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

newman94 Feeling trapped, isolated and empty.
  • replies: 2

Hello everybody. My name is Alex, 20 years old and a student. I've never been one to express my innermost feelingslings to anyone, but I feel as if I don't seek some help at this point in my life, I might just continue down the road I feel I am curre... View more

Hello everybody. My name is Alex, 20 years old and a student. I've never been one to express my innermost feelingslings to anyone, but I feel as if I don't seek some help at this point in my life, I might just continue down the road I feel I am currently on- which I fear will lead to an ultimately fruitless existence. I don't really know where to begin. I don't have any real friends. I have two people who I keep in contact with, but even still, I don't feel like they value me too much. I honestly don't know how I got here. I think I am a nice person, but socialising has always been hard for me for some reason. I am an inherently shy person, bit I think it was the fact that I have been bullied for pretty much half my life at school that has really turned me into the 'person' I am today. One thing that people always used to call me was "emotionless", granted I have never been the most expressive person, but this just really cut me deep for some reason. I don't know why but it literally ripped my heart out being called that. It continued for so long that I think I just gave up trying to prove to myself that I wasn't what people were calling me, and just sorta died inside. Once I left secondary school the group of friends I had from there went their seperate ways and moved on, but I don't feel like I have. I don't know if I can, and that is what is really scaring me and making me feel depressed. I still feel like a victim of the bullies I encountered those years ago and can't seem to move on. I don't speak to people at uni because I don't think they will give a stuff about what I have to say, and I don't feel like I fit in with society at large. I feel like a fly on the wall whenever I walk outside my house. I can be myself at home, but when I step outside I feel like an observer just witnessing people live their lives, while not really living any life of my own. As such I feel disconnected from society, and very, very isolated. That is why I brought up the bullying, and how people called me "emotionless"- because it ties in with how I'm feeling like an observer, rather than an actual part of society. I know this probably sounds muddled and may not make much sense, but I really just want to pour my heart out to someone at this point in time. Ive never felt comfortable talking to anybody to how I feel but I would mean the world if there was someone willing to listen for a bit. Thanks.

EmilyTheEmu Can I please give up now?
  • replies: 2

Lately All I have been feeling is sadness and numb, I have had depression for the past 3 years due to bullying and past issues that still haunt me to this day, I don't really want to stay here fighting a battling that im losing, Any advice?

Lately All I have been feeling is sadness and numb, I have had depression for the past 3 years due to bullying and past issues that still haunt me to this day, I don't really want to stay here fighting a battling that im losing, Any advice?

Michelle_M I feel trapped
  • replies: 2

Hi My name's Michelle. I am 18 years old and was diagnosed with severe depression last year. I no longer go through extreme lows where I want to harm myself, and for that, I'm really thankful. But everyday, I feel this crushing emptiness that stops m... View more

Hi My name's Michelle. I am 18 years old and was diagnosed with severe depression last year. I no longer go through extreme lows where I want to harm myself, and for that, I'm really thankful. But everyday, I feel this crushing emptiness that stops me from doing great things with my life. I can't smile a real smile anymore. And sometimes when I talk to my friends, I suddenly feel like crying because I no longer feel happy in their company or I feel left behind (and that's by no fault of their own). My parents love and take care of me. I knew they meant well when they found out about my depression and asked me to "just snap out of it", because they don't want me to feel discouraged about getting better. But it really confuses me as to whether I'm "sick enough" to deserve support or if I'm just wallowing in self-pity. I still can't tell. I guess I'm here because I don't know how to get better. My psychologist recommended I took antidepressants, but my parents hated the idea because it somehow looked psychotic to them. So I researched other ways to recover from depression. The problem is that my symptoms are preventing me from doing any of those things because connecting with friends/family is now futile, and I'm always too drained to do any fitness activities or socialise. I feel as though I'm trapped in this for the rest of my life. It feels hopeless. I know this is a hard thing to ask, but I would seriously appreciate any more practical suggestions for dealing with depression. Thanks in advance Michelle

OneEyedKnight99 How do i talk to this girl i've been interested in (knowing i have anxiety and SOME elements of depression)
  • replies: 2

I really like this girl but to be honest I don't think I have the self esteem and courage to do it. Before my anxiety, I suffered low self esteem(which is one of the three potential causes of it)I still suffer from it though a little better. Before, ... View more

I really like this girl but to be honest I don't think I have the self esteem and courage to do it. Before my anxiety, I suffered low self esteem(which is one of the three potential causes of it)I still suffer from it though a little better. Before, I used to hate how I looked, now if I was asked: How do you feel about your looks? I would respond with "meh" or I wouldn't respond or i would shrug. But I still hate my self for having no talents or skills. My anxiety causes me panic, large amount of distress and these intrusive thoughts(which causes me to panic)These thoughts have ranged from life threating illness(e.g. Brain tumour) to thoughts of insanity or uncontrollable suicide. My social life isn't any better. I mostly stay indoors and play games to prevent being judged by other people. I've been criticised in the past about the type of clothing I wear and how my hair looks greasy in school(I'm actually 14 please don't tell anyone I want to share my experience)In school, I see this girl I like. Others say she looks "meh" but I think she's really nice and sweet. But I can't talk to her because of 3 things: My Low self esteem and anxiety(I mentioned above), she always with her friends and that he in higher classes(Which fuels the low self esteem because I always compare myself to her)I also don't know what she thinks of me. She might think I'm weird or that I'm too ugly or too dumb. And to add insult to injury, she hangs around a really popular(and really stuck up and arrogant)boy. The only thing that keeps me going is that the boy has one of those typical girl preferences(Large breasts, beautiful looks etc)And seeing as this girl isn't the prettiest(in his opinion) I think I might have a chance. So, what do I do?(Sorry for my awful English)

T5ZY No one to turn to & incredibly low self-esteem :(
  • replies: 9

Hey, I've never really done this before and I don't even know if I'm classified as having depression (because I've never seen a professional) but for the last few months now I've been having some real lows and I feel like I've not nothing going for m... View more

Hey, I've never really done this before and I don't even know if I'm classified as having depression (because I've never seen a professional) but for the last few months now I've been having some real lows and I feel like I've not nothing going for me. I guess what's getting to me mostly is the fact that I have really no one to turn to (hence why I'm on here). All my friends and I have left high school so we've been kind of growing apart lately, some I wasn't that close to to begin with and other are rather self-centered to be honest. I've listened to my "close friends" problems for hours and hours but whenever I try to open up about something that's bothering me (which I struggle with) they just don't seem to care and act like whatever I'm saying is boring/not important. The one really good friend in uni I've gotten close to decided that he didn't care about me and didn't want to talk to me as much or hang out with me after he found out that I didn't want to go out with him. So to cut things short I have literally no real friends I can talk to.In regards to guys I've never even had a boyfriend, I'm very shy and insecure so I struggle to flirt/show interest in a guy if I find him attractive. When guys date/hint on me they flatter me a lot (calling me "beautiful" and "stunning) but whenever I've gotten to know a guy or gotten close to a guy all he's wanted to do is sleep with me, I don't know if I've just been unfortunate with the kind of people if I've been meeting but it makes me feel as if I'm a boring person. The fact thats all these guys can see in me surely must say something about me?In regards to my parents my father is always away and to be honest cares very little about my emotions and my mother normally makes me feel far worse. Only a few hours ago she was insulting me on the taxi ride home, calling me "boring" and "weak/pathetic", that I needed to stop being "such a princess" and "stop feeling sorry for myself" (all in front of a stranger who was driving a taxi). My self-esteem in general is cripplingly low, I feel that I'm very unattractive, that I'm not very intelligent, and that I don't have very much going for me as a person in general (like I'm a boring/un-fun person to be around, that there's nothing captivating or interesting about me, that I'm pretty worthless in general). I guess what I was hoping for is for advice or just someone to talk to, if you've been through this what did you do(/or are you doing) to get through it? What do you think would be a good thing to do to find someone I can talk to (like a good place to meet new people)? Or if you have any advice in general I'd greatly appreciate it, thank you

Monicaa_16 Why do i hate myself?
  • replies: 2

Could someone please just tell why i hate myself so goddamn much. i can't stand me. i'm a worthless, pathetic, fat, ugly loser who has no friends. i also make all the wrong decisions and that makes me hate myself some more. i just want to know why. W... View more

Could someone please just tell why i hate myself so goddamn much. i can't stand me. i'm a worthless, pathetic, fat, ugly loser who has no friends. i also make all the wrong decisions and that makes me hate myself some more. i just want to know why. WHY?

Helpme1 I don't know what to do!!!! Help? :( - new here.
  • replies: 3

Hi. Obviously new to this forum.well.. Where do I begin.feeling hopeless, worthless thinking that nobody cares about me anymore, suicide thoughts (a few times) not much now,. What else - oh people would be better off without me! I Don't give a crap. ... View more

Hi. Obviously new to this forum.well.. Where do I begin.feeling hopeless, worthless thinking that nobody cares about me anymore, suicide thoughts (a few times) not much now,. What else - oh people would be better off without me! I Don't give a crap. I just ball my eyes out especially in darkness, I like it like that, no body can see me:( . I still ball my eyes out because I am thinking of talking to mum. I am so terribly frightened. I can not do it ! I have told a couple of friends also and they tell me to do it but I don't know. I know something's wrong with me that's why I can't do it ! so this has been going on for months, and only beginning of this year I went to the doctor. On meds and stuff but I just don't want them anymore :'( I'm sick of taking them but I need them. my doctor has suggested I should see someoneI'm just SCARED :'( I CANT DO THIS 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.

gracie12 Feeling lost
  • replies: 1

I'm new here so I'm not sure if I'm doing this right..I don't know where else to turn to, I feel so damn lost. I feel so useless and every time I'm with people I feel as though they don't want me around. I can't seem to find any good in anything. I'm... View more

I'm new here so I'm not sure if I'm doing this right..I don't know where else to turn to, I feel so damn lost. I feel so useless and every time I'm with people I feel as though they don't want me around. I can't seem to find any good in anything. I'm constantly sick, tired and upset. I used to see someone about it but I have moved away so now I don't have anyone to talk to. I've tried talking to a few people but nobody wants to hear it, it just makes them angry and i feel so guilty throwing my problems onto them like that.I panic about the smallest things and every little thing throws me of course. I have horrible self esteem issues, leaving the house makes me want to cry. I'm utterly sick of feeling this way. I get so upset and I feel like I am going crazy. I do stupid things and say hurtful things to people I really care about, I hate myself for it. I used to self harm and lately I have to try so, so hard not to resort back to that. I'm so scared and I just don't want to be here anymore. I know I have some beautiful people in my life which I should be thankful for but even so, I still feel so alone.I just need someone to talk to.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.

CloudyKayla 16 and feeling very depressed
  • replies: 13

I'm 16, I've been feeling sad for a some time, I remember my mum saying she thinks I'm depressed about 3 years ago. I don't really have anyone to talk to and I'm bad at talking about my feelings. I sometimes self-harm but try not to because people no... View more

I'm 16, I've been feeling sad for a some time, I remember my mum saying she thinks I'm depressed about 3 years ago. I don't really have anyone to talk to and I'm bad at talking about my feelings. I sometimes self-harm but try not to because people notice and it makes me feel worse about myself.lately I just don't see the point in living, I'm doing bad at school, I see no future for myself, I don't have many friends and I honestly don't think anyone would even notice nor care if I was gone. Im posting here because I don't know what to do and I don't want to see a councillor.the only reason I haven't ended it yet is because I'm scared it won't work and I don't want to have to explain myself. 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.

Eso-si-que-es I don't know what I have
  • replies: 2

Recently I have started to lose interest of the sport I play, my grades, whether I'm getting enough sleep or eating healthily. I have been crying a lot more, feeling more cranky and like I want the world to go away. I am happy around my friends but a... View more

Recently I have started to lose interest of the sport I play, my grades, whether I'm getting enough sleep or eating healthily. I have been crying a lot more, feeling more cranky and like I want the world to go away. I am happy around my friends but a of late I a preferring to be alone more. Is there something wrong with me? Am I just going through a phase?