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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Isolated for 25 years...

replies: 5

Greetings earthlings, ... and it's only now I begin to feel lonely enough to care. Sometimes, mostly, I don't care..I potentially only have another 30 years of the same to go if family life expectancy is any guide although I may have some points off for previous 'good' behaviour..or accident. My life may come to be explained - time permitting, it's long and complicated but the basics now are chronic pain, fights with pain killers, severe loneliness, depression, fights with psychiatrists waving pill bottles and a front door that remains a huge barrier - not to friends, there are none...since about then. Family, ..it's complicated, how unusual, but I shall try to protect the 'innocent'. My poisons have included pain killers (up to the max).. they almost worked, (I can't remember I was such a zombie.. likewise), and all the lesser strength but equally 'likewise', and very tempting to the beginner unless the doctor starts with a too highly 'pacifying' dose... been there, hhmmn? I have been told that doctors didn't know enough about pain back than to do anything other than hand out the sweets. Patients back then still did as they were told and took said sweets... you know how you can never eat just one chocolate, and too much ...? Who am I? Easy ones first, pass awaiting further .. What am I? Old, white male, but don't really think so. Why am I? here? For now take what you can get as I may have to/want go. telling more people my story? even I'm sick of it. Where is the hope and what does it look like? With another 30 years of the same it just looks so bleak. I xxx xxx xxx once, but I can't now... I used to have xxx, I could xxx x xxx xx...but I can't anymore. Apparently I used to be xxx... I can't anymore... I xxxx ...but guess what? Correct! This could get boring. I don't like the mind games spruiked as the latest cure for lost causes. I didn't think when signing on to the NDIS that I would end up fighting for the services I had been approved for and the people supposed to provide those services - the incompetence and dishonesty has been depressing. A vital person/agency is missing when one is needed most, but then not one has so far provided any of the supports I need. My space is [ ] and not open to fools But I know how to self-isolate

Hi I am new and feeling tearful all the time for no reason

replies: 2

Hi people, I am pregnant and possibly experiencing some hormonal flutuations. I am feeling so exhausted, and not interested in anything that I used to like. Lost my appetite even when I am feeling starving. Little things make me cry. I don't feel like talking to my partner, not even want to be around. I really want to escape to somewhere I can be left alone, but I cannot go anywhere at the moment. I lost interest in any social activity. I want to express my feelings, but at the same time, I don't want to share my feelings with my friends or family. Feeling so tired.

Evil ocd..

replies: 1

Hey group.. Names tim and I have number of types ocd. I wish I was clean freak. Cheers

New need some HELP!

replies: 5

Hi, My name is Shannon Is anyone else at a point of WTF is going on in my head? I have arrived at a time in my life where I just cant push the SHIT down no more. I'm at a point where i don't know what the hell to do?

Hi, new here!

replies: 2

Hi, nice to meet you all. I'm a teenager in my second last year of highschool. I'm a bit new to this but I hope I get to know more about mental health and people as well. Thanks for reading!

New here

replies: 3

Hi, just thought I'd introduce myself. Father of 2, currently out of work due to the shutdown, was going well for a while but found the last few days tough

New Story-teller

replies: 10

Hi everyone Just joined. I am new to the forums, but I have known about the forums for some time. I live with Bipolar Disorder Type I. I was diagnosed with it last year. I am managing it moderately well, in terms of treatment - I'm on medications; and I love meditation, reading self-help guides, and the idea of recovery and maintaining recovery. I am not working and studying at the moment, and I hope to do both in the near-future. My previous diagnoses in the past include clinical depression, ADHD (Inattentive-type) and schizophrenia. I feel my newest and recent diagnosis resonates with me the most, and who I am as a person. I have been through some pretty traumatic things in my life, as most people do, and I am trying to come to terms with it. Mine was so severe that I had to be hospitalised in the adult mental health ward numerous times. I have had bad relationships in the past, and my career never really felt it was going anywhere, no matter how much I tried. My coping mechanisms include a bunch of things, especially the use of my (favourite) visual art such as painting, self-talk, practicing gratefulness everyday and this may be a funny one, but social media as well. I share my story 'vulnerably' online in other social media platforms, and although I get a lot of response that I am brave for do such a thing for the greater good, I feel it's not a matter of inner strength at all.

Hi, from a new Blue Voice member

replies: 11

G'day, Just having a quick go with posting a thread & learning my way around the site. Looking forward to contributing.

lonely in isolation :(

replies: 4

Hey everyone! hope you're well during these times. I know I could certainly be a little better as I've just been feeling so lonely during isolation and I've been struggling to keep myself happy and entertained. I've tried a good old walk in the park as well as reaching out to my friends online but it's not really doing it for me unfortunately. I've recently tried doing other things like gaming and writing but I find that I'm more of a social being and I like interacting more than anything. It's hard as not many of my friends are interested as much as me. Any ideas on what I could do?? Hope I'm not the only one experiencing it like this but would love to know your thoughts! Wishing a happy Easter to you all as well x

Unhappy with who I am, feeling quite lonely

replies: 4

Hi everyone, My name is Dani. I am a single mum and it's just me and my son at home. My family live 3 hours away and especially during this self isolation stage I feel very lonely. I just miss a simple thing such as a hug. My days are so busy all the time, i work full time and raise my son on my own so it's exhausting. I have relied on alcohol to self medicate and am ashamed of it. I feel a bit lonely and lost at the moment. Thank you for reading this. Dani x

Meet your community champions! replies: 10

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

Isolated for 25 years... replies: 5

Hi I am new and feeling tearful all the time for no reason replies: 2

Evil ocd.. replies: 1

New need some HELP! replies: 5

Hi, new here! replies: 2

New here replies: 3

New Story-teller replies: 10

Hi, from a new Blue Voice member replies: 11

lonely in isolation :( replies: 4

Unhappy with who I am, feeling quite lonely replies: 4