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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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Clyon I want to help my partner
  • replies: 4

I have been with my girlfriend for over a year now, living together for almost six months. She is the most beautiful person that everyone loves, and I treasure her dearly. Recently, though, she has told me she thinks she is suffering from depression ... View more

I have been with my girlfriend for over a year now, living together for almost six months. She is the most beautiful person that everyone loves, and I treasure her dearly. Recently, though, she has told me she thinks she is suffering from depression and anxiety. When our relationship started, she was amazing. She was so bubbly and affectionate. She made my day, every day. Lately she has been somewhat the opposite. She has moments when she is her old self, but then immediately changes character to something very hard to communicate with. Even questions like, "would you like a glass of water?" Are answered with a shrug of the shoulders. I known it isn't her fault, and I am not trying to play the victim here, but I am concerned. Sometimes it feels like she has no affection toward me at all, and I can't help but feel I am doing something wrong all the time. Due to the frequent changes in her moods, I find myself second guessing everything I do. I have read some posts online, and I know that a lot of her behaviour is the depression, but each day I feel less and less loved. It scares me. I want to help her in any way I can.

Blak3 Help!! How to explain??
  • replies: 6

I've been on this forum for a while. I think I may have some kind of depression/anxiety and have discussed a bit on the forums. My friend finally has questioned me about it (he is being friendly) and I'm freaking out. Anyone have tips?

I've been on this forum for a while. I think I may have some kind of depression/anxiety and have discussed a bit on the forums. My friend finally has questioned me about it (he is being friendly) and I'm freaking out. Anyone have tips?

Kxrrxh I shouldn't have to feel guilty for not being better
  • replies: 3

I have had depression for almost 5 years now, I am 17 and still live at home. I dropped out of school a term before graduating due to bullying and was in and out of hospital and therapy for a while. I still got my Qce and a few certificates and got i... View more

I have had depression for almost 5 years now, I am 17 and still live at home. I dropped out of school a term before graduating due to bullying and was in and out of hospital and therapy for a while. I still got my Qce and a few certificates and got into uni but chose to have a gap year due to my mental health at the time. I am happy with my decision but there are times quite frequently where my family members use my lack of progress against me, to make me feel guilty and it makes my anxiety and depression much worse. It has been a few months and I try to venture out of the house and I push myself frequently but it is never enough for my mother. I have made alot of progress. I dont self harm, i havent had suicidal thoughts or needed to go back to the hospital. It has become something other than concern for my mental health, because my situation has and is being used against me as a form of emotional manipulation. I love my mother but after five years I believe she has an expectation that I should be better by now. My brother has mentioned the "amount of money spent" on my therapy as if it is something that I should feel guilty for. When I first went into hospital late last year she told all of her friends and work colleagues without my permission, she constantly gossips to her friends about me and my family has conversations in front or within hearing distance of me about me as if I'm not able to hear. I snap now and find it hard not to yell when she does it because she refuses to make an effort to change the way she speaks to me no matter how many civilized conversations I try to have using techniques that have been taught to me by psychiatrists. She often uses the " yes I'm the worlds worst parent " line against me or tells me to move in with my father who lives in Sydney, which she has been threatening since I was a child. My family does not have sympathy for me because she has made herself out to be an angel of a human being for putting up with me. It frustrates me that she doesn't recognize that her put downs reverse all the progress I have made, it makes me angry that she refuses to acknowledge that it has and always will be my own effort that saves me and that she cannot use my mental illness for gossip or for emotional manipulation. I have nobody on my side within my family and if I do address the issue which I have many times before, she acts as if I am being more rude and my brother takes her side and puts me down more.

ann1100 Feel like depression ruined my life and with regrets
  • replies: 4

This is my story, I am an international student here in Australia. It has been going well for the first two years of my bachelor degree, but when it came to my last year of uni,that's is from last end of July.From that time, other than going to uni ,... View more

This is my story, I am an international student here in Australia. It has been going well for the first two years of my bachelor degree, but when it came to my last year of uni,that's is from last end of July.From that time, other than going to uni , I started isolating myself and not even leave my rooms for days. And when it came to assignments due days , I just pull the things off ,fortunately I somewhat turned in my assignments and passed the last semester. Long story short, I eventually realized that something must be wrong and consulted at GP four months later, and I received antidepressants but I did not start taking it regularly until a month ago.And I am going to graduate next month , and hopefully I am able to go into my master degree. However, I did have some regrets with my grades of these two semesters, some courses that I can just get a part which I should have done better. Can someone give some advices for it , as it really touches my nerves and keep me up at night Sorry for my poor English .Thanks:)

Hanna_ Advice?
  • replies: 3

Hi, my name is Hanna, I am 12 years old. I'm pretty sure I've had depression for a while now but I don't know how to tell my parents, any ideas?

Hi, my name is Hanna, I am 12 years old. I'm pretty sure I've had depression for a while now but I don't know how to tell my parents, any ideas?

breaza new here and need advice please!!!
  • replies: 3

hi, I'm new to this, so i don't really know what to do or say?!? i just want someone to comfort me…. I have had anxiety before, but i normally know what sets it off, its never been serious enough to talk to anyone about. I recently had an reaction to... View more

hi, I'm new to this, so i don't really know what to do or say?!? i just want someone to comfort me…. I have had anxiety before, but i normally know what sets it off, its never been serious enough to talk to anyone about. I recently had an reaction to medication (maxolon) and ended up in emergency, it made me have extreme anxiety/derealization thoughts, felt like something was crawling inside my skin. Mum called an ambulance as i was going "crazy". Got to the hospital and they said i was just having an anxiety or panic attack and sent me home... 6 days on from the reaction and I've finally just gotten back into my head from the derealization and i cannot stop crying, extreme anxiety and nauseous and I'm worried I'm starting to get depressed. I also do not want to leave the sight of my mum, i get more anxious even when she leaves the room…? I went to the mental health doctor yesterday but he didn't tell me much just said i am having anxiety and gave me a breathing exercise to use, he also booked me in to a psychologist(i think) but that is 3 weeks away. i just don't know what else i can do, I'm not able to go to work as I'm too scared that I'm going to have an attack or breakdown plus mum has to go back to work tomorrow so thats scaring me??!! please someone give me something..

taraanita Dealing with rumors
  • replies: 2

Hi everyone, Im 21 and this isnt really a major problem and I feel stupid for posting about it but its something thats really bothering me. Basically to give you a backstory my boyfriend (25) recently moved out of his old living situation with one of... View more

Hi everyone, Im 21 and this isnt really a major problem and I feel stupid for posting about it but its something thats really bothering me. Basically to give you a backstory my boyfriend (25) recently moved out of his old living situation with one of his friends (or so we thought) and his girlfriend because he was pretty much paying more than his fair share rent and bills and they just werent very good roommates. In january his friend began using steroids again and lying to his girlfriend who eventually found them, he lied to her, she asked me and my bf and we basically said that it was probably true (im obviously not going to lie to someone who was my friend and shes not stupid) they got into a big argument her bf yelled at me for telling her the truth blah blah blah. So my boyfriend moved out they have since broken up and apparently she has been going round saying they had found a bag of drugs (crack to be specific) in the bathroom (of the house my bf moved out of a few months ago). Shes been saying its my bfs and hes smoking it etc to pretty much any mutual friends of ours she runs into- they dont particularly like her and therefore dont believe it. Now the day he moved out his mum cleaned the whole house so im sure she wouldve found it and also my bfs roommate (steriod man) has used these substances in the past and has friends who do too so im assuming its theirs. But in a past relationship of mine there were rumors of my partner cheating etc and they turned out to be true so rumors are quite a sore spot for me and hard to deal with. I know the side affects and symptoms of this drug and he isnt exhibiting any of them apart from being stressed out but considering as he runs his own business and works basically all day id say thats a given. I have spoken to him about it, he denies it and i know shes not a very reliable source and doesnt have either of our best interests at heart (past events have proven this and seeing as shes speaking to everyone else about it and not us) but its just sitting in the back of my mind because of past relationships. We also cant really be bothered confronting her as she will likely lie and cause a lot of drama which we dont want. this was probably very poorly written and hard to follow but can someone please help with this crappy situation because im terrible at dealing with this kind of petty drama.

lil_lexi Making friends...and keeping friends...
  • replies: 2

Making friends is so hard for me...always has been really. I'm not easy to get along with sometimes. At times its because of my depression- and how I am feeling. Keeping friends is also hard. I have lost so many friends throughout the years... Being ... View more

Making friends is so hard for me...always has been really. I'm not easy to get along with sometimes. At times its because of my depression- and how I am feeling. Keeping friends is also hard. I have lost so many friends throughout the years... Being in Year 9 (I'm 15 yrs old). Its sometimes hard to make friends. Because a lot of people are quite different from me, their interested in different things, their sometimes too judgmental (I'm not saying I'm not judgmental too, but still...) and they care a lot about boys... I like boys too, but sometimes its all they talk about. It gets annoying, and boring. I sit with a group of girls at Recess and Lunch, I'm friends with about 3 girls in that group- The group has around 10 people in it- I don't actually know, Its not like I count. But there's a lot of people in this group. 1 of the girls I'm friends with (who sits with this group too) Has been my on-off friend for about 3 years, we're super close, and I love/care about her a lot. She kind of helps me become friends with more of the girls in the group. Lately, I have been hanging out with my close friend, and 2 other girls...Its really great, and I feel really happy because of them..I feel more apart of the group. I need to become more social, I am so quiet and shy, I actually hate it. I rarely speak in class, and when I do, its just when people talk to me (I have to be polite, and reply to them..) Please give me some advice to help me out with being more social, and get out of that whole shy thing... Also, tell me if you're social at school- or shy and quiet like me... I would love help, and advice, and also how you got out of being unsocial and shy... Thank you

Ginny13 I am a crazy girlfriend
  • replies: 3

Hi, I am 19 nearly 20. I have had depression for as long as I can think. I have not been diagnosed but my family, myself and my partner believe I have borderline personality disorder and anxiety as well. Every day I imagine that my partner is going t... View more

Hi, I am 19 nearly 20. I have had depression for as long as I can think. I have not been diagnosed but my family, myself and my partner believe I have borderline personality disorder and anxiety as well. Every day I imagine that my partner is going to be killed while driving or just not wake up, anything really. All I think about is him dying, cheating on me, breaking up with me and every other thing that could go wrong. He is the most loyal, loving person I have ever met and I am so incredibly lucky. So why am I thinking like this? He accepted me even after all the disgusting slutty things I have done in the past. But all I do is freak out at him and make things tough. The other day a friend of ours said that he could never really love his girlfriend because she had slept with his friend in the past. This killed me... I have basically slept with everyone we both know and it makes me feel sick and want to die. He doesnt seem bothered because it is my past but I HATE it. I want to go back in time and change it all. I only did all those disgusting things because of my ex. I basically turned crazy after him. This probably doesnt make sense, this is my first post. I just need help. How can I stop being a crazy girlfriend? I can not lose him. Hes perfect and I will never find someone like him.

lil_lexi Depression- Should I see a doctor?
  • replies: 5

My older brother (Who also suffers from depression- and is taking meds) thinks that I should see a doctor. We have planned to go to his doctor, so his doctor can help me with depression, and do a mental health plan (I think that's what its called, I ... View more

My older brother (Who also suffers from depression- and is taking meds) thinks that I should see a doctor. We have planned to go to his doctor, so his doctor can help me with depression, and do a mental health plan (I think that's what its called, I don't remember) But because he has work so much, and has been busy, he hasn't been able to take me to the doctor. I have seen my school counselor, and I'm starting to see her at least once a week. My mum doesn't want to take me to the doctor, and thinks I am being a hypochondriac. My mum didn't really care much about my brother taking meds for Depression, and she has never really listened to me when I have thought something is wrong with me. I am a hypochondriac, I will admit that. But if mum at least took me to the doctor I would feel better. I have struggled for years with depression...but my family always turn around and say "So what, everyone in this family suffer from depression, you're no different" I want to get help, I want to see a doctor. I always feel so horrible everyday. Sometimes I just don't want to get out of bed. I don't want to be around people. I feel so worthless, and ugly. I hate it. I cant help feeling horrible. I cant stop myself from thinking about horrible memories, or things that people have said to me. My counselor said that I either have to get help, or just accept that I am meant to be a depressed person- she wants me to just ACCEPT I am depressed. That's not something I want to do. I'm not going to accept it. I want help.. Should I see a doctor? I'm 15 years old, I still need a parent or caregiver to take me to a doctor I'm pretty sure...But if my brother is busy, and my sister doesnt care, and my mum doesnt care either, what am I suppose to do? Please give me suggestions...I need help. xxx