Support
Support

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.

Start a conversation

FAQ

Find answers to some of the more frequently asked questions on the Forums.

View the FAQ

Forums guidelines

Our guidelines keep the Forums a safe place for people to share and learn information.

View the guidelines
Categories
Start a conversation

Pinned discussions

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

All discussions

Start a conversation

boompotage How do I find direction in my career?
  • replies: 1

Hello. This is my first post here. Hope you're all doing okay. I just wanted to touch on a myriad of feelings I am going through at the moment. I'm 25 and I'm struggling to figure out how I'm finally to going to make steps towards a career I would li... View more

Hello. This is my first post here. Hope you're all doing okay. I just wanted to touch on a myriad of feelings I am going through at the moment. I'm 25 and I'm struggling to figure out how I'm finally to going to make steps towards a career I would like to pursue. I currently have a nursing degree (from 2015) and registration and have recently signed up to a nursing agency where I will hope to obtain the experience that I lack. It has not been without setbacks. I have had a lot of burdens to carry such as my depression, anxiety and me looking after my mum who is dependent and has needed care since 2014. I have met nursing with trepidation on numerous occasions and I'm currently feeling the same way right now as I try to make some steps forward. I am unsure what other careers I would like to obtain. Hence, I have obtained a job in disability support work if things don't work out with nursing. Even so, I am feeling the pressure with finally obtaining responsibility to work since I have been inactive from work for a number of years. I'm just lacking a lot of confidence, strategy and energy to fight heading into this. I'm hoping some restructuring of some sorts can help get out of this funk. For those wondering, I make an endeavour to visit my psychologist and GP when I muster enough energy to. I hope I have gone through enough to detail to describe my situation. Thank you for understanding and taking the time to read.

Mimilovesyou I still love him even though he's left me
  • replies: 3

Hi everyone, It's my first time talking so openly in forums since I'm not the type to tell my problems, so I'm sorry if my words and thread is not concise. Anyways, it's been a few days since my boyfriend had left me because he has depression. I had ... View more

Hi everyone, It's my first time talking so openly in forums since I'm not the type to tell my problems, so I'm sorry if my words and thread is not concise. Anyways, it's been a few days since my boyfriend had left me because he has depression. I had done everything I can in the relationship, to love, to support and do all my research to make sure he's getting the support he gets. However, it didn't work since he ended up leaving me because I would usually get upset from his mood swings and his isolation from me sometimes. So far, I'm miserable, and the breakup did not end badly but it was just a mutual agreement, both admitting that we love each other very much despite the final call. I love him still, and he cant see why. I've given him space but I have an itching desire to take care of him, make sure he's okay and he's loved since his family and friends are distant themselves, that I was always the one there for him. I don't know what to do. Do I continue being friends with him even with the feeling of wanting to get him back? Or do I completely let him go and separate ways forever? I love him, I do, but he isn't sure that he can handle a relationship right now or for a while, he is battling his demons (which I completely agree with). I need help on either how to move on, or if I need to be patient and wait.

PrincessBelle Overpowering worrying and stress and anxiety -social and study
  • replies: 1

By my own fault, I am exceptionally behind in study and exams are only two weeks away. I can't sleep at night and I'm constantly restless and worrying. How can I manage this worry? Literally had my in tears every morning for the past week. I've just ... View more

By my own fault, I am exceptionally behind in study and exams are only two weeks away. I can't sleep at night and I'm constantly restless and worrying. How can I manage this worry? Literally had my in tears every morning for the past week. I've just been feeling also really down in general which is why I have not had motivation to study and now I'm regretting it. I feel as though I'm alone even though I have some truely amazing friends and a great dad. I feel like I have trust issues and anxiety when it comes to being fully honest with friends and have a hard time letting down my defences. How can I overcome this - I want to just be myself without being socially anxious and worrying about what they might think of me and now want to be friends with me anymore.

quitery mending a persona
  • replies: 2

Ever since I was a child I've always had a persona, for me it's a way to hide myself and shield me from being hurt. Lately this mask I have on is starting to break, it is hard nd tiring to keep it up all the time, so I cancel plans with friends and f... View more

Ever since I was a child I've always had a persona, for me it's a way to hide myself and shield me from being hurt. Lately this mask I have on is starting to break, it is hard nd tiring to keep it up all the time, so I cancel plans with friends and families even though I want to be with them but the burden to put on the mask is too tiring. How do I fix it?

CatPxl Too anxious to seek professional help
  • replies: 5

Hey, I was wondering if anyone else here is too anxious to seek professional help from a doctor or other professional? I've been affecting by a fair few mental illnesses over the years and when I was a bit younger I had my parents to make me go, but ... View more

Hey, I was wondering if anyone else here is too anxious to seek professional help from a doctor or other professional? I've been affecting by a fair few mental illnesses over the years and when I was a bit younger I had my parents to make me go, but now I can't seem to even think about it with out it causing a panic attack. I've booked so many appointments and never gotten to any of them. I was wondering if anyone has been in the same position and how they've fixed it? Or if there are some doctors you can speak to via email before an appointment or something similar? Everything just seems to be getting so much worse lately and I really need to talk to someone but I just can't physically or mentally get past booking an appointment.

Lonely_girl I’m just mot happy at home
  • replies: 3

Ive never been close woth either of my parents but i can talk to my father. My mother is the problem and around her i just dont feel happy at home. She calls me names and jist makes me feel horrible in general. Ive put up with it for a while and blam... View more

Ive never been close woth either of my parents but i can talk to my father. My mother is the problem and around her i just dont feel happy at home. She calls me names and jist makes me feel horrible in general. Ive put up with it for a while and blames me for everythig. I just want to leave the house but im too young. She calls me fat daily and purposely makes fun of me. I was admitted to hospital with sever panic attacks ans not being able to breathe twice this year and after i leave and get in the car she get physical with me and tells me that shes so embarrassed. She tells me to get over it and laughs. It gets worse when my Aunty is over as they both feed off each others nastiness. My mother has been the cause of two panic attacks. One of which she walked away laughing with her sister and the other were she told me to get out of her house and when I didn’t (because I was in my pyjamas) she cornered me near the front door and started hitting me. In the last few weeks I haven’t been able to have a single conversation with her without it ending in her screaming at me and I just don’t know what to do because I constantly feel trapped

miklos122 I don't know anymore
  • replies: 1

Lately I have been feeling really bad. Constant feelings of unreasonable guilt, unworthiness, paranoia. I have feelings that I wake up everyday not feeling any happiness and that I want to go back to bed, yet even staying in bed doesn’t make me feel ... View more

Lately I have been feeling really bad. Constant feelings of unreasonable guilt, unworthiness, paranoia. I have feelings that I wake up everyday not feeling any happiness and that I want to go back to bed, yet even staying in bed doesn’t make me feel any better. There is a sense in me and knowing for a fact that once you have something wrong with you mentally no one can actually cure it for you but yourself, no matter if you talk to GP’s, Psychologists or Psychiatrists, nothing can actually make you feel better inside, because of how subjective everyones experiences with these “Mental” issues are. I have tried to explain as best as I could how I was feeling inside to the GP and my parents: “It feels like a constant battle. I get no excitement from anything, even the things that normally would get me exited/happy/motivated don’t do anything. I feel emotionally empty inside, with constant feelings of apathy, it makes my current day to day life seem like i’m on an autopilot mode - Waking up going to do some “fun” activities (that I normally would get happy by) And school, just more Autopilot - doing the work, trying to avoid all the negative voices in my head (“Look at everyone so happy, not you, you don’t feel any enjoyment to do anything”) Putting on fake smiles and forcing myself to laugh - to jokes that people would normally find funny. GP just says "it's a chemical imbalance" - Well is it? Or is it a way of covering up the fact that Depression isn't actually biologically treatable. Besides the use of SSRI's and talk therapy, there isn't any other way of getting rid of this debilitating "Mental illness". "It's up to you to think positive and get better" This feeling is very unrealistic to those who haven’t felt them. It makes you want to always contemplate your existence and life - Because it hinders with your memory (STM/LTM), your communication (feeling forced to speak, can’t laugh naturally), waking up in the morning everyday not feeling genuinely happy and interested in anything anymore - Making me more unmotivated to do school work and participate in the activities that would normally make me feel good.You loose feelings of genuine happiness and love/attraction to others. It is debilitating - Your mind is in a spiral that you can't get out of. - You can only put on the fake smile and pretend to be happy. (But realistically you feel dead inside)

gracezephyr Any tips for bouncing back after relapse?
  • replies: 3

Hey guys, this is my first forum post, I think it will be useful to talk to people that have an understanding of what mental health struggles feel like. I have struggled with anxiety and depression for about 10 years, and had periods of doing really ... View more

Hey guys, this is my first forum post, I think it will be useful to talk to people that have an understanding of what mental health struggles feel like. I have struggled with anxiety and depression for about 10 years, and had periods of doing really well and then sliding back into it. At the moment I have fallen back down hard. Aside from getting myself to work Mon-Fri, and attending uni classes when I have to, I have stopped exercising, socialising, doing yoga, and pretty much spend all my free time in bed watching Netflix these last few weeks. I am now behind in Uni, feeling really isolated and lonely, really tired, and I know that if I don't pick myself back up again soon it will just get even worse. What do others use as strategies to start getting themselves back on track to feeling better? And what do you do when you feel total despair, when everything seems really bleak, not your run of the mill stuff but the real crippling, choking, loneliness and sadness? It's overwhelming, and sometimes feels like it is too much to keep going. I know that I have to, but it's hard to think that the battle has to continue, and I don't feel like I have the energy to fight.

Chloe_M Hallucinations- I don't know what's real anymore- How do I deal with them?
  • replies: 15

Hi all, so you probably have seen me around on the forums, just a bit of background if you don't know me: My names Chloe, I'm in high school i have undiagnosed anxiety and depression (probably) i self harm when I am anxious i am obsessed with checkin... View more

Hi all, so you probably have seen me around on the forums, just a bit of background if you don't know me: My names Chloe, I'm in high school i have undiagnosed anxiety and depression (probably) i self harm when I am anxious i am obsessed with checking my school diary and washing my hair my best friend who is also my ex dumped me which is why I'm dealing with so much atm he now has a new gf over the past 2 weeks or so, I have started hallucinating When the hallucinations arrive, I am usually vulnerable. Whether that be that I am depressed, or anxious, just had a panic attack etc. they aren't there for long, but they hurt me. I usually see my ex, walking towards me as though he is going to hug me. I reach out for him and then *poof* the visions gone and I'm left alone. Does anyone know how to deal with hallucinations? They don't happen often, but the rarity of them is lessening and they are appearing for longer and more often I don't know what to do. Any help would be appreciated. Chloe

swimmingshark Does Love feed my Depression?
  • replies: 2

Hi All. I'm a teenager in highschool and have never, ever been one to be involved in romantic relationships. I'm not the most attractive person out there and haven't even had my first kiss (which you may feel be reasonably normal, but at my age peopl... View more

Hi All. I'm a teenager in highschool and have never, ever been one to be involved in romantic relationships. I'm not the most attractive person out there and haven't even had my first kiss (which you may feel be reasonably normal, but at my age people engage in relationships and sex like it's nothing). I also have depression, and so am quite aware of the previous facts as I not even I like myself. There's a boy that lives up my street that I recently became close to. Everyone has always known we had been friends but recently, even I can see we have been spending a lot more time together. I know what you're all expecting but one thing: this boy likes one of my closest friends. This boy, lets call him Jason, left a relationship with a girl (he is also not one you'd think of being involved in a relationship but I guess he's gotten luckier than me) and so it was a surprise when he and one of my closest friends, lets call her Betty, admitted they like eachother. This never bothered me, It was strange but I've been accepting of the fact as long as it started. But then Jason started showing depressive symptoms and so I would help him considering I have faced everything he is currently going through. He'd message me at night, we'd empathise, he had a horrible birthday so I invited him over at night to eat food. Even my mum would tell me to be careful because Betty could be jealous but I knew I didn't like Jason. I even messaged Betty to confirm I had no interest in Jason. But the more I did this, the more I felt upset whenever I wasn't around Jason. Recently Jason's family invited me to sleepover and I spent the whole night with him. We talked about music, played games, discussed our depression and then talked about relationships. I'd ask Jason how far he'd gone with his relationships, realising how much I loved Jason (sorry for the cringe. I'm gagging reading this). I told him that I feel I need someone to love me because my depression is telling me I can never be loved. I told him my brother who has severe depression can't be in a relationship because if it ends badly he will self destruct, but I feel like I need the opposite. His responses of 'you're still young' highlighted that he doesn't love me, even though we have so much more connected. And so now I ask, do you think I am hurting myself? I'm not trying to sabotage Betty- I just feel loved when I'm with him. what if I'm doing the same thing my brother is kept away from. What do you suggest I do?Thank you

As an organisation that supports people from across Australia, Beyond Blue acknowledges the Traditional Owners and Custodians of Country and their continuing connection to land, waters and community. We pay respect to Elders past and present.

First Nations Peoples are advised that this website may include reference to and images of deceased persons.

Beyond Blue is committed to safe inclusive spaces, policies and services for people of LGBTIQ+ communities and their families.

Helpful information

Stay in touch

Sign up below for regular emails from Beyond Blue, filled with information, advice and support for you or your loved ones.

Stay in touch

Talk it through with us, we'll point you in the right direction.

Call 1300 224 636

24 hours / 7 days a week

Chat Online

24 hours / 7 days a week

Email us

Get a reply in 24 hours

Copyright � 2026 Beyond Blue Ltd

All rights reserved

Contact us Terms of use Privacy policy Site map