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.

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romantic_thi3f Eeep! When study is overwhelming! - Tips, ideas and coping strategies
  • replies: 51

Hi! Just thought I’d make a post with some tips for study. I know this is something we can all struggle with. These are all suggestions so feel free to take them or leave them! Hope they help! If you only remember one thing, let it be this: You are i... View more

Hi! Just thought I’d make a post with some tips for study. I know this is something we can all struggle with. These are all suggestions so feel free to take them or leave them! Hope they help! If you only remember one thing, let it be this: You are important. Your grades don’t define you. (support) Studying can feel isolating but know you’re not alone! Reach out – and find or make friends that can support you along the way. If you’re having trouble finding some friends, join some local communities or clubs! They have lots at Uni’s and even stuff like open days are great ways to meet new people and find out what’s happening. Study groups can also be a great way to meet people and stay motivated. Also remind yourself why you’re doing this; inspirational wallpapers or quotes can be super inspiring. Remember the saying about the oxygen mask? If you can’t take care of yourself first studying will be harder. You are important. You know the drill - water, food, exercise, sleep. Try to stay calm. Stuff that might be able to help include mindfulness, breathing exercises, colouring in, going for walks, journaling, listening to music… If you’re struggling – reach out. See a therapist. Talk to your student counsellor. If you need help, don’t be afraid to ask for it. Also lots of Universities and TAFE offer disability services – which includes conditions like Depression and Anxiety. (study) Find the right study space for you. Maybe that’s in your room, or a coffee shop, or the library. Some people find that noise helps; other people not so much. If you like particular kinds of noise, you can find ‘coffee shop’ noise or ‘rain sounds’ to help concentrate. Make a plan. It helps to do it often so it becomes a habit. Anytime you get a due date, write it down. Maybe you could use a diary, planner, bullet journal or an app. I find the 30/30 App helpful - study for a bit and then break for a bit. You can also get add-on’s for your computer to block sites like Facebook if you find them too distracting. Find out what study technique works for you. Do you like cue cards? Mind maps? Colour coding? Does highlighting stuff help you remember? Charts, maps, diagrams? Recorded lectures? Goals! These are so important – not just writing down deadlines but rewarding yourself for meeting them. Even making smaller goals like ‘read two pages from a textbook’ can help. Break it down into bite size pieces, and don’t forget to reward yourself after!

Sophie_M NEW TO THIS FORUM? Please read this first
  • replies: 0

The Young People space is a sub-forum within the wider Beyond Blue forum community. 1. Its purpose is to provide members aged 25 and under a space to discuss anxiety, depression and other related life issues. If you are aged over 25, please be mindfu... View more

The Young People space is a sub-forum within the wider Beyond Blue forum community. 1. Its purpose is to provide members aged 25 and under a space to discuss anxiety, depression and other related life issues. If you are aged over 25, please be mindful that this forum is a space for younger people to connect and provide peer support for each other. 2. Content from this sub-forum is displayed on both the beyondblue and youthbeyondblue websites. 3. Please bear in mind that some members find content relating to suicide and/or self-harm distressing or triggering. If you would like to post on these topics, please do so in our Suicidal Thoughts and Self Harm section. Please see also our guidelines for making posts on this topic. Posts made here in the Young People sub-forum containing content relating to suicide and/or self-harm will be moved. 4. These forums are moderated, so your posts may not appear straightaway. Information on how our system works can be found here. Being familiar with our community rules can help ensure that your posts appear online as quickly as possible. 5. This is a peer support community, and to get the best out of being here we recommend that you 'give support to receive support'. More on how that works here.

All discussions

Grace-99 Young People
  • replies: 2

Hi Is it only my parents but when I want to tell them my depression is bad or my anxiety is bad they like those things don't even exist and it hurts me very much I cry myself to sleep and I have trusted teachers to tell about friends but I get bullie... View more

Hi Is it only my parents but when I want to tell them my depression is bad or my anxiety is bad they like those things don't even exist and it hurts me very much I cry myself to sleep and I have trusted teachers to tell about friends but I get bullied so much I've tried to stand up for myselfI'm here to talk to anyone

KFPDW Feeling ashamed to be a White Male
  • replies: 33

I'm a male myself and I have NEVER EVER been sexist or disrespectful or racist to anyone ever. Not now, not EVER!!!! But I feel like what ever I come across in media, it feels like all I hear is "White Males Are Bad". When I watch shows like Charmed ... View more

I'm a male myself and I have NEVER EVER been sexist or disrespectful or racist to anyone ever. Not now, not EVER!!!! But I feel like what ever I come across in media, it feels like all I hear is "White Males Are Bad". When I watch shows like Charmed and I come across certain scenes where Males are regarded as bad people, it makes me feel uncomfortable. You got shows like the Neighbourhood sitcom that I came across where they cover racism where a black guy gets put in a jail cell for being black which is so NOT fair whatsoever. And the main lead says the police system is working the right way for white guys but not black people or any other culture. And white people will never understand whatsoever the pain other people go through. And they whole policeman beating up a black guy which leads to the black lives matter movement. I feel like I'm ashamed of all these bad things happening even though I have done NOTHING to do with anything of that bad stuff. But because of the long history I hear of white males doing bad stuff, I feel like I have to be responsible for that or feel as though it's my fault. It may sound silly but I feel like all I hear is White Males are bad and cause problems. I feel like if I see someone in pain or needs help, I want to be able to help or show support no matter what their colour or background is. We are all still human beings after all and all this dumb bad stuff like racism and sexism shouldn't be around any more. Nor should it have existed in the first place. I hate the fact that bad stuff like this still happens and I feel helpless to see it pop up in media or fiction. I felt ashamed to be a white male so many times and my friend says I shouldn't, all that stuff isn't my fault and I shouldn't take on the responsibility of other people's actions that I don't even know. Focus on my own actions and what I can change. But because all that stuff happens, I feel like I get stuffed into a category where I'm a white male and are automatically the enemy. And no matter how hard I try to help and try to show that not all white males are bad, I feel like I can't make a positive difference. Like I'm powerless to make a positive change so people can see not all white males are bad people, or even white people in general. I want to be able to try and understand what others are going through as well as try to stop bad things from happening.

random struggling with mental health
  • replies: 14

I have been struggling with mental health for years. It’s gotten especially bad recently though. I suffer from anxiety and panic attacks. Whenever I would do something that i know my parents wouldn’t be proud of, I would have a panic attack, and have... View more

I have been struggling with mental health for years. It’s gotten especially bad recently though. I suffer from anxiety and panic attacks. Whenever I would do something that i know my parents wouldn’t be proud of, I would have a panic attack, and have to tell them. This lead to me having to tell my mum about my self harm about a year ago. I have recently had the urge to hurt myself again, and I know that if I do it, i’ll have to tell my mum.. and I don’t want to do that. So that’s what’s keeping me from doing it. But I really need help, because it’s all I think about. it’s consuming my thoughts and I can’t deal with it anymore. I also struggle with my eating habits. I’ve been struggling with body image and eating since i was 10. I know i’m not overweight but i really really hate my body. I feel like i can’t talk to it about anyone because people will just tell me that i’m skinny. I spend every hour thinking about how I can change myself and how I look. It consumes me and I don’t know how much longer I can live like this.

a13xx having trouble talking? just talking in general
  • replies: 1

Hi again,I had another thing i needed to vent a bit about lol.Ive always been seen as quiet or shy..And I really was. But the past couple years or so i’ve been able to talk more openly and with more confidence. I still can’t get past this barrier tho... View more

Hi again,I had another thing i needed to vent a bit about lol.Ive always been seen as quiet or shy..And I really was. But the past couple years or so i’ve been able to talk more openly and with more confidence. I still can’t get past this barrier though. I can be really talkative and outgoing, but it’s like a mood that’s really rare..I’ll have these random moments where i’ll be super outgoing, i’ll do things with friends & i’ll be able to talk like a normal person, contribute to conversation and make jokes. But most of the time I just don’t say anything. I really want to, I wish i was that outgoing person all the time. And it’s not that i’m shy or scared necessarily of being social. My head is just empty and I have nothing to say. I’ll think of a reply to a conversation hours later that someone could’ve thought instantly. It doesn’t matter who the person is either..my best friend for example, I wish i could have the same energy every time we hung out, but it’s so inconsistent and every time i go quiet with him it’s like a vibe killer.I want to be able to get past that barrier but i feel like i’m stuck..

Kanew19 Advice on dropping out of highschool as a 17 year old
  • replies: 3

Hey, so I am currently enrolled as a year 11 student at high school currently doing VCE and a 3&4 subject early (biology). Pretty much ever since i could remember I've always been not that good at school only really getting D's, C's, and B's for my w... View more

Hey, so I am currently enrolled as a year 11 student at high school currently doing VCE and a 3&4 subject early (biology). Pretty much ever since i could remember I've always been not that good at school only really getting D's, C's, and B's for my whole school life, and kinda felt alone in that boat and that school has never really been 'my thing'. I decided not to do Vcal or drop out afraid I was gonna be seen as a real loser and stuff. Recently I have been contemplating finishing year 11 to the best of my ability and then dropping out before I do year 12. I haven't been diagnosed with any mental illness or anything like that but tbh I absolutely hate school, I would get nervous and honestly intensely hate the prospect of going back to school at the end of holidays and most Sundays. I currently have a part-time job at a bowling alley and arcade which I really love and once I turn 18, will basically get a manager position (as so I am told). My real question is "Do you think it's ok for me to drop out of high school after completing year 11". My theoretical plan would be to work at my part-time job and get my probationary licence, then once 21 apply to become a police officer, then hopefully have a full-time job as a cop. I am just really internally battling if I should drop out. I honestly do fricken hate school and I would honestly just love to leave and truly do what I love and not worry about my ATAR, SACS, and the constant pilling homework. I've been told that once you drop out you're really limiting yourself, but when I absolutely hate the thought of school and the opportunities outside of that...I'm just stuck and need some advice. Any comments help

a13xx Having trouble staying positive
  • replies: 2

Hi all,Been a while since i’ve posted here. My psych is on leave right now so this is kind of my last resort for venting lol. I am unsure how to start as always. Im 18, had a bit of a rough year. Moved out of home after getting kicked(ish) out, been ... View more

Hi all,Been a while since i’ve posted here. My psych is on leave right now so this is kind of my last resort for venting lol. I am unsure how to start as always. Im 18, had a bit of a rough year. Moved out of home after getting kicked(ish) out, been in a psych unit a few times this year, watched my best mate come really close to death, an old mate passed, my anorexia and old self harm habits came back stronger than before, got diagnosed with bpd, quit a job, lost a job, lost a few friends, managed to score myself a drinking problem.. A few good things have happened, don’t get me wrong. I got my foot in the door of my dream job as an unpaid apprentice, got a pretty good job on the side that pays well. I am currently working 50-60 hours per week depending on the week. Those good things have been pretty recent actually. I just always have a nagging feeling that has never failed to be true that whenever something good happens to me, Something so much worse is coming. Like reverse karma. I kept getting told i should be proud of myself, and people around me expect me to be happy with how i’ve “turned my life around”. And I was, I think. It did feel nice to achieve that. But at the same time I feel myself falling into a hole again. I can’t ever seem to be happy with myself. I have always hated my life, not life itself, doesn’t matter if the life seems “good” or “bad” it’s myself and my brain i’ve never been at peace living with. And I don’t think I ever will. It’s hard to enjoy the rest of everything when it’s you can’t stand the skin suit you’ve been dealt. After the Bpd diagnosis that made a lot of sense. I feel lonely in the way that no one understands what I have to put up with everyday. And no one really tries to either. I don’t want sympathy, or whatever..just someone to hear what i’m saying and actually hear it. All of the advice i’m given just doesn’t work for me. “Oh well now you know when you’re feeling down, if you’re in a bad episode just tell yourself it’ll be over soon” No it won’t. Yeah it might go away temporarily but it always lingers and comes back worse than the last time. “Just know you’ll be at peace one day” But I don’t know that do I? No one is very optimistic about the whole borderline thing. I have never lived for myself, it has always been for others and because I don’t want to hurt anyone. I know people care about me, I know there are people that love me, but once that other side of me comes out I don’t understand any of it, why would anyone care? why am i still here? why am i even trying? what is the end goal here? I’m so tired of feeling like the world is ending half the time. It doesn’t feel worth it. It also sucks cause i’m such a people pleaser and as soon as someone sees me like that, I know for a fact they get frustrated not knowing what to do, so I hide it from people as best I can. I present as this happy guy who’s keen to have a few drinks, listen to some music and have a laugh. I never feel happy from it though, if anything I get a bit of satisfaction out of seeing other people smile and i’ll hate myself even more and obsess over some dumb thing i said for weeks. This is a really messy, weird ramble but i needed to let it out to whoever is on here lol. I hope someone relates?

Guest_92273387 am i over reacting?
  • replies: 2

Im a 15 year old girl and all my life ive delt with parents that fight, and as the past year both my parents especially my dad have gotten more angry and get ticked off quite quickly. This has lead to many nights crying my self to sleep and being afr... View more

Im a 15 year old girl and all my life ive delt with parents that fight, and as the past year both my parents especially my dad have gotten more angry and get ticked off quite quickly. This has lead to many nights crying my self to sleep and being afraid of leaving my room. Ive been told by them that anxiety and depression don't exist but ive been struggling a lot lately and I find it extremely difficult to talk to people. Am i just over reacting? am i just attetion seeking or is something really wrong. Was this just a stupid idea and are my 'problems' not as important as other peoples or are they even 'problems' at all?

Spl spl I DON'T have ANY assignment stress
  • replies: 2

I'm at a loss here. I have ADHD and am taking medication for it, so technically everything should be fine. But I just can't get myself to DO this one essay. It's so frustrating. This essay is not causing any panic or stress at all so it's not motivat... View more

I'm at a loss here. I have ADHD and am taking medication for it, so technically everything should be fine. But I just can't get myself to DO this one essay. It's so frustrating. This essay is not causing any panic or stress at all so it's not motivating me to do it at all. I started writing for a few hours yesterday, then I couldn't keep going. I tried doing it for 5 mins today to get started, but it's not working. My teacher is new and has no idea how to put in the assignment extension. I don't want to send in ANOTHER unfinished assignment because it's worth 40 percent and I would fail the entire class, it's annoying because if I fail this one class I will 100% get kicked out of uni. Because I've already failed a bunch of classes. And I can't withdraw, it's too late in the semester. Hell, I'm not even anxious now. Despite all of this, it's still not motivating to me at all. I know how to do the assignment, which is so frustrating. I just can't move my body. It's like I'm trapped inside. I can't get my body to do what I want it to do. My eyes just glaze over at the words on the screen. It just makes me so angry. I can't "just do it". I physically don't have the ability to do that. I physically don't have that part in my prefrontal cortex. And the medication should fix that but it's not working. I just need to vent because this is so annoying I literally planned out and organized the whole essay and even went to uni during this break to do it, and still it's not working. And it's already overdue and I'll get 10% off already but I still don't care about it to do it. I wish I could just do it and get it done. But already I have half the mind to just go to sleep and by then I'll have 20% off... Because I'm literally getting bored and sleepy rn instead of stressed like they assume everyone is going to be. Anyway I just wanted to vent. I'm just super frustrated at myself right now. I know I'm just self sabotaging so enough stress will kick in so I can finally ride on the adrenaline high to get it done... but it's not working... I'm not scared enough to do it

Guest_92254322 Fat and hating myself
  • replies: 3

I am so strong for everyone I put a smile on every day. I work with mental health patients but I truly hate the way I look. My GP offered a few years ago gastric surgery but I scar real bad I don't think he under stood my worry if I scar external bad... View more

I am so strong for everyone I put a smile on every day. I work with mental health patients but I truly hate the way I look. My GP offered a few years ago gastric surgery but I scar real bad I don't think he under stood my worry if I scar external bad what will that do inside. My inside voice says keep pushing through but the other voice says each time I see me in the mirror you are fat. I hate me. I hate the way I look. Everyone sees the kind caring beautiful person I show the kind soul but I'm dying inside.

MaddyK22 Cost of Living + Mental Health + Why Even Bother
  • replies: 1

I am 23 trying to move out of home. I was pretty content living with my dad and brother until dad had too much to drink and put me in a position where I felt I would be physically harmed(verbally threatening it). Since then I have looked into how muc... View more

I am 23 trying to move out of home. I was pretty content living with my dad and brother until dad had too much to drink and put me in a position where I felt I would be physically harmed(verbally threatening it). Since then I have looked into how much it would be for me to move out and I'm feeling so defeated. I work tues-fri (childcare). I also study but I also take mondays off because I feel like it has been the most beneficial thing I've done for my mental health in years. I used to be a chef so I know what long hours/days are like and I don't know if I could go back to it, it almost did me in(could have been the environment as well but the hours didn't help). After adding all my main bills together eg, phone, car Rego/insurance, fuel, storage unit fees, Zip Repayments and ideal rent, I don't have much left. I haven't even calculated food into my cost! Not to mention the only rentals that seem to be available are share house rooms which is not cheap as well! I know beggars cant be chooses but is this really what life is now? I am unable to have my own space? I have to live paycheck to paycheck, barely making enough to even think about having a savings? I already struggle with finding reasons to keep pushing but if my whole adult life I have to also continue to struggle to make it by, I really can not see a point to it all. I just wanted to be hopeful for my future for once but I generally just cannot even afford to live.