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Sophie_M Welcome to the BB Social Zone - guidelines for posting in this section
  • replies: 0

Hi everyone, This section of the forum is a little different to the others, as you may have noticed in looking around the threads. Elsewhere on the forums, we discuss some pretty heavy topics: mental health issues, thoughts of suicide, trauma, abuse,... View more

Hi everyone, This section of the forum is a little different to the others, as you may have noticed in looking around the threads. Elsewhere on the forums, we discuss some pretty heavy topics: mental health issues, thoughts of suicide, trauma, abuse, relationship breakdowns. Here is the place to come to get away from that and have a bit of fun. Distraction can be an important tool to draw on if you're finding yourself overwhelmed by distressing thoughts and feelings. As this is a section for respite from difficult topics, we will remove posts made in this section that attempt to discuss personal issues. Please use a support thread in the appropriate section for these discussions. Happy posting!

Kazzl The BB cafe
  • replies: 20504

The BB cafe is open for business! Welcome all to a new chill and chat place for everyone on the forum. The BB cafe is whatever you want it to be. There are comfy sofas, tables and chairs, coffee machines, a kitchen stocked with everything. There's a ... View more

The BB cafe is open for business! Welcome all to a new chill and chat place for everyone on the forum. The BB cafe is whatever you want it to be. There are comfy sofas, tables and chairs, coffee machines, a kitchen stocked with everything. There's a pool outside, a bbq area, an annexe with comfy beds for a quiet sleep, tv, dvd, books and whatever else you would like to have here. Most of all, it's a place to meet friends and fellow travellers for a bit of company. Talk over problems, tell jokes, share your day, escape into a world of your making. Grab a coffee and pull up a chair ... So, with a nod to the wonderful Carole King (Hard Rock Cafe) ... Now if you're feeling just a little bit lonely Don't sit at home just mopin' Come on down to where the friendship flows freely You know the door is always open At the BB cafe Come to the BB cafe They will help keep your blues at bay At the BB cafe Important Message from ModSupport: The main intention of the BB Cafe is to encourage light conversation. Please look after your fellow community members by nuturing the BB Cafe as a place to escape some of the more pressing issues in life and save those conversations for personal threads.

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Neil_1 Which is your least favourite day of the week?
  • replies: 13

Hi all Just heard the ever-popular comment in the tea room at work - "Wow, thank goodness it's Friday, yeee haaa" (and no it didn't come from my lips). The person they were speaking to confirmed their happiness, but then went to a depressive spin on ... View more

Hi all Just heard the ever-popular comment in the tea room at work - "Wow, thank goodness it's Friday, yeee haaa" (and no it didn't come from my lips). The person they were speaking to confirmed their happiness, but then went to a depressive spin on it by saying, "Yep, we love our Fridays, but we hate Monday's". Simple human speak that would be spoken many thousands of times during today in workplaces and beyond all over the world. However, I just wonder if we on this site feel the same emotions as what a lot of other people do. I know that I "used" to, but I really don't any longer (and yes it's a shame in a way). But Monday is Monday, Tuesday is Tuesday, Wednesday is ... well, you should be sensing the trend there so I'll stop. What I think I'm trying to say is that there is no one day that is better (or worse) than the others we we who suffer every day. I was just thinking about the comments made and thought I'd raise it to see if others think like the people in the kitchen or whether they think like me (you poor souls whoever raises their hand to that) or perhaps a combo of the two. Thoughts dear people? Neil

Suzbj I am so so sorry!
  • replies: 5

I am so so sorry to everyone for posting so blatantly on the forum Tuesday night when I crashed big time. It was thoughtless and I apologise. I haven't read any forums or responses as can't be on here right now. I just want to work on myself for a bi... View more

I am so so sorry to everyone for posting so blatantly on the forum Tuesday night when I crashed big time. It was thoughtless and I apologise. I haven't read any forums or responses as can't be on here right now. I just want to work on myself for a bit but really wanted to say sorry to you all and to BB. Kind regards Suz xx

joey Happy Brithday Neil
  • replies: 9

I noticed it's Neil's 1000 post birthday coming up! 

I noticed it's Neil's 1000 post birthday coming up! 

vip Rest in Peace Charlotte Dawson
  • replies: 11

Hi everyone the devastation of losing Model and former tv presenter Charlotte Dawson has upset me this weekend. I have put a tribute up on my facebook for her. I met her in the city hosting a fashion show. Her battle ended this morning when she ended... View more

Hi everyone the devastation of losing Model and former tv presenter Charlotte Dawson has upset me this weekend. I have put a tribute up on my facebook for her. I met her in the city hosting a fashion show. Her battle ended this morning when she ended her own life . A gorgeous intelligent woman has gone a beautiful ambassador for depression I know how her last hours felt because ive been there. Love you Charlotte thankyou to those angels who let me see you in perth a few months ago my inspiration xx

Neil_1 Liquorice Allsorts
  • replies: 2

Dear all, The title is so called because I've got a few things to say (what's new, I hear you all yawn). Firstly, has everyone watched the "Welcome to beyondblue's online forum" video thingy that's at the top of all pages?? Um, Dear Beyond Blue, but ... View more

Dear all, The title is so called because I've got a few things to say (what's new, I hear you all yawn). Firstly, has everyone watched the "Welcome to beyondblue's online forum" video thingy that's at the top of all pages?? Um, Dear Beyond Blue, but this was news to me and I had no idea that was part of the rules, where it said, "Please keep your posts short and to the point". Whoops! Also is there a way to minimise it after you've read it, cause it's kinda, 'out there and in the old face all the time'. Yes, I know first world problems, but it's just a comment. Ok, Dear All ... you may or may not have known that my place of work was a horrible place and really was affecting me big time. Well there has been good news. As of late last week, I have found a new place ... a new Department, and a new lot of work and obviously new people as well. Although due to accommodation restraints, I am still staying in the same building, but at least I moved today away from the area that wasn't good for me. Another piece of good news is that I had a one-on-one chat with my new supervisor and I decided to tell him of my illness. Can you believe my luck; he has just finished a course that now makes him qualified to counsel and assist people who have mental illness!!!!! I couldn't quite believe it. Because it's also a course that I was potentially looking at also. It was amazing chatting to him, because he was learning things as he spoke with me and vice versa, but it said it was interesting because he asked different things about what was making me anxious at the time and later I opened up about how low my self esteem is, etc etc. However, for the slightly bad news ... because of this new job, I may not be posting here as often as I have been of late ... sorry folks, I will try my best but I won't be smashing them out as much as I used too ... but I'll still be here. Anyway, I guess I'll just see how it goes and then really make up for it on the weekends!! Thanx for reading, Neil

scorch Wildfires in Vic
  • replies: 2

Hi guys, Just a quickie. I live in a wildfire affected area of Victoria. I had to evacuate my house early in the week, but I'm back home now and all is well. My husband and I both volunteer with an emergency service, so we've been quite involved and ... View more

Hi guys, Just a quickie. I live in a wildfire affected area of Victoria. I had to evacuate my house early in the week, but I'm back home now and all is well. My husband and I both volunteer with an emergency service, so we've been quite involved and it's kept us busy. I have been involved with disaster relief before so I am not too concerned for my safety or that of my husband, but my brain seems to be doing some weird things this time. These last few days I have found myself wanting to be helping all the time, and when I've got some down time all I can think about is how I should be out there doing my bit. I'm not sleeping well (although that's nothing new) and only eating when someone reminds me (thankfully that is 2 or 3 times a day, so I'm not going to drop from hunger.) I have been leaving work early to help out all week, but I feel like I haven't done anything at all. I KNOW I'm being useful, but my feelings say 'do more, do more.' I keep seeing people who have lost so much and I guess I feel kind of guilty that I'm not doing more to help them, I've never felt this way before with disaster relief. Can someone help answer some questions if possible? Is this feeling a common thing with those who are involved in an emergency service? Is it because this time I was personally impacted, even though it was in a small way? Has anyone else on here felt this way too?

geoff to my Friends on Beyond Blue
  • replies: 6

to my dear friends on this site, I have just got rid of a virus, so I haven't been able to reply, and now it's wind down time for me, so I know that all of you will take over as my silly hours kick in, you are all capable of holding the fort as I kno... View more

to my dear friends on this site, I have just got rid of a virus, so I haven't been able to reply, and now it's wind down time for me, so I know that all of you will take over as my silly hours kick in, you are all capable of holding the fort as I know you all can, and I have every faith in all of you, just as you all trust each other. Geoff.

Chris_B Teen travels by foot from Melbourne to Sydney to raise funds for beyondblue
  • replies: 4

No distance is too great to raise money and awareness for depression and anxiety for 18-year-old Alex Cooke, who is making his way by foot from Melbourne to Sydney to raise money for beyondblue.Alex set off on the hefty 1060km journey from Melbourne’... View more

No distance is too great to raise money and awareness for depression and anxiety for 18-year-old Alex Cooke, who is making his way by foot from Melbourne to Sydney to raise money for beyondblue.Alex set off on the hefty 1060km journey from Melbourne’s Federation Square on New Year’s Day. He is running and walking an average 42km a day until he reaches the final stretch near the Sydney Opera House on Australia Day, January 26.Alex said he has seen a number of his friends affected by depression and anxiety, either because they have experienced these conditions personally or one of their family members has, and he wanted to help beyondblue continue supporting people in this position.“It’s been heartbreaking to see some of the best people I know struggle with depression,” Alex said. “I feel very strongly about the work of beyondblue in helping people seek treatment and take back control of their lives.”Alex has been training since October for the journey, spending many hours running the foreshore near his home in Port Melbourne, and says he is up for the challenge. Alex hopes his expedition will help him raise $15,000 for beyondblue.“It’s been amazing how quickly people have jumped in to support me and beyondblue, and it would be great to reach the target,” he said.beyondblue CEO Kate Carnell AO said she is thankful to Alex for going to such lengths to support the important work of the organisation.“It’s inspiring to see a young man willing to pound the pavement for a month to improve the lives of people experiencing depression and anxiety,” she said. “We wish Alex the best of luck for his journey.”For more information or to donate to beyondblue, visit give.everydayhero.com/au/alex-cooke-australia-day-melbourne-to-sydney-hypermarathon-2014

amamas New Years Eve humour
  • replies: 8

Hi fellow travellers I have brought something amusing into my life today I thought I'd share it with you and perhaps you may be able to do something similar. I have always wanted to be left-handed. I sometimes wonder if my parents forced me into righ... View more

Hi fellow travellers I have brought something amusing into my life today I thought I'd share it with you and perhaps you may be able to do something similar. I have always wanted to be left-handed. I sometimes wonder if my parents forced me into right-handedness? So today I bought a left-handed diary for 2014 and I'm going to write a task for myself to complete each day with my left hand. My left hand doesn't write well at all, but I'm thinking perhaps a little sentence each morning my left handed writing may be legible by next New Years Eve. So I was thinking perhaps you may all have something a little left of centre that has been unfulfilled in your life. Maybe you'd like to join me in 2014 in finding a way to honour the whacky-ness in yourself? I'd love to hear from you my friends Wishing you all well Amamas

helpmeplease well its a new year.
  • replies: 2

well its a new year. problem is it started like so many others, going out(yes i was weak) got totally wasted and feeling more alone then ever. went and seen my GP today and i am back on my meds so baby steps and i can and will stick to it this time. ... View more

well its a new year. problem is it started like so many others, going out(yes i was weak) got totally wasted and feeling more alone then ever. went and seen my GP today and i am back on my meds so baby steps and i can and will stick to it this time. i have to. I Want to get better i need to get well. i want my life back