Immediate support
Immediate 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 discussion

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 discussion

Pinned discussions

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

All discussions

Start a discussion

Anna17 Intrusive thoughts
  • replies: 1

Hey guys, just wanting some advise I've been dealing with intrusive thoughts for about 2 months I have learnt not to let it control my life, but I'm still getting episodes every now and then! I'm not wanting to seek medical help but rather looking fo... View more

Hey guys, just wanting some advise I've been dealing with intrusive thoughts for about 2 months I have learnt not to let it control my life, but I'm still getting episodes every now and then! I'm not wanting to seek medical help but rather looking for some feedback from others who have gotten over it without medical help! can it be done? Does it leave forever?? What helped you? Thanks

1derwall My family has pressured me into being highly competitive
  • replies: 6

My family is extremely talented. My parents were both Dux of their high school, and studied each at Cambridge and Oxford. My twin brother and I are relatively the same. I am obviously the dumbest in the family- my brother is in the extended learning ... View more

My family is extremely talented. My parents were both Dux of their high school, and studied each at Cambridge and Oxford. My twin brother and I are relatively the same. I am obviously the dumbest in the family- my brother is in the extended learning program at school and I am not, but I always get academic awards and he doesn't- and this is my way of thinking. "They're good at this and won this- but then again I won this that time and got this blah blah blah." I am constantly comparing myself to others, and always talking them down in my head, to drag myself up, to the top, where I need to be to feel appreciated. Being a twin, I was always instantly comparable to my brother, and vice versa. This made me feel like there was nowhere to hide my failure, no matter how big or small. My parents- being talented and impressive make me feel like I'll never be good enough. I've often overheard my parents saying things like "she's too dumb for physics," or "She's too lazy to make state." I know they're intelligent, and this makes it hard for me to imagine that what they say is anything but true. I'm not exactly asking a question by this post, or seeking any advice, I just need someone to know; I find it hard to love my imperfections because of my parents, and I feel they wouldn't love me if I wasn't successful.

Bodie_Amy Anxious about being murdered
  • replies: 1

I'm 13, attending High School. I I'm the eldest of 3 and I have very high standards for grades (straight A's) so I'm under a lot of stress all the time. I have general anxiety disorder, mild social anxiety as well. Ever since I was young I have alway... View more

I'm 13, attending High School. I I'm the eldest of 3 and I have very high standards for grades (straight A's) so I'm under a lot of stress all the time. I have general anxiety disorder, mild social anxiety as well. Ever since I was young I have always been terrified of people coming to kill me at night. I tried to scream but I couldn't because I was so scared. It went away for a while, until I moved countries for the third time and I was completely alone, in a new country (this was about two years ago). Since then I've been anxious that people are coming to kill me while I sleep. I also constantly feel like people are judging me and trying to hurt me... To the point it affects my social life. A few weeks ago I had a nightmare in which I was stabbed to death, and I woke up screaming. I stayed at the foot of my parents bed, but didn't sleep all night because I kept on thinking I could hear him walking around and calling for me. I thought he was going to cut my head off. I'm seeing a school psychologist, but it isn't helping much... I don't know what it is and I don't know what to do. I'm always irritable and feel targeted a lot by my friends, even if it's a gentle tease. My mind is telling me that I'm being ridiculous, but I still worry and feel upset anyway. Please help! Thank you!!

Febry Hello
  • replies: 7

Hi, I've only decided to greet everyone properly now but I've joined this forum for around 2 weeks maybe. Well, a little bit about myself, I'm a high school student and I've had anxiety, phobia and depression for a couple of years now. I've had psych... View more

Hi, I've only decided to greet everyone properly now but I've joined this forum for around 2 weeks maybe. Well, a little bit about myself, I'm a high school student and I've had anxiety, phobia and depression for a couple of years now. I've had psychiatric visits a while back but it didn't go so well after a while and there were a major financial problem in my family, so I stopped it all together. I decided to join this forum (and beyondblue) because I've been hearing good reviews about it at school. Tbh, at first I was a bit skeptical and anxious whether this forum would give any support or advice, given that everyone is suffering and they're not feeling well themselves to be, you know, supporting other people (sorry if this sounds offensive). But how wrong I was. From only one thread, I can already tell that this forum is a very understanding and helpful community, and I'm hoping to get along with everyone soon. Anyway, I'd like to chat and get involve more with this forum and hear different journeys and advice from/of fellow survivors in here. Well, that's as far as introduction goes. Hope you everyone will have a joyous (or at least more happier) weekend. Best Wishes, Febry xxx

JORDANHOPE Need advice
  • replies: 2

Hi, My name's Jordan and I'm currently really struggling to get motivated to do work. I know that everyone struggles to get movtivated sometimes, but I feel like this is different. I have so many overdue assignments that I just can't start. I will st... View more

Hi, My name's Jordan and I'm currently really struggling to get motivated to do work. I know that everyone struggles to get movtivated sometimes, but I feel like this is different. I have so many overdue assignments that I just can't start. I will stare at a blank page for hours and not do anything. I'm not always unmotivated, there are times where I feel really motivated to do work, but it never lasts. I've mentioned this to my parents, but they just brush it off as me being a lazy person. They both work so hard and I can barely manage to do a couple of assignments, which is pathetic. I feel like a disappointment and a failure. I don't know what to do and I need some advice. How do I stay motivated to do work? Thanks in advance, Jordan

Guest_322 Year 12 Class of 2016- wish them good luck!
  • replies: 7

Hi Year 12, I heard from a BB friend, Ahw, that the HSC exams start tomorrow. So here's a message to wish you all the very best! It can be a very stressful but you can do it! Cliched but just do your best. Remember, there are always alternative pathw... View more

Hi Year 12, I heard from a BB friend, Ahw, that the HSC exams start tomorrow. So here's a message to wish you all the very best! It can be a very stressful but you can do it! Cliched but just do your best. Remember, there are always alternative pathways and options. This exam period doesn't define you or your life. I hope everyone else joins in and leaves a message for this awesome year. Dottie x (Class of 2014)

Panda01 Relationship issues revolving around depression
  • replies: 5

Hi, I'm a high school student and need some advice. To start with i experience anxiety regularly and occasionally get depressed. I am in a relationship with my boyfriend of 7 months and things have been great up until the past month. We are very clos... View more

Hi, I'm a high school student and need some advice. To start with i experience anxiety regularly and occasionally get depressed. I am in a relationship with my boyfriend of 7 months and things have been great up until the past month. We are very close and I feel like I rely on him for emotional support a lot. Lately he has seemed a bit distant and says he's confused about his feelings. He says he doesn't feel like being around me as he always feels down. He knows how much I care about him and I've told him that I am always there for him but he says I can't do anything. He insists that I have not done anything wrong and says he doesn't want to hurt me and that he needs space. I am willing to give him space but I feel worthless and like I've failed him and it's really emotionally taxing not knowing where our relationship is going. I'm scared of losing him as he is the only person I feel comfortable talking about my feelings with but I want him to be happy and realise that being with me may be preventing that. I'm just a bit confused and feeling so helpless. Any advice or support would be greatly appreciated. - Panda01

f0rces Please Help - Tackling Anxiety Overseas.
  • replies: 2

Hey everyone, I'm new here and honestly haven't been able to find much help anywhere so I hope someone here can help me.Basically I'm going overseas for two months next year as part of a study abroad program and while I'm immensely excited I'm also t... View more

Hey everyone, I'm new here and honestly haven't been able to find much help anywhere so I hope someone here can help me.Basically I'm going overseas for two months next year as part of a study abroad program and while I'm immensely excited I'm also terrified my anxiety is going to act up.See I haven't been consistent with treatment because my anxiety fluctuates and I kind of used to brush off seeing my psychiatrist when I felt good, but last July was possibly my worst even panic attack I have encountered in all my years of living. What started as my heart racing a little ended in me hyperventilating, coming in and out of consciousness with my leg spasming and me crying really hard as my mum tried to calm me. It also lasted for days; I wasn't able to eat because I was so nauseous which resulted in me being on drips at the hospital. The whole thing was a really long nightmare and I'm not even sure what caused it/how it went away.But basically now I'm terrified of that happening to me in a foreign country without my family/people who understand my anxiety. My psychiatrist mentioned travel and health insurance (i am required to get travel insurance for the study abroad program), but I don't know how to go about finding insurance that deals with anxiety. My psychiatrist thinks that if anything my trip will help ease my anxiety but of course anything can happen and he wants to ensure I have a good plan set up.Thanks

Peridot1567 Centrelink and mental illness
  • replies: 2

Hi, im 19 years old and I serverly struggle with major depression and anxiety and all that I've been looking in to Centrelink and I've not been eligible for youth allowance as I live with my parents I also don't have a job but would disability suppor... View more

Hi, im 19 years old and I serverly struggle with major depression and anxiety and all that I've been looking in to Centrelink and I've not been eligible for youth allowance as I live with my parents I also don't have a job but would disability support pension be worth looking into as they say they cover mental illness and I don't want to go there and feel like an idiot for bothering I'm just wondering if anyone else with major depression and anxiety has had Any luck with Centrelink in that regards thanks

gdog_96 Advice for sexual assault
  • replies: 4

Hi I have a friend who was sexually assaulted by her ex, back in February. I can see that it's really effected her negatively, all her validation she gets is from guys giving her compliments. What should I say to her or should say nothing at all? I w... View more

Hi I have a friend who was sexually assaulted by her ex, back in February. I can see that it's really effected her negatively, all her validation she gets is from guys giving her compliments. What should I say to her or should say nothing at all? I want her to report the crime, but she doesn't want to, which is understandable, due to the complications of the legal system and her conservative background.