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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

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shaz12875 Hi new member
  • replies: 1

Hi Iv'e just joined the group. I hope I can get some support through this forum. I have Bipolar and suffer from anxiety attacks which are pretty prevalent at the moment.

Hi Iv'e just joined the group. I hope I can get some support through this forum. I have Bipolar and suffer from anxiety attacks which are pretty prevalent at the moment.

Limerc First post
  • replies: 2

Good morning all, my first post here. I had been dealing with depression for around a year, until about a month ago everything just got too much. I had to resign from my job as a result. For the past month I have been getting myself better with the h... View more

Good morning all, my first post here. I had been dealing with depression for around a year, until about a month ago everything just got too much. I had to resign from my job as a result. For the past month I have been getting myself better with the help and support from my family. I'm looking at slowly getting back into the workforce working part time hours. My question is, when the time comes for interviews should my depression be discussed?, should I let the interviewer know the reason for me resigning from my last job?. My partner thinks I should be up front and honest then on the other hand discussing it could jeopardize my chance of an offer of employment. Would love to hear anyone's thoughts. Not too sure if this is the correct thread for this? Many thanks!

Mumof5girls New here and nervous
  • replies: 4

I have only just found this page and wanted to say hi but i am really scared to admit to anyone how i am really feeling, i am scared they are going to want to take me away from my family and lock me up somewhere. I don't even want to talk to my GP ab... View more

I have only just found this page and wanted to say hi but i am really scared to admit to anyone how i am really feeling, i am scared they are going to want to take me away from my family and lock me up somewhere. I don't even want to talk to my GP about it. I just feel really alone.

Lostlife Help me please
  • replies: 1

Well I'm here after not having a shower for 2 days and this will be the 3rd day of forcing myself to eat. I've suffered chronic depression and anxiety since my early teens and am now 50. Menopause is not agreeing with me combined with my partner and ... View more

Well I'm here after not having a shower for 2 days and this will be the 3rd day of forcing myself to eat. I've suffered chronic depression and anxiety since my early teens and am now 50. Menopause is not agreeing with me combined with my partner and I being busted for growing cannabis to help his PTSD because nothing else works and to get medical cannabis is very expensive. I've taken steps now to find him a bit cheaper medical consultation and appointment so it will never have to happen again. The police where great and told me I'm only looking at a fine with no jail time but it feels like I've failed. I'm scared all the time about even leaving the house in case I do anything wrong. It's effecting my job because I've called in sick twice now and I work as a carer. I'm on medication for my anxiety/depression but even breathing seems like an effort to me most days now.

ElizaG13 Nice to meet you, looking for friends with bipolar/depression like me
  • replies: 1

Hi I'm Eliza and working on a very tight budget of $11 an hour. This contributes to my depression episodes I have with Bipolar Disorder. I also have Autism Spectrum Disorder, which makes it hard to read social interactions, and I often struggle to re... View more

Hi I'm Eliza and working on a very tight budget of $11 an hour. This contributes to my depression episodes I have with Bipolar Disorder. I also have Autism Spectrum Disorder, which makes it hard to read social interactions, and I often struggle to read my partner's emotions resulting in arguments and her getting upset. I'm looking for friends to talk to that have similar struggles as I feel very alone.

Somewhere_in_Time this is me
  • replies: 2

Hi all, New here and not sure about posting my feelings but here goes... i have always had anxiety in small but consistent bouts, a few years ago some issues upped the ante and this year has pushed it over the edge. My adult son took his own life ear... View more

Hi all, New here and not sure about posting my feelings but here goes... i have always had anxiety in small but consistent bouts, a few years ago some issues upped the ante and this year has pushed it over the edge. My adult son took his own life earlier this year and since then i have been struggling with almost constant anxiety, i worry about the little things making them into a bigger issue. I turn everything into a 'what if'. So i thought i would do something i have never done and share my feelings. I know i'm not the only one so i was kinda hoping i could tap into how other handle/have dealt with this kinda thing. Thanks for listening

StellaMarie3 Confused about life
  • replies: 2

Hi I'm 24 and very confused about life, I have 3 beautiful children that I adore so much and wouldn't have it any other way, but is that all I am, is a mother, I've complete lost who I am as an individual, like I don't know who I am without having my... View more

Hi I'm 24 and very confused about life, I have 3 beautiful children that I adore so much and wouldn't have it any other way, but is that all I am, is a mother, I've complete lost who I am as an individual, like I don't know who I am without having my kids around me 24/7. I've had 1 night out and that was last year, I had my first child at 19 so I've been a stay at home mum since then without having time for myself. The father is around but doesn't like to help, even though he has no job and stays at home but he plays the game and locks himself in the room, so the kids cant get in, its like he doesnt want his kids around him, or he goes for a drive all the time and goes places and sees people, We argue all the time, we don't get on, he expect me to do everything with our kids while he does what he wants to do, is that a normal guy thing?? He is very mental abusive to me as well, always telling me that he will kill me or take our kids away from me. Is it okay to be in a bad relationship for the sake of the kids??? Sorry if I'm complaining about little silly things.

Dosu01 Feeling lost
  • replies: 1

Hi, What are some great tips on trying to make yourself act more like an adult when you're 18 and feel like you are still a child?

Hi, What are some great tips on trying to make yourself act more like an adult when you're 18 and feel like you are still a child?

Blufftuff introduction to my life
  • replies: 13

Hi everyone I am new to this forum, I would like to share a bit about my life, I suffer epilepsy which is now medically controlled. I the past the seizures led to other major traumas in my life which I can share at a later date. This also led to peri... View more

Hi everyone I am new to this forum, I would like to share a bit about my life, I suffer epilepsy which is now medically controlled. I the past the seizures led to other major traumas in my life which I can share at a later date. This also led to periods of isolation, stress, and depression which I have had to learn how bounce back from. I would love to talk to those who have gone through similar and also can someone please help me maximise the use of this forum Thanks

Squires266 uphill struggle
  • replies: 1

why is life such a struggle? I came to this Country to make a better life for myself, and my family and it's just not happening. Over the past 18 years, I've lost count of the number of low paid, casual jobs I've found myself in, and out of, even tho... View more

why is life such a struggle? I came to this Country to make a better life for myself, and my family and it's just not happening. Over the past 18 years, I've lost count of the number of low paid, casual jobs I've found myself in, and out of, even though I have Master's degree. (a piece of paper so out of date now as I graduated in 2005). I've spent a lot of time and effort on trying to integrate and socialise with my peers through various school/social/sporting clubs over many years, but yet I still have no close friends. In fact, apart from my husband and 2 adult children, I have no external social life. I'm only invited to social get-togethers to make up numbers or to buy things, not to birthdays, engagements or even small social dinners. It's come to a head more-so since turning 50, a few of years ago. Since then, I've fought cancer, (clear 3yrs) been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (which halted my sporting life) and put on 8kg over the past year. My youngest adult child has high functioning autism and finding him a job has resulted in nothing in 5 years so far. My eldest, at uni and working casually has just announced his work is giving him less and less shifts, In fact, he received no shifts this month and was told he would still be expected to rely on covering other people if they can't make their shifts. I've told him to go to Centrelink and see if he can claim anything inbetween looking for alternative employment, but from past experience he'll probably get nothing. My husband works fulltime and my casual job, although both minimally paid and mine only part-time will probably be judged to be just above the cut off line. we've been turned down before when there was only my husband's wage coming into the household. What have I done wrong with my life? Some days I just sit around in my nightdress because I couldn't be bothered to make an effort. Nobody seems to care. I have tried, I know i have...