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

Miss__Wanderlust I just need an opinion...
  • replies: 2

I sound like a crazy person, just letting you know. I think I just need some reassurance, but I tend to have issues with sleeping and now I have really unhealthy sleep patterns due to being literally crazy. I see and hear things when at night when th... View more

I sound like a crazy person, just letting you know. I think I just need some reassurance, but I tend to have issues with sleeping and now I have really unhealthy sleep patterns due to being literally crazy. I see and hear things when at night when there's not the same white noise there is in the day, so I can't sleep and when i (see/hear) things I freeze up and I can't move and I'll start hyperventilating, thinking I'm going to die and there are so many whispers. Obviously I tell my parents, since this has been going on since I was 9. As I began to get older, they still wouldn't go away. I told my VERY VERY close friend about it and she made a joke like "Damn, you're schizo..." I didn't really know what it meant then. At twelve I bought a nightlight, which I used for a year, and seemed to help, until I got really embarrassed and stopped using it since my 'friends' AND my parents began to mock me for it. Since my parents hadn't got the nightly I'm-running-into-your-room-because-there's-people-that-want-to-kill-me routine, they began to think it was okay again. When I stopped using the nightlight which was at 13, the routine started again and the next morning they threatened to commit me because they said I was crazy, so I stopped waking them up, but the 'visions' didn't. The intense fear I felt at night began to weigh me down. I started new habits like scratching my hands incessantly. I began to become withdrawn from seeing people/friends or going anywhere and one of my other friend's said I had 'fallen into a state of depression' because I didn't want to go with her to her house all the times she had offered, which were a lot. My friend that I told didn't tell anyone my secret but continued to make little jokes about me being schizophrenic, which I can tell you now is not funny, and I knew the definition by then, and now every time she mentions it, I freeze up, like I do with the hallucinations and start to hyperventilate because now I'm scared that I'm going to be committed. I'm scared to be around my parents because I don't want to let anything slip and my mum calls me a mental patient because my legs have an uncontrollable twitch that aches when they're not rocking. I think i just need reassurance (?) Or just forget the sugar coating and recommend psych help because writing this makes me feel crazy. Am I crazy?

Guest_2345 Out of breath- unsure if anxiety related
  • replies: 5

Hey guys I was diagnosed with anxiety about a year ago and have had several panic attacks and anxiety attacks etc so I know the symptoms. Occasionally, but more often lately, I get really tight in the chest and I feel as though I have to take really ... View more

Hey guys I was diagnosed with anxiety about a year ago and have had several panic attacks and anxiety attacks etc so I know the symptoms. Occasionally, but more often lately, I get really tight in the chest and I feel as though I have to take really deep breaths to get air. When this happens I don't feel anxious, and it isn't the same as when I've been really anxious or panicky before. Does this happen to anyone else? Do you think it's to do with my anxiety or is it something else? Thanks

ellebelle22 Suicidal boyfriend, in need of advice
  • replies: 4

Hi there, Two weeks ago my boyfriend of two and a half years told me that he was planning to kill himself. We had been in a long-distance relationship for the last three months because I went back home to spend some time with my family. He said he ha... View more

Hi there, Two weeks ago my boyfriend of two and a half years told me that he was planning to kill himself. We had been in a long-distance relationship for the last three months because I went back home to spend some time with my family. He said he had a plan and was getting his 'affairs in order', and that he wanted me to try and understand that this was the only way for him to be happy. I got very, very freaked out, especially because I was in a different state. I called both his parents and told them that he needed support etc. I got him in touch with a help-line, he's had some phone sessions with them and now he says he's okay & is going to get more help. I have moved back to Melbourne (where he lives too) since then, and he wants me to live with him. There have been some warning signs I've been concerned about (he has been verbally abusive in the past, when he's been drunk). We've spoken about this and he hasn't acted like that for more than a year, which is why I have stayed with him. I think it more came down to immaturity, but it still really freaks me out. I am quite confused about how to handle this. Obviously I love him and I think living together would be a good step. We lived together for a few months last year, it was really great and he makes me very happy. He's going to start seeing a psychologist, and has been getting help, but we both know getting better is a long process. He wants to live together right away, but I'm not sure if this is a good idea. He also seems to be going about this in a pressuring way, like an ultimatum almost. He says that he needs to think about the relationship if I decide not to live with him, even though he's aware of the reasons I'm hesitant (what I've spoken about above). I'm just a bit confused about how to handle this whole situation. Can anybody shed some light on what they think from what I've written here? I'm not really even sure what I'm asking, I would just really like an outsiders perspective. Thank you!

Mr__kipper my boring problems with depression
  • replies: 2

hi all I am new to BB so I am kinda nervous about posting this. I have been diagnosed with depression and anxiety for just over a year now and I have been getting really sad over extremely minor stuff like being yelled at and changing schools. I know... View more

hi all I am new to BB so I am kinda nervous about posting this. I have been diagnosed with depression and anxiety for just over a year now and I have been getting really sad over extremely minor stuff like being yelled at and changing schools. I know you don't care but I have been hating myself TONS and have hurtmyself , I am probably just emo. I also feel like my mind is working against me that my brain is constantly forcing me to cry and automatically take things personally, telling me to stop talking to people and stop ruining their lives maybe I am just selfish and want to blame someone. I feel like I should stop now because I am just wasting your time.

Jess_164 Panic attacks
  • replies: 3

hello reader, Recently I've been having these 'experiences' that I think are panic attacks. I have this fear of the ocean, I know it sounds dumb but it's really bad. The other day I was in my room and this thought came over my brain like I was on a b... View more

hello reader, Recently I've been having these 'experiences' that I think are panic attacks. I have this fear of the ocean, I know it sounds dumb but it's really bad. The other day I was in my room and this thought came over my brain like I was on a bridge and I would fall off. I started breathing heavy and backed into a corner really hard. I felt hot and cold and like I was dying. It was the worst I had ever felt in my life. And it's happened a couple times. Is this a panic attack? I would really appreciate your thoughts, thanks.

goalstosmile Why does work feel like a jail?
  • replies: 6

Hi Forum, Since I've really understood the meaning behind anxiety and how it really can 'just happen,' I have noticed more and more emotions happening in my day to day life. I can barely sleep a night being anxious to wake up in the morning and spend... View more

Hi Forum, Since I've really understood the meaning behind anxiety and how it really can 'just happen,' I have noticed more and more emotions happening in my day to day life. I can barely sleep a night being anxious to wake up in the morning and spend a dreadful sad day a work and come home to only a tiny amount of time to myself which I always spend locked away in my room. It has come to a point where I would rather spend life in my bedroom (safe comfy zone) then socialise laugh and be happy. Sadly I'm starting to think my job is a MAJOR factor. My point to this is, has anyone changed a job and realised that has limited the anxiety you have or??? Any advice will help! Thanks

Ven Regretful and depressed please help??
  • replies: 9

So since I left school which was 4 years ago my life has changed so much, I was never popular in school, girls never hung out with me boys never spoke to me and I was quiet and awkward. When I left school I discovered the party lifestyle where alcoho... View more

So since I left school which was 4 years ago my life has changed so much, I was never popular in school, girls never hung out with me boys never spoke to me and I was quiet and awkward. When I left school I discovered the party lifestyle where alcohol gave me confidence I made a bunch of new friends and created this whole new life for myself, my uni grades were low and all I cared about was what outfit I was gonna wear to the next party. Fast forward to now, my life once again has changed not partying as much more focused on my career, saving money, my boyfriend and my family, even though it's a lot better than the party lifestyle i've never felt so depressed and anxious. I have a huge credit card debt from my past bad spending habits and struggle to pay it off, my family is struggling financially, I have lost a lot of friends and I feel so down all the time. I exercise every morning and it makes me feel better but everynight I cry myself to sleep, thinking of how I could of got better grades and been in a better financial situation, I've got my boyfriend but I still feel so alone, I feel like such a failure all the time. I have had some bad thoughts of ways I could just make it go away, but I know that's the wrong thing to do and I know that there are a few people out there that do love me and I couldn't do it to them. I don't know how to make myself feel better anymore I cry a lot more than I am happy, and struggle so hard to stay positive, please someone give me some advice on my situation, what can I do, how can I stop myself from feeling so regretful about the past and so depressed and upset all the time?

Idek Being seen as boring by others
  • replies: 3

I think i'm really boring. Everyone that i know has an exciting life, while i'm always stuck on my bed, at home, on my laptop, watching tv series or on social media and coming across pictures of other of my friends doing fun activities in their life.... View more

I think i'm really boring. Everyone that i know has an exciting life, while i'm always stuck on my bed, at home, on my laptop, watching tv series or on social media and coming across pictures of other of my friends doing fun activities in their life. i'm always bored and right now, it seems like my mother and i are going to spend the holidays at home doing nothing, as usual. Lately, i've also noticed that most of my friends leaving me out of things and talking or inviting other 'cool' or 'fun' people to things i once was invited to before. No one talks to me as much before and i feel most of my friendships drifting apart. This always seems to happen to me. I always become close to people then out of nowhere im not good enough for them anymore and im either taken for granted, left out, or they find someone else to move onto. i don't know. if anyone has any type of advice to help me keep friendships, become more confident and a lot less boring to others but especially to myself. thankyou.

Idek Losing a Bestfriend
  • replies: 2

It's started from the beginning of high school. Me and my childhood bestfriend came across another girl and we all became close. But throughout these years, i did sense some tension between our friendships as my 'new' bestfriend and i often found our... View more

It's started from the beginning of high school. Me and my childhood bestfriend came across another girl and we all became close. But throughout these years, i did sense some tension between our friendships as my 'new' bestfriend and i often found ourselves in situations were it seemed as if we were jealous of one another because of the other getting too close. I know, it really is confusing and maybe i'm overreacting. But lately, I've been pushed aside from both people and they're both becoming extremely close. Like especially when the three of us are together, i'm always left out while they're joking around and they always recall past memories they created when they either slept over each others house or they went out together without me. I don't want to leave these friendships though, as i have no other close friends, so basically i'm left out from every other friend group i have. They're not trying to hurt me i know, but it still hurts. If anyone could provide some advice or tips, thankyou.

ekatakekatakekat dealing with condescension
  • replies: 9

were young so we cant possibly know how were feeling - every doctor/professional/adult advice giver/person online/person irl you will talk to about mental health at least, this is my final conclusion from the limited experience ive had with people im... View more

were young so we cant possibly know how were feeling - every doctor/professional/adult advice giver/person online/person irl you will talk to about mental health at least, this is my final conclusion from the limited experience ive had with people im putting this here because im 100% sure its bc of my age that ive had this experiences the condescension is real, whether to deliberately be patronizing, or from a genuine position of caring, its so so annoying a triage somehow, they thought i was 28, tho i was 18, which was a kick to my already non existent self esteem, and they were asking intrusive questions & annoying, but nice i guess overall. then when they were reading back my info & i heard 28, i was like "what? no. im 18" and it was like a light bulb 180 flip, they went from "how are you feeling?" to "this is how you are feeling" from asking me questions to telling me answers headspace was like this too, yes i was older than the average clientele, but i was talking about how i was feeling and she was pointing to pictures of clouds with frowny faces asking me to pick the one i related to. look i know it helps some, but that's the main tactic they use for all; assume they dont know what its liek to be in our own heads this site is great, it means a lot to me even tho im too scared to post a lot, but the replies....its a lot of older people. ok sure not many 15-20 yo running around with psychology degrees to help sad kids. but said adults, who im sure mean well, dont always want to listen (i rewrote this a lot bc it sounded agressive) I write "i have no one" and the reply includes "talk to friends and family" i write, "i have nothing" you read "i think i have nothing" posts where people mention terrible anxiety about phone calls & people & talking about feelings and the replies are "ring & make an appointment with a gp" like thats not realistic advice. theres a lot of faux positivity & cliche platitutes, a lot of condescension & old people to talking down to younger people, even if they dont mean to & it makes it so much harder to get any real tangible help or advice i dont post a lot, but ive read so many different posts, but they all have the same replies, like all of us are monolithic & its just another case of depressed teen, but a few more years added on somehow makes ur feelings valid?

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