Welcome and Orientation

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Meet your community champions!

replies: 10

Hi everyone, We wanted to share with you the way that our wonderful Community Champions are here to support you. You may have noticed that a few of our Forums members are labelled ‘Community Champion’. Community Champions are volunteers within the Beyond Blue Forums who: have the time, skills and empathy to support other members regularly; help to welcome new members; are actively engaged members that help set the tone of our community. Our Community Champions are regular contributors to many conversations across the forums. They are a consistent and friendly voice that have committed to sharing their experience and expertise with this community. They are not health care professionals or clinicians. Like you, they have an experience with a mental health challenge or diagnosis – either for themselves or someone they care for. This forum is for people who understand what it feels like and have a lived and living experience of mental health challenges. Our Community Champions help everyone feel comfortable and confident by demonstrating what excellent peer support is all about. Click here to find out more about how you can become a Community Champion! This incredible team are excited to introduce themselves below, and we are sure you’ll see them around the forums in conversations important to you.

HELP..Am I posting in the right section?

replies: 10

Welcome to those who are considering posting for the very first time, welcome. Thought I would repost part of the words that Chris B posted awhile ago, (2014) as I can hear that people are unsure if they are posting in the right section or worried that they are posting "the wrong thing". 1.A good title makes the difference Just like a headline in a newspaper, when scanning the dozens of threads to click into, it’s only natural that people will choose the ones that resonate with them most. A title that entices the reader, or asks a question, is likely to get a better result than something non-descriptive like “Depression” or “I don't know what to do”. If you think you’re not good at choosing titles, leave it till last. Spend time writing your post, then perhaps choose a sentence from what you’ve written as the title. 2.Join in threads that have already been posted We all have our own unique stories, but part of the reason for joining a forum like this one is because you know that you will have a lot in common with others who are posting. Before starting a new thread, have a look through the current topics being discussed and see if there’s a conversation you can join in with. It can be quite common to have a handful of very similar threads happening at any one time, with members seemingly unaware that there are others right there who are going through the same thing. Talking to other members on their threads is a great way of getting yourself known so that when you post a thread of your own, people may respond quicker because they recognize your name. 3.Choose the most appropriate section for your post Many people browse the forums looking for stories specifically to do with pregnancy and parenting, employment, grief, loss, separation etc. Going straight for the “Depression” section may seem like the easiest option, but this section is often the busiest, so your post is more likely to get lost among the threads. Making good use of the different forum sections not only helps keep the forum relevant, but you’re more likely to find others who are going through the same experiences as you. Also, if you're wanting to discuss issues of trauma, abuse, suicidal thoughts or self-harm, it's really important you post in the designated section to avoid triggering others who may not wish to read about these topics. Mostly..just come and chat, we are here for you. Our amazing wizards in the background will see your message ends up in the right spot. Sarah

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NFH

replies: 2

Hi I’m Jude. For the past 18 months we have experienced threats, violence, intimidation, harassment, nakedness, lewdness, foul language and trespassing onto our property and throwing rubbish and garlic on our garden from our neighbours. We have reported them to the Police several times. Police do not do anything.Reports have been made. The Body Corporate and the letting agent in the complex do absolutely nothing. As the letting agent said They can do anything they like in their place, including trespass. As long as their paying rent and keep the place clean they don’t care! As a homeowner I do not have any rights it seems. Numerous emails and documentation of each incident has been sent to the BC. I’m at wits end as what to do. it seems so unfair and unjust. If someone has advise out there I’d very much appreciate it.

New here, looking for help

replies: 2

Hi, I am worried about my 28 year old son who is going through a depressed state, although he is getting help, he is still just above rock bottom, I don't know what to do, he won't talk to me, answer my calls or text. I'm feeling helpless and alone. ... View more

Feeling isolated, and I think talking on here is well overdue

replies: 6

Hi all! My name is Nic. I'm 28 and living in Melbourne. I've suffered with anxiety for years and like many of us, the past few months have been really, really tough. I was at a really low ebb late last year working at a company I highly disliked (We'd been bought out and the 'new' company was just very much not my style) and just with a few other general things going on. However I managed to get out and start a new job in February. Things were looking up and a lot of exciting things were on the horizon, but of course we all know what happened in March. Since the lockdown hit, I've felt incredibly isolated. My family and girlfriend are in Perth which honestly feels a million miles away. Fortunately I have still been working partly in the office and partly from home, so I do get to see my work colleagues but they are almost the only people I see in-person. I haven't seen my girlfriend or family since March, and have barely had a chance to go out in those few weeks that restrictions were eased. This second time around is a lot more depressing and difficult to deal with. I'm tired, I'm drinking too much (although I've managed to restrict it mostly to weekends) and at least one or two nights a week are spent ceiling staring. I really didn't think this would be where I was mentally after starting the new job 6 months ago. Anyway writing this has been quite tricky (feels like a jumble of words), but a part of me is just excited to make this little step and just talk to this community. Thanks

Is it normal to feel anxious when starting a new job

replies: 4

Hi, Very recently I have started a new job doing what I love working with children. I haven't worked in almost a year and a half. I love this new centre, the boss is amazing! But, now my anxiety, depression and Aspergers are making me feel like I can... View more

First time post - returning to work after stress leave due to a not so nice colleague

replies: 1

Hi everyone. First time user. I have recently had several life changing events and had a little breakdown and realised that I have anxiety and probably a bit of depression as well. After several months on a temporary contract at a secondary school, I applied for and was successful in getting a permanent position at a different school. It started off ok, but then a colleague started to become very critical of everything I was doing (so it felt like anyway) and she was just plain nasty, ALOT of the time. She was confusing me with her instructions and it left me scared to ask her anything, even to go to the toilet or fill up my water bottle. Then during the last school holidays my father was hospitalised over in NZ and passed away two days later. Due to COVID isolation restrictions and on both sides of the border I was unable to go back. It was heartbreaking and I had to watch Dad's funeral via livestream. Once I returned to work things did not get any better with this colleague. I was too scared to make a fuss or fight back. Until a couple weeks ago it came to a head and I broke down and did try and let her know how i felt but she left me in tears. I had an awful stressful weekend worrying about it and when I came back on the Monday she was no different. I ended up walking out and havent been back. I have had several days medical leave. The employers know why, and have spoken to her and she 'had no idea that this was how she was perceived". They have made some changes, but I am so scared to return. I am supposed to go back in two days but catch up tomorrow to make sure all is ok to return etc. Part of me just wants to quit and not go back, but we need the money. The other half doesn't want to give up. This has been my thoughts back and forth the past week. I get a tight chest and just want to cry. Any tips on how to get back to work and stay calm would be much appreciated. I need to find a way to walk in with my head held high when I just want to run. I also worry about how everyone else thinks of me at the workplace and seeing this colleague again for the first time.

Unsure if I still have any fight left in me.

replies: 16

Hello, Can I start by saying, I understand that there is people out there with way bigger ploblems both psyhically and mentally than myself. I've struggled with alcoholism my whole adult life, and as much as it affectd my life, I never did anything about it. This year it's all come crashing down as I knew it would. I've lost my wife and my beautiful kids because they had, had enough and last weekend I finally got caught Drink Driving. A few other things have gone south for me as well in the last few years which I tend to ignore or drink away. I understand I have been caught in a depessive cycle which I have hid from everyone for as long as I can remember. I wanted to give up this morning but thought I would reached out to a friend. They were too busy and to be honest, I don't blame them, It's an uncomfortable situation for most people and I haven't been a great friend. So here I am, fighting my mental demons, trying to find reason for anything good - then I found this forum and I've being doing a lot of reading. I've decided that my kids are worth more to me than alcohol. I truely hope I have the strength because one thing I know about acoholics we promise the world and deliver missery. The alternate is a extreme dark and closed off place and it's time I left that environment or I'm dead anyway. Sorry for the rant, I didn't know where to go and it's help me by writing this down. Brett

Way too much

replies: 3

Hello everyone I’m a toddler twin mum in stage 4 locked down. I feel more isolated than ever now. I don’t have many friends at all and the few I have, are in no mood of keeping contact these days. I Have a sister in Melbourne who had completely cut me out of her life for no reason. Well,She claims that I don’t fit into her life. She excluded me and totally abandoned me for the same reason. She is extremely competitive and I had achieved things a bit quicker than her and each time she cried for days because of that. She is older than me and to everyone’s surprise she is a psychologist. I just can’t get over the feeling of being abandoned. I’m not sure why it is taking me such a long time to accept that and move on. Specially these days when I get so so tired of the feeling isolated and lonely, i wish I had her beside me. Maybe I should also mention that I have no other relatives in the country. Thank you for reading

Small Business Owner

replies: 10

I own a business and my anxiety levels are up and down and up and down and although I can immerse myself in work during the day I don't sleep at night and worry all the time. Financially we are struggling and I am scared we will lose everything. If it wasn't for my kids and grandkids I may not be here it has felt so bad. I know all the ways to cope and sometimes I'm ok but it's a real effort. On the outside I seem ok. I wish someone would come to me to help with finances. I need to be rescued, I can't do it myself. I just want an angel to pop up with an answer.

Hey!

replies: 2

I need someone to talk to...

Staying "connected"

replies: 2

I'm in stage 4 lockdown in Melbourne. People as well as in the news stories they keep saying "stay connected" to friends and family because it helps with mental health. I find it ok for the most part because I have friends and family who phone. Although, there is this one group of friends I have who only message on facebook. I'm getting tired of chatting online through this facebook app and I wish there would be more advertising on how a phone call is better than messages. Also, how a old fashioned phonemail should be considered sometime instead of Zoom because some people don't have the technology. Younger people don't seem to understand that making a phone call is not a bad thing and it's just as easy as a message. Please call each other.

Meet your community champions! replies: 10

HELP..Am I posting in the right section? replies: 10

NFH replies: 2

New here, looking for help replies: 2

Feeling isolated, and I think talking on here is well overdue replies: 6

Is it normal to feel anxious when starting a new job replies: 4

First time post - returning to work after stress leave due to a not so nice colleague replies: 1

Unsure if I still have any fight left in me. replies: 16

Way too much replies: 3

Small Business Owner replies: 10

Hey! replies: 2

Staying "connected" replies: 2