Personal Experiences
beyondblue values the personal experiences of people affected by depression, anxiety and related disorders. Therefore, we encourage people with these disorders and their families and friends to get involved in the following ways.
Join our reference group - blueVoices
blueVoices is a national reference group for beyondblue, including people with direct personal experience of depression, anxiety and related disorders and carers, primary support people and family members who care for someone with these conditions.
blueVoices is made up of e-Groups (electronic/email groups):
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Perinatal depression and/or anxiety (pre and postnatal depression and/or anxiety)
- Bipolar disorder
- Co-existing substance use
- Co-existing chronic physical illness
- A young person's reference group
- An older person's reference group.
People interested in becoming a member of blueVoices e-Groups are invited to complete the Expression of Interest Form. There is a separate form for consumers and carers, which may both be completed if someone fits into both categories.
The formation of blueVoices has provided a structure for broad based sharing and dissemination of information in the mental health consumer and carer area. Through representation on peak mental health bodies such as the Mental Health Council of Australia (MHCA), blueVoices provides input into matters pertaining to national mental health policy.
The role and function of blueVoices is as follows:
- blueVoices is the voice of consumers and carers for beyondblue, providing the voice of the lived experience through involvement with beyondblue research, media, programs and policies;
- blueVoices members provide representation on committees (e.g. The Mental Health Council of Australia, the National Mental Health Consumer Carer Forum, the Private Psychiatric Consumer Carer Network);
- blueVoices serves to inform beyondblue of the needs and perspectives of consumers and carers (e.g. insurance discrimination, access to services). Ultimately this serves to provide a personal perspective across the work of beyondblue to raise the awareness of these illnesses and their impact, whilst reducing the stigma associated with these conditions.
Expression of Interest Forms should be completed and posted to the beyondblue office (PO Box 6100 Hawthorn West VIC 3122). People may become a member of more that one e-Group, depending on their personal experience.
Exchange your story on our Bulletin Board
The Bulletin Board helps people affected by depression, anxiety and related disorders exchange their stories, experiences and views on a range of issues related to their disorders in a confidential, moderated and secure forum. To read or complete a post click here.
Subscribe to beyondblue updates
This is an email database which enables beyondblue to provide information to members throughout Australia and the world via the internet. Over 10,000 beyondblue e-members regularly receive information, with many using the service to communicate directly with the organisation, share information and their stories and raise awareness about depression, anxiety and related disorders. Members include people with a mental health condition and other interested people including health professionals. This includes up-to-date information and developments in the areas of depression and beyondblue related:
- Research
- Programs
- Resources
- Events
To subscribe to beyondblue updates, click here.
Share your Story
beyondblue's Our Stories provides an outlet for people and their family and friends, affected by depression, anxiety and related disorders to share their own personal experiences with others.
Your contact with beyondblue has had a focus on sharing information, stories, experiences, and messages of hope. By contributing to Share your Story and sharing your inspiration for your work, you will provide messages of hope and recovery to others.
Resources
There is a range of depression, anxiety and related disorder resources available to print and/or download. They include beyondblue fact sheets; cards and booklets on getting diagnosed; getting treatment; and recovery . To find out more click here.
