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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Stuck with how to start finding help

replies: 3

Hi This is my first time reaching out. I think I need some help. But every time I think about speaking to my doctor I just can’t do it. I am frequently on the verge of tears and have a feeling of panic. I can’t shake the sense that everything is going to go wrong and thinking of all the bad things that could happen. I’m losing my temper more easily and snapping at people at work. I just want to stay in bed under a doona and cry but drag myself to work (essential worker) and run myself into the ground to distract myself. I have a diagnosed autoimmune disease (10years) and cant stop worrying about the future and how my health will decline. I am also frightened of how much it will cost to seek help - I am single, live alone and have no family in this state. Spare money for therapy does not exist. I’m not really sure the point of my post, apart from to start putting in writing how I feel. Some advice on how to be brave enough to find help and how to start the conversation would be appreciated. Thank you

this sydney lockdown is even getting this introvert down

replies: 18

Hi Im new here I was actually enjoying the lockdown till a few days ago - but all the neighbours noises are finally getting to me I just need peace and quiet to be happy -the trail bikes the dup dup music invading my solitude - just being stuck here ... View more

Just joined

replies: 3

I am what people would refer to as a senior. I have always been prone to periods of depression - I am a worrier and one of my parents was a very anxious individual and quite negative about life, the universe and everything. So I think I have inherited at least a part. I have mostly coped in the past because I was working (now retired), and had a loving partner (now widowed since 2015). I always had plenty to do and a shoulder to cry on. But I doubt if I would have joined this without the pandemic. During 2020 I was finishing writing and publishing a book, which finally happened in March this year. This was so all-consuming of my attention that I coped fairly well, particularly not living in a capital city with its attendant lock-downs. Now the virus has spread to the regions, my only face-to-face contact is when my daughter - an essential worker - drops off her 2 children for home schooling 3 days a week. I love the time I spend with them but when on my own, in spite of having lots to do around the house and yard - like catching up on the housework I didn't do whilst writing a book! - I don't feel motivated to do any of it. I have good friends and rels I can talk to on the phone or email, but it just isn't the same.

Hey

replies: 5

I just need to know if anyone else can't stop thinking about their parents dying, and death in general. I know I'm supposed to flip death in its head and live, cherish every moment etc. but it just hovers over everything like a black cloud and genera... View more

What do you do to cope?

replies: 5

New to beyond blue, thought I would reach out to you all and ask the question, what do you want do to cope in hard times? What are some tips / tricks that have helped you in your low times?

Really don’t know where to begin….

replies: 11

Hello. I’m obviously new here and really not sure how to begin, I’m struggling and feeling tired and lonely. I’ve been married nearly 21 years, my husband has CPTSD and other chronic health conditions. Even after all this time I feel I’m still not coping and I feel my efforts to support him are fruitless. Just sad, tired and lonely. I have psychology support , however very few friendships have lasted so I’m very grateful to be able to read about other peoples experiences here. Thankyou

Down and almost out

replies: 8

Ive been struggling with depression and loneliness for so long my cup is empty. I look at the mirror and I don't know who's looking back at me. I don't even know what my purpose is for existing anymore. Ive spent my whole life trying please and meet other peoples expectations that I just don't have it in me any more to care. Im so confused and lonely in my life right now that I feel like a total failure. Sorry I had to load my baggage to everyone but thank for listening. love all.

Hello-feeling isolate and cabin Fever

replies: 2

Hi Everyone, I work at an Aged Care Facility in the Central Coast as an Occupational Therapist. I've had anxiety and depression since 2014. All my family and friends are down in Sydney. So with the current lockdown I'm feel very isolated and alone. I'm joining here in the hope that chatting with people going through the same situation will help me. I also hope I can help others as well

Overwhelmed with the levels of disruption in the world right now

replies: 4

Hello everyone, I am new to this platform, but I'm in need of seeking some support or hearing from people who understand and are in a similar situation. There is not much to say other than that lockdown has made its impact - It is making retaining connections will close relationships even harder, there is only so much a call, text or occasional face time can do to stay in a strong relationship with someone without having a physical interaction. On top of the stress of keeping valuable relationships that are not at risk, is the stress of covid 19 itself. Although the case numbers are not alarming where I am, it's still scary to think about the repercussions if I, my family, friends or colleagues at work get it. I can't fathom what is happening in Afghanistan right now, my mum talks about the threats it may impose on other countries including our own (things like suicide bombers and terrorist attacks in the future) as well as a boyfriend who talks about how influential this event may be. Although I have empathy for the entire situation, I am already stressed as it is, so hearing another layer of something else is very overwhelming and I don't really want to think about it. I know this probably is coming across as bad. Although most of my university studies were online before the lockdown, now that all my time is at home in the studying realm. I have found it so hard to maintain my motivation. I can't stit a take in the information of a two-hour lecture or convince myself to be engaged with the classes. My assignments have been less to the last minute which is stressful and seeking assistance with work i don't understand has proven to not be easy. Similarly, my drive to work out has been plumiting, I know this is having an impact on my self-esteem and is decreasing my sense of confidence in myself. With so much to do and the level of stress, it's not only making me not want to work out (although I should), it's also making me stress eat which doesn't make any situation better. Any support or sharing of stories will be appreciated. Thank you

Lost

replies: 4

So I’ve just recently signed up to BB, never posted before, so I’m not really sure what to expect but I feel as though I am out of options. I’m late 20s, and had anxiety / depression since my late teens. Been struggling allot lately. Tried therapy off and on, meds and everything else that’s meant to help, but I just keep finding myself falling back to the same dark spot over and over again. I get to a certain point where I feel therapy is just a bandaid and sooner or later just going to fall back down again. I have all of the things you’re meant to have by the time you are this age, house, partner all of that.. but no matter what I always find myself here. Thinking it would be easier if I could just disappear. Yet I don’t have the guts to actually do anything about it. I reach a point where death seems more peaceful than life. I feel like such a wet blanket to my partner, he is always trying to help. It must be tiring. I honestly don’t even know what I expect to get out of posting this, it just feels like nothing I do will ever change the way I feel inside. Lost and numb…

Meet your community champions! replies: 10

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

Stuck with how to start finding help replies: 3

this sydney lockdown is even getting this introvert down replies: 18

Just joined replies: 3

Hey replies: 5

What do you do to cope? replies: 5

Really don’t know where to begin…. replies: 11

Down and almost out replies: 8

Hello-feeling isolate and cabin Fever replies: 2

Overwhelmed with the levels of disruption in the world right now replies: 4

Lost replies: 4