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BeyondBlue Tradies National Health Month
  • replies: 0

Hi everyone, August is Tradies National Health Month, to highlight the importance of health and safety among Australia’s trade workers. Mental health and wellbeing is crucial to the safety of anyone in the mining or construction industries, so Beyond... View more

Hi everyone, August is Tradies National Health Month, to highlight the importance of health and safety among Australia’s trade workers. Mental health and wellbeing is crucial to the safety of anyone in the mining or construction industries, so Beyond Blue is hosting a special free webinar for our tradie community on Tuesday 12 August at 4.30pm which you can register for here. We know that Tradies can face unique stressors, with a culture of toughness and difficult job demands that can impact personal time and self-care. It can also be tough for partners and family members who aren’t sure how to support someone in a trade who may be showing signs that their mental health isn’t at its best. If you’re unsure where to start your conversation this is the space for you. Whether you want to share your own experiences, ask questions, or simply connect with others who understand what you're going through, you're in the right place. If you're seeking additional support, here are some resources: Hope Assistance Local Tradies: Home This Is A Conversation Starter: TIACS - This is a Conversation Starter Mates in Construction: MATES - Industry Based Suicide Prevention - MATES Don’t forget - our counsellors are always here for you on 1300 22 46 36. We’ll also use this space to post some of the questions and answers from the webinar discussion. Feel free to dive in and keep the conversation going. Thank you again for joining us — we’re glad you’re here.

Just Sara A Bouquet for Pearls - share your appreciation for other members
  • replies: 715

Every now and then, members share a beautiful Pearl of Wisdom. How often do you think to yourself; "OMG that's great! I wish everyone could see this." Presenting someone with a bunch of flowers is a generous way of acknowledging their insightful word... View more

Every now and then, members share a beautiful Pearl of Wisdom. How often do you think to yourself; "OMG that's great! I wish everyone could see this." Presenting someone with a bunch of flowers is a generous way of acknowledging their insightful words. I hope this thread stays active through members giving out praise regularly to people they feel deserving, and therefore keep generosity of spirit alive within the pages of BeyondBlue Forum. My bunch of Red Roses (my choice) goes to Wishful for the following sentence; 'Personally, I see no reason to be praised in me, but I'm learning that seeing through the eyes of others can be more accurate!!' I so hear you Wishful. Just beautiful... Try to keep your leading comments short to focus on 'their' words. Choose specific flowers (or a gift if you like) to present to them. Sign off respectfully and sincerely. I hope this takes off... Spreading the love...Sara

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waffle_puppy I'm slowly getting there.
  • replies: 0

School's been rough for me lately; along with the amount of friends I've lost due to my other friend (Who I've talked about previously) being a terrible influence to me, and manipulating me heaps which hurt me a lot (Physically and mentally, because ... View more

School's been rough for me lately; along with the amount of friends I've lost due to my other friend (Who I've talked about previously) being a terrible influence to me, and manipulating me heaps which hurt me a lot (Physically and mentally, because he'd beat me a lot if I didn't follow what he said or even if I disagreed, which lead me to feel insanely horrendous mentally.) and thankfully I've already left him, but the damage has been done already, I forgot to mention earlier but I tried to support him through everything because he was trans, and I felt that he's going through a lot, so I tried to be there for him; but he just used it as a reason to say that I'm annoying, or insanely stupid. I've never been so glad to leave him, but he felt so horrendous to be around; not because of him being trans of course (I myself am a trans ally and I know a lot of trans people in my life who I call my brothers and sisters although we aren't related, and they might not know it; but they matter a lot to me. ) but because he was a horrible influence to me. Along with him, school is really rough because I'd gotten bullied a lot for simply being myself, or even being an overachiever (As described by my mom and dad :D). The popular girls and boys that bully me constantly corner me and call me explicit names, or would look at my appearance and comment on it such as "Why are you born with such an ugly face?" and they'd constantly hit my face or slam my ribs against the walls just because I don't fit their norms. They even shame me for not wearing the girl's school uniform, because it feels so strange to me. I remember when I was with my mom at the shop for school uniform; they pointed out that the girl's school uniform is much tighter and smaller, and it's either the girl's skirt (That's like a miniskirt) or the boy's shorts that come to your knees. I'd happily choose the shorts over the skirt any day. Because I was wearing the boy's uniform, under a pair of Converse sneakers. They'd also step on my shoes and punch my body because I didn't look like a "girl enough" to them; even if I was originally born as one. They'll always point out how I don't wear false lashes or fake nails because it looks uncomfortable and I said I prefer to look natural because I do a lot of hands-on work such as building Legos at home, or playing on my Nintendo 3DS. Despite all this, I still take pride in being myself; however it sucks that I can't really show it at school. For example I was playing baseball in PE class at school, I hit a home run and cheered loudly which of course, made them yell out "The hell are you cheering for?" which didn't bother me. I'm naturally a sporty and happy person, so I couldn't care less. Now despite everything, I feel happier than before because I'm back with my old friends who are happy with me being a tomboy; and the reason I'd left them before is because of my abusive friend. Now that I'm back with them, I've never had this much fun with any friend of mine before, because we constantly make new playlists together on Spotify, and make new Miis on my Nintendo 3DS together. We'll also play together in PE, which makes me happy. Now going back to how I dress, I usually wear baggy jeans with patches of animals, or etc on them and an oversized t-shirt with a long sleeve shirt underneath, paired with sneakers. I enjoy dressing this way, I definitely prefer it over skirts or dresses which make me really uncomfortable. I even wore a suit to my parent's anniversary at the city in a fancy restaurant. Nobody batted an eye and it made me feel amazing to be who I am. Along with all this, I'm also excited because it's almost 2026 and I can't believe how far I've come over the years to be who I am now. Did I mention that I'll be moving to an art school for year 10? I'm going to have a fresh start and hopefully make new friends. Along with this, I'm so thankful Beyond Blue exists; and for the people in it. Everyone is so kind and caring. Thank you so much for responding to my posts and giving me advice as well, I really appreciate it!

Paw Prints Staying/Getting/Doing Well – Moving goalposts or fixed target?
  • replies: 1905

Hi, this is my first post, though I have been reading the forums for some weeks. I’m probably expressing myself badly when I say that I have found reading about other people’s journeys reassuring. Finding a community of people who “get it” even when ... View more

Hi, this is my first post, though I have been reading the forums for some weeks. I’m probably expressing myself badly when I say that I have found reading about other people’s journeys reassuring. Finding a community of people who “get it” even when they have a wide variety of experiences and lives lived is not something I thought I would ever find. Though people talk about getting well & there is a section Staying Well, I’m curious as to what this actually means to other people and how they manage their expectations. I noticed some people refer to being well as ‘being like themselves before they got ill’, whilst others don’t express an exact aim. My idea of being well has changed over the years. I was first diagnosed as an 8 year old child back in the late sixties. The doctors told Mum that the voices in my head & the sudden crying bouts were because I suffered from ‘nerves’ & I was given meds to calm me. Of course such things were not discussed back then & I was told not to talk about it to anyone, not my school friends nor siblings, just Mum. For decades after my idea of being well simply meant being able to hide my illness from others. A number of events in my life caused my illness to worsen, until some years ago I became so ill I needed to be hospitalised for my own safety. This lead to my current diagnosis of Major Depression, Anxiety & PTSD. I’m no longer in that dark place, but each day is still a battle (though I can now believe in a future). For now only my siblings & one friend know about my illness, though some things they still don’t know. So, what does ‘being well’ mean to me, it is ever moving goalposts. If you had asked me 5 years ago would I be as well as I am now I would have thought it impossible as I couldn’t envision a future. If you had asked me last week (during one of my down periods) I would have said my progress was all an illusion & I was fooling myself that things can get better. For now my idea of being well is being able to believe that things can change for the better, that I will one day be able to manage the everyday things like housework, caring for myself & caring for my dog & maybe, just maybe I will even be able to enjoy myself. Paw Prints **I took the tip to give myself time to write my post by writing on a word doc & then paste it.

Lib Cycle
  • replies: 1

I feel stuck in a cycle where part of me wants to take care of myself — to eat normally, feel strong, and function — but another part craves the high feeling of restricting food. That feeling makes me feel really good for a bit, and i sometimes feel ... View more

I feel stuck in a cycle where part of me wants to take care of myself — to eat normally, feel strong, and function — but another part craves the high feeling of restricting food. That feeling makes me feel really good for a bit, and i sometimes feel like my body looks better during that phase. But the feeling never lasts. After a while i crash, i get exhausted, i have a bad mood, my gymnastics training goes to shit and I can't focus at school, plus I always end up isolating myself and binging. Then i feel gross and disgusting and start the whole thing again. I've tried other ways to replace that high feeling and to stay distracted— like sh, vaping, or taking lots of caffeine — but nothing makes me feel the same, and I've felt trapped and alone for so long, and im so tired of my shit but like I don't want to keep doing this, but idk how to stop without losing the one thing that makes me feel good for a while.

Ggrand Small achievement you managed to do today....How did it make you feel? Did it help you feel better today?
  • replies: 522

Hi everyone.. Their are days when just getting out of bed is a huge achievement...Other days we can achieve things like washing up the dishes or clothes, sweeping the floors, mopping the floors..very mundane and automatic robot like chores for the me... View more

Hi everyone.. Their are days when just getting out of bed is a huge achievement...Other days we can achieve things like washing up the dishes or clothes, sweeping the floors, mopping the floors..very mundane and automatic robot like chores for the mentally well...They do these chores without even thinking about them...for people struggling with their mental health..these are huge tasks... Very often I’ll get my vacuum cleaner out to vacuum ...then it will sit their for days, me looking at it, walking over it...until I can get motivated enough to vacuum..after I do find the motivation to vacuum...I am pleased with myself... Right now I have a small foot cycling peddle machine, sitting on my front veranda..I got it out last week..to start exercising..it’s still their, I’m still looking at it...My thoughts each night is I’ll use it for a few minutes tomorrow.. My car hasn’t been washed getting close to a year now I think...Today I did managed to wash it....and discovered that it has a nice shine on it.....I did it...I achieved something positive today..which made me feel better in myself... Have you achieved a little something today...and how did it make you feel...If you want to share that achievement it might make other people a bit more motivated to achieve something they need/want to do.. Looking forward to hearing about your achievement....and how it made you feel.. Little steps and achievements can lead to bigger steps..and bigger achievements... My kindest and most caring thoughts...everyone. Grandy...

zailleh Adherence / Compliance -- How do you make yourself do the things that make you feel better?
  • replies: 44

Hi Everyone, One of my biggest challenges with depression is doing the things I know make me feel better and make a positive difference to my emotional state. Especially when I'm feeling my worst, these things would make me feel better but I can't ma... View more

Hi Everyone, One of my biggest challenges with depression is doing the things I know make me feel better and make a positive difference to my emotional state. Especially when I'm feeling my worst, these things would make me feel better but I can't make myself do them because depression just kills all motivation. Just hoping to draw on the collective experience here. What kind of things do you to help make yourself do the things that make you feel better? Cheers, Zailleh

Nathan_Drake 40 year old male in need for advice
  • replies: 1

Hi ladies and gentlemen, This is my first post and i wanted to share something that’s been on my mind for a while. I’m 40 years old, and to be completely honest, I’ve never had sex and don’t really have any close friends. It’s something I’ve been qui... View more

Hi ladies and gentlemen, This is my first post and i wanted to share something that’s been on my mind for a while. I’m 40 years old, and to be completely honest, I’ve never had sex and don’t really have any close friends. It’s something I’ve been quietly struggling with for a long time. I see people i work with with much exciting life’s and, when they ask me what I’m doing for the weekend, i give them either the silent treatment or make an excuse so ill end the discussion quickly. I never expected to be in this position, but i cannot change what happened in the past but move forward. I always have resentfulness, and jealously that people half my age have accomplished more than what I have done. My concern would be that if somehow i did meet someone, how do i bring this up?, how to tell that special person i have no friends and never been intimate or kiss a woman in my life as this may be a red flag. Also, i am on the shorter side, and slightly overweight but do go to the gym on multiple occasions. Has anyone else felt like this or gone through something similar later in life? How did you start to turn things around? Any advice on buildind friendship at an older age. Thanks for reading.

quirkywords Be Yourself but who am I?
  • replies: 1922

I have often been told to just be myself but then I am encouraged to be softer, think less, eat less, worry less, relax more , exercise more, be more confident, less timid, less cautious, more adventurous,less selfish, stop being a people pleaser, be... View more

I have often been told to just be myself but then I am encouraged to be softer, think less, eat less, worry less, relax more , exercise more, be more confident, less timid, less cautious, more adventurous,less selfish, stop being a people pleaser, be happier, be kinder , ask less questions and the list goes on. I find this confusing if I am to be myself why must I change? The other problem is who am I, which self should I be: the introvert, the extrovert, the cautious, the risk-taker, the overthinker, the fast talker, the quiet one, the indecisive one, the spontaneous one, the carefree one, the worried one, the selfish one, the altruistic one, and much more. Thse two words be yourself seem so easy for many people but not for me as it fills me with many questions. I will limit myself to two questions . Can you be yourself without changing? Is it possible to change/improve a part of yourself and still be yourself? Quirky

Ghost13 Overwhelmed by life
  • replies: 2

I am about to be homeless with my partner (we are in a bad place he doesn’t really speak to me we basically just are together for our pets) & 5 dogs & cat. We have used a tenancy advocate to help us negotiate a payment plan and for vcat ect but we ar... View more

I am about to be homeless with my partner (we are in a bad place he doesn’t really speak to me we basically just are together for our pets) & 5 dogs & cat. We have used a tenancy advocate to help us negotiate a payment plan and for vcat ect but we are still being evicted any day the warrant can come now. I got out of jail in 2018 stayed clean for 5 years and achieved such good job, stable house, my relationship was a little up and down but my dogs and my cat are my world i don’t have any friends to speak to I can’t speak to my partner my family are really judgemental I have never been that close.I’m just not sure what to do anymore I have bipolar I’m on medication but I dont take it consistently I try, I have no motivation without using drugs now that I’m not working I left my job earlier in the year because it was becoming to much pressure using and working. ive also recently been diagnosed with fibromyalgia which I’m struggling with daily. I don’t want to use drugs but I feel like there the only way I’m going to get a roof over our heads I’m so scared the police will turn up with the council and take the only things in my life who matter my 5 dogs and cat would be like a death sentence for some of them I have no idea where we will end up no one can help cause of the dogs they all ask if I could rehome them you don’t ask people to rehome children so why pets that’s my take on the subject. I’d do a robery to get cash for us but if I got arrested I’d go to jail I did something similar last time I went to jail. I’m so stressed all the time I can’t relax which plays with my anxiety and I can’t think rationally I’m just going into this spiral and I can’t find any solutions. I can’t even vent to anyone cause the one person I had is now in jail and my partner hates him. I feel like I’m self destructing and I’m going to loose everything.

sherlocks Injured Mental Health Worker
  • replies: 2

Hello I am a work place injured victim. Is there anyone out there that is similar and what’s your experience with the work cover system. I would love to hear from anyone going through work cover and there recovery? Support experience. I am a complete... View more

Hello I am a work place injured victim. Is there anyone out there that is similar and what’s your experience with the work cover system. I would love to hear from anyone going through work cover and there recovery? Support experience. I am a complete example of a Broken System that has been abusing me for twenty years now. Suffering my injury I have been slaughtered stripped of human decency life. My treatment is a very serious urgent concern and I really would love to hear from anyone. thank you dead girl walking

Euno Supporting loved ones with attempted suicide
  • replies: 9

Dear all,I am seeking any life hacks I can get through supporting my partner going through a severe depression.We were lucky to save her from her suicide attempt and now in hospital under trauma care.

Dear all,I am seeking any life hacks I can get through supporting my partner going through a severe depression.We were lucky to save her from her suicide attempt and now in hospital under trauma care.