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.

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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

Unsure_tbh Long term struggles
  • replies: 1

So I have been in a long term relationship with a female for 4 years . During that time She has claimed to be supportive but gets mad over little things I do. (E.g not putting things in a specific order ). She also on atleast 3 occasions spoke to my ... View more

So I have been in a long term relationship with a female for 4 years . During that time She has claimed to be supportive but gets mad over little things I do. (E.g not putting things in a specific order ). She also on atleast 3 occasions spoke to my depression to several of her friends without my consent and knowing how I feel about the subject (. I never publicise the fact of my mental health and keep it at a minimum as I don't want to be treated differently . recently she has seen a psych in regards to an issue happening when she was twelve. During this session I was called a narcissist from her conversation with the psychologist . I then approached her about it and she denies anything being sad negatively towards me nor does She deny giving the impression I am. And also denies suggesting I am in the first place , which is not true. As a week or so after the session , she "suggested " that I am a narcissis primarily due to her psychologist mentioning it. I would like help or already some second opinion as I am unable to handle this anymore and have had thoughts .

jenna9393 Do I Have Depression Or Is It Just Teenage Angst?
  • replies: 3

Hi, my name is Jenna and I am 17, attending high school. I have done some research on depression, and I tick most of the boxes of the symptoms, but I can't tell if that's really the case or I'm just being dramatic. I don't have motivation in anything... View more

Hi, my name is Jenna and I am 17, attending high school. I have done some research on depression, and I tick most of the boxes of the symptoms, but I can't tell if that's really the case or I'm just being dramatic. I don't have motivation in anything currently, and it just feels like my life is crumbling before me and I can't do anything to stop it. The cause is mainly school, I've always been a very academic person and a high achiever but this year when I started my ATAR courses I've been getting low grades which causes me to lose motivation in my studies. I can't sit down and do homework without getting distracted ( I am supposed to write an essay as I am writing this post, so currently I am procrastinating), which results in me getting lower grades. I have also not enjoyed things that I enjoy in the past, such as drawing. Everything I draw looks bad now so I don't do it anymore. Which is very bad because I go to an art school and I can't find the motivation or the creativity to finish my projects. Also, I recently went to an amusement park and discovered that even the rides don't excite me. I went on every ride - even the scary ones - but I wasn't excited. When I went on the rollercoaster I had the same excitement level as I have for when I'm entering a car. I've always loved amusement parks. If I can't get excited about amusement parks, then what can? I've also had trouble getting up in the mornings and oversleeping, which results in me going to class late. Due to oversleeping, I have been late to three tests. Talking to my parents about my feelings are not an option. My parents have very rigid views of mental illness and will laugh in my face if I tell them about it. I know this because they are always saying 'kids your age can't be sad', which really angers me because I'm not an idiot of course I'm going to get sad. Talking to them will cause unnecessary arguments and I wish to keep my parents away from this for my own sake. So, do I have depression? Does everyone experience this? Is this just a phase? I'm very lost and need answers.

skyblue18 how do I tell my parents about my depression?
  • replies: 39

hi, I'm new to the BeyondBlue online forum but I thought it would be a great place to get some advice. for the last couple years, I have been struggling with depression and anxiety but it had been "minor" and manageable. within the last 6-12 months m... View more

hi, I'm new to the BeyondBlue online forum but I thought it would be a great place to get some advice. for the last couple years, I have been struggling with depression and anxiety but it had been "minor" and manageable. within the last 6-12 months my mental health has spiralled down and I know I need help. I have emailed headspace a few times and they suggested/want me to get face to face support which I totally agree with. the only thing in the way between me and getting help is that I don't know how to tell my parents. I know that they will be supportive as I have seen it when they helped my older sister when she was struggling. I don't know why I cant tell them but as I approach them I panic and back out. I've been hoping that my parents will initiate the conversation that's why I have been waiting so long, but they don't know that I am struggling so, therefore, they haven't initiated any conversations. to me, going up and initiating the conversation myself is daunting but I don't know what else to do.

fridaymornin Numb
  • replies: 3

Hey, New to this so see how it goes! I just wanted to seek some advice/ideas from someone. Anything really. I have some issues going on in my life at the moment, just like the rest of us, which are always a rollercoaster ride to deal with. I just fee... View more

Hey, New to this so see how it goes! I just wanted to seek some advice/ideas from someone. Anything really. I have some issues going on in my life at the moment, just like the rest of us, which are always a rollercoaster ride to deal with. I just feel numb quite a bit, in terms of some days I'll wake up and it's like my personality has been drained out of me.... I don't want to do anything, see anyone etc etc and the worst bit is? No matter how bad I feel, I can never cry. The tears just won't come and I'm stuck in this kind of fog in my head that just numbs everything. It's a really horrible feeling and I really don't know if I can keep doing this. I feel like I'm such a burden and really really hate myself whenever the fog comes.. I'm not myself. Unless this is a part of me? Any advice would be appreciated and thank you x

Immy-95 The reality of my life is dragging me down
  • replies: 6

Hi, I wanted to share some thoughts and feelings with the community here. I am very depressed and anxious about my current situation and my overall life. This year has been the worst year of my life. Here's why: - I had a nasty falling out with my be... View more

Hi, I wanted to share some thoughts and feelings with the community here. I am very depressed and anxious about my current situation and my overall life. This year has been the worst year of my life. Here's why: - I had a nasty falling out with my best friend of four years -I was kicked out of home -I broke my ankle in April however it is not healed and have been stuffed around by the system. - I had to declare bankruptcy - I had to take a break from uni due to psychological and financial reasons - I was homeless for a week I am struggling with the reality that I am a loser. I feel very alone with how my life is and that is not really worth living. I am not getting any joy or use out of it so what is the point of carrying on? I feel so worthless and alone in a depressing situation from which I see no end. I do get centrelink and work part time, but it is not doing much to alievate the money issues. I can't get help from friends, parents or anyone. I am missing that fact I do not have a best friend or anyone to do things with. I do go out and socialise at various events but have trouble making friends. I am not sure why I can't connect with some people; I use a variety of techniques to try to connect. I try to mimic others behaviour in order to fit in, I try to be myself, I keep to myself in case people come to me. I go to people and try to strike up a conversation. Seems like I am a social outcast I am depressed about being bankrupt and not being able to apply for a loan, credit card, etc. I understand that is the side effect from doing that, but I continually apply and make my situation worse and worse. I fear never to be able to get a loan for a house or a car in the future. I really suck at money! Thank you for taking the time to listen to me. Kind regards, Imogen.

JustCallMeShen Bad Dreams
  • replies: 3

Sometimes, I have bad dreams. When I say bad, I don't mean being chased y monsters or something. It typically involves me living through a version of myself who decided to finally check out, or just a reenactment of all the things I regret in life. T... View more

Sometimes, I have bad dreams. When I say bad, I don't mean being chased y monsters or something. It typically involves me living through a version of myself who decided to finally check out, or just a reenactment of all the things I regret in life. These dreams tend to get worse around the time of some sort of catalyst event. I still get them even when I'm fine, albeit I don't wake up sweating or tearing up. My dreams aren't only subjected to watching me end my own life. Sometimes, I get these really weird dreams where I watch my life being replayed, except I've been replaced by a much better-looking, more able, more skillful and more loved version of me. I just get to watch my perfect doppelganger do everything I've done, but perfectly. Is this weird? Idk. I hope not though, especially the last bit about watching someone else in my shoes.

Peanut22 Anxiety and autism
  • replies: 2

I have been dating the most kind hearted AMAZING guy for around about 6 months now. I am his 1st gf and our realtionship was pretty serious but a week ago he has broken things off as he said that he couldn't do it anymore because of his anxiety, stre... View more

I have been dating the most kind hearted AMAZING guy for around about 6 months now. I am his 1st gf and our realtionship was pretty serious but a week ago he has broken things off as he said that he couldn't do it anymore because of his anxiety, stress and he was confused about his feelings for me. Stright after calling things off with me he deleted his fb and insta accounts. He been struggling alot this month as his new job is stressing him out and he has been puting alot of pressure on himself. He has high functioning autism aswell so he gets very confused about his feelings and always stress about how he should be feeling in the realtionship ect. He has even been comparing our realtionship to tvshows. He hasn't has much mental support at all and he stopped his anxiety medication a few months back and gone down the natural way. After the brake up i haven't contact him as he needs space but i am very worried about him but i know if i contact him he will shut me out even more. I need some advice

JaffaBoy Feel like I have too many issues (long)
  • replies: 3

Hi all, new here and needing some advice. I'm 20, living at home and managing a part-time job coupled with part time university. I finished school back in 2016 and initially went straight to university, my mental health did not cope with it and I did... View more

Hi all, new here and needing some advice. I'm 20, living at home and managing a part-time job coupled with part time university. I finished school back in 2016 and initially went straight to university, my mental health did not cope with it and I did terribly and took a year off. I ended up upping my work to full time and doing nothing with regard to self progress for reasons unknown to me. I decided to go back to university this semester because I couldn't see myself progressing in life any other way but I've run into the exact same problems. I don't have any motivation for the course or degree that I'm in and the only thing driving me is that I want more for myself than an office job and I'm scared of how disadvantaged I will be without a degree of some kind. Clearly this isn't enough of a driving force as I am so far behind I'm not even sure if I'll pass the semester. I've committed to myself to make a concerted effort to try and then it around for a pass but every time I'm working I find that my mental health goes straight to negativity and I really struggle to maintain focus. I've often wondered if I have ADD as this has always been an issue however I've never gotten tested. Two weeks ago I was also given an ultimatum by my mother who I currently live with and pay rent to. She said I was either to commit fully to university or supplement my rent with a full time job and leave completely. When I told her I wanted the former she expected me to pull my grades up to obscene levels which I simply don't believe it's possible to do. I talked to her last night about how I'm stressed and lacking direction and her reaction was to act as though I'd broken a promise to her. We've always had a very close relationship and it's difficult for me to continue this path knowing she not only distrusts me but doesn't support me. I feel as though I'm directionless and floundering and I'm not sure how to break that cycle. I often think about how I could be starting my third year of university right now but instead I'm in the same spot I was two years ago and have no motivation to change that. I don't think I've ever completely matured or developed independence but I have no idea how to and I'm honestly scared for the future of my life. Any comments or advice however small would go a long way to help me right now as I have no clue how to progress with my life and the stagnation is beyond frustrating.

Fiddles My weird way of looking at life
  • replies: 2

I have this really weird feeling that even though I'm liked by people in my friend group, no girls would really want to go out with me. I kind of have this weird thing where I just accept that no girls like me like me and I try no to worry about it t... View more

I have this really weird feeling that even though I'm liked by people in my friend group, no girls would really want to go out with me. I kind of have this weird thing where I just accept that no girls like me like me and I try no to worry about it too much. But sometimes it really gets to me. I find it hard to approach girls and I have no clue on how i'm ever going to ask a girl out. I have been trying to work on my self confidence this year by joining school bands and talking to girls more than I used to. I just can't seem to get past the barrier of (A) Being really awkward (B) Thinking that no girls find Iim attractive. I have the fear that if I try approaching the girl I like I will be rejected and will mess up the dynamic that my friend group has and everyone else's views on me. Sorry this thread is a bit messy its my first post and i'm very bad at expressing feelings I've never really talked about with anyone else. Thanks to anyone that reads or attempts to help me out!

cambb02 school is draining my mental health
  • replies: 2

Hi there, i am currently in year 10 at school and for the past four years the same thing has been happening- I don’t know how to change it. I feel like my friends lose interest in me really quickly and then they just leave me behind. This has happene... View more

Hi there, i am currently in year 10 at school and for the past four years the same thing has been happening- I don’t know how to change it. I feel like my friends lose interest in me really quickly and then they just leave me behind. This has happened so many times and I don’t know what to do and what I’m doing wrong!! I really like school and it’s what im good at, but the friends aspect just never works out for me and it leaves me with constant anxiety and depression. Recently, I’ve had two close friends in my group. My best friend was a really social and bubbly person and we’ve been close friends for two years now. But I knew that she would eventually leave and get sick of me like everyone else, just like she has now! She moved to another group who I don’t know that well and I was really hurt by that as I don’t think she took my situation into consideration at all, she just thought that we’d keep our bond. She even went as far as to ask that group if I could also sit with them. They said no. This always happens to me, and I feel like it’s the fact that I have trouble accepting myself and I care so much about what other people think, but I just don’t know how to change this. Thanks xo