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

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?

LiveToday Depression affecting my life!
  • replies: 2

I'm new to this site so hey!! I'm writting this seeking some advice, maybe you have experienced something similar or know someone who has. For numerous years I have been experiencing extreme depressive episodes and the occasional manic episode. I hav... View more

I'm new to this site so hey!! I'm writting this seeking some advice, maybe you have experienced something similar or know someone who has. For numerous years I have been experiencing extreme depressive episodes and the occasional manic episode. I have had the diagnoses of Bipolar disorder but it changes all the time. I'm struggling greatly at the moment in pretty much every aspect of my life. I'm currently unemployed and really struggling to not only find a job, but, to then maintain that job. The last few years, not only have I been experiencing the usual mood fluctuations, I have also started to undertake certain habits that I can't control. I have really bad OCD at the moment which is not only restricting my life but also causing a lot of further stress and exhaustion. Sometimes, depending on my OCD and mood, it could easily take me 3 or more hours just to get ready and leave the house...........even if i just need to go to the shops quickly. I have found that these repetitive thoughts, actions and compulsions are triggered by my low mood, anxiety and paranoia (more prominent in the morning and at night). I do see professionals for my issues and have been for many many years now but sometimes I feel I'm taking steps backwards rather than forwards. I want to achieve in life and find employment in a profession I'm interested and comfortable in, however things don't seem to be heading towards that direction. I never finished school and haven't worked for a good few years. I really want to work but how do I find an employer that's willing to give me a chance despite my many "complications". I feel worthless all the time and the feeling of underachieving in life is feeding that insecurity. I have accepted the fact the my unstable mood will be with me for life but how do i work around these obstacles to achieve? I know i shouldn't compare myself to others, but when I see my peers getting somewhere with their lives I feel totally useless. If you have experienced something similar and have found ways of working around it/ coping let me know. Thankyou!

KittyAzure Everything is overwhelming at the moment
  • replies: 3

This is the first time i've done something like this so I'm not reay sure how it works. I just feel like I needed to try and make sense of everything that's happening in my life. To start with I have a fear of failure and happened to fail my P's test... View more

This is the first time i've done something like this so I'm not reay sure how it works. I just feel like I needed to try and make sense of everything that's happening in my life. To start with I have a fear of failure and happened to fail my P's test. My dad had a heart attack a few weeks ago and had to be brought back to life (he doesnt live with me) he's alright but it's freaking me out. He's in hospital at the moment getting fluid drained. About a week or so after that I broke up with my boyfriend of 3 1/2 years. I don't even know how to feel about that. I'm going for my liscence again in a week. In a month I'll be going to another country with a friend for a holiday. It will be my first time doing aything like it and I'll be doing it without my mum or anyone that really knows what they're doing. Two weeks after that I move into university and start a double degree. It will be my first time living away from home. I think that just about covers it. I'm just really overwhelmed and I want it all to stop. I don't know how to deal with it and I know i can't just keep ignoring it and hoping it will go away while I'm secretly breaking down.

159357 Visiting a doctor.
  • replies: 7

Hey, i don't really know what to do when i next visit the doctors. I know i'm very depressed and moderately anxious with other things in the mix. My mum booked an appointment for my skin (acne) and i've decided to bring up my hyperhidrosis when i'm t... View more

Hey, i don't really know what to do when i next visit the doctors. I know i'm very depressed and moderately anxious with other things in the mix. My mum booked an appointment for my skin (acne) and i've decided to bring up my hyperhidrosis when i'm there, but, i don't know how to bring up the depression. I may need to pay for the psychologist if i end up going. But before that, i don't know how to explain how i am depressed, it's just been a constant thing. Bad parents, bad breakups, loneliness and being aware that many people dislike me for who i am. I just don't know what to say to the doctor and i'd be very grateful if someone were to 'teach' me how to bring it up. I'm hoping that my mum does not come with me. I'll ask her to stay outside, maybe.

Lintu01 Struggles with commitment as a lonely young man
  • replies: 3

Hi all, I came for some advice about love and commitment. As a guy, we often don't have a variety of options or people to talk about this stuff with as men are typically "not supposed to talk about emotion" as much as women. Which shouldn't be right ... View more

Hi all, I came for some advice about love and commitment. As a guy, we often don't have a variety of options or people to talk about this stuff with as men are typically "not supposed to talk about emotion" as much as women. Which shouldn't be right because it makes people like me struggle even more. I am a 19 year old guy. I finished High School last year and am about to finish my gap year and head into University next year. Over the past 6-12 months I have become increasingly more and more lonely. I still have friends but I see them less and our catch-ups feel more and more unsatisfying, or something along those lines. I have met some women going out and what not who I have continued to speak to yet I never take the leap to dating or something further. This is where it makes no sense to me, I like to watch romantic comedies at home in bed, I long for what I see in them. To find that special someone and have this amazing, loving relationship. Yet everyone that comes my way I push away or don't even interact with. I dont know what it is exactly, probably a mix of feeling like I don't want to "inflict myself onto them" or not even trying because I pre-judge them saying "what's the point, they wont be into me anyway". I'm starting to feel more and more like I'm never going to find love (which is crazy because I'm only 19) but more importantly, more and more like I don't know myself. I don't know who I am anymore, I work and I sleep and any other time is wasted away doing nothing important or constructive. What do I do to get myself out of this rut and back into the world, meeting people and finding who I am again? -Lintu01

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