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

Overthinker7 First time posting! Social anxiety anyone?
  • replies: 5

Hi guys so I work in customer service and I am fine talking to strangers usually I don't have any anxiety, but when it comes to people I work with or making friends I have the worst anxiety and tend to avoid it even with my boss I don't know what to ... View more

Hi guys so I work in customer service and I am fine talking to strangers usually I don't have any anxiety, but when it comes to people I work with or making friends I have the worst anxiety and tend to avoid it even with my boss I don't know what to talk about I over think everything and wonder if they think I'm too quiet or timid or I talk about boring thing and start over thinking what do I talk to them about???? But if it's a stranger at work I don't have this fear at all because I'm serving them! Anyone else have this problem? Any tips on how to over come it!?

Lego2894 How to cope the first moments after admitting/seeking help?
  • replies: 4

Hi... Another new person here and sort of just looking for some sort of support to cope at the moment, I guess? I've finally come out in a spectacular moment of a horrible breakdown to admit openly to people (my uni supervisor, my parents,etc) that I... View more

Hi... Another new person here and sort of just looking for some sort of support to cope at the moment, I guess? I've finally come out in a spectacular moment of a horrible breakdown to admit openly to people (my uni supervisor, my parents,etc) that I actually might need help. Yesterday after a long week of having a common issue of just not being able to so much as leave my bed or room to go to uni to complete work for my honours project (I study Animal Science is my honours year is a spent doing a research project under the guidance of a supervisor), I had a moment yesterday where I was expected to show work (that I hadn't done) to my supervisor. Instead I had a breakdown and admitted that I needed help and seeing as my thesis is supposed to be due at the end of October, I need to find a way to get extensions. Long story short of that I have a meeting with a counsellor tomorrow and need to outline where I am to up to work wise to the honours co-ordinators to seek extensions. On top of that I explained to my mum the situation (another horrible breakdown). I'm planning to go to the doctors to get professional help - but I feel like I should point out I went to the doctors a month ago for insomnia, had some tests done, one included an evaluation of stress,anxiety and depression - from that I got told I'm deficient in iron and vitamin D given supplements and told that I had a very high level of depression and anxiety (from the scores of the test/questions she asked me) and offered to give me medication and/or the free 6 visits to a psychologist. The doctor said she could give the benefit of the doubt as vit D deficiency does lead to depression, though I think she might of been able to as much as I know that this is something that's been there for a long time. Being the person that I am I stupidly refused it all back then and denied my problem and now I have to go back and say that I pretty much lied about that. So here I am right now amongst bouts of tears trying to cope with what I've done in the last day. I feel exhausted and internally I'm both crying for someone to be there and not leave me alone as well as almost screaming and wanting to get in my car and go anywhere that would mean I'm away from everyone and everything. I guess I came here to read about how others coped or came around with getting help. What it was like in those immediate moments right after the truth came out? Did or has anyone else felt so horrible afterwards?

MargaritaRowe Physical and mental numbness
  • replies: 2

Does anyone else get numbess from GAD? In their toes perhaps, or hands? I do sometimes, and I have in my toes right now. I'm half telling myself it's just GAD, or it's gangrene or cancer and I'll never walk again it just spooks me out and I'm alone s... View more

Does anyone else get numbess from GAD? In their toes perhaps, or hands? I do sometimes, and I have in my toes right now. I'm half telling myself it's just GAD, or it's gangrene or cancer and I'll never walk again it just spooks me out and I'm alone so that makes it harder sorry if someone else has posted this I'm just in a panic and need to get this out quickly

Guest_322 Fellow psych students on the forum?
  • replies: 28

Hi everyone, I'm a 20 year old uni student in my second year of the B.Commerce/B.Psych(hon) degree. I guess I'm posting this mostly because I've really been feeling the pressure for the psych stream of my degree. It's tough and the competition for ps... View more

Hi everyone, I'm a 20 year old uni student in my second year of the B.Commerce/B.Psych(hon) degree. I guess I'm posting this mostly because I've really been feeling the pressure for the psych stream of my degree. It's tough and the competition for psych honours is FIERCE at my uni (as I'm sure it is at most, if not all, unis). At my uni, those who currently have honours embedded in their degree are extremely stressed about losing it if they don't maintain their grades (e.g. me). And many of those without the honours currently embedded in their degree are stressed about getting the grades to transfer into the honours stream. Every exam and every assignment but most of all, our final grades, I worry that I won't be able to keep the honours. I love the psych content but I don't love the psych academic environment as it's extremely toxic at my uni. It's partly because the psych faculty reminded us of the competitive nature of psych from day 1 in first year. I've seen classmates withhold notes from friends. I've seen classmates refuse to help their (academically) struggling friends. At my uni, it feels like a case of every student for him/herself. I don't know what I'm trying to say but I'm hoping someone here on this forum can empathise and knows where I'm coming from. Thanks everyone! Dottie

Arnie26 Do you ever feel like no one cares?
  • replies: 4

I have been feeling like no one cares and that everyone hates. I also just lost my friends because someone spread a rumour about me. Im new here.

I have been feeling like no one cares and that everyone hates. I also just lost my friends because someone spread a rumour about me. Im new here.

Elseweyr Body Image?
  • replies: 4

My whole life, I've been overweight/obese. I've also been diagnosed with depression, and though I'm trying to deal with it, lately my mood has been just insufferable. I have lost 20kg over two years, but now I'm not losing anything and it's really ge... View more

My whole life, I've been overweight/obese. I've also been diagnosed with depression, and though I'm trying to deal with it, lately my mood has been just insufferable. I have lost 20kg over two years, but now I'm not losing anything and it's really getting me down. I hate myself. I've tried so hard this past month but nothing has changed and the number on the scale is still the same. I feel alone, so alone... But I don't want anyone to see me because of how fat I am and I can't help but isolate myself further from everyone in my life and I don't know where to turn. My friends get crushes and guys all the time while I sit here, and I can't help but feel pain and jealousy every time I see a godammn happy couple pass me and I wish I didn't have so much hate in me, but I resent everyone who is thinner than me because feel like the world is trying to rub in my face what I can't have. I've cried for almost 48 hours straight because I don't know what to do. I'm on the verge of wanting to starve myself, even though I'm aware that its not the answer, I'm desperate. Please, someone, give me some advice. Thank you...

namedisplays114 where cani get help
  • replies: 3

hello i want to get proper help professionally i am sick of being on my own and i dont know where to start i have tried talking to friends and family but it does not help. i cannot afford much and am still under my parents medicare and dont want them... View more

hello i want to get proper help professionally i am sick of being on my own and i dont know where to start i have tried talking to friends and family but it does not help. i cannot afford much and am still under my parents medicare and dont want them to know i am recieving help i dont know where to start anyone with any help is much appricated thank you

Bananas First post.. Anxiety/Panic Attacks
  • replies: 5

I have always kept to myself and am not one to tell others about my problems or thoughts. I have always pushed myself to do the best I can with schooling and life in general. I am currently studying at University away from my home town. I struggled c... View more

I have always kept to myself and am not one to tell others about my problems or thoughts. I have always pushed myself to do the best I can with schooling and life in general. I am currently studying at University away from my home town. I struggled coming back to uni this year after 4 months at home. I had a few minor panic attacks in the first few weeks where I was doubting my ability to get through the course and would cry most nights. I often come home from class and go into my room and close the door- this makes me feel safe. I overthink everything in life- mostly tiny, irrelevant things. I have recently had a panic attack which was the worst I have experienced. I was driving to another town for the weekend and felt my chest tightening, I began crying uncontrollably for no apparent reason. I began to feel faint and dizzy so pulled over when I got the chance. I got out of the car and tried to calm down. I couldn’t control it. I felt like I was suffocating. I felt nauseous to the point I forced myself to vomit. Then cried even more hysterically because I had no idea why I just forced myself to vomit. I sat back in the car and started sipping water. It took over half an hour for me to calm down and start controlling my breathing. I was embarrassed about the situation and turned up to my friend’s house like none of that had just happened. I find it easier to hide my emotions than try and get people to understand. Should I see my GP? Does anyone have similar experiences? Coping Strategies? Thanks xx

MarkJT Great work young'uns
  • replies: 4

Gotta say as a bloke of 44 yrs of age how good it is to see that the most threads and posts on the forum is by the younger generation. That is brilliant to see. Mental health stigma has been around for so long and with the next generation taking so m... View more

Gotta say as a bloke of 44 yrs of age how good it is to see that the most threads and posts on the forum is by the younger generation. That is brilliant to see. Mental health stigma has been around for so long and with the next generation taking so much interest in it, it can only result in the stigma being smashed. Although I don't like seeing our younger generation struggling, it is mightily pleasing to see so many posting and helping others. Great stuff y'all.

Missberri Struggling with uni and work
  • replies: 3

Hi, i know this isn't the biggest problem ever but lately I've been really struggling with work and my uni studies.. Ive been at uni for a while but because of my mental health issues like depressin, really bad insomnia and social anxiety I haven't d... View more

Hi, i know this isn't the biggest problem ever but lately I've been really struggling with work and my uni studies.. Ive been at uni for a while but because of my mental health issues like depressin, really bad insomnia and social anxiety I haven't done as well as I could have. I didn't work much during this time either because my social anxiety and feelings of incompetence have always gotten the best of me and every time I would get an interview I would freak out and not go im finally now in my last year of Uni (finishing middle of next year) and I've started working as well. I've become so much more confident and motivated to finish and start actually doing well in life, but now I'm finding this are getting too much. One of the girls recently left my workplace (a small retail store) so now since there are only 3 of us working there I've been given a lot more shifts. I've been getting around 23-30 hours per week pretty much and I thought that my manager was going to hire someone new soon, but it seems that is not going to happen until after the semester is over. im really starting to panic because I am really falling behind in uni and I know it's not going to get much easier as the weeks go by because I have non stop shifts. I know some people can handle a lot of uni and work but I'm not used to it at all and I really want to give myself enough time to put effort into my uni work this time. I'm scared to talk to my boss and tell her what's going on because I know there's only 3 of us working there and it's hard to split shifts evenly. But it's getting to the point where I've been called up to work on the few days that I was supposed to have off to study and even on some days where I have my classes. its frustrating because she's gotten so many applications from people to work at the store and she said initially she would hire someone but it seems like that's not happening until really late now i don't know what to do at this point I don't want to fail anymore units at uni especially when I'm trying really hard and I'm starting to feel like this job isn't worth it even if I do really like and need it right now.. I really have no idea what to do so any help would be really appreciated

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