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

Prufrock My introduction to anxiety
  • replies: 6

Hi All I'm new to all this, and to anxiety. Well to mental illnesses at all. One month ago today my Gran died of Liver Cancer, she was an incredible human being and has left a whole in my world. I have never lost anyone especially close to me so this... View more

Hi All I'm new to all this, and to anxiety. Well to mental illnesses at all. One month ago today my Gran died of Liver Cancer, she was an incredible human being and has left a whole in my world. I have never lost anyone especially close to me so this struggle I've being going through has been as much about accepting Gran's death as it is about death itself. Sorry if this post is long... but I think it will help to let it out a bit. I have read other posts and incredibly after fighting this anxiety for a month this has been the first thing to make me feel normal. So, thank you. Anxiety has a way of making you feel very alone in the world. So I guess this is my story: I spent a lot of time with my Gran throughout her 9 month illness, especially towards the end. I saw her suffer and that's something I will never forget. I sat by her side for 5 days and 4 nights after she was put into a coma. I waited and even wished for her death, so eventually after watching her gasp for breath for 5 days she passed peacefully I thought i would be relieved. Instead I felt numb. Totally numb for 3 days. On the Sunday after I felt sick after eating and suddenly was overcome by the fear of throwing up. I had to leave the room because I couldn't control my shaking in front of my parents. Later that night I felt like I wasn't breathing properly, then suddenly I couldn't really breath at all. I had chest pains and sweats and shakes. Naturally I googled my symptoms. Among the reasonable explanations on the page I saw 'Heart Attack'. Game over until 4 am. I was beside myself all night genuinely believing I was going to die. The next day I saw a GP and was told I had been having anxiety or panic attacks following the traumatic experience the week before. Incredibly I still didn't really believe the doctor. Sometimes I still don't. Especially in the mornings. God I hate mornings now. That may be the worst thing about this anxiety; feeling like I've lost myself. I'm just not sure if I will ever be the same again. That scares me. But I haven't had an attack in 3 days! Whoop! Although I still have anxiety at times during the day. I guess now it's just about finding my way back? Or is that unrealistic? Thanks for listening... or reading more like! Have a good day and be kind to yourselves xx

Cina My story
  • replies: 4

When i was a child my father was diagnosed with schizoaffetive dissorder, he would have episode's and was constantly in and out of hospital. A symptom of his illness is mood swings, sometimes he would become so angry and abussive for no reason, it wa... View more

When i was a child my father was diagnosed with schizoaffetive dissorder, he would have episode's and was constantly in and out of hospital. A symptom of his illness is mood swings, sometimes he would become so angry and abussive for no reason, it was hard and confusing to deal with, i constantly felt anxious about what i said and did as i didnt want to provoke him. I feel this has alot to do with my own mental problems. I was diagnosed with social anxiety when i was 14. I left school when i was 15 and stopped talking all of my friends, it was just too exhausting constantly feeling anxious and uneasy around people. I tried going to college the next year and lasted all of about a month before it all got too much for me. I constantly feel uncomfortable and anxious around people even my family. I was also diagnosed with panick dissorder about 18 months ago, i get random panick attacks for absolutely no reason sometimes. I'v stopped doing things that i use to enjoy, things like exercise scares me because im scared of my heart rate going up and something happening. I constantly have trouble breathing, my chest feels like something pushing on it or i feel like my throats closing up. Docters have run tests on me and assured me there is nothing wrong with me physically, but every time i have a panick attack or get these symptoms i feel like im going to die or that somethings wrong with me. Im just so sick of feeling anxious and uneasy all the time worrying constantly about having a panick attack or dieing, its so exhausting i just dont want to feel like this for the rest of my life. Sorry for the long post!

ReconciledSolace Just anxiety?
  • replies: 8

Hi all! I'm really looking for guidance and/or reassurance on coming to terms with anxiety. One day a few years ago I woke up struggling to breathe with palpitations. Since then, I have managed reasonably well but it does feel that the symptoms have ... View more

Hi all! I'm really looking for guidance and/or reassurance on coming to terms with anxiety. One day a few years ago I woke up struggling to breathe with palpitations. Since then, I have managed reasonably well but it does feel that the symptoms have gotten worse. I have experienced a lot of physical symptoms including chest pains, shortness of breath, nausea, fatigue, plus some occasional minor discomfort or pain in the abdominal region. I never used to hyperventilate but since it all started I will for a short period when I enter the water to go swimming, or even sometimes when I notice the symptoms increasing, which consequently acts as snowball effect. I will sometimes go through periods where I feel forced to blink excessively and hard almost out of my control and this is very irritating. I struggle to come to terms and accept it all as anxiety as I feel my mind is mentally stable and not stressed out or anxious, although on a subconscious level perhaps so. Even after having many tests and such done to identify that it isn't a heart problem and that my body is very healthy, functioning as it should, I can't move my thoughts past it perhaps being some physical medical issue rather than a mental one. There are times when I'm at work or occasionally out with friends when I feel fine and I guess that confirms that it's a psychological issue, but once I realise that I feel okay, it resurfaces and again, the snowball effect follows. Now it has got to the level that I do fear going out and travelling in case something goes wrong away from home. Now, I see that resonates with social anxiety, but that could perhaps be linked to a bigger issue. I have seen other threads with similar concerns and read many responses that are very reassuring, but I thought I would try something that focuses a bit more specifically on my personal experiences. The physical symptoms are what really holds me down and I would love to conquer that and get out more. I greatly appreciate any thoughts and feedback anyone can provide. Hope you are all well, and thanks in advance.

Smareeb Dreading my birthday
  • replies: 4

Hey everyone, I love birthdays and christmas and all those cute little holidays. Except my own birthday. I used to love my birthday but over the years i have learnt to dread it. Its my birthday in 3 days and i really just dont want it to come. Last y... View more

Hey everyone, I love birthdays and christmas and all those cute little holidays. Except my own birthday. I used to love my birthday but over the years i have learnt to dread it. Its my birthday in 3 days and i really just dont want it to come. Last year i turned 22. My mum called me to tell me that she had no momey to buy me anything because she had just spent money on my brother. Now this would be fair enough except for the fact that when her borthday comes around i am expected to buy her a present and that she wasnr comigm to see me because she was busy. It really upset me and i told her that only to get back that i was ungrateful. And i do feel guilty as though it was my fault but i dont really know what i did wrong. In all honesty she really didnt have to say anything she could have just said nothing and asked me how my day was. I woll be 23 in 3 days and i was planning on just going to dinner with my frienda and not making a big deal out of anything. I decided today to invite my family and it has stressed me out to the point of tears because i dont feel like they deserve to see me on my birthday.. Maybe thats wrong and a little crazy. My birthdays are always treated this way within my family. We never go where i want to for dinner or we never get the flavour cake that i want. I know this is all little petty stuff but it does get to me. And maybe it should and i should just get over it. I just needed to get it off my chest. Thank you, -s

Ouroboros Patience
  • replies: 3

Hello everyone. So I have a lot of problems or rather I am dealing with a lot of depression, anxiety, lack of motivation, lack of will to live. But the good news is I'm attempting to move in the right direction. What my question to you all is how do ... View more

Hello everyone. So I have a lot of problems or rather I am dealing with a lot of depression, anxiety, lack of motivation, lack of will to live. But the good news is I'm attempting to move in the right direction. What my question to you all is how do you find patience to look after yourselves. I find the older I'm getting the less patient I am with myself. The job is not in anyway stimulating or even ideal for my skill set, I still care what people think, I don't have a lot of economic stability, or relationship stability. My family unit lives overseas and as much as they try they don't seem to understand or able to help. I have a good group of friends who try. But I lack patience to deal with my problems. Example: I recently made a doctor's appointment to organise a mental health plan. The secretary made one snide remark and all I did for the first few minutes at the doctor's appointment was be angry at the secretary. I didn't have enough patience to let it slide, then the doctor didn't really care about me being suicidal (well I perceived the doctor did not care, but I'm sure I could be wrong), I got a referral to a psychologist who is part of their allied health. That was two days ago and I've heard nothing from the psychologist. Next the doctor showed me the Australian Psychological Society 'Find a Psychologist' segment. Instead of patiently watching him use a computer I got angry at him for wasting my time with something I knew about. I wanted the man to give me a medical opinion and I'm not a trained psychologist. I don't know enough about therapy techniques to make judgments. Now I have to sift through numerous psychologists going through my problems and hope that one clicks. With ten sessions on rebate I don't have the financial resources to be as picky as I probably need to be to find the best help suitable for me. I would talk about how my lack of patience has alienated many people, I think I've ruined relations with my doctor, my friends, my family and overall myself. But its a symptom of an underlying problem I have with myself. Anyway I hope to help when I can, but if you have any tips for patience that don't involve anything as inane as taking a walk, being grateful and counting to ten I'd appreciate it. Cheers, Ouroboros

Smareeb Not very good at the whole social thing
  • replies: 2

Im not very good at the whole social thing. Im not great at talking and when i do talk to people i get very stressed and over think every possible answer in my head and just end up not replying to people. I work in a bar full of very out going people... View more

Im not very good at the whole social thing. Im not great at talking and when i do talk to people i get very stressed and over think every possible answer in my head and just end up not replying to people. I work in a bar full of very out going people. Everyone is always hanging out together and talking and im always in the background. Which honestly i am used to but it still hurts. And i know a lot of it is my fault because i dont talk that much. It just hurts some times.

Prufrock Losing yourself after losing someone else
  • replies: 1

I think that I have figured out why I have responded to the death of my Gran in such a dramatic and frightening way. When I love someone I really love them; I give a part of myself through that love. I think that one of the hardest parts about losing... View more

I think that I have figured out why I have responded to the death of my Gran in such a dramatic and frightening way. When I love someone I really love them; I give a part of myself through that love. I think that one of the hardest parts about losing Gran is that I have lost that part of myself as well as her. I feel like I've lost my childhood and my innocence. I used to see a magic in the world, especially when I was with her. Now everything seems to scare me. I'm scared that I've lost some of that goodness and light. Grief is a strange and complicated thing, it's changed me. I'm yet to see how it has changed for the better but I live in hope! I just miss her. All the time. I see the change in my family too, we are all hurting. I wish I could help but I can't seem to understand myself let alone someone else. This anxiety sucks, but I'm winning the fight against it. At least I know that's what I'm fighting. But it's like a battle between the anxiety and grief or a combination that I go through during the day. If I'm not scared of dying, I'm sad about Gran dying. We just finished cleaning out her house today. I have all these books and pictures and I bounce between hating and treasuring them. I know this crap time will pass but I don't think the grief ever will. Maybe I'll see the magic again, but never like before. And that is a horrible truth to face.

20mg stand up for yourself!
  • replies: 1

There is nothing wrong with you. Surround yourself with positive people. Do what you want to do, no one knows who you are, so you can be what you want to be. Do not depend on no one, look after yourself first. Bring positive thoughts to yourself, if ... View more

There is nothing wrong with you. Surround yourself with positive people. Do what you want to do, no one knows who you are, so you can be what you want to be. Do not depend on no one, look after yourself first. Bring positive thoughts to yourself, if it's hard, push yourself. Stay busy. Exercise your body, go for runs or jogs. Eat a healthy diet. Be strong, have faith in yourself. Have no self doubt. Social anxiety-Stop acting like there are different breeds out there, we are all one breed, human. What ever disorder you are diagnosed with, it's a disorder, it's not actually meant to be part of you're life, so be delighted to overcome your disorder(s). Do it for your mind and soul. Be strong cheer up You are the only one who can make a change...

InBetaATM First steps to seeking help
  • replies: 15

I called a helpline for the first time today and the lovely lady on the phone suggested I see my GP about getting a referral to a psychologist. This is the first time I've openly asked for help so I wanted to know a bit more about the whole process. ... View more

I called a helpline for the first time today and the lovely lady on the phone suggested I see my GP about getting a referral to a psychologist. This is the first time I've openly asked for help so I wanted to know a bit more about the whole process. How open am I expected to be? It's really hard for me to talk about my feelings in person because I'm a 22 year old man and all the males in my family are big tough blokes who have put me down for trying to talk about how I feel. How much help have psychologists been for you? Is it worth trying? How do I talk to my GP about getting a referral? Any help or information would be 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