With Queensland Mental Health Week finally here, we want to thank those courageous people who shared their stories or experiences and provided positive words of support to the community. 

These shared experiences have educated the Bundaberg community on the lived experience of those suffering from mental health and those thriving in recovery. 

We hope this conversation around mental health will continue beyond this week and become a normal everyday topic we feel more comfortable to discuss.

Remember if you, a friend or a family member need support, please reach out to any of the services/supports as noted here on our page. 

You can chat, text, call or see them in person, you are never alone and there is always someone willing to support you.

Please have a read of these stories and comment with some words of support.

Story #1

You are not lonely unless you think so. You are unique, special and amazing even if you never pictured, so Spread positive, not negative, energy to the world.  The world doesn't need loneliness and hating.

Story #2

Less than three months ago, I has in the most depressive stage of my life so far and I used to spend days in bed unable to move, flooded with emotions. I was unable to move forward other than slow movement in a body that I did not feel I had control over.

Story #3

I have been having a really difficult time with my depression, anxiety and school. My friends turned out to be toxic and I feel like I'm being left out in everything I do.  I'm even quitting dance because of how bad my depression and anxiety are.  A good thing to help with this issue is to talk to someone online.  You can be anonymous when you do talk to people online.  Some good websites to talk to people anonymously are Anonymous Chats Once More, and Lifeline. I have found that Lifeline is really helpful when you want to talk to someone anonymously. Just remember that you are not alone through these tough times.

Story #4

At school, I was outed as a lesbian to pretty much the whole grade. I have been made fun of for being lesbian by multiple of my classmates. I usually don't let things like homophobia get to me but after a while, it gets really tiring but I have many friends who support me and are just like me:)

Story #5

When I first realised I was trans I came out to a couple friends and they accepted me but they always misgendered me. One of them told another boy at my school without asking me. Eventually the hole school found out I was trans and I was constantly getting teased for it and it was probably the worst period of my life. I was also in a toxic relationship at the time where I was being fetized. I came out to my family and they didn't support me either. I had never felt more alone. Then eventually the teasing died down and I moved friend groups and built up a better support system. Now I’m in a supportive friend group who all stand up for me.