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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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Stuckone HELP centerlink issues interview tomorrow 😏
  • replies: 3

Hi everyone, im not sure where to go or what to do im a mess... been going through 10mnths of centrelink hell rejection after rejection with no pay. I have no money, in debt, no family, im at rock bottom and not coping in anyway. i suffer extremely b... View more

Hi everyone, im not sure where to go or what to do im a mess... been going through 10mnths of centrelink hell rejection after rejection with no pay. I have no money, in debt, no family, im at rock bottom and not coping in anyway. i suffer extremely bad depression and anxiety, im not "disabled' enough for DSP, dont qualify for sickness (was thrown off 10mnths ago) also told i cant get newstart or anything else. Yesterday someone mentioned just apply for new start again i did, ticked i cant work currently. They will do a phone interview and assessment tomorrow now. How and what are the 'right' things to say? Can someone please help me, im so lost thank you

helterskelter I no longer enjoy school
  • replies: 3

This is my first time posting, so hi everyone!! So basically, I used to enjoy school a lot. I had friends and I never really had a day when I believed that I didn't like school at all. But this year sort of hit me like a truck, and I've been separate... View more

This is my first time posting, so hi everyone!! So basically, I used to enjoy school a lot. I had friends and I never really had a day when I believed that I didn't like school at all. But this year sort of hit me like a truck, and I've been separated from my friends and my core class sucks. (I'm a yr 10 by the way). At first, I tried to think positively like, I might as well make some new friends, but everyone already has their own friendship groups and they're all sort of intimidating. Then I thought I should at least focus on my studies, but now whatever my teachers say don't make sense to me anymore and I constantly find myself confused. (I also feel like a majority of my teachers don't like me so that's great) I find myself crying for hardly any reason and everyday I just can't find the motivation to go to class and enjoy anything. At first, I thought that it was because I was cut off from all my buddies and that was the reason I was feeling down, but then whenever lunch comes around (which is basically the only time I see them), I always seem to get really annoyed at them for hardly any reason at all and I just want to be left alone, to be by myself. Then when I'm in class, I become sad at how lonely I feel. My home life's good, and home is really the only place I like being in, but when I'm go to sleep, my head suddenly reminds me that I have no friends, there's hardly anyone I like and then I just start crying again. I want to tell my parents, but for some reason, I can't find the guts to tell them. Sometimes, I just feel like I'm overreacting, like this is just me being hormonal and attention-seeking and that it's just school. I need to toughen up because everyone else adapted, so why can't I? I realised I basically wrote an essay but yeah, that's about it ... Advice? (Thank you if you've read this far)

Dzartovian94 I have no motivation.
  • replies: 2

At this point in my life where I am constantly tired and unmotivated. Finished uni last year with my degree, grades were average due to health complications. Spent 14 months looking for work, had over 30 interviews, keep getting told that I don't fit... View more

At this point in my life where I am constantly tired and unmotivated. Finished uni last year with my degree, grades were average due to health complications. Spent 14 months looking for work, had over 30 interviews, keep getting told that I don't fit. Went for a prestigious job, beat 99% of the applicants on the testing, had a good interview, didn't get the job because "You would not fit in our organisation". This has destroyed my confidence, my motivation and my drive to improve and do activities that I used to enjoy. Got my first full-time job 6 months ago, already in a leadership position. The money is garbage, I could care less about the industry and only took the job due to not having any other choice. I just don't fit, I refuse to conform and have zero tolerance for bullshit. I literally do nothing on the weekends, my hobbies bore me and I don't have much of a social circle. I would say I'm a misanthrope and just can't stand modern people. No relationships too speak off and being extremely conservative in my behaviour (due to my negative health in my childhood), I don't really mix with most people my age. I am thinking about doing another course but at the same time, what is the point? What is the point of spending money to learn skills and improve your knowledge when you can be dismissed so easily? What is the point of earning money if it is just going to be taxed from you anyway? Even if you make decent money, what is there to buy? A co-worker that I am training had a conversation with me yesterday regarding this. He asked me why I wasn't in another job such as finance or banking or whatever other things I seem to be knowledgeable about and I told him it wasn't due to a lack of trying. I would like to learn to paint or code or learn new languages but I just don't see the point. Maybe it is silly to seek that all things I do, need to make some return on my initial investment, whether it is career progress or financial gain but I feel stuck now that I cannot make progress in that direction. How do I fit in when my very core personality is anti-conformity and completely individualistic? I don't want to fit in but this is impending my career progress and my job opportunities. I don't think it would be a good idea to pretend because that is only going to make me more dissatisfied with life. I have been wanting to write a book for a long time, but again, what is the point? It is not like I am going to achieve anything with it.

Raimu8 My Problems. I Need Some Help And Opinions.
  • replies: 3

Hi. I'm a teenage girl who has no idea what's happening to them. Yes, I'm young, and yes, maybe these emotions are just from hormonal changes and puberty. Even so, I wanted other people's opinions, as I can't seem to discuss this topic with my friend... View more

Hi. I'm a teenage girl who has no idea what's happening to them. Yes, I'm young, and yes, maybe these emotions are just from hormonal changes and puberty. Even so, I wanted other people's opinions, as I can't seem to discuss this topic with my friends, who don't take mental issues seriously. I don't really understand how I feel. But, I just really hate myself. I constantly feel so low and tired and I stress over the fact that I have no one to talk to. I don't want to go to school, I don't want to talk to anyone, I'm losing interest in most of my hobbies. To be honest, I do think there's something wrong with me. Don't get me wrong, I'm not suicidal. I don't want to die, or hurt myself. I just hate being where I am. My friends kind of make fun of these kinds of things and ironically take online tests. I know they won't prove anything but my results are 100% always moderate depression, OCD, anxiety, social paranoia, all those things. I just don't know anymore. Sometimes, I cry, for no reason at all. When I'm crying, I always wonder: 'What's my body trying to tell me?' Is this... A bad thing? Do I actually have a problem? I hate the fact that people would try to help me, I just feel like a waste of space and a burden when people try to help me or ask me if I'm okay. But deep down, I don't know, maybe I wanted someone to just... Understand? Where I'm coming from without me having to say. Know when I'm not feeling well and just help me without a word. But, I know that's all just an unrealistic child's dream. But is this just because of puberty? Am I just 'being my age'? I just wanted some opinions. Thanks.

stephiiee Dealing with emetophobia and being in highschool
  • replies: 3

I don't know how my fear of vomiting started but it's been really hard, especially the past few months. Everyday I think about whether or not I'm going to be sick. Most days I experience digestive upsets (don't know if this is from anxiety or a physi... View more

I don't know how my fear of vomiting started but it's been really hard, especially the past few months. Everyday I think about whether or not I'm going to be sick. Most days I experience digestive upsets (don't know if this is from anxiety or a physical problem) which fuel my anxiety and lead to a seemingly never ending cycle or feeling sick, worrying I'm going to be sick and having a panic attack. It's been hard going to school and I don't really have friends that I can talk to about my issues which makes going to school even harder. Lately I've been feeling like there's no point. I just want to know if there's any young person out there going through the same thing as me? I know I'm not alone I just need someone to talk to about it.

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.