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

princess1 i’m pretty sure I have ADHD
  • replies: 1

hey guys, ever since the start of high school i’ve shown symptoms of ADHD but never really looked into it. Now that i’m in my first year of uni my symptoms are much more present especially that uni is online now because of covid. I have an extremely ... View more

hey guys, ever since the start of high school i’ve shown symptoms of ADHD but never really looked into it. Now that i’m in my first year of uni my symptoms are much more present especially that uni is online now because of covid. I have an extremely hard time sitting in one place and focusing and also remembering information, doesn’t matter what environment i’m in I literally just can’t focus it’s like my brain can’t comprehend what the teacher is saying. I try my hardest to sit and not get distracted but I have an extremely short attention span and I absolutely hate the subject i’m studying right now and i have no interest in it. I’m very hyperactive and I get irritated very easily, I also often get very angry when i’m bored because i constantly like to be doing something 24/7. I’ve been diagnosed with anxiety, depression, BPD and PTSD and i’m also on medication for insomnia because im always too restless to fall asleep.

Egbert97 Anyone else have bad tinnitus?
  • replies: 8

Hi there! Over the last few days it seems my tinnitus has developed for the worse. I was wondering if there's anyone out there that are dealing with tinnitus themselves? Connecting with others about my issues really help & there doesn't seem to be ma... View more

Hi there! Over the last few days it seems my tinnitus has developed for the worse. I was wondering if there's anyone out there that are dealing with tinnitus themselves? Connecting with others about my issues really help & there doesn't seem to be many support groups out there for this issue, let alone for young people.

PoisonRose My Introduction - it doesn't really make sense (sorry)
  • replies: 3

I was a little sceptical about posting. I have never really done anything like this before, but it seems like I have no where else to turn. I have no idea what I am doing with my life, in terms of my studies, career, family. Just everything. I find m... View more

I was a little sceptical about posting. I have never really done anything like this before, but it seems like I have no where else to turn. I have no idea what I am doing with my life, in terms of my studies, career, family. Just everything. I find myself crying everyday because I don't know what to do. I have tried to tell my mum and my sister but they just result in telling me how hard they have it and that my issues are small and I shouldn't worry about it. I told my mum that I wanted to see a psychologist, because I honestly think that the way I feel everyday isn't normal. Her reply was that she needs to see a psychologist, because of all the stress she has. I am sure you have guessed. My mother and I don't have the best relationship. Most of the things that happen at home are put onto me for blame. And hey maybe I am to blame. I am 22 and can't keep my room clean so I get called Lazy which is understandable because I should know better. It's just that every time I come home from work I feel so drained, that I don't want to do anything. So I ended up throwing my clothes somewhere and it builds. It's my fault for this because I understand that it makes my mother angry. My mother will make my sister her lunches and she will turn to me and tell me to get my ass downstairs and make myself something because she now has to go make my dad something. I feel like an outcast. It's petty and I shouldn't complain. But it's just that every time I try to reach out for help I just feel rejected. I feel like I have so much pent up emotion that I am going to explode. I honestly don't know if any of this makes sense. I am literally just blotting down my emotions as they come, so I am sorry if it doesn't make any sense whatsoever. My dad won't say anything he will just side with my mother. I have thought of moving out, but it is so expensive. So then I think to myself I am lucky to have a house and a roof over my head. Maybe I am just being silly and that is just how it is meant to be. My life at the moment has no direction and fells like it has no support from the people I have spent most of my life relying on. Maybe I am just being a baby and need to grow up (which is what I have been told by multiple people). So I don't know. I am just confused and I don't know who to turn to or what I should do. I just need help.

rkhurxnx Music for my heart
  • replies: 2

Hi everyone, My name is Rose and I'm new to Beyond Blue. This is my first forum and in it I would actually like to tell you about my experience with pulling myself out of moments when it feels like I'm drowning in my own mind... I'm the type of perso... View more

Hi everyone, My name is Rose and I'm new to Beyond Blue. This is my first forum and in it I would actually like to tell you about my experience with pulling myself out of moments when it feels like I'm drowning in my own mind... I'm the type of person who kind of pretends like i have it all together until I get home and faceplant into my pillow and sob for like an hour, at one stage when I had really bad anxiety and felt really debilitated all the time, it felt like a routine. Like all day I would let all my emotions simmer and then at the end of the day, I would let them all out and cry until my head hurt. I'm sure this sounds relatable for some of you, and what I discovered helped me out of this routine was music. I wasn't really someone who listened to music very much before, kind of just a radio listener in the mornings but through a journey I've discovered music really can lift so much weight off your shoulders and honestly give you so much relief. I took time to discover artists, listen to their albums and find my favourite genres. This really helped me because now whenever I feel super overwhelmed I listen to my spotify playlist and it really lets me relax. On this playlist I have sad songs as well as really upbeat songs, I'll listen to music and all of my worries get washed away with the sound. I'm not very good at singing or dancing but I'll always push myself to sing and dance when I'm at a low because then I don't feel so bad anymore. It's definitely something I would recommend to others as well, let me know if you've had any similar experiences, if not with music, with something else like for example reading or your favourite TV show that never fails to make you smile, let me know your favourite singers and how you've learnt to cope with the weight on your shoulders. This is a safe space so feel free to speak your mind. Please reply because it would be so nice to hear from you all, thank you!

staceyyy What's wrong with me?
  • replies: 1

Hi everyone, I really don't know what to put here but I'm here because I don't want to bother people with my problems and I'm embarrassed, they probably won't even care. Lately I've noticed that I don't care about many things and I don't know how to ... View more

Hi everyone, I really don't know what to put here but I'm here because I don't want to bother people with my problems and I'm embarrassed, they probably won't even care. Lately I've noticed that I don't care about many things and I don't know how to comfort people either. I just feel so useless and empty you know? I have no motivation to do anything and I'm just emotionless like I can hardly cry. I smile, laugh and joke a lot but I can't tell if it's fake or genuine now. I can't remember being happy. But anyway, I'm not sure if this is just a part of being a teen or if I need some help.

Jolly_Chaplin How to make the right decisions
  • replies: 7

Figuring out what is best for you can be challenging. I do have a helpful tactic. It can be simplified by pulling the information from your head and writing it down. It sounds simple, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t effective. Writing things down will... View more

Figuring out what is best for you can be challenging. I do have a helpful tactic. It can be simplified by pulling the information from your head and writing it down. It sounds simple, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t effective. Writing things down will clear space in your mind, allowing you to think in a more logical way. Logic comes from a sound mind. When you’re looking at all your options on paper, you can become better at making that choice. Spend time by yourself to do this, write down all your worries/concerns What are all the solutions? Which is the best solution? When will I start following the choice I’ve made? Hope this helps. -Chris

Jolly_Chaplin Therapy Through Music
  • replies: 2

Hello everyone. Music has been a huge part of my life now and has been part of my life for over a decade. Learning musical instruments is awesome for brain development and can be a way to express yourself through the sound of your chosen instrument. ... View more

Hello everyone. Music has been a huge part of my life now and has been part of my life for over a decade. Learning musical instruments is awesome for brain development and can be a way to express yourself through the sound of your chosen instrument. It can be a great way to heal yourself and let all your other thoughts fade away. It's also rewarding and exciting! It might become your new passion which you've always needed. Or if it doesn't, that's fine. Better to have tried than never at all. If anyone wants tips for where they can start or how to learn, let me know. -Chris

smitty651 Dealing with emptiness and loneliness
  • replies: 4

All my life I have never really felt like someone out their genuinely cares about my existence, it just like I am here and I have to deal with it and I am just an inconvience to people. Relationship wise I am totally scarred, every single time I get ... View more

All my life I have never really felt like someone out their genuinely cares about my existence, it just like I am here and I have to deal with it and I am just an inconvience to people. Relationship wise I am totally scarred, every single time I get close to a woman, I am left hurt and in so much pain and in the past I was able to focus on other things and sorta of brush past it but now, I feel like my life is just crushing ontop of me and I am being squeezed to death. I left school and had a plan which didn't go to plan at all, I spent over a year sitting around at home in my own version of hell. Covid sorta of nearly put the nail in the coffin with the chance of employment being snatched away. I am currently unemployed and got no drivers licence. It is hard because I want to fix these things but I just don't know how long I can hold on for, people all around my life are pressuring me to get all this stuff done and it hurts me to lie to them just so they can be somewhat satisfied. I have dreams, I want to be a father, walk a future daughter hopefully down the aisle at her wedding, this dream keeps fading darker and darker. I am terrified of anyone of my family to find out what I am going through because I don't want to be looked at differently, I just wanted to be treated normally. The last girl I got close to I told her about my problem with depression and ultimately rejected me, I don't know if it changed anything by telling her but it is the story of my life, rejection after rejection. People say that you will find someone that will care about you, but I have been waiting five years and nothing. People also say you shouldn't need to have someone to make you happy, you should be happy with yourself, but the thing is with me I have never had anyone like that. I have never had a girlfriend that says good morning and good night, a shoulder to lean on when I am upset, someone who I can enjoy life with. It is so frustrating, I look in the mirror and see a not bad looking dude, but whenever I see myself in a picture my first thought is wow what an ulgy person. My self confidence is nearly at a rock bottom, even tho I am nearly at the best shape in my life, it just confuses me. I am studying a course atm which is good atleast but it is online so I find myself stuck in the house most days. I spend most of my free time either watching sports or gaming because those are the only things that help me cope with all these emotions.

MoodedOut Feeling overwhelemed, stress and phone addiction
  • replies: 7

Hi everyone, Hope we're all well. I've recently been really struggling with university work even though I'm in 3rd year. I have been trying really hard but it seems to be getting nowhere, I feel like I'm wasting time, and to make it worse as a coping... View more

Hi everyone, Hope we're all well. I've recently been really struggling with university work even though I'm in 3rd year. I have been trying really hard but it seems to be getting nowhere, I feel like I'm wasting time, and to make it worse as a coping mechanism I go on my phone and endlessly scroll through social media which is making me feel even more worse. I guess there's not much I wanted to do, but just to have an outlet to get it all out. Hopefully, this forum ends up being a better coping mechanism than endless social media and I appreciate you all for hearing me out

sandy77 feeling lost and overwhelmed
  • replies: 18

Hi, I'm unsre whether posting will help, if you've the time to read/listen that would mean so much! Sorry for the overkill of information. I am 22 and an artist who has lost all meanful employment due to covid (for context). I've always been a fairly... View more

Hi, I'm unsre whether posting will help, if you've the time to read/listen that would mean so much! Sorry for the overkill of information. I am 22 and an artist who has lost all meanful employment due to covid (for context). I've always been a fairly anxious and erratic personality, never really had any close freinds growing up and tended to use escapism to cope with the lonliness as a kid. Was taught from my father that mental instability was weakness and vulnerability was to be shunned. He would often yell and berate me for crying. 2018 I found my best friend, whom I owe so much too. We moved in together about a year ago, and it was great, but recently we've been having so many issues I'm scared im going to lose him. He's started raising his voice, and cutting me out. Calling me out for being mentally unwell but not wanting to help because he has his own problems to deal with. And all I want is to care for him and give him what he needs, which right now is space, the opposite of what I need. He's only just told me he's seeing a psycologist but doesnt trust me with sensitive informtion anymore as 'its none of my business' when I used to be the one he would turn to for everything. On top of this, another close friend has called me a burden for 'weighing them down' with my requests for help and companionship. I have been having more panic attacks, more periods of hyper energised mania type episodes, crying more than I ever have and am struggling to sleep or feel rested when I do. This has been going on for roughly a year now but greatly intensified over covid as everyone lost their incomes and their futures. I am stuck working in hospitality as my artistic career simply doesnt exist anymore. I have no future that I am passionate about. How can I fix my apathy towards life right now? How can I fix my relationships with the people who mean the absolute world to me? How can I stop the fear the induces the panic attacks of having everyone walk out on me? How do I stop being so 'needy'? I'm scared to admit I might need help to cope with it all, but have never learnt how to ask for it. I dont know if anything/anyone can actually help. Apologies once again, thank you for reading xx