Immediate support
Immediate support

Welcome and orientation

Welcome! If you’re not sure where to start, that’s OK. We’re keen to know more about you and what you’re looking for on our Forums.

Start a discussion

FAQ

Find answers to some of the more frequently asked questions on the Forums.

View the FAQ

Forums guidelines

Our guidelines keep the Forums a safe place for people to share and learn information.

View the guidelines
Jump to
Start a discussion

Pinned discussions

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

All discussions

Start a discussion

Peace_and_tranquillity Newbie
  • replies: 5

Hello everyone Im new to this forum. Have been reading some of the post and can relate. So i thought why not put myself out there. In time i will get the courage to talk about things in my life, but for now im just saying hi.

Hello everyone Im new to this forum. Have been reading some of the post and can relate. So i thought why not put myself out there. In time i will get the courage to talk about things in my life, but for now im just saying hi.

Scorpio89 Young mother who’s lost herself
  • replies: 5

What do YOU do for you? I feel like since I have become a mother, I’ve completely forgotten who I am and have just become a shell of a human. I feel like I’m “just a Mum” and “just a partner”. I love my daughter, I love my partner and I love the home... View more

What do YOU do for you? I feel like since I have become a mother, I’ve completely forgotten who I am and have just become a shell of a human. I feel like I’m “just a Mum” and “just a partner”. I love my daughter, I love my partner and I love the home and life we have created together, I just don’t feel like an individual anymore and it’s actually terrifying because I worked so hard to find myself after 15 years of depression, anxiety and trauma. I can’t remember the last time I did something for myself and in the 2 years of being a mother I haven’t had time off to hang with friends or do something as simple as get a pedicure or a haircut. I wake up at 5am when the other half goes to work, which wakes our daughter up (because he hates his job and ensures he tells me 35 times before he walks out the door) and so my day is full swing from that moment. Partner gets home at 3pm, I’m usually off to work at 3:30pm and don’t finish until anywhere from 9pm til midnight (depending on how busy we are as I’m a supervisor so need to count cash and balance registers) I guess I’m just struggling in multiple ways and I really don’t want to spiral into a deep depression because it’s something I have struggled with for almost half my life. It’s also something that took me a long time to recover from and I don’t want to end up back there.

Allay Heading back to work today after having Covid. (New to the forum).
  • replies: 9

Hi Heading back to work today after having had Covid. It’s aggravated my decades long ‘phobias’ of saying I’m unwell in any way, interacting with medical personnel, taking sick leave, and potentially being the cause of harm to others. (I’ve have had ... View more

Hi Heading back to work today after having had Covid. It’s aggravated my decades long ‘phobias’ of saying I’m unwell in any way, interacting with medical personnel, taking sick leave, and potentially being the cause of harm to others. (I’ve have had intrusive ‘harm to others’ thoughts for decades). I would never knowingly act on them. I wish I could reset my body’s stress/anxiety/shame reactions around all of these. I wish I could not doubt symptoms that don’t have very observable and unequivocal proof. (I’ll take sick leave for gastro, though even then I experience the weight of guilt. Stupid!) I wish I could trust medical personnel to believe I am a truthful, genuine person who downplays any medical problem. I wish I didn’t come across as a neurotic mess when in the position of having to interact with medical personnel. I wish medical personnel didn’t leave me ‘quaking in my boots’. This has been a problem for over 30 years and I am so very worn down by it. I hope everyone has periods of calm and contentment this week. Thanks for ‘listening’.

Gracious Gal Feeling Alone
  • replies: 14

Hi, I'm a newbie here. I'm struggling with anxiety which includes social anxiety. Have always had difficulty making friends, so thought I could connect with other people that can relate to that. Often feel like I don't fit in and I'm looking to chang... View more

Hi, I'm a newbie here. I'm struggling with anxiety which includes social anxiety. Have always had difficulty making friends, so thought I could connect with other people that can relate to that. Often feel like I don't fit in and I'm looking to change that. I also have work related stress and anxiety and feel like I'm in a job that doesn't suit "the real me". Hoping to chat with others that may be experiencing the same thing.

Maca22 Struggling
  • replies: 40

Hello. I’ve turned to this site in the hope of getting help by chatting with people who may understand what I’m going through. I’m a 60yo disabled man due to spinal damage resulting from a broken neck 43 years ago. It left me as a partial quadriplegi... View more

Hello. I’ve turned to this site in the hope of getting help by chatting with people who may understand what I’m going through. I’m a 60yo disabled man due to spinal damage resulting from a broken neck 43 years ago. It left me as a partial quadriplegic, I can walk but with a limp, my hands are effected but I’ve been able to cope. Recently I was accepted by the NDIS thinking they will be able to help me with my health issues and living issues I’m having. They haven’t, it’s made my life even more stressful. I’ve also been diagnosed with PTSD and depression and have panic attacks. I’m also having health issues with chronic back pain and losing the use of my left leg which means I’ll be in a wheel chair soon. I’m also losing what little use of have of my hands. This means I’m going to need constant care. I’ve lived an active life even though I was told after my accident that ‘I’d never walk again’, All I heard after my accident is ‘you can’t do that anymore’. I proved everyone wrong, I’ve lived a normal live and done things against Dr’s opinions and believe, things like riding motorcycles, racing go karts etc. A few years ago I noticed it was getting more difficult to do things, pain levels increased and my emotions changed. I went from being active and never sitting for long to now not leaving the house unless I’ve no choice. I get panic attacks when I have to go out, I’m in constant pain and rely on strong pain medications for relief. I have waves of emotions that I can’t stop, I constantly feel like I don’t want to be here anymore, I’m angry all the time, I get annoyed very easily, I find myself crying for no reason. The Drs just keep giving me more anti depression meds that don’t work, more pain medications that are morphine based and highly addictive to control the anxiety and panic attacks. While I have not thought directly about committing suicide I constantly feel that I’d be better off if I was not here anymore, I go to bed hoping I won’t wake up, I have a close family and good friends who have all been wonderful and cant help enough they are all concerned but I feel I don’t deserve their care or help, I feel worthless and useless. I don’t want to be here anymore!

Kat_Em Is it all just in my head?
  • replies: 8

Hello! Newbie posting for the first time. I have been struggling with anxiety for the last 12 months however it is now starting to impact my work and social life. I fear the worst. All. The. Time. I've been working with GP who wants me to try some me... View more

Hello! Newbie posting for the first time. I have been struggling with anxiety for the last 12 months however it is now starting to impact my work and social life. I fear the worst. All. The. Time. I've been working with GP who wants me to try some medication however anxious about that. I am also looking for a psychologist as I know this will be beneficial but have contacted Covid this week and anxious about that too. Sone days I feel like no one is listening and I keep being told to calm down and that it's all in my head. Is it? Where's the switch to turn it off then? I've lost so many friends because no one seems to understand and I am alone and scared right now. Hoping to find some comfort in these forums. Be kind x

KMF I just wanted to reach out...
  • replies: 9

Hi there, It has been a tough day but has got easier as the day went along. I was diagnosed with depression last Wednesday (I’ve had depressive episodes over the last 20 years but this is the first time I’ve been diagnosed by a psychiatrist). I have ... View more

Hi there, It has been a tough day but has got easier as the day went along. I was diagnosed with depression last Wednesday (I’ve had depressive episodes over the last 20 years but this is the first time I’ve been diagnosed by a psychiatrist). I have started on medication and are hopeful about the future. Thanks for reading KT xo

bittermoon Major depression for years
  • replies: 4

I am a depressed person, but I was in a relationship that makes me more depressed each day. My physical health is going down too. After 4 years, today finally I have the courage to break up this unhealthy relationship. . . but I am so scared and sad

I am a depressed person, but I was in a relationship that makes me more depressed each day. My physical health is going down too. After 4 years, today finally I have the courage to break up this unhealthy relationship. . . but I am so scared and sad

Sea_Turtle Feel like I’m crazy
  • replies: 5

Hi this is my first time posting currently I’m studying again ‘Diploma of community services’ which I’m really passionate about. But I just can’t get things right. I have a complicated mental health history, having been an impatient at one time for a... View more

Hi this is my first time posting currently I’m studying again ‘Diploma of community services’ which I’m really passionate about. But I just can’t get things right. I have a complicated mental health history, having been an impatient at one time for about six months. It’s 2 years since I was unwell enough that it triggered the long stay. It was not my first one though.I was diagnosed with OCD when I was 17, but that wasn’t when problems started. Probably 10 years prior at least. As a child I had stomach pains and contamination fears really took hold at about 10. At 18 I was diagnosed with major depression and at 19 Anorexia. I am so much better that I feel silly complaining. I don’t feel the depression any more, and I work all the time on my OCD, for the first time in my life I can pretty much do anything despite the OCD. But the ED, I can’t quite figure out, I was underweight and I still think about losing weight a lot, but I’m not underweight anymore, Just when I think I’m getting on top of things, then I’m not. My brain seems all over the place, sometimes it seems to physically speed up. My family can even tell that I’m sped up sometimes. I know bad eating habits don’t help, but I just feel out of control. I feel like a hypocrite studying to help people when I’m messed up.

BlueJay02 Falling between the gaps.
  • replies: 5

My whole life has been an example of falling between the gaps. let us start at the beginning. I don't know too much about what happened to my dad but it must have been bad. To tell the truth, I'm too scared to ask. His list of diagnoses includes, Asp... View more

My whole life has been an example of falling between the gaps. let us start at the beginning. I don't know too much about what happened to my dad but it must have been bad. To tell the truth, I'm too scared to ask. His list of diagnoses includes, Aspergers, depression, anxiety, PTSD, bipolar and more. I am pretty sure my mum has depression and something else but I don't know what. As for my siblings, I have 2 biological sisters (one with Aspergers, depression, and anxiety, the other has depression and two kids), 1 bio-bro(we used to be close), and 1 adopted brother(his bio mum was violent so he moved in with us when I was in upper primary school). He is still my brother, I only clarified so whoever reads this can have a clearer picture. In school, I was bullied for being a 'smelly' weirdo who didn't wash her hair. I was more preoccupied with hiding from my family. My education suffered. In primary school, it was easier to pretend I could read than actually learn. I would get taken out of class to do focused reading lessons but all I could think about was the fact that the other kids said that it was a lesson for dumb kids. I didn't read my first novel until high school, then I became obsessed, always had my head in a book. I needed an escape from my reality. School got harder and I fell more behind, made some poor choices in friends, eventually I realized how toxic they were. We stopped being friends, I don't feel like I can trust anyone. Counselors have betrayed my trust, friends have become bullies, issues with my dad affect relationships. When I turned 19 I had had enough, I packed my bags, grabbed my dog, and drove over 3,000kms to Perth. Last year I had a really bad month, my partner's sister had been kicked out and so she came to live with us, my grandma passed away, and I lost my job. I also can't get Centrelink because my mum refuses to sign the documentation. So here I am now, about to turn 20. Feeling alone in a new city, where making friends has been complicated by trauma, circumstance, and last but certainly not least a pandemic. Oh and to top it all off I have undiagnosed learning difficulties. Someone please help me learn how can I get better. I'm sick of falling through the gaps.