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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Hi all! New here.,

replies: 1

I’m new here., so just wanted to introduce myself, Im Allaine., I got BPD and long standing battle with SH and Suicide. Had numerous attempts and the number still keeps going… I have issues with impulsivity and abandonment which I’m trying to address.., currently doing some therapy that should help me get thru but am keen in knowing other therapy that everyone have done that helped them… so ye., hi y’all and hope everyone’s doing fine…

I need to vent

replies: 9

hello all, this is my first time posting here. I'll try to keep this short and to the point, although I don't really know where to begin. I've been going through a really difficult time lately and it's becoming really overwhelming for me. My relationship with my family is really bad, particularly with my mother. She is always looking for a reason to argue with me and demands so much of me. For as long as I can remember she's always been a terrible parent. As of lately my relationship with her has become much worse. She constantly belittles me, and compares me to my sisters in law. She makes me feel absolutely worthless, to the point that I feel guilty for even existing. I'm starting to find it very difficult to get out of bed in the mornings, and I no longer find pleasure in activities that I normally enjoy. I'm beginning to spend much of my time between work hours playing video games and avoiding having any sort of social life. I feel like I cant talk to my friends about it because they either won't understand me, or I'm worried that they'll begin to think differently about me. Unfortunately I'm stuck living with her and my eldest brother for the time being, so I feel like I have no escape from this madness. I'm able to hide my emotions quite well, so none of my friends or colleagues suspect anything is wrong with me. I just don't know what to do, and I don't know how much longer I can continue like this before I reach my breaking point. I'm sorry if this all sounds like rambling, but I just need to vent somehow!

Here to help

replies: 1

Hi Everybody. I have decided to give some of my spare time to help those in need of support on a few forums. My love tank is full and I have lots of experience with helping people with depression, anxiety and other mental health difficulties. Hoping ... View more

Loneliness

replies: 3

Hi , feeling really down today. Thinking about how I don't seem to be getting anywhere.I have 3 Sister's, who are all well off. Have their own, lovely homes . No Mortgages.I was the one who Cared for, our Mum and Dad .And was there with them when they Passed away.I don't have much money to be able to do the things, I'd like to do .And have told my Sister's. And my Children .But they all have their own lives . And don't really have time for me .We all seem to be separated . I don't make friends easily.For the last , 5 years . I have not wanted to live anymore .I know I should get out and do other things . But I just can't get motivated.

Online chat and call counselling

replies: 3

Hi guys, sorry to be posting this here, but I have a question about a post I wish to make and need to know if it would even be appropriate, allowed or what section I could even post it in?Would it be allowed to post a topic on peoples general (no naming counsellors and things or anything of course) experiences with the online chat and call counselling service? I’ve been using it recently and would love to chat with other members here on the forum about their overall experiences? However I understand if it wouldn’t be appropriate to discuss. Thoughts? Thank you.

HELP PLEASE REGARDING THE POSITION AVAILABLE FOR 8 VOLUNTEER SUPPORT WORKERS ON CHATS

replies: 1

Good Morning Everyone, I was in that hope for someone who may lead me in the right direction. I am looking to establish and build up my online voices profile to eventually apply for the 8 volunteer blue voices position that beyond blue is reaching out for. I received the notification via my email a couple of days ago, although I am not working at the moment I enjoy helping others and hearing them out I am a good listener and it is in my nature and character to provide empathy to others who may be struggling or have gone through similar situations as to what I have been thru and still going thru. I hope to inspire others I have a few of my own personal distractions and therapies that I attend to at times as intervention if iIfeel as though my mental health is about to slip a little , these distractions and acitvities i partake in prevent me from falling into a rut and save me allot of pain mentally and physically , in saying so i hope to encourage and use my personal practices in inspiring those they too can feell better again. nothing feels beeter then providing happines to others by enriching their lifestyle and leading them on a much happier healthier life path ( THERE MOST DEFINATELY IS A WHITE LIGHT AT THE END OF THAT TUNNEL WE ALL CALL DARKNESS, I KNOW THERE IS I HAVE SEEN IT MYSELF. ) I must help people in order for me to get better also if that makes any sense . some say the saying YOU CANT HELP OTHERS IF YOU CANT HELP YOURSELF , i believe that is not a very plausable and accurate quote "I BELIVE WHY NOT REHABILITATE ONESELF AND RECEIVE YOUR THERAPY AT THE SAME TIME AS VOLUNTEERING AND HELPING OTHERS OVERCOME THEIR DEMONS ALSO i think some of the best leaders , inspiration profiles , and even teachers of the world find that their best advice is always given in time of learning. all of my advice is purely from my general life experience in batteling Severe Depression , Anxiety Bipolar and Pyschosis for just over 15 years now , and still till this day I battle with my mental health , i just no how to manage it more so now then what i use to. anyways it reads in the email that to be able to apply for the position for 8 volunteers blue voices you have to build up a profile by chatting on forums firstly before you can actually speak to people who are in seek of support and wanting to chat. ALL ADVICE AND HELP IS APPRECIATED KiND REGARDS & BLESSINGSAmara xxx

Side affects

replies: 5

Hi,I started taking antidepressants for anxiety. On my first day after a few hours of taking the medicine I started feeling very dizzy, with shortness of breath and end up fainting.I was unconscious for 2 minutes. Now i am scared that it can happen a... View more

Burnout

replies: 4

Hi folks..listening to the radio (ABC) the other day, I was introduced to a line of enquiry, regarding why so many people are feeling exhausted and finding it SO hard to do basics. Little own broader social engagement. BURNOUT. Fair Dinkum I’m so pooped. There’s so many things I could and need to do, (like brush my teeth) that’s so hard. Feel like I’m dragging around 40 kilos. I curse the smallest stuff and the biggest. Very negative view. It’s a bit like symptoms of depression..But I’m worn out by circumstance…over time.

Support Group

replies: 2

Hi everyone, I would love to join a support group where we catch up in person about anxiety/panic disorder?! located in Western Australia. thankyou

Lost disconnected lonely

replies: 4

really suffering last couple of weeks. Seems to have compounded to my not being able to drive anymore and retiring. Feeling so closed off and the future seems so overwhelming right now. Can't seem to shake feelings of being alone, even when I'm not. ... View more

Meet your community champions! replies: 10

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

Hi all! New here., replies: 1

I need to vent replies: 9

Here to help replies: 1

Loneliness replies: 3

Online chat and call counselling replies: 3

HELP PLEASE REGARDING THE POSITION AVAILABLE FOR 8 VOLUNTEER SUPPORT WORKERS ON CHATS replies: 1

Side affects replies: 5

Burnout replies: 4

Support Group replies: 2

Lost disconnected lonely replies: 4