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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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Jade31 Please tell me it gets better
  • replies: 3

Everyone tells me it will get better, but they dont understand, i want to hear it from someone who understands

Everyone tells me it will get better, but they dont understand, i want to hear it from someone who understands

jessy9847 sometimes I wish I had a physical illness instead of depression.
  • replies: 2

Ive been suffering with depression for over 5 years, im only 17. I know this might sound stupid to some people, but sometimes I wish I had a physical illness instead of depression. Scientists are coming up with new treatments everyday, but nobody can... View more

Ive been suffering with depression for over 5 years, im only 17. I know this might sound stupid to some people, but sometimes I wish I had a physical illness instead of depression. Scientists are coming up with new treatments everyday, but nobody can make this depression go away; no amount of counseling or medication can make me feel any better. Nobody judges someone with a physical illness, but there are so many people judging those who really have depression. The stigma, and stereotypes of depression are probably the hardest things to deal with. I dont know why I feel like this and when people tell me to just cheer up, or when people think your acting depressed for attention it makes me feel even worse. Sometimes I think if I had a physical illness I would be able to cope better than im coping now. I just dont know what to do! Im so depressed and I dont think I will ever get through this.

Musicgirl My story
  • replies: 8

Hi all, I'm 19 and have been reading these forums for a while but never brave enough to post. I feel that i have been suffering from anxiety for as long as i can remember, but I just pushed aside for as long as I could until about 9 months ago. I gue... View more

Hi all, I'm 19 and have been reading these forums for a while but never brave enough to post. I feel that i have been suffering from anxiety for as long as i can remember, but I just pushed aside for as long as I could until about 9 months ago. I guess i kind of just want to put my story out there and see if anyone has been in the same boat.So 9 months ago was the last straw for me when I got out of an emotionally abusive relationship where I would often endure the silent treatment and bouts of guilt for having a life with friends and a career when he didnt. Then as the relationship was ending he had a seizure next to me in my bed on my birthday, and this brought on a whole range of other worries. Ive always worried about my health for as long as i can remember I've thought i have had some kind of terminal illness without knowing, and even though i know this is totally illogical I still think it. And now i also havent slept in my bed since the night of the seizure as im scared something is going to happen in there, so i sleep on the couch and i really need to change that as im tired all the time and getting a sore back from it. Ever since my parents divorced ive also felt a lot of responsibility to be in some kind of adult role in my house as my mum struggles alot and i feel like i need to be in charge. So i also cope with alot of worries regarding finance and cleaning and cooking and just generally that she is ok. I also really want to move out this year, but am feeling guilty at the thought of this as mum will be all alone in the house and im scared for her. I currently see a psychologist once a week and for the first day or two after i see her i feel amazing, like all my anxiety is gone. But then it all comes back to me and i have to get through the rest of the week before seeing her again. Usually its not anything in particular that triggers it to come back. But i do work in a hospital pharmacy part time while studying my degree in music performance, so being around sick people probably isnt helping my anxiety around health issues. I most commonly experience nausea and heart palpitations and tense muscles/headaches. And while ive had all of these issues checked with a doctor, as soon as they occur i reduce myself into a panicked state thinking that its something worse than it is. Thankyou in advance for reading my story, it feels good to write it down.

Nekomata-chan Alone and falling apart
  • replies: 5

Hi first post here,I was diagnosed with major depression last year after my grandfather passed away due to stage 4 cancer. It's been really hard for me since he was the only one who really encouraged me especially with my art. Recently I've felt like... View more

Hi first post here,I was diagnosed with major depression last year after my grandfather passed away due to stage 4 cancer. It's been really hard for me since he was the only one who really encouraged me especially with my art. Recently I've felt like I've been spiralling down into that dark place again. I'm on medication but while it worked alright in the beginning, I don't feel like it's working anymore, but my doctor just left me on it. My significant other hasn't really been helping me much if at all, recently he's been ignoring me when I need him the most. I've unfortunately relapsed with self harming and I' m terrified that it might start getting worse and worse. I guess I would like some advice. I feel so alone and confused.beyondblue's clinically-trained moderators often work offline (invisible to you) on issues relating to suicide or self-harm. At the same time, general supportive comments from the community are encouraged. If you have concerns around suicide or self-harm, please phone our support service on 1300 22 4636. Normal 0 false false false EN-AU X-NONE X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0cm; mso-para-margin-right:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0cm; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi; mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}

Stasiaa messed up
  • replies: 14

I`ve always felt sad and anxious and almost nervous for something that was around the corner... yet I don't know why. Lately it has become worst. I find it hard to stop myself crying and over thinking and try to be the strong and funny 18 year old th... View more

I`ve always felt sad and anxious and almost nervous for something that was around the corner... yet I don't know why. Lately it has become worst. I find it hard to stop myself crying and over thinking and try to be the strong and funny 18 year old that my family and friends think I am. I have no reason to be upset and I think that just gets me more frustrated at myself. I`m a fairly confident person around others, yet when I'm by myself I seem to shrivel and feel like no one cares for me, even I know thats not true. I can't help this gut wrenching feeling in my stomach. I know I need to see a doctor but I honestly do not know where I would even start or how I would even begin explaining myself. I hate that I feel this way and I hate that I fear my future and what will become of me. I rarely let anyone in, and find boys my age only interested in 1 thing. I hate to say it but I feel as though I'm depending my happiness on men and my inner voice tells me that just because I might meet the right guy won't make these negative thoughts and constant fear just disappear. All I seem to do is cry and I want it to stop. How do i help myself recover?

Preenaaa Losing Friends because of my depression/anxiety
  • replies: 3

I had anxiety attack earlier today while driving and almost ran into another car. I stopped the car but wasn't able to stop crying and breathing heavily, all because I promised a friend I would join him to a concert tonight. It was a christmas gift t... View more

I had anxiety attack earlier today while driving and almost ran into another car. I stopped the car but wasn't able to stop crying and breathing heavily, all because I promised a friend I would join him to a concert tonight. It was a christmas gift to me and I feel I have disappointed him so much.. he probably will never talk to me after today and I don't know what to do. This isn't the first time its happened. I've flaked on several people because I don't want anyone to see me and being around people makes me feel really uncomfortable and i just want to hide and cry. Because of this, im pushing away the few friends that I have and I feel terrible. I understand why they wouldn't want to be friends with someone who is so unreliable. I don't know how to deal with this and im scared Im going to be alone for the rest of my life.

20oney I don't even know anymore.
  • replies: 1

I'm 20, a female trades person.. for a few months I had been feeling pretty down. Like nothing at all could lift me. My life is great, everything is so good in it! But it's like I've had this cloud of emotion above me. I feel sort of, sad, frustrated... View more

I'm 20, a female trades person.. for a few months I had been feeling pretty down. Like nothing at all could lift me. My life is great, everything is so good in it! But it's like I've had this cloud of emotion above me. I feel sort of, sad, frustrated angry alone.. Just drained. Emotionally drained. I couldn't shake it.. Then last week, I started randomly feeling a bit better. Only in the last couple of days, it's like I've come crashing down again and I don't know why. I've thought endlessly about what it could be causing it. Is it because I've always bottled everything up? No matter how bad things got? or is it because work is a bit stressful? I don't think that's what it is. I guess I've been thinking a lot about the things that I have bottled up.. But it's all in the past. Why would that be bothering me now!? I just want to feel better! And not just better for a few day. I just want to feel good again. Full time. I just don't know what to do. I've never been open to talking about my problems, I've always held all emotion in. It's hard for me to write here. It even harder for me to talk to someone in person. I just wish I could feel better.

lisa_ho99 Recovery
  • replies: 1

Here is the top 5 things that helped me the most. 1- Music. Music was always there for me. Every time that I was hurt and wanted to cry, music helped me stay strong and keep the tears away. I recommend listening to music that have a meaning to you as... View more

Here is the top 5 things that helped me the most. 1- Music. Music was always there for me. Every time that I was hurt and wanted to cry, music helped me stay strong and keep the tears away. I recommend listening to music that have a meaning to you as well as giving you encouragement to stay strong. 2- Friends. My friends may not know a lot of stuff that has happened to me as I keep them to myself. My friends always make me laugh. Try to find things to joke around with between your friends. Knowing the fact that they don't treat me differently because I'm depressed yet they still made me smile. This makes me feel loved. I don't need to be treated differently to feel loved. 3- Staying positive and loving myself. This was really hard but I know it did help me a lot. I learnt to like who I am. I was still affected by others' opinions but I very slowly started to accept it and convince myself that there was no way of changing it and that I have to learn to accept reality while enjoying every day. 4- Goals. I didn't know what goals to set in the beginning. I thought about so many and thought they were impossible to do but eventually I made some as I observed my everyday life and my reactions. Goals can be simple as going for a run every day or so. Smiling just to annoy those hater even more. Accepting the past has past and forgive yourself for all your mistakes. Finish your homework for one. Getting eight hours of sleep. I have not yet achieved all of my goals but I am not going to give up. I don't want to give up on myself. I want to be able to show others how strong and successful I can be. No matter how much I have to try because I realized that I may be embarrassed today and I may not be able to forget that feeling but even thought others and myself may not forget it, that day has passed and something else is coming my way and I have to be ready. I'm not going to let my past hold me back any longer than it already has. 5- Rewards. Once achieving your goal or even part of your goal, you should reward yourself. You goals may seem easy to others but I'm sure they will be a little difficult for you. So reaching that goal is amazing and may be the whole world won't know about it, but you will realize that they don't need to. Once you reach your goal, you'll feel amazing and that's all that matters. Reward yourself. Do something you have always wanted to do. Eat your favorite foods all in a day (if that's possible). Go shopping. Be happy!!!

Kel7788 I need some direction
  • replies: 1

I'm in my early twenties and I haven't got any direction. I finished school a few years ago and just worked crappy construction jobs and a few other things since. I don't have any stable work and I've always been at home with my parents. I help aroun... View more

I'm in my early twenties and I haven't got any direction. I finished school a few years ago and just worked crappy construction jobs and a few other things since. I don't have any stable work and I've always been at home with my parents. I help around the house and get the chores done, but in the morning by the time 9 o'clock rolls around, I've got absolutely nothing to do. I just go back to bed and sleep the day away, or sit in my room and play computer games or watch documentaries on youtube. It's the worst feeling going to bed at 8 or 9 o'clock and waking up to 4:30 or 5 when the sun is going down, and I'm just starting my day when everyone is finishing theirs. That is a massive kick in the guts but I'm just so tired all of the time, sleeping gives my mind a rest and I've just fallen into that habit if i'm upset or something, I just hit the pillow and lie there. Also, because I've worked a lot of hard labor rolls I've had a lot of problems with people that bully me in the workplace and these same people are usually drug users and drink quite a lot, which I am totally against. I just want to make my money and go home after a solid days work, but I've had arguments and even left one job site after work because I refused to be sworn at and degraded when I was working my guts out to get the job done. Now I don't have any work and have given up on construction and trades because of these exact people. I've also been ripped off for money, even by my own cousin. And when I talk to these guys they never tell me what I'm getting payed, they'll give me some fake excuse like ''I don't know what your wage is''. News flash buddy, if you don't want to part with the cash, don't expect people to give you a free donation. This has been very upsetting and I just don't trust employers anymore. I want to go to university but they offer no courses in the areas that I am interested in. I wanted to study in areas like history, publication, cooking, but none of these are offered at my local uni and I can't travel for uni so, I have no idea what to do about work and study. I also can't get any help from the government with job seeking, concessions or money because I live at home with my parents. They won't give me anything despite being a tax paying citizen, so I am always out of pocket with no help. I don't want to leech off the system, but I need help and they just won't give me any. I have savings but I should be able to get some help, as a citizen. Please talk to me?

jessy9847 How am I meant to get through this?
  • replies: 3

I've been suffering from depression even since I was about 11, now almost 17 I'm still suffering. Nothing happened to make me feel like this and I don't know how to make it go away. I've seen several Counsellors, at school and out of school but that ... View more

I've been suffering from depression even since I was about 11, now almost 17 I'm still suffering. Nothing happened to make me feel like this and I don't know how to make it go away. I've seen several Counsellors, at school and out of school but that never helped. I got put an anti- depressants almost one year ago and I really thought they would help. I was feeling okay for almost 2 months not long ago, not exactly happy, but not depressed. I thought it had come to an end. 2 weeks ago I cried myself to sleep for the first time in months and since then I've been feeling worse than ever before. for the last 6 years suicide has been on my mind about 90% of the time and I know its not the answer and "everything will be okay", but right now I can't see how I will ever feel better. every time I get close to a friend or teacher they leave, so I've learnt not to let anyone else in, I thought it would be better for everyone, but it's not any better for me. I just don't know how I am supose to get through this.I can' t do it anymore... beyondblue's clinically-trained moderators often work offline (invisible to you) on issues relating to suicide or self-harm. At the same time, general supportive comments from the community are encouraged. If you have concerns around suicide or self-harm, please phone our support service on 1300 22 4636. Normal 0 false false false EN-AU X-NONE X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0cm; mso-para-margin-right:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0cm; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi; mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}