Immediate support
Immediate support

Young people

A space for people aged 12-25 to discuss life. If you’re over 25, please be mindful that this is a space for younger people to connect.

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

romantic_thi3f Eeep! When study is overwhelming! - Tips, ideas and coping strategies
  • replies: 51

Hi! Just thought I’d make a post with some tips for study. I know this is something we can all struggle with. These are all suggestions so feel free to take them or leave them! Hope they help! If you only remember one thing, let it be this: You are i... View more

Hi! Just thought I’d make a post with some tips for study. I know this is something we can all struggle with. These are all suggestions so feel free to take them or leave them! Hope they help! If you only remember one thing, let it be this: You are important. Your grades don’t define you. (support) Studying can feel isolating but know you’re not alone! Reach out – and find or make friends that can support you along the way. If you’re having trouble finding some friends, join some local communities or clubs! They have lots at Uni’s and even stuff like open days are great ways to meet new people and find out what’s happening. Study groups can also be a great way to meet people and stay motivated. Also remind yourself why you’re doing this; inspirational wallpapers or quotes can be super inspiring. Remember the saying about the oxygen mask? If you can’t take care of yourself first studying will be harder. You are important. You know the drill - water, food, exercise, sleep. Try to stay calm. Stuff that might be able to help include mindfulness, breathing exercises, colouring in, going for walks, journaling, listening to music… If you’re struggling – reach out. See a therapist. Talk to your student counsellor. If you need help, don’t be afraid to ask for it. Also lots of Universities and TAFE offer disability services – which includes conditions like Depression and Anxiety. (study) Find the right study space for you. Maybe that’s in your room, or a coffee shop, or the library. Some people find that noise helps; other people not so much. If you like particular kinds of noise, you can find ‘coffee shop’ noise or ‘rain sounds’ to help concentrate. Make a plan. It helps to do it often so it becomes a habit. Anytime you get a due date, write it down. Maybe you could use a diary, planner, bullet journal or an app. I find the 30/30 App helpful - study for a bit and then break for a bit. You can also get add-on’s for your computer to block sites like Facebook if you find them too distracting. Find out what study technique works for you. Do you like cue cards? Mind maps? Colour coding? Does highlighting stuff help you remember? Charts, maps, diagrams? Recorded lectures? Goals! These are so important – not just writing down deadlines but rewarding yourself for meeting them. Even making smaller goals like ‘read two pages from a textbook’ can help. Break it down into bite size pieces, and don’t forget to reward yourself after!

Sophie_M NEW TO THIS FORUM? Please read this first
  • replies: 0

The Young People space is a sub-forum within the wider Beyond Blue forum community. 1. Its purpose is to provide members aged 25 and under a space to discuss anxiety, depression and other related life issues. If you are aged over 25, please be mindfu... View more

The Young People space is a sub-forum within the wider Beyond Blue forum community. 1. Its purpose is to provide members aged 25 and under a space to discuss anxiety, depression and other related life issues. If you are aged over 25, please be mindful that this forum is a space for younger people to connect and provide peer support for each other. 2. Content from this sub-forum is displayed on both the beyondblue and youthbeyondblue websites. 3. Please bear in mind that some members find content relating to suicide and/or self-harm distressing or triggering. If you would like to post on these topics, please do so in our Suicidal Thoughts and Self Harm section. Please see also our guidelines for making posts on this topic. Posts made here in the Young People sub-forum containing content relating to suicide and/or self-harm will be moved. 4. These forums are moderated, so your posts may not appear straightaway. Information on how our system works can be found here. Being familiar with our community rules can help ensure that your posts appear online as quickly as possible. 5. This is a peer support community, and to get the best out of being here we recommend that you 'give support to receive support'. More on how that works here.

All discussions

Start a discussion

Sunflower_bean I feel like uncertainty of the future is eating me up
  • replies: 1

I feel like my story id pretty typical of a 23 year old Bachelor of Arts graduate, majoring in Political Science. I kinda fell into a i guess a depression after graduating about a year ago as I was after my degree quite uncertain of what i wanted to ... View more

I feel like my story id pretty typical of a 23 year old Bachelor of Arts graduate, majoring in Political Science. I kinda fell into a i guess a depression after graduating about a year ago as I was after my degree quite uncertain of what i wanted to do and well aware that I really didn't have any real qualifications of any kind of job. I traveled around Europe after graduating to give myself some air to breathe and even after coming back i felt myself drifting in life, eventually landing a job in a contact center which I have been working for a year. I eventually applied for postgrad last year and started this week as for now. Initially I was excited to go back into education and thought that it could help me sort things out. But even after a few days in class, I still feel like after graduating I will be back in square one and struggling, this time in more financial debt that I am considering maybe dropping out. I feel like maybe i just drifted into this course and should of just gained real work experience. I just feel like I am making the wrong and expensive choices that are going to come back at me in a few years time. I guess what I really wanted to ask is how alot of people seem to be able to carefully plan their lives ahead, like they already drew a plan and foresee where they will be in 5-10 years etc etc. I feel like I am overthinking this and beating myself too much but i am just really stuck in limbo and don't have a realistic idea of where I am supposed to be in life as a 23 year graduate. I just want advice from people who have been there and any advice I can take.

Bodey294 Balancing mental heath, stress and university
  • replies: 2

Hello Beyond Blue online community members, I need your advise about balancing mental heath, stress and university. I am a student in my final year studying (part - time) a Bachelor of Psychological Science. In the beginning of my course I was eager ... View more

Hello Beyond Blue online community members, I need your advise about balancing mental heath, stress and university. I am a student in my final year studying (part - time) a Bachelor of Psychological Science. In the beginning of my course I was eager to become a registered clinical psychologist but then realised the academic standard in regards to marks were very high in oder to achieve this. So last year, I slightly repositioned my career path to the social/community services industry which has wider scope on what I would like to do (clinical case management, counselling, referrals, delivering mental health interventions, needs assessments). In reflecting with myself of where I want to be I recently attended a casual catch up with the program coordinator of the Diploma of Community Services (Case Management). After telling her of who I am and where I want to be, she highly recommended completing a Master of Social Work due to a higher employability rate and job prospects. This sounds right up my ally HOWEVER…. im 23 with a mental health condition (depression). With that in mind lets go through the pro’s and cons of going about this. I complete my bachelors at the end of the year and would start post grad at age 24. > Completing the degree: pro’s: can work in a clinical context registered with the AASW (regulatory body for social workers) high employability rate and job prospects will have created the stepping stones for a rewarding and long career good income con’s: larger HEC’S debt (although that doesn’t bother to be honest) extended time to finish and get away from uni >Part time study: pro’s: Less stressful Can manage my time easily Can find casual work (according to my flexibility) con’s: will take four years and will be 28 when completed > Full time study: pro’s: will take only two years and will be 26 when completed ability to acquire a job earlier in my career con’s: more stressful (I can’t handle too many branches of responsible otherwise I feel overwhelmed) putting myself at risk of failing subjects (due to stress/depression) This is my analysis of balancing time, mental health and university. Should I do this course? Should I do part time or full time study? Should I be worried on when I finish university? Please any opinions or feedback would be greatly appreciated from all of you guys. Thank you. B

Anonymouz UPDATED: Centrelink Issues
  • replies: 13

Hi everyone, I'm 20 and would just like to know if it's possible to get on DSP for generalised/social anxiety disorder and severe depression. I know I'm still young but don't let that throw you off. At the start of last year I could use medical certi... View more

Hi everyone, I'm 20 and would just like to know if it's possible to get on DSP for generalised/social anxiety disorder and severe depression. I know I'm still young but don't let that throw you off. At the start of last year I could use medical certificates to exempt me from requirements but unfortunately Centrelink only accept 3... which seems unfair if your condition hasn't changed at all, so that stopped then I was moved to a job provider who after a couple of months had to push me into studying since I won't work and have no other choice. I have no interest in this study or any for that matter and only chose this as it seemed the easiest. I find no point in doing this nor do I wish to continue doing it. Unfortunately my job provider is changing and at the start of next month I'll have to go to another one along with so many others in my age group. The way job providers will be working next month I'll have to work 25 hours or so at least a week, ( work for the dole ) and studying won't be good enough! It's hard enough for me to find the energy to do this course let alone to work... I want to apply for DSP it's not what I truly want but in my condition it is what I want and will be convenient. I've been told by a psychiatrist that anxiety/depression wouldn't cut it though so have lost hope... I know for a fact I won't go and work for the dole or attend this new job provider situation as it's more group orientated and not 1 on 1 appointments. I've been to a psychologist and psychiatrist, I've been on 5+ different antidepressants, this is ongoing and will be for years to come... I just don't know what to do... I hate saying this but it's true...It's rather DSP or no income.. which will lead to no family member wanting to support me as that's how it was years ago before I finally got onto a payment.. Any advice or support would be appreciated! I'm just over it....

Bf_anxiety anxiety about my boyfriend and him doing drugs
  • replies: 6

I'm 17 and so is my boyfriend, and recently he has started spending more time with this one friend who has now got him into drugs. he had smoked weed before and drank and I tolerated that, but now he has just told me that he's done coke and wants to ... View more

I'm 17 and so is my boyfriend, and recently he has started spending more time with this one friend who has now got him into drugs. he had smoked weed before and drank and I tolerated that, but now he has just told me that he's done coke and wants to do more along with acid. I have expressed that I have really bad anxiety about him doing it and that I think his friend is a really bad influence. when he told me I broke down crying and had a panic attack. I have explained that he doesn't know what he's putting in his body and that is only concerned for his well being. I have also told him that I really hate his friend, mostly because he acts like a dick when he's around him specifically towards me. I don't know why I feel like this. I don't want to control him but I really don't want him hanging out with him. he also has ADD and ADHD which means he is only making his brain more damaged. I don't know what to do. I have a panic attack each time I think about it.

bluesloth Help, I am too ugly
  • replies: 8

Well I just feel like the ugliest person in the world, and when I see all of these pictures of beautiful people it makes me feel horrible and like I am no good, that they are better than me, *crying* Also this is stupid but I feel stupid to like song... View more

Well I just feel like the ugliest person in the world, and when I see all of these pictures of beautiful people it makes me feel horrible and like I am no good, that they are better than me, *crying* Also this is stupid but I feel stupid to like songs by people because of how beautiful the singers are. I love songs by Phil Collins but when I listen to them I just feel like he would be disgusted that someone so ugly is listening to his songs... I wish I could be as beautiful as other people. I can't stand living because of how ugly I am.

maria123 Help Me
  • replies: 5

I really need help, for the last 8 months I’ve been struggling with some disturbing thoughts revolving sexuality. Prior to this I have always been interested in boys but lately these thoughts that my sexuality may be anything else have been constantl... View more

I really need help, for the last 8 months I’ve been struggling with some disturbing thoughts revolving sexuality. Prior to this I have always been interested in boys but lately these thoughts that my sexuality may be anything else have been constantly in my head And I’m so mentally exhausted and feeling depressed. I know that I want to be in a relationship with a man and marry a man but when these thoughts come I can’t help but believe it they are so strong in my head. Recently I’ve been dating this guy and he is amazing. I thought that this would help make my thoughts go away but instead I’ve been experiencing severe anxiety and crying every day. I’m happy when I’m with him but when I’m alone I’m so upset. When he asked me to be his girlfriend I accepted but it’s only been days and i’m Already breaking down emotionally. I want to be with him I care for him so much but i’m just so scared and I feel like i’m hurting him so much as he has no idea. I have been seeing a counsellor for the last few months but i’m Just so down I just want my old life back and be happy. I really need help

tassiehiker Relationship anxiety
  • replies: 6

so this might sound a little bit weird coming from a bloke, but im 28 years old and im dating someone who is 32 and has a 12 year old son. everything has been going super well of late, nearly no drama, but im having really bad anxiety, when she doesn... View more

so this might sound a little bit weird coming from a bloke, but im 28 years old and im dating someone who is 32 and has a 12 year old son. everything has been going super well of late, nearly no drama, but im having really bad anxiety, when she doesn't reply, sees my text messages but shes on Facebook. the other night i tried to open up to her and tell her how i was feeling about everything and how much i liked her and she shut me out! didn't talk to the whole drive home, and then she didnt text for a day! and then when she did talk it was all my fault! its someone that i feel so close to! someone i feel a future with! but if shes not going to open up and block me out when i let here know how i feel how can we move forward and be closer?

Karv94 Direction for the Directionless
  • replies: 1

I don't know where to begin on writing this - I'm turning 25 this year which is kind of scary. I'm sad and feel depleted that I have no enthusiasm for anything in my life at the moment. I know that I want a future, a livelihood I'm passionate about, ... View more

I don't know where to begin on writing this - I'm turning 25 this year which is kind of scary. I'm sad and feel depleted that I have no enthusiasm for anything in my life at the moment. I know that I want a future, a livelihood I'm passionate about, a loving relationship and friends, and maybe even a family one day. But my brain just jolts from thought to thought. often caught in an abyss of numbness. Most of the time, I just feel dumb, for not being able to think of anything/be creative. I'm numb all the time I'm fed up of having to deal with my brother's criticism of me. I don't want to waste the remainder of my life being unhappy but I don't know how to get out of this dark pit. I want to be happy - at least for my parents sake - who knows how long I'll have with them..they're getting quite old now. I've been on and off medication for a year...mostly just been swayed by other's opinions thinking its a weakness to be on it. But tbh some of my happiest months of 2018 was when I was on it. I feel like I'm caught in a deep sea rip and don't know how to rescue myself

Lozanger I'm in love with a boy who friendzoned me
  • replies: 7

Okay so... I've known this boy for 4-5 months now and ever since the beginning we both liked each other. We went on dates, he met my parents, we talked every. single. day. without fail. He took me out to a fancy dinner and a movie on Valentines Day, ... View more

Okay so... I've known this boy for 4-5 months now and ever since the beginning we both liked each other. We went on dates, he met my parents, we talked every. single. day. without fail. He took me out to a fancy dinner and a movie on Valentines Day, got me roses and constantly complimented me and kissed me and cuddled me. I told all my friends about him and boasted of course (I was over the moon about him). I genuinely had been thinking 'Maybe he's the one?!' (cringy, naive and dumb I know...). He's an aspiring actor and was actually a very busy guy and I'm still in school (He just graduated) but we would always hang out and go on dates. My friends and family considered him my boyfriend because we were that close. He hadn't asked me to be his girlfriend yet but I was sure that it would be soon. Then the other day, he starts texting me saying "I don't know if now is the best time to jump into a relationship, but I love you as a friend and I want you around me constantly because you make me happy and I thoroughly enjoy your company everytime". Mind you I had caught many many feelings by then. I end up crying... of course for days. And all my friends say to drop him and never talk again. But during that conversation he had mentioned that we would probably date in the near future he just know that him being busy would cause problems between us, and I completely understand where he's coming from. But at the same time, I'm just wondering... why can't he see that I would be an easygoing girlfriend. My last ex always saw his ex-girlfriend/friend and we broke up because he moved away! I'm not a complicated person and I wish he could see that... But us being friends right now feels almost as comfortable as being 'into each other'. So I'm not quite sure what to do...

Nobby69 Anxiety over potential breakup
  • replies: 2

I’ve been considering breaking up with my boyfriend for almost a year now. We’ve been together just over 4 years and have a house together. I’m an expact and moved over to Oz at a younge age. My family have all moved home so I am out here on my own w... View more

I’ve been considering breaking up with my boyfriend for almost a year now. We’ve been together just over 4 years and have a house together. I’m an expact and moved over to Oz at a younge age. My family have all moved home so I am out here on my own with him. I have a great group of friends and would have heaps of support if needed. He is such a great guy and I love him very much. He is kind, romantic, funny and helpful around the house. We are best of friends. Although I’m saying that I just can’t seem to stop thinking about breaking up with him. I’m a very motivated person with a good job and a drive for travel/adventures/personal growth etc. He hasn’t progressed much in the last 4 years and has no real desire to. every milestone we have had is down to me making it happen. I just feel like I’m doing life alone and am dragging him along with me. He has stopped seeing his friends as much as he used to and spends most of his time on the sofa unless I organise something for us to do. I just feel very bored and as though I could get so much further on my own. I would also love to move home and be with my family once I start having kids and settling down. This isn’t on the cards for him. If a friend came to me with this problem I’d tell her to leave. I just can’t physically make myself do it. I’m so afraid I’m making a mistake and I’m terrified of hurting him. Everyone always tells me how great of a guy he is and that I’m so lucky he gets on so well with everyone. I just wish I could stop thinking about ending it. Any advice?