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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Confused and uncertain (selfish?!)

replies: 2

On the face of things you'd think I should be happy. A loving family, a very well paid job, a roof over my head. Something isn't right though.I feel disconnected from my job and every day I go deeper down a hole. I'm embarrassed to tell people (I only recently changed career path), I don't know what I'd do / where i'd turn to instead. I don't want to let my family down or for others to think I don't care or I'm lazy.I have this deep rooted sadness and the future doesn't look much brighter.Am I being selfish?

Cant work this out

replies: 6

I was using beyond blue many months ago and need more help so tried to log back in. After resetting a forgotten password I finally was able to log on again. Just want to post my feelings and get some support but I cannot understand ANYTHING or find ANYTHING on your site anymore. It makes no sense to me and I cannot work it out anymore!!!! Why have you made it so hard???? I just want to post and receive messages of support but your site is NOT USER FRIENDLY anymore and making it impossible for me to click on basic tabs that makes sense. WHAT HAVE YOU DONE??..Why have you made it so hard???..

Quarter Life Crisis

replies: 3

Hello listeners, I'm going through a confusing time. I can't say anything is particularly wrong, I can't complain. But lately I have been overly irritable and having weird thoughts mainly around not being satisfied with my life at the moment. (I feel selfish just saying this) but I think the truth is, I'm putting too much pressure on myself to have it all together. I'm 25, I'll be 26 toward the end of the year and it makes me anxious. Whats my next step? Am I doing good enough? What should I focus on? If I don't settle down soon I'll never get married and have kids! I'm trying to focus on my career. I just started a new job which is a great opportunity and I have a lot of responsibility here which I actually love. But I feel sad when people ask me what I'm doing on the weekend and every weekend I sit at home or visit my parents and don't do much else. I do have animals (dogs, horses) and live alone which is a responsibility in itself and takes up my time too. I PROMISE I'm not a boring person. I'm actually really fun. But I don't have the energy for a social life. I don't actually care about having a lot of people around me. But when I do have people around me, I do enjoy myself. But I actually do feel like a loser and that I "should" be going out more, or I "should be dating. The truth is I'm not fazed about anything and I feel like I should be! To add a spanner in the works, my dad recently went to the doctor and got diagnosed with anxiety and depression on a relatively high level. I guess I wasn't surprised. He has suppressed his feelings for years, I don't think he even knew he had depression and anxiety. He was in literal denial. But this has hit me hard emotionally. Mainly because I feel he had hid it from my family to protect us in some way. And that hurts. Because of my dad's behaviors, and the years and years of trying to convince him somethings wrong. The countless arguments with him because he's said or done something hurtful or out of sorts has put a wedge In my parents marriage. I guess it's all just getting to me! Anyone else going through or been through a tough time in their twenties where you're just lost! LC

Suddenly feel insufferably lonely

replies: 56

this is how I feel right now, not sure if this is the best place to post this... these kinds of intrusive thoughts are scary, they are not the facts but they are linked to reality. Because I'm really lonely.

Everyone's struggles are unique but no one's struggles are incomprehensible

replies: 2

Hi guys! So, basically I am like incredibly new to this and joining was undeniably spontaneous. I was just laying in bed and I couldn't help but feel like I was being useless, wasting my time if you know what I mean. I barely have the energy to stand in the shower, but this, I want to do. I want to share my story, my friend's stories and I want people to feel that they are valid. That anyone can be subject to mental health issues, that the demons don't discriminate and a little empathy, a little kindness, a little love, goes all the way. The phrase in the title is so deep because for me personally, being understood is such an essential part of my healing journey. To know that I'm not insane, to know that how I feel doesn't make me a lost cause, to know that I'm not too far gone and that people have been exactly where I am and still made it out. I want so deeply to be told that my struggles are exactly that, struggles. I don't know if some people have gone through worse, because how I feel right now is my definition of worse. I don't feel ok and that's ok too. I don't have to be on the verge of death to be understood. This is a deep topic and I agree I have strong opinions. (Although it's mostly facts) Thanks guys

Hey Everyone, New here 👋🏻

replies: 4

Hey Everyone new to beyond blue, as of late I’ve been feeling a little lost in life, I feel like I have no one that I can talk to or connect with. I don’t have any family that I can talk to & though my friends are great I just feel that I cant expres... View more

Should I stay or should I go?

replies: 1

I am looking to understand and being at peace with the experience of immigration, please, what I would like with this forum discussion is that you share your experiences about immigration, I don't want advice, thank you After 11 years in Australia and trying hard to live here happily I found myself with a depression and I am not surprised really. I have tried everything I could do to be integrated and have closed friends or at least have moments of belonging as I am a very social person I love to spend time with people.I raised a family alone, in a small town, added to that with lots of lock-downs for 2 years, my Australian husband of course is here but I have no emotional support other than him and no help when I am unwell for example, which I have been a bit more recently, I am feeling tired most of the time.I have also been bullied at my 2 last workplaces and I am afraid now to go back to any new job or develop my little business, my confidence is very low, I am going in freeze mode when it about showing my skills.My loving family is in France and I still have closed friends there too. My husband is a loving man and has been considering for the last 5 years if we should go back there as it hurts me to live here in Australia where I often feel an outsider. I have fears related with going back though which stops me, more so financially as my husband does speak so little french and we are 45+, at least I am lucky he is ok to live there. If you know of any books or studies you have read about what could be the impact of immigration I would love to have access to those, I really would like to feel normal I suppose after trying so hard and not succeed. Your help is much appreciated. Thanking you in advance.

Struggling

replies: 2

I really feel like I'm out of control with myself. My inner demons come out every few years. I've had on going issues since I was a child.If I don't be careful I could lose everything. I don't know how to stop.I have been drinking so much and doing risky things. Gambling, secretly drinking, had an connection with another man that my husband now knows about. And he is going to stay with me.I think I'm going through a midlife crisis. Also our house flooded and we havnt been home since February.Everything was going well up until that point and it's triggered me.I don't know how to turn my life around right now....I have all the work booklets information at my fingertips from previous councilling but I seem to not want to do the work to change.Thanks for reading

This is ME!

replies: 2

Hi all, newbie here to Beyond Blue and a forum in general. I’m not very good at reaching out and seeking support even though I tell people everyday in my job that that is exactly what they should be doing!I have been struggling with mental health all my life but only acknowledged it as mental health a few years ago. Until then it was "pull yourself together and stop being such a drama queen about everything" (my words ).Depression is a reoccurring one from me and something I have to work hard to pull myself out from. I have a very (very) small network that I know love me but trauma from my childhood to early adulthood creeps up and triggers my well-conditioned and very negative mindset. I have experienced multiple traumas ranging from sexual, physical and mental abuse as a child leading on to living in a very controlling and coercive domestic violence relationship until my early 20’s.When I finally found freedom, I was pretty broken on the inside, but had mastered the art of putting on an excellent mask to the outside world. A mask I held firm to for several years.In 2021 a lot of traumas were re-triggered and my mask finally crumbled. After many attempts to keep going and be strong, I ended up down the path of planning my suicide as I felt this was the only option I had left. I was over trying to be strong and always failing. I seriously believed my husband and children would be better off without me. I felt I caused so many dramas and problems in our life, I would be doing them a favor by bowing out.I was ready to go one night, my plan perfected but somehow and I really don’t know how, I didn’t.I got counselling through that time and discovered the benefits of yoga and Buddhism teachings. I have been working hard at changing my mindset and teaching myself that I am not a bad person. A lot of bad things happened to me which I could not control. I know my inner work will be constant and at times very challenging. In my work I support others daily with mental health and know my lived experience and continued work on myself gives me understanding and compassion to listen and support others. I am very passionate at helping others and trying to make sure all I encounter never feel as alone, worthless or unheard as I have felt many times in my life.I have never joined anything like this before and am interested to see how it progresses. Thank you for providing such a great space of support.

Loss of teenager son

replies: 3

Hi, just wondering if there is anyone else going through the loss of a son. My perfectly healthy 17 year old son was taken so suddenly by a tumour and died three weeks later. I’m having a hard time coming to terms with this as he was my youngest son and had his whole future ahead of him. It’s been nearly 5 weeks since he past but I just feel numb and angry. He should be still here living his life.

Meet your community champions! replies: 10

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

Confused and uncertain (selfish?!) replies: 2

Cant work this out replies: 6

Quarter Life Crisis replies: 3

Suddenly feel insufferably lonely replies: 56

Everyone's struggles are unique but no one's struggles are incomprehensible replies: 2

Hey Everyone, New here 👋🏻 replies: 4

Should I stay or should I go? replies: 1

Struggling replies: 2

This is ME! replies: 2

Loss of teenager son replies: 3