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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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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?

FreyaGray My boyfriend wants me to stop clubbing cause he has anxiety
  • replies: 1

I've been with him for a year now and every time I go out without him he get assumes that I got tragic drunk and that I cheated on him. He says he trusts me but it's his anxiety that makes him freak out. He wants me to stop going without him (also he... View more

I've been with him for a year now and every time I go out without him he get assumes that I got tragic drunk and that I cheated on him. He says he trusts me but it's his anxiety that makes him freak out. He wants me to stop going without him (also he hates clubs). All my friends go (even some without their boyfriend). I know it's controlling of him, but he claims his anxiety makes him like that (I don't know if he's blaming his insecurity on his anxiety - that's probably bad of me to say) and it's selfish of me to choose clubbing over our relationship - I'm only fighting it cause he's making me choose when I shouldn't have to and I've done nothing wrong. Should I stop clubbing so he doesn't have panic attacks?How can I help his anxiety so he'll be okay with it? If anyone has any opinion or advice, I would really appreciate it. Thanks

Pale so done
  • replies: 4

Hi y'all, I'm struggling with school, like a lot. I'm really behind. I'm in year 10 and I can't see myself graduating, or um living long enough to graduate. I feel like there's no point in any of my subjects or school in general and right now it's al... View more

Hi y'all, I'm struggling with school, like a lot. I'm really behind. I'm in year 10 and I can't see myself graduating, or um living long enough to graduate. I feel like there's no point in any of my subjects or school in general and right now it's all I'm doing with my life. As soon as some motivation comes to do my best it is gone almost instantly and I'm left tired and depressed. I'm getting help and support from my school and psychologists but I feel so isolated and like no one actually understands how sad I am and how much I'm so done with life at this point. I also have only two environments: my house where my mum is constantly pressuring me and there is no way to escape from my family or other people, and school. Each day seems to mold into each other. I can't drive or get away to study somewhere else because I'm only 14. I'm too far behind at school to have time for hobbies. My mum would never let me go to a friend's house or anything. Sorry this is pretty poorly written lol I just wanted to talk.

Stellbell Long distance relationship with depressed partner
  • replies: 2

My boyfriend and I we know each other for 3,5 years. We started of as colleagues at work over the last 10 month a friendship grew. At for now 2 month we are in a relationship. He works and lives now 4 hours away, which means we only see each other on... View more

My boyfriend and I we know each other for 3,5 years. We started of as colleagues at work over the last 10 month a friendship grew. At for now 2 month we are in a relationship. He works and lives now 4 hours away, which means we only see each other on weekends and sometimes just every second weekend. All this is fine as we knew what we head into right at the beginning. I always knew that he suffers from depressions and that he is on medication and also saw a psychologist. However last week he told me he went off his medication for about 5 month now, which I didn’t know. But he said he feels good and not stressed anymore so he stopped taking them. Last week he got told by his boss that he won’t have a job with them after Easter. I first thought he took it really well and stayed positive and looked for new jobs. He even talked about moving closer again. That happened on the Monday, since Tuesday he has changed. He barely talks, he seems really tired, doesn’t want to know about anything. He is t showing the same affection anymore, he is trying to get me to make other plans for the weekends where we had planes to see each other. And he told me he started drinking again (1carton beer in 3days) over the last 10 month he didn’t drink at all. I‘m at a point where I don’t know what to do or how to help. I don’t know what i can say and what not. Can I say I miss him? Or puts that more pressure on him? Should I give him the space he needs? If I ask if everything is ok or if he wants to talk I always get short answers like no all good. I have never been with a partner that had depression. And the fact that we only see each other on the weekends doesn’t help at all. I thought about writing him a letter to let him know how I feel about him and about all the things I love about him and how they make me feel. I love him but I’m unsure about his feelings at the moment as he seems to push me away and I don’t want to annoy him or pressure him in any way. I appreciate any advise as I‘m really unsure about the situation at the moment as i have never experienced it before. Thank you