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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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jessiealex tecnniques for anxiety/ panic attacks
  • replies: 2

I have been so stressed and anxious and i really meed techniques on how to calm myself down and ive tried so many things already, please help

I have been so stressed and anxious and i really meed techniques on how to calm myself down and ive tried so many things already, please help

Jasmine_B Telling My Story to the World
  • replies: 3

Hi there everyone, I have been considering, for a long time, telling people about my depression and anxiety... but I'm ironically too anxious to do so! I always second-guess the idea and talk myself out of it. Have you told people on your Facebook pa... View more

Hi there everyone, I have been considering, for a long time, telling people about my depression and anxiety... but I'm ironically too anxious to do so! I always second-guess the idea and talk myself out of it. Have you told people on your Facebook page, etc., about your mental illness? Do you have any advice? Thanks in advance, Jasmine

anonmyous Can anybody help me out?
  • replies: 3

hi. i'm 13, and i am almost certain that i have some sort of mental illness - depression, anxiety or ocd, i have no idea but i am sure it's something. i have compulsive urges to do things like standing up and start cussing for no reason, or just want... View more

hi. i'm 13, and i am almost certain that i have some sort of mental illness - depression, anxiety or ocd, i have no idea but i am sure it's something. i have compulsive urges to do things like standing up and start cussing for no reason, or just wanting to hurt people, or doing something absolutely meaningless and random because something tells me that if i don't do it, something bad will happen later. also i feel constantly in worry and i never seem to be able to relax. and then other times i feel really euphoric and elated and feel like i'm on top of the world. this has been happening for maybe 2 to 3 years now, but my impulsive thoughts/actions have started since early childhood from when i can remember. someone help me out please, thank you.

mmmmmm I don't understand how I feel...
  • replies: 3

I always find myself feeling as though I'm guilty of something. Even if I've done nothing wrong. I'm confused and frustrated because I feel like maybe I have anxiety but I don't want to tell anyone. I don't want to have anxiety so I keep convincing m... View more

I always find myself feeling as though I'm guilty of something. Even if I've done nothing wrong. I'm confused and frustrated because I feel like maybe I have anxiety but I don't want to tell anyone. I don't want to have anxiety so I keep convincing myself I don't. I feel stupid even writing this online because I don't even know how I feel. I'm really close with my best friend and my family but I don't ever feel like I could tell them because I don't actually know what I'm trying to explain? if that makes remotely any sense. I constantly feel like I'm letting people down and dissapointing them, even if they're happy. I also feel like the harder I try not to upset people, the more I upset them and make them feel bad. And it's worse if I do nothing because I still feel like I'm letting them down. I don't know how to explain it any further except I feel guilty for letting people down without even knowing I'm letting them down. I just feel useless and like my hands are tied. Theres nothing worse than making people feel upset and not being able to change it. Don't even know why I'm on this website, maybe to see if anyone has ever felt/feels the same? Any wise words?

Nagata Losing my identity
  • replies: 4

I was a good student, top of class, top of school. Was a pride of my friend, of my family. Was looked up to by my sister and brother. Things just got so easy for me as even with just 80% effort spent, I could always easily reached 120% target. I beli... View more

I was a good student, top of class, top of school. Was a pride of my friend, of my family. Was looked up to by my sister and brother. Things just got so easy for me as even with just 80% effort spent, I could always easily reached 120% target. I believe in karma, I was humble. I never think ill of anyone and always wished I could spend my life contributing more to the world. And when i was so close to the top, things fall apart from me. I to this day don't believe it was my fault. But i got betrayed by my teacher, and by the system that I thought was in place to protect me. My friend was supportive, but powerless and eventually have their own thing to worry about. I fell into the first depression. The first counselor I met immediately tried to push me out of the door. Student supports were just cheerleaders, and legal advice were just there to make money. So I dropped out, and turned to my family for support. They are also very supportive, and at first I thought it was just a stop gap thing. I thought I can enroll anywhere I want (to continue my study), even apply to Harvard if I can put my 100% behind. But I wait, and wait and wait. 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, a year. My past school record and lack of referee became a choking point that I stuck on. And so i continue to wait and wait till this day. Jobless, stay up on night feeding on whatever entertainment media I could land on. Waiting for a study offer that apparently will never come. That's how I lost everything I once identified myself with. I turned anti-social and tried to avoid my friend till I can get some good news for them, but already months passed. I used to be a proud son for my parents , but despite supportive words inside, now they barely could mention my name to neighbor. My brother treated me with baby gloves, and my sister who once looked up on me like I am a genius, now think of me as a helpless nuisance. I now also have total distrust against the world, and can't stop myself having racists thought against those wronged me. I don't know who I am anymore. Sometime I thought of myself as an impostor of the one I used to be. Maybe the sin of pride is dooming me, but if I get rid of it, I don't know what else will remain.

everyonedeserveslovethoug Young college student who has been experiencing gradually more intense anxiety
  • replies: 5

Hi! I'm a young college student who has been experiencing gradually more intense anxiety as I've been getting older. I describe it as "waves" because it comes and goes so unexpectedly but I've been having symptoms like stress habits (picking at my so... View more

Hi! I'm a young college student who has been experiencing gradually more intense anxiety as I've been getting older. I describe it as "waves" because it comes and goes so unexpectedly but I've been having symptoms like stress habits (picking at my sores, sorry sounds gross!! I wear makeup), weight gain, sudden urge to cry, impatience, indecisiveness, accelerated heart rate, bingeing habits and discomfort in large social situations. If you 'knew' me, you would have never ever guessed that I go through this I try keep it on the down low but it's starting to get a bit much and I want to feel healthy again. I'm not ready to open up to many people, and the few that I have, I don't want to bug them about it all of the time. What do you guys suggest I should do to help / what should I do? I've booked an appointment with a psych but I've tried it before and it hasn't made a super large impact so far. I want to take things into my own hands as well Lots of love to you all xxx

Display_name_is_already_i Help... Just joined the forum, panic is hurting my life.
  • replies: 3

I am working in a job I hate because I need to for another 2 months to finish my qualification. I know I don't want to have this career but need the qualification so I have a chance to go to uni or do other things. I've been pushing (Past of anxiety ... View more

I am working in a job I hate because I need to for another 2 months to finish my qualification. I know I don't want to have this career but need the qualification so I have a chance to go to uni or do other things. I've been pushing (Past of anxiety and depression) so hard to go in, sometimes when I get there its okay but everyday before I go in I have panic attacks, cry and just feel awful, I've been googling like a crazy person trying to find techniques to help, have been meditating today for 5 mins, really need help getting through the next 2 months, haven't felt this way for a while and want to keep this in my past as its affecting me outside of work.

AnxiousInsomniac Feeling Blue From Family
  • replies: 2

There's this place, kinda like this sight but in person. Called Headspace. My dad wanted me to go because I have problems with motivation, depression, insomnia and the biggest issue is Anxiety. I went a couple of times because he was really worried. ... View more

There's this place, kinda like this sight but in person. Called Headspace. My dad wanted me to go because I have problems with motivation, depression, insomnia and the biggest issue is Anxiety. I went a couple of times because he was really worried. But I didn't think it was the thing for me. I don't like talking to people, my problems are my problems and I feel really nervous telling other people. But I went. But after a few times the person I'd been speaking to, who I'd gotten used to, moved to a different firm of the organisation and I had to start the whole issue of trust again from scratch. Which I didn't do. But I told dad I was still going. Made up stories about the 'help I was getting' and tried to make it seem like I was getting better. That was until he started to try and contact them about how I was doing. So I started going again and knew it was going to come up and out in the open but couldn't find away to tell him. Now he's found out and is under the impression I did it because I was too lazy to. He has a problem with people lying to him and I know I should have told him but I feel like telling me to get out of his sight and not to speak to him again because I'd put him in a scenario he didn't like, he didn't want to interact with me at all for a while was really harsh considering I didn't want to do headspace in the first place, he pushed it on me, and I started going again just for him. It's not for me no matter who says what because I honestly hate talking about my feeling with anyone but me. The exception is in places like this where I am anonymous and safe from the judgement I don't need from other because I judge myself already. the main issue I needed to address was the fact dad doesn't see how the whole talking to others about my problems isn't helping me function normally. I'm even more depressed. I have an even lower self image and I genuinely feel exaughsted from the encounter. But he wants me to go, not because he's worried I suspect, but because he wants his messed up kids to get fixed or get lost before his girlfriend realises how messed up we are.

A_93 A case of Lonelieness - Advice welcome
  • replies: 2

Hi all, So, I'm generally not one to seek out this kind of advice, in fact, this is the first time I've ever posted or looked up such a forum. Anyways, I'm 22 years old, and I recently graduated from University and was extremely fortunate enough to l... View more

Hi all, So, I'm generally not one to seek out this kind of advice, in fact, this is the first time I've ever posted or looked up such a forum. Anyways, I'm 22 years old, and I recently graduated from University and was extremely fortunate enough to land a full-time, permanent job in the exact field I studied (sounds great, right?). The job I got was on the other side of Australia. Foreign territory to me. I've lived out of home since I was 18, so I figured another move couldn't be so bad. But as of late, I've had a sinking feeling of low self-worth and self-pity. I feel lonely here. I haven't made friends like I did when I was at University. I've been living here for just over 6 months now, and the only few 'friends' I did make, have been completely opposite to me in terms of common interests and hobbies. I feel like they're more acquaintances than anything. No-one I've connected with on a personal level. I know the constant response may be "join a club", but I have really bad anxiety in large groups. I feel a lot more comfortable connecting with people on a one-on-one basis. University helped me make a lot of my friends from home, but here, I feel like I have nothing. No-one. My colleagues at work, remain as colleagues (not to mention they're mostly twice [or more] my age). I guess I just feel lonely. Sad. Empty inside. Lately I've also had a lot of thoughts run through my head of where I'm at in terms of relationship goals too. I'm single and have been for a while now, and I feel like I've missed my opportunity of meeting other women (since my prime days of University are over). And now knowing I'm in a full-time, permanent job, the realisation of knowing I will be doing the same thing day-in, day-out for the next 40+ years saddens me. I've lost that joy and excitement I used to have in my life. I just feel... miserable? Lost? I don't know, as I read this back, it all sounds silly. So, I get it, if it's not worth the time. I know there's people out there with a lot worse, so I shouldn't complain. It's just... Somewhat demoarlising..

Kyra_jade teacher doesnt understand!?
  • replies: 4

what do you do when you have a teacher who thinks your anxiety and depression are excuses to get out of class??

what do you do when you have a teacher who thinks your anxiety and depression are excuses to get out of class??