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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.

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Draven_J Under Confidence
  • replies: 1

I went through High School for 6 Years from 2007-2013, I was a Painful Un Popular Poeser and a Loner for 2-3 Years towards the End of my Schooling Education. Than I try'd to Re-kindle and tolerate 2 of those Net Work Friend's, Who I deemed were Toxic... View more

I went through High School for 6 Years from 2007-2013, I was a Painful Un Popular Poeser and a Loner for 2-3 Years towards the End of my Schooling Education. Than I try'd to Re-kindle and tolerate 2 of those Net Work Friend's, Who I deemed were Toxic Friend's for over 5-7 Years, To me they were Narcissistic, Self Superiorities, They were Subjective and In-different. They alway's try'd to Dumb you Down and take the confidence away from your Opinion's and Perspective and Intelligence. They have left a lasting Imprint against your Social Esteem, not In relation to believing what your trying to Say and Convey, but In relation to having the Confidence to project and come forth with what your Saying, and sometimes General Society, can Undermine your level of Esteem, It's not Just my Personality Type, but the feeling of Narcissism or Debative Western Personalities, Anti Intellectualism and Tall Poppy Syndrome can hinder your Value to Talk, Also Defeatism and enforced Compliance can do the same thing to

Lalatheloopyone Uni and failing
  • replies: 5

Hi all, I’m currently in my second year of uni and I feel all over the place. I’ve been studying but I always feel distracted and like it isn’t working and last year I was very proactive with my studying and assignments and I would start my assignmen... View more

Hi all, I’m currently in my second year of uni and I feel all over the place. I’ve been studying but I always feel distracted and like it isn’t working and last year I was very proactive with my studying and assignments and I would start my assignments weeks before they were due. This year I have been feeling a lot more distracted and my thoughts are all over the place and I’m not sure why but I guess it’s probably a variety of things. This year I have not been doing as well with my assignments and tests (failing them by a few marks) and I find it very discouraging when I see my marks and it makes me very upset (although I am a very emotional person). The first things I usually do is look for a way out when things get hard and I feel as if I won’t be able to cope. I hate the feeling of failing and I think I have such high expectations of myself and I feel like my dad (who I live with) only cares about my marks and not about if im my actually enjoying uni - whenever family asks how uni is going and I say yeah it’s alright my dad is quick to jump in and tell them my marks (because I did good last year). I would love any tips on how to deal with this overwhelming sensation of feeling sad when I get a bad mark of feel discouraged.

Trish2 things just aren't good right now
  • replies: 1

I'm in a challenging spot in my life right now with my emotions towards things. I find myself crying a lot more than usual and I find that I'm a bit more numb as well. I feel like the events in my life cause me to feel this way and I'm glad that I'm ... View more

I'm in a challenging spot in my life right now with my emotions towards things. I find myself crying a lot more than usual and I find that I'm a bit more numb as well. I feel like the events in my life cause me to feel this way and I'm glad that I'm aware of that, but it doesn't really provide me with any peace unfortunately. I'm just so angry with how I feel trapped in a home I do not want to be in, I don't have enough money to leave, nor do I have anyone I could move out with, I'm stuck always working on the weekends which leaves me almost no time to socialise with those I care about, I have a relationship that's made me unhappy for longer than I want to admit and being less available on weekends adds to the pain of that. I also don't see myself getting into a career that I'll genuinely love which scares me. I was kicked out of the house a few years go and I remember I had my pets that I had to say goodbye to and they were the ones that would always comfort and make me feel better. I loved giving them cuddles and sometimes I just wish I was allowed to have my own pets but I'm unable to in the situation I'm in. I was never even good at school either and I remember my grades were all barely even passable because my mind was just somewhere else at the time. This is the most lonely I've ever felt and I think it's really starting to take a toll on me. I don't know how to cope and I worry things are only getting worse from here, and I don't feel mentally or emotionally prepared to deal with any of it. I'm losing hope that I'm ever going to really have a bright future since it's all just gone so far downhill already. sorry for the rant but I just felt like I needed to say it somewhere

Juice143 Tired Of everything
  • replies: 3

Hi All, This is my first post and I don't know what I'm doing and I'm scared. For a bit of background info I am a male that is 16 years old in year 11. I have been struggling with depression which has lead on to anxiety. This I believed has sort of s... View more

Hi All, This is my first post and I don't know what I'm doing and I'm scared. For a bit of background info I am a male that is 16 years old in year 11. I have been struggling with depression which has lead on to anxiety. This I believed has sort of steamed from Covid as well as me drifting away from my friends like they are strangers. Im trying to fit into a new friend group but I don't know whether they will like me whether they be thinking why is this guy its only the first couple of days so I'm very hopeful because if this docent work out I don't know what else I could do. I have a few very close friends that I can rely on and tell them stuff that is important but I feel like none of them understand what I'm going though. I feel like I shouldn't feel this I have two loving parents, loving siblings, a good education and stable finically. As well as being a white 16 year old male. I know why im feeling this sort of emptiness but I feeling this for over 6 months now and I feel like there could be light at the end of the tunnel with me distancing me from my friends and trying to find more supportive. I hate going through this tiresome process of waking up going to school gaining the courage to go outside at lunch and recess then not feel like I'm being watched and judged. I know that this sounds rich and that I should just get over it and many people suffer from much worse than me. I am scared that I am wasting the good time in my life being like this. The perfect scenario is that I come back to this post with a more stable life and remember this moment as one of the darkest times in my life. ANY ADVICE I believe it I form well with this group a lot of my problems will sort of diminish not entirely but it would help so any advice for how to make this one work. Thanks

spontaneous sunflower when will things change?
  • replies: 9

Right now I feel like I’m not suited for this world. I don’t “have what it takes”, I’m not a go getter. Sometimes I feel like my dreams of travelling overseas, living in a nice house near the beach, falling in love, having a successful career, etc, a... View more

Right now I feel like I’m not suited for this world. I don’t “have what it takes”, I’m not a go getter. Sometimes I feel like my dreams of travelling overseas, living in a nice house near the beach, falling in love, having a successful career, etc, are always going to be just dreams. I say I want to do things and then I don’t or I start something but never continue long enough that it makes a difference. I feel like I’m wasted potential. I’m not dumb, I have a general gist about how to get things in life. I’m thoughtful, observant and kind and I’ve always had big dreams in life but what does that matter? Barely anyone cares if you’re a thoughtful, empathetic person. You need to be motivated, confident, strong, determined. I don’t feel like any of those things. I could be, but I feel like there’s a poison in my mind that prevents me from being those things. Sometimes I believe I am those things but never long enough that it sticks in my mind. My whole life I’ve felt this way I think. I have always been sensitive. My whole life I’ve been trying so hard. Trying to fit in, trying to make friends, trying to get good grades, trying to be seen, trying to be a good person. At 18, I don’t think I’m much different than 5yo me who wandered around the schoolyard alone. I still suck at making friends, I still go unnoticed, I’m still quiet. I’ve always felt kind of disposable. People seem to come and go through my life so easily but I take forever to move on. Why am I like this? Why can’t I just get up at 8am, eat a healthy breakfast and go on a walk? Why can’t I get a job, why can’t I even just write a resume and hand it out to places? Why can’t I even just do that? Why can’t I get out, see people and talk to people? Why can’t I make friends and be social and be normal? Why can’t I switch my anxiety off, switch my thoughts off? Why does it have to be so complicated? I don’t always feel this way but why is it that when I do, it is so consuming? Something needs to change now. I’m 18 and I feel like if something doesn’t change now, I’ll spend the rest of my life feeling this way. But I feel so lost and frustrated. I have nothing, no belief in myself, no job, little money, no big passion in life that distracts me or gives me purpose. I have basically no one. My family is broken, my parents work a lot, I’m no longer in touch with one of my brothers, I have few friends and they’re almost always busy, I don’t have a partner. And god, I barely have myself.

I_am_a_Failure People dislike me and I literally have zero friends..
  • replies: 4

Hey! I am fairly shy and embarrassed to post this but you know, so anyways. I can't really socialise as much anymore because people seem to have zero interest in me, and I get sad lonely and have no self esteem to even try to bother getting friends a... View more

Hey! I am fairly shy and embarrassed to post this but you know, so anyways. I can't really socialise as much anymore because people seem to have zero interest in me, and I get sad lonely and have no self esteem to even try to bother getting friends as people find me awkward or just really odd. I feel like I have depression which I won't go much into. But the thing is I don't get why people do though, what have I done wrong to be treated like a ghost or whatever. I have however attempt to find new friends and they ignore me or think I am not "good". I honestly get upset cause I am lonely yet people tell me things get better or go outside, honestly when I am told that I feel like they don't understand me until I go into depth on why and etc. I only have 1 friend but they pretty much ghosting me so I have none, i always am told you do have some. The fact that peoples lives are better and most of ours which makes me sad and people judge me because of how I talk and pronounce words when I have difficulty in speaking, typing or understanding it sometimes, I barely have friends to tell this to so I decided to attempt it here and see what advice I get. I really want to know but I will be posting another one probably later sometime next two weeks. Hopefully people would understand and that.

Bob_S Running out of room to escape? time to fight? with med?
  • replies: 3

Hi all, I'm turning 21 and finding myself out of room to escape from my anxiety & depression. Here's the breakdown: I've always had both depression and anxiety, since the age of 6-7 from memory. However, probably due to my grandfather's love for fish... View more

Hi all, I'm turning 21 and finding myself out of room to escape from my anxiety & depression. Here's the breakdown: I've always had both depression and anxiety, since the age of 6-7 from memory. However, probably due to my grandfather's love for fishing, I've learned over the years that thrilling outdoors activities forces me to take my mind off these negative thoughts, and "live in the moment", in these good times, I feel truly close to those around me and negative thoughts rarely come up. However, like how there are no never-ending banquets, these activities become "normal" and lose their thrill, and I come back to the starting point, and the few friends I've been able to make, as well as my family, feel like they are way too distant to grasp, like how water slips through my fingers when I try to grasp it. (To be honest, it's also probably due to my anxiety/fear of been seen as someone who is depressed and 'need help', thus over the years, I've worked very hard to build a facade that I'm a healthy, positive, optimistic and adventurous.) And now, I have found myself at a crossroad. In order to keep things exciting and keep my depression away, I've been progressing up the outdoor/extreme sports ladder. it all started with fishing, then camping, afterwards, there's downhill mountain biking, 4wd, freediving/spearfishing/scuba-diving. HOWEVER....These are also quickly becoming unable to keep my depression away, YET... I can no longer afford to tap into new activities. Thus, why I believe I have come to a stop in my escape. Recently, I've been thinking of new ways to fight my problems. 1st(&worst): Alcohol/Drug, I don't drink, nor do drugs, for the reason that I fear I would develop a dependence on it, thus not a viable option. 2nd: Find a girlfriend to take my attention off....but my anxiety is like a leg iron...thus, I haven't dared to seek a girlfriend even in the good times, let alone now. 3rd: seek professional help.... nope, anxiety. 4th (&probably last): antidepressant medication???? I have a growing suspicion that medication would be my last and final resort... Does anyone have any experience like mine? any recommendations? Many thanks for reading my rant on myself. this is the first time that I have ever spoken out, I think it makes me feel a bit better. Sincerely, ME.

Zoneey I am too stupid
  • replies: 2

I think I am more stupid than average. 1. I am not used to more than a week’s work 2. I always make stupid mistakes 3. My friends are so much more independent and better. My family too 4. I am not good enough

I think I am more stupid than average. 1. I am not used to more than a week’s work 2. I always make stupid mistakes 3. My friends are so much more independent and better. My family too 4. I am not good enough

daisyqueen So depressed - don’t even know where to begin.
  • replies: 2

It’s been a few years since I’ve posted on here and only recently I’ve felt so terrible that I’ve turned back here. I’m 22 now, have an amazing partner and I have a reliable job. I should be happy, but I’m not. I feel lost, I have no sense of myself ... View more

It’s been a few years since I’ve posted on here and only recently I’ve felt so terrible that I’ve turned back here. I’m 22 now, have an amazing partner and I have a reliable job. I should be happy, but I’m not. I feel lost, I have no sense of myself anymore. My concentration and focus on things is next to non existent, I’ve gained weight, my body aches, I’m tired all the time and the only way I can sleep is with sedatives or bipolar medication. All of which seem to point toward severe depression. I don’t know how I let myself get this bad. I didn’t even notice. I don’t know what to do. I tried talking to a psychologist not long ago when my partner and I were having issues, but I never really went back to it. My brother died 2 months ago - he was my half brother & a lot older. I didn’t really know him that well but I feel like I haven’t allowed myself to grieve. I feel like I’ve just shut myself down, carried on. Having a stable job should do something, but I’m on edge all the time. I feel like I’m just waiting for the ball to drop, for them to fire me. Apparently I ‘sigh’ too much & I get yelled at ‘you have to stop sighing’ - I didn’t even notice I was - being heavier and running around all day, I find it hard to breathe. I feel like I may have mild asthma or something. I go out of my way to be nice to patients that come in, to co-workers, to my bosses, I stay back beyond my rostered hours, I have taken on so much more than my job description allows, yet I still feel like I’m not doing enough, like I’m just.. nothing. My bosses look down on me, like I’m a means to an end. I can’t really explain it to let everyone see what I mean but I’m mentally exhausted worrying and trying to prove myself. Having someone yell at me for breathing without trying to tell me gently has just set me off today. I drove home in tears. I started this job 2 months ago knowing nothing about the role itself, only the industry. All the girls at work talk, laugh, joke - they’re good friends. I see them tagging each other in Facebook things - I’m just sitting there wondering where I went wrong. I don’t have friends anymore, I don’t know how to talk to anyone, I don’t know how to be close. I’ve moved away from my home, from my parents, to be with my partner but I’m just feeling lost. My partner & I don’t talk as much anymore even though we live together. I don’t know who I am anymore. I miss my animals. I just miss me. I miss the person I thought I could be.

Wet_Bread Looking For Resources To Help Me
  • replies: 4

I have been looking for something or someone to help with my mental state for a while. I have not been diagnosed with any mental illnesses as I have never had the chance to talk to a professional. However, I have been experiencing a few suicidal thou... View more

I have been looking for something or someone to help with my mental state for a while. I have not been diagnosed with any mental illnesses as I have never had the chance to talk to a professional. However, I have been experiencing a few suicidal thoughts throughout the weeks and so I took it as a sign to seek help. School has been rough as this is now my 11th year, parents are now expecting more of me as I slowly age into a young adult, I no longer talk to my friends as I don't have the motivation to, I now sleep for an average of 4 hours because I have trouble falling asleep (currently taking medication for this issue), and life in general is a boring and tough concept to me. So, I really do want to change my perspective on these things and maybe talk to someone if it's what I need. However, the issue is that I don't want my parents or anyone to know that I need to talk to the school council, therapist, phycologist, or any other professionals that are available. I don't want anyone to be concerned or worried about how I've been feeling and seeing them otherwise would make me feel even worse about myself. I also have trouble calling up helplines and talking to them through calls as I tend to get extremely nervous and panicky whenever I do. I really hope to find some other alternative and I see this as the very last resort. As a minor, is there a way to seek mental help without others knowing? Especially parents?