The lead up to Christmas can be a stressful and anxious time, particularly for those dealing with loneliness, family relationship problems or financial hardship.
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Since November, there has been a spike in the number of people visiting the beyondblue online forums to seek support or information, join conversations, or learn holiday coping strategies.
The forums are places for people to talk freely, safely and anonymously about how they’re feeling. All posts are monitored by a team of moderators and 18 “community champions” – who have been affected by depression, anxiety, PTSD and suicide.
More than 70,000 people turn to beyondblue’s online forums every month – a 33 per cent increase over the previous year – with December on track to be a record-breaking month.
In response, a new online ‘chill-out lounge’ forum discussion has been opened for anyone seeking support or virtual companionship over the Christmas and New Year holiday period.
Research reveals the majority of forum participants (85 per cent) have been diagnosed with depression, anxiety or another mental health condition. Just over a quarter (26 per cent) report that they first visited the forums because they felt suicidal and wanted support.
However, there is a significant improvement in people’s symptoms after using the beyondblue online forums, with 56 per cent describing themselves as less depressed and 60 per cent as less anxious.
“This shows the value of peer support in being able to reach out and talk to someone who understands what you’re going through,” beyondblue CEO Georgie Harman said.
“People might need support in the middle of the night when their GP isn’t available or they don’t want to discuss how they’re feeling with a partner or friend. The online forums can offer hope and ideas about what works for them.”
Hall and Partners Open Mind research found more than two thirds (69 per cent) of forum users in 2016 reported making positive lifestyle changes based on the advice and support they received.
Positive changes included exercising more (33 per cent); starting mindfulness activities (31 per cent); and connecting more often with friends and family (29 per cent). Visit www.beyondblue.org.au to find out more.
