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Pinned discussions

Sophie_M 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 Be... View more

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.

Aaronsis 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 th... View more

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

All discussions

Sarah J Help needed
  • replies: 1

Lost my husband 12 years ago. My children were 1, 2, 5, 8, 9 and 16. Am burnt out yet have taken on another teenager with no place to go yet desperately needing more help than I can give on my own. My depression and anxiety have not been this bad sin... View more

Lost my husband 12 years ago. My children were 1, 2, 5, 8, 9 and 16. Am burnt out yet have taken on another teenager with no place to go yet desperately needing more help than I can give on my own. My depression and anxiety have not been this bad since I lost my husband. All support I am given is focused on kids and I get they need that but am in need of something for me. Help

Wagtail84 Hello intro
  • replies: 12

Hi there you can call me Wag, I’m here because today was a particularly bad day, out of what has felt like a bit of a never ending sea of not great days… I’ve browsed and lurked the forums for a bit on and off before and this does seem like a safe sp... View more

Hi there you can call me Wag, I’m here because today was a particularly bad day, out of what has felt like a bit of a never ending sea of not great days… I’ve browsed and lurked the forums for a bit on and off before and this does seem like a safe space and a place with real peoplegoing through the very real things I feel myself- and seem to be alone in experiencing. I will find time to put my own issues up for advice and support at some point but for now just saying hi and also that if I can add to the placealso I will try thank you

Roscoe_ Depressed
  • replies: 4

Hi I'm looking for help as I am often feeling very depressed weekends seem to be the worst , I have feelings of worthlessness and am becoming increasingly more confused I have trouble making friends, weekends are usually spent alone trying to tell my... View more

Hi I'm looking for help as I am often feeling very depressed weekends seem to be the worst , I have feelings of worthlessness and am becoming increasingly more confused I have trouble making friends, weekends are usually spent alone trying to tell myself that things are ok , I go to cafe by myself or the shopping centre for something to do . At work I'm ok most of the time it's after work and weekends I feel that I'm hiding how I am feeling to my few friends and don't know how to ask for help, when it gets really bad and I break down I end up in tears and feel totally useless I have battled these feelings over many years and the past keeps bringing me down and I'm having real trouble moving forward, any help and advice would be greatly appreciated.

Alone77 Listener not a talker
  • replies: 1

I've always been a good listener but now at 45 I'm starting to think it's not a good thing. Everyone I interact with seems to want to tell me their life story but at what point will someone ask me about mine? I just feel like I'm meant to listen to e... View more

I've always been a good listener but now at 45 I'm starting to think it's not a good thing. Everyone I interact with seems to want to tell me their life story but at what point will someone ask me about mine? I just feel like I'm meant to listen to everyone else's problems but I don't know how to move the conversation to share issues I have but then I feel guilty that I should be there for my friends so I should be there to listen.

Unknown167 Feeling awful - dieting
  • replies: 7

Hi everyone. I’m new here. I have had an awful day. I was doing this diet for 4 weeks - lost a lot of weight and was feeling great. I recently lapsed on my diet and am feeling miserable and guilty… my family is putting a lot of pressure on me to lose... View more

Hi everyone. I’m new here. I have had an awful day. I was doing this diet for 4 weeks - lost a lot of weight and was feeling great. I recently lapsed on my diet and am feeling miserable and guilty… my family is putting a lot of pressure on me to lose weight - putting me down and calling me names. I don’t know what to do. I am overweight and need to lose weight - I was making such progress but really messed things up. It is making my head spin just writing about this… Thanks, Unknown

Jobel Jobel
  • replies: 5

Hi Everyone,I’m new here. I’m not feeling so good so I’ve been awake since 4 am and I thought I’d look around and see what help was available for myself as I haven’t really been given any information by doctors or hospital.This page came up.J

Hi Everyone,I’m new here. I’m not feeling so good so I’ve been awake since 4 am and I thought I’d look around and see what help was available for myself as I haven’t really been given any information by doctors or hospital.This page came up.J

LeMac74 49 Soon And Sick Of The Black Dog
  • replies: 1

I’m a man, 48, turning 49 soon, I’ve got good things in my life such as a lovely 11 year old child, a non-stressful job that pays the bills and I have a secure roof over my head. Looking back on life, it’s been good overall, I’ve had the usual setbac... View more

I’m a man, 48, turning 49 soon, I’ve got good things in my life such as a lovely 11 year old child, a non-stressful job that pays the bills and I have a secure roof over my head. Looking back on life, it’s been good overall, I’ve had the usual setbacks (relationship breakdowns, changing careers etc). I’ve seen psychologist and taken medication over the years (and gone to Grow). I’ve also drank alcohol (yes, more than the standard daily amount) as it’s ‘helped’. Anyways, I’ve struggled through the last few years and my psychological well-being has waxed and wained. My father who I was close with passed away (relatively peacefully and quickly) in November 22, my mumis in good health at the moment but is getting older, she is the carer of my brother - she is making plans to put him in supported accommodation. Aunts and Uncles are getting ill, dying. I’ve always been aware of my mortality (early childhood existentialist crisis) and I’m in good physical health (and I’m not horrid to look at, I look 10 years younger than my age) but I feel like I’ve started to ‘circle the gurgler’ and it’s scaring me. I have things in my life I enjoy - time with my son, banter with workmates, talking cr@p with pub mates, but true friendship wise I don’t have any close friends anymore. Relationship wise - I go out and about and meet women but it’s getting to the point that it’s all quid pro quo with no real spark in 8 years. I’ve got plans to dive into activity groups and support groups to seek to make friends Typing this out has made me feel better but if anyone has any advice I’m all ears. Thank you.

Rose2021 My female housemate is being very manipulative
  • replies: 5

Hi, everyone I am looking for some advice on what I should do to stop my female housemate from posting rude things about my mum on social media. She is also being very manipulative to my mum. I no longer want to be in the same room as her let alone t... View more

Hi, everyone I am looking for some advice on what I should do to stop my female housemate from posting rude things about my mum on social media. She is also being very manipulative to my mum. I no longer want to be in the same room as her let alone the same house as her. She also said to my mum that having 2 weeks notice to leave the house is illegal when it isn’t illegal. I have no clue what to do.

Patches63 Struggling again
  • replies: 29

New to the forums and Beyond Blue but not to mental health issues. About 15 years ago I learnt that I have struggled on and off with mental health issues since I was 9yo, I was mid 40’s at that stage. I had been my mums carer for approx 6months. Coup... View more

New to the forums and Beyond Blue but not to mental health issues. About 15 years ago I learnt that I have struggled on and off with mental health issues since I was 9yo, I was mid 40’s at that stage. I had been my mums carer for approx 6months. Couple days prior to Christmas my mum had heart attack in my arms and was rushed to local hospital. She passed away before I got to say Goodbye. Not long after I had suicidal thoughts, was referred to psychologist who diagnosed depression and separation anxiety. About 11 years ago met the man who I married few years later. Just over 3 years ago he passed away following 6mth battle with cancer. Since then been various ‘unpleasant’ or distressing things that happened that have been gradually wearing me down mentally. I’m now having unwanted daytime flashbacks, panic attacks and wanting to withdraw from everyone.

Leolady23 Health anxiety and skipped heart beats
  • replies: 11

Over the past 6 months I’ve been having bouts of heart palpitations presenting as skipped beats. In the last week or so the palpitations have gotten much worse, but I feel like the more I concentrate on them the worst they get, sometimes with 5-6 ski... View more

Over the past 6 months I’ve been having bouts of heart palpitations presenting as skipped beats. In the last week or so the palpitations have gotten much worse, but I feel like the more I concentrate on them the worst they get, sometimes with 5-6 skipped beats a minute. I have had ecgs, holter monitor and echo test in the last 6 months all showing no major issues. In the last week though it tends to come in waves with intense anxiety as well, sometimes what feels like a panic attack without really feeling ‘anxious’ at the time it comes on… has anyone else experienced the same and what (if any) are some techniques to overcome?