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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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ash_al I'm confused on what I'll be doing
  • replies: 18

I always wanted to do something that involves with art. I want to be an artist someday but none of my parents support me, I love drawing, I love designing clothes, I just love art. I even wanted to join an art competition but mum says no. I am a bit ... View more

I always wanted to do something that involves with art. I want to be an artist someday but none of my parents support me, I love drawing, I love designing clothes, I just love art. I even wanted to join an art competition but mum says no. I am a bit disappointed, hurt, and confused. I am actually studying a Diploma of Higher Education in health because my parents wanted me to have a medical course. I have never thought in a million years that I would actually be aiming for dentistry. Dentistry is such a competitive course and I don't really have the brains to study or will get accepted someday (my predictions), I have failed my maths but besides that I am doing well with my other subjects. Maths is really important to have a higher grade, I just did not understand why I have failed it because last semester I was doing well. I just do not know where I went wrong, and now I am worried because my parents expect a lot from me. I mean, they don't really expect me to study dentistry but any courses in health is fine. It's just that health is not really my thing and I am so pressured and stressed out because if I don't get in to dentistry, I have no idea what I am going to do after. Because none of the health courses are interesting( at least for me). I always think about this every single day, I just lay in my bed at night and cry because I do not think I have the chance in studying dentistry, which is sad and it really breaks my heart because that's what my parents what me to do, they want me to study a medical course. If you ask me why dentistry? The answer to that is I don't know, it sort of like just happened. When I enquired the application for the diploma, I just said I wanted to study dentistry, like I did not even think about it. I don't know why or how. Although, I want to help people with their oral health problems and inspire every one in what I love to do. Anyway, I'm just a confused person, if I pursue my art I am afraid that I am going to fail. All I want is support and inspiration from my parents, they do support me and admire my drawings but they just don't agree that art is what I really want. I wanted to join art competitions but I do not have enough money to do that. It's hard to do something when no one is there to guide you, help you, and support you in every way especially when it is something that you love. Please help me, I just need advice and motivation. I don't know what to do.

SomeBritishGuy High School
  • replies: 4

My name is Michael and i'm starting at high school. I had a lot of friends going into high school (a small little group) but now a lot of them just left. No warning, just gone... My social life with boys is so-so as i'm small and skinny. my social li... View more

My name is Michael and i'm starting at high school. I had a lot of friends going into high school (a small little group) but now a lot of them just left. No warning, just gone... My social life with boys is so-so as i'm small and skinny. my social life with girls is horrible as i'm no the best looking and also like i said before, small, skinny, nerdy and not very popular. One guy in particular, was my best friend, we did everything together. We were inseparable. But sadly now because hes in normal classes and i'm in AEP for everything, (Academic Extension Program) hes started to ignore me and just taunt me. Does anyone have any clue on what to do? - Michael

Moo68 Feeling alone and lost
  • replies: 3

I have never done this before. But I figured there is not much to lose. I am originally from the U.K, I moved to Australia at 18 which was nearly four years ago. I arrived with my partner and family. Since then, I have had numerous jobs and graduated... View more

I have never done this before. But I figured there is not much to lose. I am originally from the U.K, I moved to Australia at 18 which was nearly four years ago. I arrived with my partner and family. Since then, I have had numerous jobs and graduated university. However, I recently got fired from my last job with no warning or explanation. The last eight weeks have been extremely difficult to find a job and maintain my mental health. With years of experience and a degree I still cannot get a minimum paid job and I genuinely feel vulnerable, and a burden. I have no friends in Australia and only my partner which makes myself literally alone for 10 hours a day, 6 days a week. I have always been a nervous person, but in times like this I really lack the motivation to even get out of the house. I absolutely love Australia, and the opportunities it has given me, and my partner for his support. Right now though, I honestly feel invisible. Thank you

selectivelysocial Continue with uni or gap year?
  • replies: 1

I have started my nursing degree this year as a full time student and have been at uni for 3 weeks. I enjoy the course and I have actually made friends, but I am still so unsure about whether now is the right time in my life to be starting the degree... View more

I have started my nursing degree this year as a full time student and have been at uni for 3 weeks. I enjoy the course and I have actually made friends, but I am still so unsure about whether now is the right time in my life to be starting the degree. I did my HSC last year and for most of the year, had planned on taking a gap year this year, but when I received my HSC results and realised that I had got into my course, I decided that I was going to start straight away. The main reason why I am unsure is because I have already struggled these past few weeks balancing uni with work, and having to do the housework for a household of 4, as I am a carer for 2 dependant people, and my mum needs the help. Along with the housework, I need to clean out my house as there has been a build up of my late grandmothers personal items that have been "collecting dust" for years, and it annoys me that I can not find the time to clean it all. I looks like it would take a solid few weeks for me to do it on my own, along with work and caring duties, but with uni it would probably take me a whole year. My parents want me to stop worrying about that and just focus on my career, but I feel like I can't focus on it until I get these things done. Census date is in 9 days, so I'm not sure whether I should withdraw from my course and re apply next year which would mean taking a gap year to get my life and house sorted or continue with my studies and possibly never get the chance to clean up my parent's house. I just don't know what to do and I'm stressing

LaneyDelirio My best friend is depressed
  • replies: 1

My best friend is depressed and i’ve been friends with her for 4 years now. She’s become more extroverted so she has more friends and has starting treating me like i’m inferior to her. She doesn’t care about me, only if i can help her and is a compul... View more

My best friend is depressed and i’ve been friends with her for 4 years now. She’s become more extroverted so she has more friends and has starting treating me like i’m inferior to her. She doesn’t care about me, only if i can help her and is a compulsive liar. She lies about having panic attacks so that i feel guilty for not being there for her sometimes. She’s still depressed and i feel like she’s making me depressed too. I want to leave her for better friends. Does this make me a bad person? What should i do?

WorldofLoneliness Why am I such a failure in life
  • replies: 2

Hi every I seriously don't know what to do anymore, I suffer from mental illness for 8 years include OCC, anxiety and social anxiety and I try my best to get therapy and help but for 8 year I have no improve but getting worst, I have no friends to ta... View more

Hi every I seriously don't know what to do anymore, I suffer from mental illness for 8 years include OCC, anxiety and social anxiety and I try my best to get therapy and help but for 8 year I have no improve but getting worst, I have no friends to talk to and I try very hard to get friends but they either ignore or don't bother to talk to me up to the point were I don't even bother with friends anymore I probably just don't need them. During year twelve most important year of people live I was suffering alone and with family issue as well I end up with a really bad ATAR I struggle throughout my college day but I figure that university might be different And I heard it great and easy to make friends but I was wrong, thankfully I got into my course but now that I'm doing it I'm struggling bad got no friends to help me I try hard to get the work done but with mental illness and constant therapy session it hard to do it good and I always get bad mark up to the point I even drop a class I spend my lunch break in the Uni stair way eating my lunch by my self and no one bother to talk to me I feel like a failure to my family because my older brother is so successful while I'm such a failure. I don't know what to do anymore I alway try but fail most of the time. thanks for listening

grapefruit Peter Pan syndrome
  • replies: 10

Hello! I am a 21 year old female college student. Ever since I was 14 I have been terrified of growing up and becoming an adult. I developed a strong "never want to grow up" attitude, like Peter Pan. Not due to a specific event - I've felt this way f... View more

Hello! I am a 21 year old female college student. Ever since I was 14 I have been terrified of growing up and becoming an adult. I developed a strong "never want to grow up" attitude, like Peter Pan. Not due to a specific event - I've felt this way for a long time, during both good and bad periods. I didn't have an idyllic childhood so it's not run-of-the-mill nostalgia. I know everyone struggles with growing up in their own way, but I don't know if it's common to have the same intense fear that I have. By the time I turned 17, I already felt "old" somehow. Being reminded that I'm an adult (like someone calling me 'madam') is very alarming. Thinking of growing even older makes me feel like I'm suffocating. I am depressed and scared. I want to feel positive about my future and life in general, but am not sure where to start. Is it normal for someone to feel this way? Has anyone else experienced the same feeling, now or in the past? Does anyone have any advice that may be helpful for dealing with it? I'd love to hear your thoughts

Artastic55 Diagnosed with Psychosis - I don’t believe it’s true and think something else is wrong
  • replies: 1

Recently I was diagnosed with psychosis (2-3 months ago) and I’ve been reading a lot about psychosis and other people’s experiences and I believe something else is wrong, or this disgnosis was incorrect; Could I have a different mental illness? I’m j... View more

Recently I was diagnosed with psychosis (2-3 months ago) and I’ve been reading a lot about psychosis and other people’s experiences and I believe something else is wrong, or this disgnosis was incorrect; Could I have a different mental illness? I’m just not sure that’s it. Looking at the symptoms, I don’t hallucinate anymore, I used to hear voices in my head which were eradicated after a while. I’m a little delusional and often believe strange things related to my paranoia (e.g people laughing behind me must be laughing at me, or people hearing my thoughts). I do have strange mood swings which sometimes leave me emotionless and angry, often making it seem like I am a different person (which I’ve referred to as ‘it’ or ‘it mode’). I don’t believe there are other symptoms I have also a note that I’ve been on two medications seperatly for seperate time periods treating my illness. I’m unaware of other mental illnesses that may contribute to this but I do have instrusive thoughts related to my OCD which I also believe may be a misdiagnoses. Although I’m obsessed with harming other people and my own mental health, and often a compulsion I do is research mental illness to see what may be wrong. There are no compulsions for the harming thankfully other than a trick I use from my psychologist called ‘dropping anchor’ i also want to talk briefly about how I dissociate from myself. I often change into this weird state where I feel no emotion and often am hostile and defensive, when I have no reason usually to be like so. It’s often triggered of a night and when it happens I often end up posting here about sone thing like tonight. i know it’s brief and it’d be better if you’d know me, but i want your advice on what you may thing could be an issue or if you believe my diagnoses may still apply to me even though you may or may not be qualified. I won’t take it as a real diagnoses or whatever because I know it has to be done professionally and in person and all. thanks for reading and any replies or feedback is welcome. I also didn’t proofread this because I’m lazy. sorry...

nevergiveup245 Struggling with Uni, classmates in my cohort won't help..
  • replies: 6

Hello everyone, I am currently in Uni where I have to do a 10,000 words thesis as well as do coursework subjects. I found that my friends just like to talk about random things, and when I actually ask some of them for advice regarding assignments tha... View more

Hello everyone, I am currently in Uni where I have to do a 10,000 words thesis as well as do coursework subjects. I found that my friends just like to talk about random things, and when I actually ask some of them for advice regarding assignments that we all have to do, they often say they are not sure, when I know they are smart students. Is it common in Uni where friends won't help? I am also wondering did I ask them too much that I upset them... I am not sure what to do. Due to my depression which got worse these past few weeks, I lost confidence in my ability to study and do well. I find it hard to focus. In uni they encouraged independent learning, but are there any resources I could use to help me with my studies? I feel quite lost. Any support or advice would be appreciated.

AnonymousNobody My life is going well, but I feel more depressed and isolated than ever
  • replies: 6

So first, some background: I was diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome at the age of five. I’ve suffered from social anxiety and other related issues for as long as I can remember, but this was reasonably managed throughout my primary school years. Howe... View more

So first, some background: I was diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome at the age of five. I’ve suffered from social anxiety and other related issues for as long as I can remember, but this was reasonably managed throughout my primary school years. However, in my first year of high school, I developed severe depression and anxiety, and became shuttered off from society at large, eventually culminating in my dropping out of school when I was sixteen and doing practically nothing for the next year and a half. I’m eighteen now, and my life, in practical terms, is better than ever. I’m doing a TAFE course, and working several days a week at an unpaid internship/work experience program. And yet, I feel more depressed than ever before, and I’m not sure exactly why. I do know that I feel isolated, as I have no real “friends” to speak of, nor a girlfriend. I do have several people who I talk to on the internet and am close to in a way, but internet “friendship” is a far cry from the real thing. In real life, people generally seem to be put off by me, especially women, for reasons that elude me. Nobody even wants to give me the time of day. I do get along with a girl at TAFE, who is somewhat older than me, in her mid 20s, and we have made a habit of going out to cafes after school, and also going out on the weekend, but I get a very strong vibe that she is not only not interested in any sort romantic relationship, but isn’t even particularly interested in friendship, and is merely talking and going out with me to be nice, which makes me more depressed, as I am quite fond of her. In addition to this, I am constantly dwelling on all the pointless pain, suffering and injustice that occurs in the world, and after searching hard for spiritual meaning, have been forced to come to the conclusion that the world is nothing but a careless, evil hellhole, and that altruism and empathy do not truly exist in any meaningful sense. All this has left me feeling very depressed, and I am unsure of how to deal with or resolve it. Kind regards AnonymousNobody