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Cyclone Alfred - Mental Health Support

replies: 1

Hey everyone, We acknowledge that many of our Forums members here are currently facing the impacts of Cyclone Alfred and might be feeling uncertain, afraid and overwhelmed. We wanted to create a separate post here to come together during what may be a distressing time for many of us to support one another. Recognising that the impacts of a natural disaster can occur both before, during and after, we have prepared some resources which we hope can be helpful: From the Queensland Government, Useful information to help you get ready for a cyclone:Home | Get Ready Queensland Emotional Preparedness: Prepare your mind | Australian Red Cross Three-steps-to-emotionally-prepare-for-the-disaster-season.pdf What now? Coping after the event: Coping after a crisis | Australian Red Cross Maintaining wellbeing in the face of long-term stress | Australian Red Cross Emergency preparedness guide | Australian Red Cross As always, if you wish to speak to a counsellor, the Beyond Blue Support Service is available via phone 24/7 on 1300 22 4636 or via beyondblue.org.au/get-support for online chat. Stay safe, everyone, and take good care of yourself during what can be a deeply challenging time. Kind regards 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 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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Hi

replies: 2

Hi. im new here. Currently living with my 2 kids. I’ve been separated for around 18 months and I’m feeling so lonely at the moment. I’m so emotional all the time and I’m not good at reaching out to friends for help. i feel like I need to talk to someone professional but it’s not possible at the moment. not sure what to do but just needed to talk to someone so thought I would vent here. thanks c

Hi I'm a Newbie

replies: 2

Hi my name is Neesy. I'm married and my husband (before we were married) went out for dinner with friends, including a female neighbour, who seemed interested in my husband at the time. Nothing eventuate from this, in fact the female neighbour said she couldn't understand him or his jargon (he is a mechanic) This happened in 2016. In 2017,my husband and I got married (we have known each other since I was in high-school, some 30years ago but reunited in 2016). Since I have moved in with my husband at his residence, the female neighbour has been harassing us, leaving objects on our vehicles, letters in our mailbox, I have asked her to stop via a message on Messenger but she keeps harassing us. I read on her Facebook page that she has a chronic illness but doesn't specify the medical issue. I also know that her husband died a while ago and she lives alone except for her pets. (cats). I don't understand why she continues this harassment. I have never met her, or spoken to her, yet she has formed an opinion of me writing that I am the harping wife and I should set my husband free? I'm not sure what to do but I am really upset and angry about this. I also think she may be looking through our windows at night, or listening to conversations, as some of her letters contain things my husband and I have spoken of. She has also been caught walking up and down our driveway and some of her notes have been left stuck on our front door. I don't know if there are mental health issues involved here, from grief of her husband, or whether it is from the chronic illness. I'm not sure whether to involve the police but we have tried to ignore her and her harassment and so far that hasn't worked. Any help with this problem would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Unsure....

replies: 2

Hi, I'm new to this forum stuff and the whole "talking about my problems" stuff I'm just wondering how open and honest Can you be and how much detail can you Go into?

New User Hi

replies: 2

Hi there, I am new here, stubbled upon the forums trying to find how to start new after being left suddenly after 25 years of partnership, my entire adult life.. So lonely....

A newbie here....

replies: 3

Hi everyone, My name is Pam and I have come here to hopefully get some help with my depression coming back. I have been in recovery now for over 10 years. However, I think that with the pandemic and have family troubles its just all getting to much. I do have hobbies and try to immerse myself in those to lessen the blues. Anyway, hope everyone is good and am looking forward to meeting some new friends.

Newbie

replies: 2

Hello, I'm new here. I have recently been diagnosed with BPD and am looking for support from others in this situation. I am 41 so this new diagnosis is strange having gone through my life this whole time with this but not knowing. I am not sure which... View more

Need guidance

replies: 7

Hi I've reached a point where I feel physically sick obsessing about continuing my current life, I've always had depression/anxiety issues but buried them but I've reached a point where I've accepted I need to finally seek professional help to deal with this but I'm not sure what the first step is. Do most people see their GP and ask for a referral to see someone? Do you just cold call someone in your area off google? How have other people gone about finding the right help for themselves? I was referred many many years ago to a psychologist to help with some other health issues I was having but was not happy with the person I saw then so I'm not sure what the best path is to find someone who will be able to help. Thanks for any advice you may be able to give.

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

Cyclone Alfred - Mental Health Support replies: 1

Meet your community champions! replies: 10

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

Hi replies: 2

Hi I'm a Newbie replies: 2

Unsure.... replies: 2

New User Hi replies: 2

A newbie here.... replies: 3

Newbie replies: 2

Need guidance replies: 7

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