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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 Be... View more

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.

Aaronsis 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 th... View more

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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tim41 New Person, need some help
  • replies: 7

Hi, totally new to depression and anxiety, have been to doctors and have gave me tablets and booked into to talk to somebody next week, looking re-assurance that I can recover from this, thanks in advance.

Hi, totally new to depression and anxiety, have been to doctors and have gave me tablets and booked into to talk to somebody next week, looking re-assurance that I can recover from this, thanks in advance.

Roadsy Trying to stay strong
  • replies: 2

Hi. I've suffered depression on and off since I was seventeen. Most of it was triggered by situational circumstances and stress. I've had lots of therapy and mostly I can manage it. This year though has been very difficult for me. My three children 1... View more

Hi. I've suffered depression on and off since I was seventeen. Most of it was triggered by situational circumstances and stress. I've had lots of therapy and mostly I can manage it. This year though has been very difficult for me. My three children 13 15 and 21 decided that they wanted to live with their dad. I did not take it well. He is not a bad person and is a good dad. Their are no rules at his house though. I did not and still can't feel ok about it. He is never been good at communicating and I feel as if I've lost my children and my rights as a parent. Six weeks ago my father died . I spent the last six weeks of his life in my brothers house where he told me I was just there for myself. I said nothing and just grimes and bared it for my fathers sake my sister who has always been very supportive is not coping with me and is grieving herself. the one time I lose my temper with her I get told I'm selfish and. abusive. I've decided for my own sake and probably theirs to cut ties for a while so now feeling very alone and afraid

4tticus What if everything was a lie??
  • replies: 4

Hey, I have a very serious problem with people. Everyone I meet I feel is beneath me. I can't even drop to their level to socialize because I always speak my mind and they never understand and get offended. I need to believe that their is someone out... View more

Hey, I have a very serious problem with people. Everyone I meet I feel is beneath me. I can't even drop to their level to socialize because I always speak my mind and they never understand and get offended. I need to believe that their is someone out their who has this same issue, so I am just going to put it all out there. Maybe it will be of use to someone else at some point.

BetterDays Brand new but feeling all out of everything
  • replies: 3

Hi all,This is just an introduction post. Just been struggling the last few days (more than usual) and decided to try and take some steps and try and learn from other people going through similar things. I posted in the welcome thread, but only becau... View more

Hi all,This is just an introduction post. Just been struggling the last few days (more than usual) and decided to try and take some steps and try and learn from other people going through similar things. I posted in the welcome thread, but only because it seemed like the thing to do. To be honest, I really don't know if these forums are going to be of any help, but I'll try anything to get myself back. I'll try to keep this brief, but I'm a wordy person! Sorry in advance.So, just a brief history as a means to capture the basics of where I'm at, why (sorta? I still don't necessarily understand) and what I've tried over the last few years:* Up to 2012/2013, I was generally very happy, jovial, high energy, smacked problems head on, went out with friends, loved my job, was doing great.*Mid 2013 I was diagnosed with HIV, unexpectedly. Hit me like a truck. I started medication regime immediately, engaged in counselling with a qualified psychologist that worked with my doctor, went to about 6 sessions to deal with the change in circumstances and all that I felt it represented. Worked my way through that and thought everything was on track, albeit a bit shaky. Gradually I just got more down and more down, lost interest in lots of things that usually I enjoyed (reading, gaming, movies, going out with friends, my job). My work gave me 6 months off and during that time I tried to adjust. Thought I'd done it, went back to work, crashed hard. (HIV is completely under control, last testing zero copies of the virus in my blood, so health is fine).*The last 3 years have been pretty much up and down like a yoyo. I contract to my work now after an amicable arrangement. Mostly I work from home (my work is technical/IT/online).Ok, so that's the quick backstory to hopefully capture a picture of where I'm at and what I've been dealing with. What have I tried?* Regular exercise (weights and walking, now just walking because I just can't be bothered with weights, I don't see the point)* I'm on medication for depression* I've tried therapy (2 different therapists, and while they were good, I just didn't get much out of it aside from theory, empathy and mental exercises that I tried and don't seem to really work).I'm at a stage where I feel like this is going to be the rest of my life. I don't want it to be. I want to go back to how I was before, but there's no way to get there. I try to move forward, but I just feel stuck and a failure.

Teiiiiim Hi I'm Tim
  • replies: 6

Hi, my name is tim, I'm 19 and I've been really struggling with depression for about 2 years. I feel like I am a very happy and light hearted kinda guy but on the inside I feel like my soul has been sucked out of me. I feel like it would be really gr... View more

Hi, my name is tim, I'm 19 and I've been really struggling with depression for about 2 years. I feel like I am a very happy and light hearted kinda guy but on the inside I feel like my soul has been sucked out of me. I feel like it would be really great for me to make some quality friends. about my depression: I have been struggling with depression for about 2 years, take medication and have regular therapy. I'm finding it very difficult to attend Uni, and also just to live in general. The things I am depressed about are complex but I struggle with the meaning of life a lot. I find it is best to live day to day. I'm keen to make new friends as I've said, wondering if anyone else is in the same boat.

Delpedro New here
  • replies: 2

Hi everyone, I suffer from depression and anxiety and I just want to say after reading some of the forums, that I believe I am in the right place. I am currently on medication and have been for quite a while, but sometimes it does not seem to be enou... View more

Hi everyone, I suffer from depression and anxiety and I just want to say after reading some of the forums, that I believe I am in the right place. I am currently on medication and have been for quite a while, but sometimes it does not seem to be enough. I am currently experiencing problems with self medicating with alcohol and even though I know better, the viscous cycle keeps drawing me in. I hope I can be a caring and sharing member and gain some benefit along the way. Thanks.

Summadayz New here
  • replies: 2

Hi i dont really know where to start. Im not sure what i should be writing. Can anyone advise

Hi i dont really know where to start. Im not sure what i should be writing. Can anyone advise

Badluckgirl1 New here
  • replies: 4

Hi i would like to say im very nervous and vague of how much i am meant to put in detail. ... i posted for help as i feel my family is falling apart. ... i read a few posts beforehand and i must say the support looked amazing. However im not sure wha... View more

Hi i would like to say im very nervous and vague of how much i am meant to put in detail. ... i posted for help as i feel my family is falling apart. ... i read a few posts beforehand and i must say the support looked amazing. However im not sure what i expected but the reply i got wasnt what i was expecting. Now im not sure what or why im even posting on here because I feel more alone than i did before which i didn't think would have been possible. I guess now im asking if you cant help... who can... feeling totally worthless. Lost. Angry.sad disappointed.

Johnwithme Greetings!!!
  • replies: 2

Have reached a time in life where work is less important hand have been a little negligent of relationships and friendships which has left me feeling like a caged animal looking in at the world.Also my seep patterns are terrible at present and I don'... View more

Have reached a time in life where work is less important hand have been a little negligent of relationships and friendships which has left me feeling like a caged animal looking in at the world.Also my seep patterns are terrible at present and I don't wish to rely on medication.Hope people can understand....thanking you.

shagz just wanna say hi
  • replies: 6

Hi every body. I'm new, and here to offer support to others, plus learn more about anxiety, depression and a personality disorder. HI!

Hi every body. I'm new, and here to offer support to others, plus learn more about anxiety, depression and a personality disorder. HI!