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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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TrueSeeker Good food for better mood
  • replies: 2

Hello everyone, I think that we all experienced how a good feed can make us feel better but we do need to keep it in healthy levels and that can spoil the good feeling. I'd like to share my experience with food and how we managed to get that great fe... View more

Hello everyone, I think that we all experienced how a good feed can make us feel better but we do need to keep it in healthy levels and that can spoil the good feeling. I'd like to share my experience with food and how we managed to get that great feeling of full stomach from hearty food while keeping our weight under control. Some time ago we started putting on weight due to health issues and just purely from getting old. I've never used to have weight problems while my partner has struggled all his life that by the way never ever bothered me. But I didn't like myself putting on weight and was worried that it could get out of hand and the earlier I'll deal with it, the easier it'll be. So we did some research on how to lose weight while still being able to get a good fix that we both love. We came across intermittent fasting and it sounded really good to us so we thought we give a gowhile adjusting it a little bit to our liking. We needed to lose weight first so had to go a bit hard on it to start with. Our target was one kilo a month, we thought that it was sustainable and not too painful. We didn't want to put ourselves off dieting. So we decided to have one big hearty meal every two days. Anything in between just to have tiny small bites just when the hunger gets too much, it could be anything. We just have a little bit of cheese, some nuts, piece of fruit, slice of bread and sometimes even a glass of water can take the edge of hunger away. It took us a year to get to the weight we were comfortable with. I lost 8 kilos, my partner lost 12 kilos. He always has to be better at everything! haha Now, we just keep our target weight, we do one hearty meal every day and have tiny meals the rest of the day to manage the hunger. When our weight goes up, we have a day off and go back to tiny meals and the weight goes down again. I love how we are able to have a good feed and get that comfortable feeling that everything is ok while keeping our weight under control. Here's couple of more tips:We bought a proper scale and got into habit of weighing ourselves every morning so we can see what food does what. One kilo fluctuation is ok but anything more than that needs to be fixed. We hunted for recipes for food that we really like. Now with the internet it is very easy to find recipes for food that we missed from childhood or anything we felt like eating. We still like our takeaway now and then but not as much as we used to. I think it would be great for everyone to share our stories, food or recipes that make us feel better. PS Please try to watch the weight as it can spoil the fun.

Alikiwi Alone at 70
  • replies: 4

As you can guess I'm 70, but oddly find myself totally alone with no one to talk to. I've lived most of my adult life in NSW, but I have no family in this state by a bizarre twist of fate. Closest I have is a nephew in Melbourne and a daughter in Tas... View more

As you can guess I'm 70, but oddly find myself totally alone with no one to talk to. I've lived most of my adult life in NSW, but I have no family in this state by a bizarre twist of fate. Closest I have is a nephew in Melbourne and a daughter in Tassie who I very rarely hear from. I've also had 5 failed marriages, last one of 10 years ending last year after I packed her off back to the USA. Short version is she stayed in bed 23 hours every day doing nothing, got addicted to painkillers and even after doctors warned her off it and then proved there was nothing physically wrong with her, the GP still wouldn't force her off it. By that stage she had become abusive. I had 1 friend of 8 years in this small town but she passed away last month totally unexpectedly. The only other close friends are in another town, and any contact has to be done by me. So, life is frustrating, and I only see people when I go shopping each week. Have a couple of good neighbours but rarely see them as they work and don't seem to be around much on the weekends either. So, there's my lot, and I'm wondering, why bother? Not sure this is the right place to post, so feel free to move it.

Sooty09 Where to go for help?
  • replies: 3

HiI am in my 50’s and struggling with health issues and my mental health has raised its ugly head again. I need more support to get through a challenging time, I asked 4 weeks ago for a mental health admission. Refused acute care, and only offered a ... View more

HiI am in my 50’s and struggling with health issues and my mental health has raised its ugly head again. I need more support to get through a challenging time, I asked 4 weeks ago for a mental health admission. Refused acute care, and only offered a day programme. I did this a couple of years ago and felt like I was an outsider and didn’t belong there. The organisers didn’t ask how I was doing, and the clients ignored me. I asked again this week as I feel like I am at rock bottom, only offered the day programme again. I contacted Lifeline this week and I got very confused with the conservation. I don’t understand why I am being ignored. Sooty

AndrewP Overcoming Social Anxiety and Developing Self-Love
  • replies: 13

In this western world we live in there comes a lot of social pressures. What you should wear, how you should act, what job you should have, what you should study, where you should be life, and even views that you should have. All of these SHOULDS hav... View more

In this western world we live in there comes a lot of social pressures. What you should wear, how you should act, what job you should have, what you should study, where you should be life, and even views that you should have. All of these SHOULDS have a massive impact on us, so much so that they can take us away from who we really are in essence and create a whole lot of anxiety along the way. Have the courage to take yourself away from the SHOULDS and do what you WANT to do, be who you WANT to be, in fact more to the point be WHO YOU ARE. We have fears which drive our beliefs and affect our behaviours. There are 3 UNIVERSAL FEARS. FEAR OF NOT BEING GOOD ENOUGH/BEING FOUND OUT FEAR OF NOT BELONGING FEAR OF NOT BEING LOVED The fear that comes with being WHO YOU ARE goes something like; "If I were to simply be myself, would I beloved, would I belong, would I be accepted? I can tell you that the answer is YES! When we meet someone who is living authentically and being true to themselves we find that we are drawn to these people because they give off such an energy of certainty if self and confidence. They don't turn it up for anyone or turn it down for anyone, they simply be who they are and are loved for that. One of the main reasons why we are drawn to such people is because it takes courage to put yourself out there and be who you are. I can tell you that once you experience embracing the vulnerability of being who you are you will have significant changes in your life. Some steps to take in moving forward. Ask yourself some great questions like: Who is it that I THINK I NEED to be in this world to be loved, belong and accepted? When I get anxious what is it that I'm actually worried about? (Get specific) Who do I want to be in this world? Who am I? What qualities do I love about others? (you will find you posses some of these qualities yourself) When asking these questions it is important to be 100% honest with yourself, even if you don't like the answer. Don't answer how you'd like it to sound, how you think it should sound, or how you want it to be.. answer it HOW IT IS! Develop Self-Love - look at all the positive qualities about yourself and really love them. Show yourself some compassion and give yourself a break. We are all perfectly imperfect in this world. Develop Self-Trust - Trust who you are and know that you will live true to yourself I have so much more so share guys so please ask questions

white knight The Shangri-La of living with mental health
  • replies: 0

Through my own lived experiences and those of members here and community champions, I've landed in a place that is "manageable in terms of my mental health. On most days that is, we learn that our inground issues never go away but overall I'm in a go... View more

Through my own lived experiences and those of members here and community champions, I've landed in a place that is "manageable in terms of my mental health. On most days that is, we learn that our inground issues never go away but overall I'm in a good space. So what are the key components of that happiness especially the mandatory ones that should be implemented? People management. If we lived in a wold where you were the only living human then your issues would reduce quickly. This is because the world is made up of humans that can be destructive, cruel, over reactive, manipulative, criminal, narcissistic and many other abrasive things that should lead you to create and enforce boundaries. Implementing them can crate more issues with these people but it is a last resort and a self protection mechanism that becomes essential. Without these rules you are lacking self care.Embracing people. When you identify a kind soul that is considerate, empathetic, lacking obligation and non pressured in personality then you can assist your growth by keeping them in your life and that forms a feeling of securityOngoing treatment. It's ok to get to a place like I'm at now and allow treatment to slip away (I'm also 69yo). If your life is under your control including feelings, reactions and you are stable then you're ok. A good gauge is twofold- that people around you are happy and content with your behaviour and your life no longer has a flip flop of regular bad day that leads to adverse actions like self harm and suicidal thoughts. That is when you return to the treatment to set you straight.Fill your life up. Many sufferers have a lot of time on their hands so distractions like a passion and hobbies can be a preventative measure. Passions are rarely crated, they come naturally but hobbies can be picked up. Sport is another interest that can helpSleep. Sounds sleep is underestimated to your mental health. If you snore or a partner told you that you stop breathing for periods of time while asleep then a sleep study is essential - see your GP. I've had 3 and on the 3rd study I was advised to wear a CPAP breathing apparatus at night. It has transformed my alertness during the day and has been pivotal to lowering moodEnvironment. Advantages of a country town are a slower pace lifestyle, less condensity of traffic, shops and people, less crime, friendlier people. Just make sure a town has over 3000 people and less than 8000.Thoughts?TonyWK

Janey_beyond Feeling drained from work
  • replies: 1

Hi everyone.I want to reach out on here and see if anyone is feeling the same way in regards to working full time and sometimes feeling almost ‘burnt out’ on the weekends. I finished school last year and started working full time. The first job I got... View more

Hi everyone.I want to reach out on here and see if anyone is feeling the same way in regards to working full time and sometimes feeling almost ‘burnt out’ on the weekends. I finished school last year and started working full time. The first job I got I was super excited and wanted to use it as an opportunity to gain experience. However, after a few months I really started to hate it and was crying at work, hiding in the bathroom, etc. I started a new job again recently, thinking it would be better, and although in most aspects it is, I think it’s just ‘working’ in general. Neither of these jobs have been necessarily emotionally or physically demanding, but I find on the weekend I am exhausted and depressed.Does anyone else feel like this and if so, how do you cope? It makes me worried about my future career pathway because I’ve realised I hate working a 9-5 ‘corporate’ job and it makes me second guess going to Uni just to enter into a corporate industry. I have also realised when I start to dislike something or when the excitment ends from starting something new, I feel bored and want to jump to the next big thing (this has happened in other areas of my life besides jobs).How do I stay resilient and allow myself to take on feedback from others instead of running the second I feel a problem coming?Any advice or thoughts are appreciated!

Love Seeking answers
  • replies: 2

Anyone felt like you stuck in life? Doubt yourself? Felt you are useless and worthless? Don’t know what to do? Where to go? Failing in relationships failing in career failing in self improvement? I’m scared of being lost?

Anyone felt like you stuck in life? Doubt yourself? Felt you are useless and worthless? Don’t know what to do? Where to go? Failing in relationships failing in career failing in self improvement? I’m scared of being lost?

Guest_88286063 Self hatred and Anger snaps
  • replies: 4

Hi, I am having trouble with anger. The anger is explosive, destructive and aimed at myself.my anger is mostly directed at inanimate objects. I’ve destroyed phones, laptops, glasses and plates. My anger is always when I’m by myself. I also hurt mysel... View more

Hi, I am having trouble with anger. The anger is explosive, destructive and aimed at myself.my anger is mostly directed at inanimate objects. I’ve destroyed phones, laptops, glasses and plates. My anger is always when I’m by myself. I also hurt myself by banging my head. I think it’s because I believe I’m useless. I have reached out and spoken to someone at BB today. This is the first time of reached out for help with anger.

Thelongestroad How to reconnect with people and regain social interaction/make new friends/connections
  • replies: 35

Hi im a 37 year old single man struggling to regain a social life again due to a combination of things such as depression, unemployment, addiction, jail. And life constantly being disrupted and set back time and time again. im constantly isolated fro... View more

Hi im a 37 year old single man struggling to regain a social life again due to a combination of things such as depression, unemployment, addiction, jail. And life constantly being disrupted and set back time and time again. im constantly isolated from people as i live alone. I just feel stuck in life. I wish I could find a way to meet someone and build a new life but I don’t know how.. I’ve drifted apart from all my friends and family but want to move forward and want to life a fulfilling life but struggling with not only being unemployed but poor and depressed and lonely. I’m just tired of living that way I want to live a more fulfilling life but struggling with direction not knowing where to start.

Anon0 Functional Addict
  • replies: 1

Been on drugs for 6 months now, everyday, keeping up the appearance that everything is all good ie eating, sleeping (max 6 hours a night)working, and working out, I’m only 25, I hate myself. I can’t face my friends so I make new ‘drug’ friends and wo... View more

Been on drugs for 6 months now, everyday, keeping up the appearance that everything is all good ie eating, sleeping (max 6 hours a night)working, and working out, I’m only 25, I hate myself. I can’t face my friends so I make new ‘drug’ friends and work is as you can imagine not great. I’ve been in this position before but just hadn’t been smoking for as long, any tips/advice to staying off the shit? I’m calling in sick rather frequently now just because I can’t be bothered and am too cooked, which is not what I want to be remembered as to people. I love drugs, all of them, my life has and does revolve around them, socialising without them seems weird and just boring. I need to tell my parents and friends what I’ve been doing and that I need help but there’s such a stigma with some drugs and as a male it is hard to talk about our deeper darker secrets. Any advice would be appreciated, this site seems good, hopefully someone sees this before Monday oh also my paranoia is through the bloody roof, I use drugs to combat it and trying to use drugs to get me out of this hole but it’s just easier to reload..