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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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Lonely at 28- where’s my best friend ?

replies: 5

Hi, i guess I feel pretty lonely, and it makes me super depressed, I dont know where to start to find and make new friends, and where do I find a best friend, I guess that’s what’s really missing from my life and iv tryed to fill that spot with drugs/ alcohol in the past, but it all comes back to wanting a special connection, not a romantic relationship or a partner but a best friend who I can talk to about anything and share my secrets! Someone to hold my hand and support me to try something new and daunting, to travel and gossip. my life is together, I have an amazing supportive boyfriend, a few friends no one really close, job, ect but this one part of me is missing. and it’s a large part. does anyone else find this bringing them to tears at night or in the car or maybe when you have had a little to much time to think i don’t know where she is or if she exists but I hope she finds me.

Anxious and unsettled about future

replies: 3

Hello all, I came across this forum two days when I was looking for something on how best to come when moving interstate (despite having in the past and in new state now). I really wanted to see if anyone else out there could relate to me in some way or give me some guidance. I've found it quite hard in the past as my friends' experiences don't always match up with mine. Plus they don't need to suffer from anxiety like I do. I hope I can return the favour very soon! Anyway, I'll go back in time a bit. A few years ago, I wanted to move interstate from Canberra and after some kerfuffle in terms of getting a place, I landed in Brisbane ready start to a new chapter of my life. Because I was semi-familiar with the city due to my grandfather and family friends living there, it seemed like a good option. Unfortunately, about 10 months later after not being able to secure a job I wanted and my lease ending, I came home quite depressed and defeated. I luckily was able to get a retail job within a few months (not ideal as I went to uni but a start I thought). Fast forward to the present and I've recently moved to the sunshine coast with my mother. (Been here 2 weeks to be exact!) The idea was to move to Brisbane again eventually since its a bigger job market and I've always thought of the coast as more a holiday destination. In the first week and a half here, I was fine. Between moving in and going to the vet for one of our dog's ongoing conditions we've had plenty to do. However, as of last Sunday (I believe because of a question my mother asked me 'about my future plans'), I've started to feel a general sense of anxiety within my body and as of today, uneasiness in my stomach. (I've tried to manage the physical side of things by drinking a ginger juice and peppermint tea. As well, I've tried some mediation but it only goes so far when I've got situational worries. Plus, they can be a bit hit and miss for me). I worry that I'm overreacting and just to ride it out in terms of my emotions. Perhaps its just a PMS thing? (Although it doesn't feel like it). At the same time, I want to get on top of things, especially if it's relating to my future. I saw a psychologist last year to primarily deal with my anxiety about my future which did help but now I'm here I'm unsure if I should see someone again. Small things like registering for job alerts from Brisbane uni's felt productive for a while but then, later on, I felt anxious again. Thanks for reading

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.

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 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!

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

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 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.

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 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.

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 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

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 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.

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?

Meet your community champions! replies: 10

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

Lonely at 28- where’s my best friend ? replies: 5

Anxious and unsettled about future replies: 3

Hi new member replies: 1

First post replies: 2

New here and nervous replies: 4

Help me please replies: 1

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

this is me replies: 2

Confused about life replies: 2

Feeling lost replies: 1