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Sophie_M How are you feeling about the social media restrictions in Australia for under 16s?
  • replies: 14

Hey everyone With the upcoming Australian social media restriction for under 16-year-olds coming up we want to know what this means for you and maybe even the young people in your life. This conversation is a place for all of us to share how we are f... View more

Hey everyone With the upcoming Australian social media restriction for under 16-year-olds coming up we want to know what this means for you and maybe even the young people in your life. This conversation is a place for all of us to share how we are feeling and what we think the challenges and benefits might be for you or the wonderful young people in our community. Have you thought about how to stay connected with friends you’ve met online? Are you focused mostly on the positives, or the negatives? What do your parents think, and what could they do to support you? Importantly the Beyond Blue Forums are not impacted by these restrictions, we're here for anyone under 16. In short, from December 10 Social Media companies will need to ensure that only people over 16 actively engage with their platforms. There is a lot of information out there which can make it tricky to know what to expect on when it comes into effect. To learn more we think these are a helpful place to start eSafety commissioner + Headspace FAQs. We know this change will impact some more than others, QLife provide anonymous and free LGBTIQ+ support and 13YARN are here for all Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people. We want to hear your thoughts on how this might impact the mental health of under 16s in both a positive and negative way. The Beyond Blue Forums are a place for constructive and helpful conversation and the regular moderation rules apply which means we look forward to a kind and understanding discussion. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and feelings Sophie M

BeyondBlue New to this Forum? Please read this first!
  • replies: 0

Hey there! Welcome to the Young People section of the Beyond Blue Forums. The purpose of this section is to provide members aged 25 and under a space to discuss life issues, tricky situations and the difficult emotions and feelings that come with tho... View more

Hey there! Welcome to the Young People section of the Beyond Blue Forums. The purpose of this section is to provide members aged 25 and under a space to discuss life issues, tricky situations and the difficult emotions and feelings that come with those. If you are aged over 25, please be mindful that this is a space for younger people to connect and provide support for each other. These forums are moderated, so your posts may not appear straight away. Information on moderation on the Forums can be found here. Being familiar with our Community Guidelines can help ensure that your posts appear online as quickly as possible. If we have concerns about your wellbeing, one of our friendly moderators will check in with you privately to make sure you get the support you need. If you need more immediate support, we recommend reaching out to the following: Beyond Blue Support Service – any time, chat online to a counsellor or call 1300 22 4636 Headspace – between 9am and 1am (AEST), chat online to a mental health clinician or call 1800 650 890 Kids Helpline – any time, chat online to a counsellor or call 1800 55 1800 Thank you for being here. We’re glad you’ve found us here and hope this can be a supportive space for you Beyond Blue

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natsukashii Feeling weak and pathetic because you lack confidence
  • replies: 1

Hi! I need some support, so I will keep it brief. I always feel very socially anxious and panicky when I have to talk to others I don't usually talk to without a friend. I was meant to go to a study group tonight but I only go because my friend goes,... View more

Hi! I need some support, so I will keep it brief. I always feel very socially anxious and panicky when I have to talk to others I don't usually talk to without a friend. I was meant to go to a study group tonight but I only go because my friend goes, and she couldn't come. I know it must sound stupid, but I just can't be myself, and confident without someone else, I have really low self-esteem. But I don't know how to get rid of it. I have panic attacks because I just feel like I'm so self-conscious of how I act and how I talk when I'm in group and personal situations. My parents ask me why, and they often say on the lines of "you have to put in the effort to make friends". But I know that if I did go, I just couldn't! I would be almost paralysed with anxiety! It makes me feel so disappointed in myself when my parents say that, because I should be fine! Normal people are fine! It makes me feel pathetic and weak. How do I stop being like this? Any advice would help a lot Thankyouu

AnxiousS sad all the time
  • replies: 1

Hi everyone, Basically in the last few months my mental health has deteriorated to the worst it's ever been - I'm sad all the time, and when I'm not sad I'm constantly worried about my future and uni and just everything. I'm now at the point where I ... View more

Hi everyone, Basically in the last few months my mental health has deteriorated to the worst it's ever been - I'm sad all the time, and when I'm not sad I'm constantly worried about my future and uni and just everything. I'm now at the point where I can't see a future where I'm happy, and I don't know why I bother getting out of bed in the morning. I recently broke up with my boyfriend, and I definitely think my mental health played a large part in why I could no longer keep the relationship going, but obviously I have lost a big part of my support system in him. I find it really hard to talk about these things, and I have never had much luck with psychologists and I'm not sure I can put myself through it all again to come out with nothing on the other side. I also am not close to my family and can't talk about any of it with them. I honestly just don't know what to do anymore - every single day just sucks and I don't want to do anything anymore except sleep and cry. I'm also currently midway through the uni semester and at the point where I just don't know what to do. I'm really struggling with just not being able to bring myself to do the work, but at the same time, uni is the only thing getting me out of bed at the moment. Any advice would be appreciated

KB234 No study motivation doesnt faze me, and not in a good way
  • replies: 1

Hi! Im currently in my last year of uni and what should be my most stressful yet it feels like im not taking it seriously. For example, I had a report due at midnight that I had a week to do, and the entire day yesterday uninterrupted to complete it,... View more

Hi! Im currently in my last year of uni and what should be my most stressful yet it feels like im not taking it seriously. For example, I had a report due at midnight that I had a week to do, and the entire day yesterday uninterrupted to complete it, and still bare minimum is done. This isnt the first assignment where this has happened. Its like the due dates have turned into suggestions and not deadlines, I feel no particular stress towards the deadline because Ive let myself be okay with handing things late and cop the penalty which is affecting my grades when it shouldn't have to be this way. The hurdle has always been trying to start working/studying but now even after ive started maintaining that concentration for even 10 minutes is a strain and leads to an hours break. Im hoping to push through this week and use the long weekend to rest and reconsolidate, but and advice or tips to get my head moving in the right direction would help so much. Cheers! -KB

John_P where to from here?
  • replies: 14

Hello. I am feeling very lost. I try to hide it but i have been feeling like this for 2 years. 2 years ago my ex broke up with me. It was a shock and just left without any reasoning. That's usually cool, but we were about to get married and NO-ONE sa... View more

Hello. I am feeling very lost. I try to hide it but i have been feeling like this for 2 years. 2 years ago my ex broke up with me. It was a shock and just left without any reasoning. That's usually cool, but we were about to get married and NO-ONE saw the breakup coming. What is was left with was me blaming myself, but in reality it is probably nothing i could have done different. ( i tried my best and friends told me not to worry). As i moved states to live with her, my only network was her and her family and friends. I found it very hard to move on as i am a 1 woman man, and i just couldnt move back home as it meant closure. In the last 2 years i have had to fend for myself, i have become a womaniser-sleeping with a lot of woman and dating many women (where before-i was the sweet loyal fun loving boyfriend type) i have moved a couple of jobs, find it extremely hard to let people in as a friendship. I have developed an unhealthy habbit of looking up erotic material on the internet dailt. Over the past 8 months i am dating a girl that i really really like and she loves me. She is an angel and realy a catch but i am finding it hard to emotionally commit to her- (its complicated because she plans to move overseas for 2 years and then come back to be with me). In my alone time I cry relentlessly. I have emotional freak outs. My mind goes back in flashabacks to my failed relationship and all the people i lost whilst in that relationship. I have this constant throbbing in my head. I dont know weather to do a long relationship or just move back home with my friends and family? Also I dont know is wrong with my emotions, wellbeing-flashbacks- do i have PTSD? depression? I find it hard to see any positives in life despite my career success and this new amazing woman.

Whitepoppy61 I feel like a robot (not reacting in general, less emotions, no personality etc)
  • replies: 4

Hello again. I'm a year 12 who keeps to herself and focuses hard on studies. As of lately, I'm unable to react to social situations, entertainment or just anything that people say to me. I don't find joy in this stuff and lost interest in my old hobb... View more

Hello again. I'm a year 12 who keeps to herself and focuses hard on studies. As of lately, I'm unable to react to social situations, entertainment or just anything that people say to me. I don't find joy in this stuff and lost interest in my old hobbies (video games). These days, I'm studying hard, watching stuff or asleep. I can't even remember the last time I laughed genuinely (I smile politely or fake my laugh) As a result, people find me very awkward and boring or fake and so it became difficult to socialise with new people. Previously, I've been called out before for having no personality but dismissed it since I'm naturally quiet. However, I realised other quiet people react to stuff and have better social lives, which made me reflect upon myself. Now, I'm concerned that I'm incapable of reacting, having no personality and just having fewer emotions as a whole. This was a problem I always had but failed to notice it until HSC started. I believe this has happened since year 9 though, my old friends commented that I changed in that year. Examples of me not reacting: A person claimed my crush liked me and I replied with an "oh" (she even asked why I'm not reacting). Another example included a person talking to me about a problem of hers, in which I listened with a blank face (she even muttered 'that was boring'). In general, I don't react to videos or topics people try to talk about with me. The only topics I actively engage in would be HSC or school stuff (another reason why I feel like a robot, I mostly inform people) Since then, I've become super self-conscious about the way I converse with others which worsened my social anxiety (I was already shy and self-conscious). It came to the point that I even actively try to minimise my interactions with acquaintances, simply because I'm scared of being judged for my robotic type of personality. I have always been judged since chilehood for my introverted nature, I don't want to risk worsening their impressions of me. Sometimes, I ask my best friend for reassurance that I have a personality. He says I have a silent type of personality, but I feel like there's a deeper reason for this. I'm scared there's probably a mental issue hidden but it's honestly difficult to tell. Moreover, the way people judge me makes me feel like it's a huge flaw, which doesn't help my self-esteem at all. I'm sorry if this is all over the place, but I just wanted to voice out my thoughts and i'm feeling so confused about this.

Fee29 Stress, anxiety and depression breaking up my relationship
  • replies: 1

Hi, About a year ago my boyfriend and I decided to move in together. I was in a great place in my life and was happier than I had ever been. However, since moving in together I have been considerably unwell with various health problems. Over the past... View more

Hi, About a year ago my boyfriend and I decided to move in together. I was in a great place in my life and was happier than I had ever been. However, since moving in together I have been considerably unwell with various health problems. Over the past three or so months the health issues have been increasingly worse. I suffer with the constant worry and anxiety that I will be unwell at work, at a social event or even just at home and that it will start ruining my life. I am almost always in a constant state of pain and when I’m not I’m worrying that I going to be. On top of this, I have a very stressful job which requires me to be there a lot, have a lot of responsibilities and I don’t get the needed rest I require. My family lives in the uk so I also struggle with support and missing them. I have been diagnosed with severe anxiety and mild depression. My partner is not very sympathetic or empathetic and finds it hard to understand it all. I often get overly sensitive and upset over little things. My partner always threatens to break up with me and calls me crazy when I have an anxiety attack. He often sits there and tells me I’m losing the plot when I’m crying until I snap at him and he gets the chance to leave the conversation. I understand my anxiety, stress and depression affects him directly as he is living with me and I have just started reaching out for support and help. When we get into arguments, the increased stress often leads to my asthma getting worse, he acts like that I’m making my asthma get worse on purpose to get out of the argument and gets angry at me for having an asthma attack. He doesn’t see any of this as the effects of my declining mental health and rather than supporting me, is trying to tell me that we should just give up. I feel like he only wants me when I’m happy and anxiety free. I don’t understand how someone can be so intent on ending the relationship when only a day prior he was asking my dad for advice on where to take me for a surprise holiday.

ROSEEM im sad
  • replies: 1

Today at uni a conversation triggered me and now i am feeling blank and emotionless. I do not want this to spiral into one of my depressive episodes. I am already on antidepressants and see a psychologist, just looking for something motivating or tho... View more

Today at uni a conversation triggered me and now i am feeling blank and emotionless. I do not want this to spiral into one of my depressive episodes. I am already on antidepressants and see a psychologist, just looking for something motivating or thought provoking so i don't spend the next month in bed.

Aye I feel like I'm about to lose everything
  • replies: 2

At the start of last year, I felt like I had everything together. I had a good job that made me proud to tell people about, I had just moved in with my now finace. I had everything I wanted more or less. After 5 months I injured my knee working (door... View more

At the start of last year, I felt like I had everything together. I had a good job that made me proud to tell people about, I had just moved in with my now finace. I had everything I wanted more or less. After 5 months I injured my knee working (door to door charity sales, aka alot of walking) so I had to stop as there wasnt a position open for someone who couldn't walk everyday. Then I had to move because of a dodgy Geelong landlord. But it was okay, I just gotten engaged. My life was still pretty awesome. That was july of last year. The 10 months haven't been kind. I've tried everything trying to get a job, and I know people will say "oh not everything" But yes, everything. I've walked around town handing out resumes, I've applied to every job I could do online (on every job board website), I've asked every family member and friend, I've even offered to work for free to some places. And that has been nearly every day of those 10 months. And I know that isn't the be all and end all. But it's starting to be. I can't get out of the house because I have no money, I can't afford rent sometimes, my partner has told me to my face I'm poison because me notting getting a job is affecting her so much that she relapsed on her depression and she's spiralling in one of the most important years of her life. She can't move back into her parents place for reason I can't quite say but she tells me alot she feels trapped and scared that she will end up hating me soon. I mean, I have friends places I can go to and all, but I'm, for the better part, stuck in a lease. She tells me "get a job" but for an indian guy (WHO MIND YOU, WAS BORN HERE AND LIVED HERE MY WHOLE LIFE) with a minor knee disability, it's damn near impossible. Every interview I even get, there are 200+ applications and no matter how confident or outgoing and willing I am to any interviewer, I still don't get a second round. So I'm stuck, real stuck. And I'm about to lose everything I have. It's my fault, and there's not even anything I can do to stop it. I know this isn't really the place to ask, but what can I do..? I feel so utterly dejected and hate myself for just being. Its gotten to the point where every morning I wake up and feel like walking until I just drop. I don't know what to do and I'm so lost.

Ellie_B Sexually nervous
  • replies: 2

HI. Im only 18 and just started uni, living on campus. I have only ever kissed boys before and there is such a huge expectation at uni and it makes me feel pressured. I am attracted to lots of guys but whenever a guy shows interest i get so nervous a... View more

HI. Im only 18 and just started uni, living on campus. I have only ever kissed boys before and there is such a huge expectation at uni and it makes me feel pressured. I am attracted to lots of guys but whenever a guy shows interest i get so nervous and turn them down. I want a boyfriend and to do stuff with guys but don't know why I get so fridget. I am nervous I don't know what I am doing but people say everything gets better with experience. ideas anyone?

Arose I feel numb
  • replies: 1

Hi, i was with this guy on and off for over a year and then he started to talk to one of my best friends and they started dating. It’s now been a year since that all happened and they have broken up and he started talking to me again. We had sex and ... View more

Hi, i was with this guy on and off for over a year and then he started to talk to one of my best friends and they started dating. It’s now been a year since that all happened and they have broken up and he started talking to me again. We had sex and now he acts like I don’t even exist and a part of me still wants him even though he has walked all over me and used me. I feel so empty and sad.