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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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Abx Broken hope
  • replies: 1

Hi everyone! I think my hope when it comes to LOVE is definitely broken. I thought I was able to find hope in someone who I ever wanted. He's a guy I met online and dated for 3months. It's brief but it made me really happy. We spent several times tog... View more

Hi everyone! I think my hope when it comes to LOVE is definitely broken. I thought I was able to find hope in someone who I ever wanted. He's a guy I met online and dated for 3months. It's brief but it made me really happy. We spent several times together, if we're not together communication through text and call is done everyday. He say sweet things, complements my insecurities, keeps me warm, holds my hands when we walk and all sort of things that couples would do. The way I know him is that he's a good communicator, honest, kind, reassures me every now and then, complements everyone and helps out others. Just enough for now. I'm enjoying the moment with him. However, one day he just broke it off with me. I don't know what happened or what I did or whatever reason that he said he can not like me more than enough for him to commit to me. I was shocked, overwhelmed, full of emotions mixed in a jar that I can not explain. I'm crippled physically, emotionally and mentally but trying my best to function at work and daily living. The last time I talked to him he said he maybe a dismissive attachment style. I've read about it but I find it weird coz he would be able to talk about his childhood, exes, friends and family. He shares his views and thoughts on different matters. I don't know if I should believe him. For me it seems like he's finding an excuse. I lost my confidence in him and even myself. I'm not sure what I want to do or I want to hear. This makes me so weak and half functioning.

Samira feeling helpless, lost and stressed
  • replies: 1

Hi all, This is my first time posting on here but this year was my last year of high school. I did VCE so the stress of getting a good ATAR and getting into my dream uni was already a lot to deal with. Around the time year 12 students start applying ... View more

Hi all, This is my first time posting on here but this year was my last year of high school. I did VCE so the stress of getting a good ATAR and getting into my dream uni was already a lot to deal with. Around the time year 12 students start applying for universities, I got informed that my visa is being processed. Upon learning about this, I learnt that I was considered an International student because I don't have an Australian residency or citizenship and because I was born in America. All of this made me more stressed because international student university tuition fees are so expensive and because I was on a bridging visa that didn't allow me work rights, I felt so unmotivated and was in a lot of distress. So I applied at a university in America since I'm a citizen there and I also have family there so I could stay with them if I was gonna study there. I was pretty happy about it because my aunty in America told me that if I applied for financial aid, the tuition fees will be almost free so I had the burden of paying for uni fees off of my shoulders. I recently found out that in America they start university at the end of 2019 and I've always wanted to start uni straight away. I can't apply for any uni or even tafe here because of the expensive fees. The American university also told me I have to do the SATs or the ACT which is like their university entrance exam. I got this news after I just finished my end of year exams that I've been preparing for all year and I had to do another one!. The only thing I can do for now is do the SAT or ACT and find employment until the end of next year. I have never been this stressed out before, I've been getting constant headaches and neglecting my health. I don't know what to do. I'm 18 with no work experience as I just got work rights this year. I feel so unhappy. I really didn't expect things to turn out this way. I feel so alone because no one really understands how this is affecting me. I have no control over this and I feel so helpless. I already feel like I'm behind in life, I don't have my learners, no work experience and starting university late. While my friends receive their ATAR and get accepted into a university course, I will be working a part time job, sitting an exam for a uni that I don't even know if I'll get into and thats across the world and studying for my Ls. I really feel lost and helpless right now and I've never been this stressed in my life.

confusedfriend Me and my best friend kissed and I can’t tell anyone
  • replies: 3

It’s happened multiple times. I am finding it hard to believe because he’s always been the joker to me, I never thought it would happen. It isn’t like I’ve ever had feelings for him, or him me, but a month or so it began we almost kept kissing. So ma... View more

It’s happened multiple times. I am finding it hard to believe because he’s always been the joker to me, I never thought it would happen. It isn’t like I’ve ever had feelings for him, or him me, but a month or so it began we almost kept kissing. So many almost kisses and we got closer... but he’s my best friend so didn’t think much of it. Eventually it happened, & it’s happened every time we are alone. Unlike him I don’t get much attention from guys, I genuinely don’t and we both know it. He gets female attention all the time, and still is now even though we have and probably will kiss again. He also is perfectly capable of meeting someone who can do sexual favours for him, if you know what I mean (which I have zero problems with these are all normal things at our age to be experimenting with kudos to him), and so I don’t know why he keeps kissing me if he can get it elsewhere but not from me. I find this all hard because I’m not like that. I don’t really like the idea of myself being one of those girls. He also doesn’t like the idea of putting me in that position but it just feels like every time we are together we can’t stay away. We’ve spoken about it and no matter what we know our friendship comes first. I find it hard that I have no one to tell to ask advice, as telling any of our friends would instantly create tension that isn’t necessary. And I know everybody would just say to not even go there with him (he is a little notorious for kissing girls and then leaving when it stars to get a lil serious). I’m afraid I might begin to get feelings for him or that maybe I already have, and I know with him he’s so unsure about what he wants in life especially with relationships and I don’t want to confuse him more. I especially don’t want to be the first to admit any kind of feelings. We spoke that there’s always been that ‘something’ and we kind of agreed, and I’m sure there is something on his side of it but we always joke about keeping up our friendship and being mates that I can’t tell if he feels even an inkling of what I do or if he just maybe likes the idea of kissing someone he knows he shouldn’t. I also don’t want to be some girl (not just to him, but anyone) that easyily gives in. But I won’t lie I like that someone sees me in that way, no one ever has attempted to act on that feeling toward me.. and I hate that I like it and hate the situation. If he was a random person I wouldn’t feel so conflicted, but he’s my best friend.

Ashely Most of the time I feel sick
  • replies: 8

I feel like something bad is going to happen to me when I feel like this. I feel like I’m going to faint I wish this worried feeling could go away .How could I feel better?

I feel like something bad is going to happen to me when I feel like this. I feel like I’m going to faint I wish this worried feeling could go away .How could I feel better?

Hahahahahaha My friends are self harming for attention
  • replies: 1

A few months ago my friend told us that she self harms and has depression. Then everyone started copying her and being, or trying to be depressed. It’s really annoying and I’m getting really annoyed because on social media and stuff they are changing... View more

A few months ago my friend told us that she self harms and has depression. Then everyone started copying her and being, or trying to be depressed. It’s really annoying and I’m getting really annoyed because on social media and stuff they are changing their names to depressing things like ‘fading away’ and ‘forever lost’... it’s getting annoying and I don’t know what to do... I know there is nothing wrong with them.

Alessandro In the Dumps
  • replies: 1

For the past few months I've felt really ugly, depressed, lonely, regretful, and I want to move badly (maybe because I associate my country with these feelings?) I feel like everyone is judging me but I have no problems communicating. I feel ugly and... View more

For the past few months I've felt really ugly, depressed, lonely, regretful, and I want to move badly (maybe because I associate my country with these feelings?) I feel like everyone is judging me but I have no problems communicating. I feel ugly and pathetic, and that nobody likes me.. I'm under lots of pressure with school work and all, and sometimes I wish I didn't exist (but I'm not suicidal at all)

lizzio No one likes me anymore, I pretend I'm not but I'm actually really sad and socially awkward
  • replies: 1

Hi everyone, I am saying this because I'v never seek any help or tell anyone about this before and I really sincerely hope I don't sound very self-centered or anything The thing is, I used to have social anxiety but never told anyone because I didn't... View more

Hi everyone, I am saying this because I'v never seek any help or tell anyone about this before and I really sincerely hope I don't sound very self-centered or anything The thing is, I used to have social anxiety but never told anyone because I didn't want to disappoint or upset my parent's and they have very high expectations of me since I always appear as quite popular, get great grades, have a variety of talents and seem to get along with teachers. I confronted my social anxiety and got over it (or so I thought) until this year. I had a surgery that left me confined to my bed and locked in the house for 4 months. I was missing out on a lot of school stuff, parties, chats and socializing. I felt (and feel) very insecure about myself because I have many physical scars that are very prominent. When I got back to school, my best friend had left me, my parents left the country, and everyone pitied me and talked about how they wouldn't want to be "that" girl. I received a lot of unwanted attention everywhere i go (because I was on crutches) and felt really bad about myself. This was how my social anxiety came back and hit me fast. All of a sudden, I felt hard to have a conversation with my peers and friends. Most of my friends forget me when they sign the entire friendship group up for activities. I also worked so hard to get excellent grades to please my parents and to show them i appreciate everything they have done for me but act as if they don't see my efforts at all. I had a diary and looking back into it, i saw a lot of depressing stuff and anger. I read sad and suicidal book this year and i wrote an entire book about some specific people in my life and how they are aiding my depression and leaving me feeling sad and self-conscious. Everytime i get back on my feet or try to feel happy, something or someone knocks me down till i'm on my knees. The only 'social' thing i do outside of school is coaching. I used to look forward to coaching and it was the highlight of every week until this weekend. I really respected and admired everyone of my classmates. Then when i went to get ice-cream for them (as a surprise and a little gift) they locked me out of the classroom. Then, when i came in, a boy in my class asked me if I could quit this class so another person that he (an his friends) knew could take my place. He asked me, not the new girl in our class that he told me he hated. I cried myself to sleep that night. I need some help please. Thank you

Lucifer Who do I CHOOSE!
  • replies: 3

I have a choice to make. I have three friend groups to pick from. I either choose the first group with three people I have been friends with for about 9 years, but... the thing is their is also a extra person and the group only talks about fortnite a... View more

I have a choice to make. I have three friend groups to pick from. I either choose the first group with three people I have been friends with for about 9 years, but... the thing is their is also a extra person and the group only talks about fortnite and motorbikes. I have no intrest at all in either. This group stands around. Second group is a group that I hang out with atm, they are a group who are sit down a lot and are a group that is kind of wierd and uncomfotable to be around sometimes. The third group is a group that plays downball 24-7 and is pretty cringy but this group is in my class. If your in this group though you are labeled as a nerd. I personally don’t know what to do, but I need to make a decision before it is to late and one of them abandons me. I don’t want tge people that I have been feiends with for 9 years to abandon me. out of every single person out of all three groups only one is my best mate and he is the only one that I will invite anywhere or hang out with in town. so I have a choice to hang out with one of the groups either way I will be called a ditcher. idk what to do so hopefully someone can tell me what to do and hopefully someone can relate and tell their experience.

simple114141 Friends? Advice?
  • replies: 4

So I am almost done with second year of uni and I don't have friends, which is kind of embarrassing really. I wasn't able to develop the skills of making friends back in high school and once I entered uni, its kind of overwhelming. Even now. I see pe... View more

So I am almost done with second year of uni and I don't have friends, which is kind of embarrassing really. I wasn't able to develop the skills of making friends back in high school and once I entered uni, its kind of overwhelming. Even now. I see people as those who I meet and greet. They are considered a classmate, a workmate, somebody who I work with. It does not get further than that. Once I am left with free time, I feel as though I am left with nothing and nobody to turn to except one close family member but they are not there with me all the time. By now everyone has settled into uni and here I am, just a student here to study and nothing more is left to do. How do I put myself more out there? I am shy and socially awkward, so why would people want to continue talking to me in the first place. It difficult to become accepted into a group and it is even harder for me to maintain a friendship with a single person. I don't want to appear clingy to others. But here is one good piece of news, a classmate has invited me to tea and it is going to be a one-on-one conversation. I know that this is a common situation and I am making it sound like its a big deal. But what should I talk about over tea without making myself seem so awkward. What should I do after tea? Thanks if you read this

JacksonZ Feeling trapped in marriage
  • replies: 1

After separating several weeks ago, my wife rang to ask that we get back together and try to make it work. After 4 weeks we did move back in together. She said that she had anxiety and depression issues she wanted to deal with first, ie “me first” sh... View more

After separating several weeks ago, my wife rang to ask that we get back together and try to make it work. After 4 weeks we did move back in together. She said that she had anxiety and depression issues she wanted to deal with first, ie “me first” she said. The trouble is I don’t know where that leaves us or me. I suggested relationships counseling but she wants to deal with herself first. The end result is that I’m feeling anxious and unresolved. I don’t know what she wants or how she really feels. When I try to raise “us” as a subject she defaults to raising the issues that caused us to split up, which I feel is going over old ground. She is also notably unaffectionate. I want to know where we stand. How long can I keep ‘spinning my wheels ‘ awaiting some outcome.