service available 24/7 on 1300 22 4636, or reach us online: https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/

Community Voices: What are people talking about?

Young People: Managing Relationships and Your Mental Wellbeing  

I am 23, just graduated uni and have struggled with mostly depression and more recently anxiety since I was in high school. I've have never been sure what I will do for a job and am generally pretty unsure of my goals and have very low self-esteem. I have a few chronic health conditions which have been a huge contributing factor to my mental health and was the reason I started seeing a psychologist during high school. Speaking to someone was fairly helpful at first but in the past few years whenever I have had psychologist appointments, I've just felt like I'm complaining and repeating myself each time and not really getting much from it. - javalava13 (Read more here)

Recently I had a big falling out with my ex-boyfriend (who I thought I was still on somewhat good terms with) and majority of our mutual friends due to my “not being able to get over the break up” and my mental health issues which have gotten more severe recently due to a heap of other circumstances. - AliC. (Read more here)

I’m not to sure how to use this yet, but I just wanted to talk about something

my mental health has been getting worse and worse especially in this last semester, and recently I’ve had a falling out with some of my friends, these friends are in most my classes. These friends really did make me happy because of how much fun I had with them, but I’ve been kicked out and I honestly can’t pin point the reasons why, I do know I shouldn’t have said some things but anyway this made me realise how depressed and hopeless I really am – Gothamfan (Read more here)

Preparing for the holidays

It's getting close to 'that time of year', & I'm seeing some mention of it here on BB, so I thought, wonder what people are doing this year? Will this year be the same as always for you, or what? Do you plan anything? Go anywhere? Do you want a grand Xmas / New Year? Or something simple &, whether by yourself, or with others? Will you be around BB over the 'silly season', as much, less or more?

I would like to be hanging around here, greeting people who may be lonely, or feeling the stress of societal expectations around these days, such as we see & hear in the ads, movies, & how people always ask 'what are you doing for xmas?', 'spending time with family?' & astonishment if you are not. – mmMekitty (Read more here)

 With Christmas around the corner I'm a little behind on my Christmas shopping (aka have not started and overwhelmed by choices) so I thought maybe I'd ask you all for help.

Is there a Christmas present that really stuck out to you? Something fun you got one year? 🙂 Or, if you're stuck, what's something on your wishlist? - romantic_thi3f (Read more here)

im new to this group. Hoping to find support from like minded people impacted by the WA Gov decision to not allow families to reunite over Christmas with inflexibility around border controls. This is difficult for me and I know as we near Christmas will only get worse…it’s been 2 years - Casey K (Read more here)

Finding connection

I found myself really focusing on these loneliness feeling a lot. It started halfway through last year and over time it’s just gotten worse and worse, I sort of struggle to manage it. Each day for example, I will work but in the back of my head I’m questioning why I feel this way and how I can’t find a way out. - Daniel12 (Read more here)

Being a British born Sikh, who migrated from the UK to Australia with my family, I was reflecting how challenging the transition was especially when it came to leaving our family and friends back in the UK, and even now couple of years on we all still experience a level of loneliness.

This got me thinking regarding how international students, (whose second language is English), cope with the transition to a new country, especially if they travel on their own and do have not have any family or friends at their final destination. – Baljit (Read more here)

Social anxiety means i have not made any friends yet in melbs and general anxiety and overthinking is making my thoughts/beliefs in my mind very strong. I am very good at hiding it with avoiding and keeping it to myself, which i thought was helpful but got the courage to go to my GP and started seeing a psychologist.-one of the hardest things i have done. But talking about my beliefs in my mind and struggles i think is the start of getting somewhere to understanding my mind, anxiety and loneliness. – Jamac (Read more here)

Meet Beyond Blue’s Newest Community Champions!

This month we welcome ‘Maddeline’ and ‘On the Road’ to the forums volunteer team 😊

Read more about the Community Champion's team HERE

Valued Contributor Award

Our Valued Contributor for the month of November is ‘Mishmo’!

Mishmo has been nominated for role modelling to others the importance of embracing one’s unique self and having agency over how one chooses to manage their mental wellbeing. Thank you Mishmo, for listening without judgement and sharing your own lived experience to support others with their coping, recovery, and wellness

To read more about what a Valued Contributor is and how you can nominate a fellow community member, please refer to our 'Nominate a Valued Contributor' thread, here.

BB News/Resources

Mixed Emotions – forums thread

If you don't know how to feel right now, you're not alone. The last couple of years have been tough, and with everything constantly changing, it’s hard to find the right words to describe how we’re feeling. Join the forum thread on Mixed Emotions and share how you’re feeling with the community, here.

Tips to recognise and manage burnout - BB article

Burnout is a state of complete mental, physical and emotional exhaustion caused by excessive stress over a long period of time.

Living with physical disability during COVID-19: William’s story – BB article

Here William, who lives with a physical disability, shares how he has supported his mental health during the pandemic.

'Sexuality and self-acceptance', an episode from the 'Not Alone' - BB podcast

I am a gay man. Five words that Maxim couldn't bring himself to say out loud. And so, for the best part of a decade, Maxim hid, refusing to accept his sexuality. Listen to Maxim’s story on the Beyond Blue podcast, ‘Not Alone’.

'Shifting male attitudes', an episode from the 'Not Alone' - BB podcast

Brad McEwan grew up in a small regional town in the 1980s. It was a time when ‘being a man’ meant being tough, stoic, and unemotional. Men didn’t talk about their feelings. Listen to Brad’s story on the Beyond Blue podcast, 'Not Alone'.

Why we should avoid saying ‘committed’ suicide - BB Instagram post

We understand when it comes to suicide, talking about language can seem a bit trivial. If you have lost someone to suicide, changing the words you use does not bring them back. However, we think it's important that people understand the impact of words when it comes to mental health, and the role we can all play in reducing stigma. That’s why we’ve shared this carousel of images to help people to think about how their language can play a role in reducing stigma.

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[Sophie_M]

Hi everyone,

Thank you for sharing your feedback here. We are always trying to improve the way we communicate with this community. It’s great that we have such a diverse range of community members who all use the forums in different ways. The forums would not be the amazing place they are without the short posts, long posts and everything in between.

Thank you all for being wonderful members of this community.

Kind regards,

Sophie M