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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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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.

Someone Like Me!

replies: 5

You don't know me, and the chances are, you never will. This is why I would like to introduce myself. I'm a loser. That's right, I can freely admit it. Not just a loser but a big time loser. At various stages of my life, I have lost everything I held close to my heart. Employment opportunities, relationships and often my sanity. Any dreams I might have had. Any hopes and ambitions have disappeared in the proverbial puff of smoke. I have endured the worst that another human being could do to me, but I have never sought retribution. Anything that could have happened to me has happened and I have experienced the very deepest depths of despair and self-doubt. There have been times when I didn't think I could sink any lower only to discover that the worst was yet to come. But fast forward to the present day and I can look back on it all as a valuable lesson in human nature. Now, I consider myself a winner because I have survived it all and the scars are fading. The only thing that I can be sure of now is that I am no better or worse than any other man or woman who has ever drawn breath.

I’m not ok

replies: 14

I have always been a shirker of happiness, always been somewhat melancholy. However, over the past few years, I’ve seemingly become averse to happiness, always emotionally hurting myself and day dreaming of scenarios where I am emotionally hurt. I’m also low on confidence and therefore never sure of where I stand with others, including family, to the extent that I have started questioning whether anybody really loves me for who I am (and not out of duty). I was pretty badly emotionally abused as a teen/young adult by my peers and I’m not sure if that has caused these issues, although that was nearly 20 years ago. I don’t think this is usual, and I also think that I’m not okay.

No one cares

replies: 2

Hi I am obviously new to thisBut I have been dealing with this for over two years, I have seen three different doctors and I finally realized that I am on my own here, I Cant talk to my family about this any more as they just get too upset seeing me like this.the doctors dont listenwhat am I supposed to do ?please dont reply with "well done" or "at least you had the strength to ask for help" or any other platitudes, just tell me how to get a doctor to listen and fix this

Elderly, lonely, invisible?

replies: 2

I am an elderly woman, living alone in my own home on a rural property. My formerly busy life is now limited by severe osteoarthritis and the discomfort of two old and worn-out hip replacements. Constant pain contributes to chronic depression and increases my anxiety levels. My much loved companion is a loyal German shepherd who is always by my side, so I am not, in fact, completely alone. I have been reading previous correspondence from Grandy and Moonstruck and felt that they would really understand my own situation because theirs sounded so similar. Unfortunately they have not made contact in the forum since 2020 so I guess I have missed out on getting to know them and sharing thoughts.I love the idea that they discussed back then of creating a special friendship group for the elderly, lonely, not-so-well people. While our problems might be too specific for others to fully relate to or become interested in, we could offer genuine support and understanding to each other.Is there anyone in poor health and in circumstances similar to mine who have active minds but are physically unable to join social groups? I would love to hear from you.

Im New

replies: 3

Hello, Im new to Beyond Blue. I struggle with mental health and looking to find a supportive community to help me. I hope this is a good place to find information and chat to people about the daily struggles. Have any of your found this forum helpful... View more

Hi there

replies: 4

Hi, new to the forum. I am a male over 60. Retired. I live in a non urban environment. While it is very natural, I am feeling isolated. I live alone. I have a dog. Very few friends. I have begun a mental health care plan with my doctor, on the advice of a female friend.I try to keep my spirits up. I do some yoga and beach swimming. But there are days when I feel un motivated. Negative thoughts. I'm looking for ideas to cheer myself up. Find some contacts. Thank you.

Stressed single mum

replies: 1

Hi, I’m not sure why I’m here. I just feel really flat and sad.I’m a single parent. Working part time, studying part time, parenting 50/50. I’m going through court proceedings for property settlement with my ex, who is controlling. Looking to lodge proceedings for parenting too, to create significant distance and break away from this behaviour.in a weird way, court proceedings might make it worse. But I haven’t decided what to do yet. Finances are shocking, due to a Centrelink error, and my being a stay at home parent during the relationship. My car is acting up, and I’d just saved enough to get it sorted, however this error means I will be choosing between food and rent this week. My car has to wait.It’s a lot. All at once.I am very tired. I have so much on my plate, that there isn’t enough time for me to date despite wanting to, and I’m so poor that I can’t afford to do things that I enjoy. Leaving me feeling really isolated.Although I have a good support network, I feel like I don’t have a safe place to land when things get really rough in life. No one in my network has experienced mental abuse, and all of them are single or partnered. Things are really rough at the moment.

Making New Friends

replies: 6

I'm currently trying to make new friends at present. Alot of my friendships have come & gone over the years & although I can handle being alone, I know I need friends. I'm late 30's, living in Victoria. I've attended some events, joined a fitness group & been on a few dates, hell even gone to bars alone a few times but had no luck connecting with anyone yet. I guess i'm trying to make things happen & I know it's early days but gee it's been hard. I was hoping to get some insight from others who have had / having similar experiences, as well what they did to improve their situation or any advice at all. Thanks, N.

Help

replies: 2

I need to escape from my narcissist gaslighting husband..I have no money and no where not go.. it's greatly affecting my mental health..I feel trapped he is controlling and takes all my money from my own business...what can I do is there any help out there for me... I have pets and leaving them is not an option as they are my only saviour.. please help I'm desperate! I have no friends and no family here

Meet your community champions! replies: 10

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

Loss of teenager son replies: 3

Someone Like Me! replies: 5

I’m not ok replies: 14

No one cares replies: 2

Elderly, lonely, invisible? replies: 2

Im New replies: 3

Hi there replies: 4

Stressed single mum replies: 1

Making New Friends replies: 6

Help replies: 2