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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New here and looking for support please

replies: 8

Hi everyone, I'm a long time sufferer of anxiety and panic attacks. Naturally depression comes and goes along with this. I'm looking for some support in others who understand where I'm coming from as I'm in a rough patch at the moment. But at the same time, I have successfully managed this condition more often than not and maybe I can be of help to someone else. Please say hi!

new and feeling lonely

replies: 6

i'm listening to music by myself; i find it hard to make friends. i try to explain to my husband but he doesn't understand, although he looks after me. i don't think i'm depressed, i cycle through depressed and manic states too quickly. i fit all the symptoms of borderline personality but I'm too scared to go to a doctor. i abuse alcohol or whatever drugs are available to me.

new and improving

replies: 3

I've used beyond blue on and off in the past and found it helpful. after over a decade of self medicating my depression, anxiety and bi polar conditions I finally got sick of it all and am now 8 months into proper and ongoing treatment for my mental health whilst remaining clean. I still have a lot of challenges and hard days but believe thing like the forum are a great tool. I live in a small town where the stigma attached to mental health is still pretty harsh and have several friends who are very ashamed of their depression and anxiety issues so choose to be as open as I can about my own in the hope others will understand and accept what we all go through. I'm pretty new to forums and helping myself in the right ways so look forward to learning from and sharing with others on the site.

New and desperate

replies: 4

Hi everyone. I'm new here and I'm a little desperate at the moment. I have bipolar2 and borderline personality disorder. Im not medicated at the moment and my mood swings are very bad at the moment. Just wanted to touch base with ppl who are in/ or w... View more

New to beyond blue

replies: 2

Hello, I've been coming to the beyond blue site for sometime now, about 3 years. I mostly read the forums regarding anxiety and OCD, both of which I live with. I've read good advice from this site. It's even settled my mind few times while I was suff... View more

Introduction

replies: 2

Hello. I'm an Aussie who is currently living overseas with my family but will be returning home after my project is complete (yes I still have a house in Oz so didn't tell any porkies about my postcode!). So why am I here? Interestingly I recently took part in a workplace workshop run by an external provider on how to identify and assist people with anxiety and depression. The focus wasn't on giving advice, but just support, being there for a fellow worker who maybe you knew, or didn't. During the workshop when discussing signs and symptoms, I realised that it was me, I has all the classic signs of depression that was being talked about. So here I am, looking for answers, support, a way out, a way back to being the person who I was once. I am quite soft in nature and always out to please others, with very low self esteem. Unfortunately I'm in a relationship that is spiralling down out of control rapidly and I feel trapped and very down. Alone. Sad. All the very best to you all and maybe we will meet again in the various forums. Morph.

I'm new and I'm fueled by despair and fear

replies: 1

Hey everyone, I'm new here. I struggle with self esteem, anxiety and a little bit of depression. Recently I've cut off my friendship circle to partly escape bad habits of drugs and alcohol and partly because of long term insecurities that have finally consumed me. I'm highly self concious and judgemental. I'm regretful, unhappy and alone. I am working towards change but almost every aspect of my life is at 0. I truly want to give up. Curl in a ball and hide from the world. But I'm here to attempt to get through it all and be a part of the community. I look forward to it. Cheers, Modest

Hello, thanks for being here.

replies: 2

Hello, My name is Jesse. This is the first time I have ever been on one of these sites. I'm not one who usually talks about my problems with anyone. I tend to keep it all to myself which I know is the problem. I guess I am torn between letting people know how I am feeling and not wanting to be someone who complains to people. I just don't want people to think that I am less than or not strong enough to handle life. I know I shouldn't think this way and maybe i'm just here to work on that. There also a part of me that thinks if i talk about my problems that I will only amplify them and get stuck in a way of thinking that makes me feel even worse off. I guess I can only try. Jesse.

Help!

replies: 2

I am stuck in a public toilet in a shopping centre because my kids and everyone else have stressed me to beyond breaking point! Your sign is on the back of the toilet door thank goodness. I'm going CRAZY and no one cares!

Hi

replies: 4

Hi Everyone I am new here, 1st post. Not really sure what to write, not really sure on anything at the moment. Just that Im tired very tired and really mad. Hoping just hoping at the moment.

Meet your community champions! replies: 10

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

New here and looking for support please replies: 8

new and feeling lonely replies: 6

new and improving replies: 3

New and desperate replies: 4

New to beyond blue replies: 2

Introduction replies: 2

I'm new and I'm fueled by despair and fear replies: 1

Hello, thanks for being here. replies: 2

Help! replies: 2

Hi replies: 4