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

Rosie_W Dealing with anxiety and depression at school
  • replies: 4

Hi all, As suggested in the title, I am a school kid still (in year 12) and I have particularly struggled this year with both my social anxiety, panic attacks and depression. I struggle to walk into classrooms, have panic attacks whilst in there and ... View more

Hi all, As suggested in the title, I am a school kid still (in year 12) and I have particularly struggled this year with both my social anxiety, panic attacks and depression. I struggle to walk into classrooms, have panic attacks whilst in there and I am in danger of stuffing up the HSC. I have days where I won't talk at school because I am too down and then I worry that I am being rude and ignoring my friends. It has got to the point where I have been truanting certain classes which is really not ideal! I have many strategies for dealing with this at home (eg deep breathing, ripping up paper, literally wrapping myself in a little blanket and many more) but what are some useful strategies for dealing with panic and depression in a more public setting (such as school)?? Preferably things that don't involve walking out of a room or drawing attention to myself. I would love for suggestions to be related to not just me, but for this thread to generally address ways to deal with anxiety and depression at school so that this can be a place for lots of people to benefit from a range of strategies. Thanks so much in advance for contributing to this thread

-headintheclouds- Anxiety and living in someone's shadow
  • replies: 3

um, so hi. im sorta new here and dont know if anyone will reply to my simple call for help and understanding. so the last year or so has been really hard for me. im the oldest of three kids, and my sister has always been the star of the family. im sm... View more

um, so hi. im sorta new here and dont know if anyone will reply to my simple call for help and understanding. so the last year or so has been really hard for me. im the oldest of three kids, and my sister has always been the star of the family. im smart, but she's smarter. im sorta sporty, but there arent many sports she cant do. even though im older than her by 2 and a hlf years, i feel like im living in her shadow. people always hint or say straight up: "why cant you be more like your sister". my parents have made it worse by always expecting too much of me, always expecting me to be smarter, stronger, sportier. and of lately my depression and anxiety has been getting worse. i try to talk to them, but when i mention getting help, or something like that, they always shut me down and say im faking, or overreacting, and that i just need some sleep or something like that. i had a school debate the other week, and one of my friends had backed out. i was expected to take her spot, but she hadnt given her speech. everyone was pressing me to write it 40mins before the debate, and i couldnt handle all the pressure. i had a severe anxiety attack, but the worst part was, even though my dad was there, when i broke down, he didnt try to comfort me, or anything to help me. he walked away. and it hurt. it hurt that he didnt help me, and it hurt that he was my own father, but he didnt believe me when i said i needed help. after my attack i then had to still sit through the debate because my dad wanted to see how we went. it was also pretty bad because he never even brought it up. when we got home, i nearly started crying because he pretended nothing had happened. i then attempted to tell my mum, but my golden sister decided that then was a great time to start complaining about school and a specific teacher she didnt like. again, i was pushed into the background. no one noticed when i went to my room and cried. im not saying i hate my sister or anything. i just wished my family would notice that im not always the strong older sister they want me to be thanks for listening

proudmum how do i cope when i try doing the right thing and it seems to be still the wrong thing to do?
  • replies: 1

I feel pregnant at 17 i felt alone and so many things happened before i fell pregnant that i am not proud of but should not be the only one suffering . im not sure who my little boys father is because after my ex boyfriend i loved him he was my first... View more

I feel pregnant at 17 i felt alone and so many things happened before i fell pregnant that i am not proud of but should not be the only one suffering . im not sure who my little boys father is because after my ex boyfriend i loved him he was my first and done things i later on regreated im trying to make things right and get a dna test done to finally clear the air but my partner now is making me feel guilty for doing it even though i reassure him that everything will be okay and he has no reason to be worried as i do not feel that way about my ex now i have another baby to this man but he offends me and says that im a gronk and that i will never see my kids again and that i have no rights even if i stood up in court its just offends me and makes me feel really upset , and stressed and depressed im trying to do the right thing but the more i try to fix my path the more i feel like even if i do things still will be wrong anyway but i am doing it for my son not for them so he knows who hes dad is best to do it know rather then later i thought id right to vent and see if anyone has been in this situation what was the outcome? what advice do you have for me ? and also wrote this as i have no one to talk to hope to hear from use soon

Annabel_two_worlds Telling my friend what I'm going through
  • replies: 3

Hey everyone, I've been struggling with depression for the last 7 or 8 months at least and its only gotten worse as time goes by, particularly these last couple of months. I think a lot of the reason I'm getting worse is because I feel so alone and b... View more

Hey everyone, I've been struggling with depression for the last 7 or 8 months at least and its only gotten worse as time goes by, particularly these last couple of months. I think a lot of the reason I'm getting worse is because I feel so alone and by myself because I haven't told anyone what I'm going through. I want to tell one of my really close friends who I know I can trust and I know she'll be accepting of it and will only want to do what she can to help me. I just think it'll be good to get off my chest and to have someone checking in on me to see how I'm going, as well as having someone I can talk to about it so I don't feel like I'm struggling through this completely alone. The only thing is I have no idea how to bring it up to her. I mentioned to her that I've been feeling pretty crappy lately and that I'm not having the best time, but I think she meant I was just referring to a bit of a bad week, not a more serious situation. How do I bring up that I'm depressed? And if any of you have had this experience of telling people about your depression how did you approach it, what did you say and did you feel better afterwards? thanks for your responses

Elking Finding my own footing is hurting my friend?
  • replies: 1

My friend and I have a ten year relationship that has fluctuated and grown between dating, friends, platonic life partners. Through a lot of this I have been a very socially anxious person who has had trouble connecting with others in a meaningful wa... View more

My friend and I have a ten year relationship that has fluctuated and grown between dating, friends, platonic life partners. Through a lot of this I have been a very socially anxious person who has had trouble connecting with others in a meaningful way, and a lot of my other friendships were facilitated by their extroverted companionship and encouragement. They've dated other people in this time, which never bothered me or impacted on the strength of our friendship. Last year, while my life was spent between online time and with this friend, I came to recognise how much I was leaning on them and how reliant I had become on them without letting anyone else in- lamenting on the other relationships they were capable of forming. So I challenged myself to work on this. I'm honestly doing really well, I think- it's hard and scary but my world seems so much broader for these steps. I met someone during this- a romantic partner who I came to love very quickly, in a polyamorous relationship. But that is another adventure. This one is about the downward spiral that my long-time friend has fallen into. They've expressed feelings of intruding no matter how much we try to include them and I focus time between just the two of us too. They also express a lot of guilt and self-loathing that derails any conversation about life from a bigger perspective. They very much want to be a part of my life (and I in theirs), but they close off at any sign of change. They're unhappy now, unhappy about future ideas, unhappy about expressing what they want/ say they do not know what they want. I know they spend a lot of energy and effort in tackling their negative feelings towards themself, and I bear no resentment or judgement on this process. But it impacts all of us, all the same. I want to be supportive without pushing them, or pushing my own agenda on them. At the same time, I can't give up my own progress to create the comfort zone we just came from. I'm lost for ideas but I understand I can't force them into finding professional help. Are there other ideas on what to suggest, or a new way to approach this? I love both my romantic partner and my platonic partner so much- but it feels like anything I do that isn't avoiding change/the future/ etc is twisting my friend's arm or dragging them along. I feel so exhausted, hurt and empty handed- would love to hear from anyone's thoughts!

demondee First help experiences?
  • replies: 14

I've struggled for a long time. Each day feels like forever and I'm tired of it. I know I'm stressed out a lot lately with uni, work and completing my honours project. But at the same time I can't voice how I feel. When I see people face to face I au... View more

I've struggled for a long time. Each day feels like forever and I'm tired of it. I know I'm stressed out a lot lately with uni, work and completing my honours project. But at the same time I can't voice how I feel. When I see people face to face I automatically put on my mask and I can never take it off. I never say how I feel. I feel trapped. There's no one at uni who I can talk to. The counselling service at uni is always full or I am unable to book a time because it'll be my first time. My GP is usually booked out 2 weeks in advance and I have this weird thing where I feel better if I have an appointment with her (I've only been twice - she's a new GP for me) and that goes for anyone. I think it's a defense mechanism. And there's a part of me that thinks that if I can't even tell my GP about what I've been feeling, then what is the point? It would be so hard to start any form of talk therapy with someone. So what was your first experience of getting help? Did you have similar difficulties? If so, how did you overcome it?

Jimmy19 Feeling really hollow and alone
  • replies: 6

Been feeling really sad and hollow lately for a number of reasons. I am currently studying at university in my first year and I have been somewhat enjoying it besides the abnormally large amount of work I have to do compared to my friends (they are i... View more

Been feeling really sad and hollow lately for a number of reasons. I am currently studying at university in my first year and I have been somewhat enjoying it besides the abnormally large amount of work I have to do compared to my friends (they are in different courses). I barely get time to do anything any more .This I believe has had a large effect on my feelings of late. An example of this is that my grandmother passed away just over a month ago and it scared me because I felt no sadness, I did not shed a single tear and felt like I could not care less. I hate to sound dramatic but at the funeral I was with my older brother and my mother and the pastor bought up the topic of my father (it was my fathers mother who passed) and the pastor mentioned his suicide when I was 6. My brother and mother broke into tears and I just sort of sat there, I didn't feel any sadness. This whole girl situation may sound silly to some but it matters to me. I constantly feel like the guy a girl will go to if she has no other options. I was recently at my friends house for a party and a girl I have known since early high school told me she has had a crush on me since we met and that she just left her boyfriend. It was nice to hear because I liked her too, but a few hours later she is hooking up with some other guy. Then one of my friends had girl talk with her. My friend then told me the girl sounded disgusted, as if she couldn't believe she said that, since then she has acted like nothing happened. It really confuses me because I have had girls compliment me on my looks but then just treat it like a joke if I try to take it further. there Isn't a single person who will talk to me first. Everyone I talk to I start the conversation. My mum sits on the computer all day, and my brother is just with his girlfriend. whenever I reach out for help they will act all sympathetic and help me, then 2 weeks later they will just go back to before, its an endless cycle. I feel like I might even be going insane. I have spoken to a doctor and have had an examination and a Counsellor but they don't help, they told me what I already know. Everyone I have told just treats it as a sob story. but it feels like it is becoming too hard to cope. and another thing I might mention is that it isn't as if I just whine and complain to my friends about this constantly, I tend to be a guy that can make people laugh and get told that I am reliable and a great friend. I guess I just want to be heard.

Avarael I can't cope at all
  • replies: 3

I just don't have the energy to deal with my life. I'm 20 and have started university this year and moved cities for it. I'd been living away from my parents for over a year while I worked and travelled abroad so I thought I could handle being alone.... View more

I just don't have the energy to deal with my life. I'm 20 and have started university this year and moved cities for it. I'd been living away from my parents for over a year while I worked and travelled abroad so I thought I could handle being alone. I thought it would be easy to make friends because I'm usually a pretty social and confident person, but so far I've made one friend who is an international student and she is going home in the next month. When she leaves I'll be basically alone. I just didn't luck out very much with the on-campus flatmate situation and where I live that basically dictates who your friends will be. I've been trying to connect with others this year, but while I'll get along with them, nothing ever stands beyond that drunk conversation. At this point I feel like it's pointless to try and that I should just focus on functioning without others completely. I've begun being more evasive with people. It's stupid but I can't stop the feeling. For some reason when it comes to school I shut down from stress. I've had problems like this since highschool but I thought I could somehow change. My grades are so borderline that there's a good chance I'll fail first semester and let down everyone. I was meant to be smart. I am already working on a now-late assignment and have resolved to just keep working at it non-stop until it's done, but I don't have access to all the information I need. It relies on volunteer experience with an organisation I have had trouble communicating with. I haven't been coping and I haven't been honest with others about it, but I don't think they'd want to help me anyway. I know I'm responsible for myself but sometimes I just can't leave my bed all day and it's so exhausting and depressing and I feel like I've failed in every way I possibly could. I just don't have a good reason for any of it. I missed a lot of classes because I was so scared of being in a room with my classmates. I'm not usually claustrophobic or nervous like that. I can't even sleep through the night when I try to because I just have really stupid nightmares like losing all my teeth and being controlled by ghosts and I wake up feeling like I didn't sleep at all. Sleep feels like my only sanctuary though. I'm really terrified of going to a counsellor. I feel like I'd just be brushed off. I just don't have much experience with doctors or support services. I don't know if they could help my self created problems. I feel so fake and stupid.

Jay95 sick of PTSD!
  • replies: 3

so over this. i feel all alone stuck in my own head reprocessing thoughts and memories over and over. nobody gets it.

so over this. i feel all alone stuck in my own head reprocessing thoughts and memories over and over. nobody gets it.

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