Immediate support
Immediate 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 discussion

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
Jump to
Start a discussion

Pinned discussions

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

Start a discussion

Loula_bell32 Need some advice ASAP
  • replies: 4

Hey everyone my name is Aimee I’m 16 I’m not happy at all I’m sad all the time and isolate myself a lot activity’s i used to find interesting or that used to make me happy don’t anymore I feel like there is something wrong with me due to the fact tha... View more

Hey everyone my name is Aimee I’m 16 I’m not happy at all I’m sad all the time and isolate myself a lot activity’s i used to find interesting or that used to make me happy don’t anymore I feel like there is something wrong with me due to the fact that I have self harmed on different occasions and I often of thoughts about how better life would be if I wasn’t here anymore I have really bad anxiety attacks to he point of were I work myself up to the point of we’re I want to end my life, throw up ect I have tried talking to my mum and to drop hints that’s somethings wrong she also knows about me self harming she is on meds for depression ect and I feel like she is just brushing all this stuff off bc she is scared to admit the fact that I’m like her I don’t know what to do and I want to talk to a professional but I’m only 16 and I don’t know if they will help me without an adult

User233 Parental problems
  • replies: 1

So I'm 16, my parents divorced last year and during all this I've been pushed between the two. I've now been kicked out of both homes and pretty much degraded. To my dad I'm a disgusting waste of space and time. And to my mum I'm a slut. I'm now stay... View more

So I'm 16, my parents divorced last year and during all this I've been pushed between the two. I've now been kicked out of both homes and pretty much degraded. To my dad I'm a disgusting waste of space and time. And to my mum I'm a slut. I'm now staying with my friend as I have nowhere else to go. I was just wondering how to deal with parents who have always been emotionally unavailable and now don't love me. I miss having a family and I miss my siblings. Anyone have tips on how to be happier during this?

mmx Maybe it’s just part of being a teen...
  • replies: 11

I’m 14, and for the last 3 years I’ve been feeling so alone. I have anxiety, I’m not sure about depression because there is no way I could ask for help from my parents. I really don’t like school and the stress it puts on me. There is a group of girl... View more

I’m 14, and for the last 3 years I’ve been feeling so alone. I have anxiety, I’m not sure about depression because there is no way I could ask for help from my parents. I really don’t like school and the stress it puts on me. There is a group of girls who ‘run’ my year level, and I feel like I have to live up to their standards all the time so I don’t look like a weirdo. Lately, I’ve been exercising and eating less to get thinner and look how I want to. Every day when I go to school, it’s like I put on this mask that I am this happy girl who is loving life, but when I’m alone the mask comes off. I’ve tried to reach out for help about my anxiety and thoughts, but nothing helps. I just put up with it all now. I can’t wait for this all to be over. I don’t even know why I’m here, I just want to put my words down somewhere. Reply with whatever you can.

Cresw1ck New to this need some help
  • replies: 7

I’ve always been pretty reluctant to get help, I’ve always thought it was weak to ask for help but I really need it, I’m so lost and so scared of how my life’s going to turn out and my friends don’t understand how I am and why I do things I do, I’m n... View more

I’ve always been pretty reluctant to get help, I’ve always thought it was weak to ask for help but I really need it, I’m so lost and so scared of how my life’s going to turn out and my friends don’t understand how I am and why I do things I do, I’m now a month sober yesterday and I’m starting to struggle again, I really just need a friend Thankyou

peachbob7 do i have adhd?
  • replies: 4

im currently 17, almost 18, and a first year uni student. ive constantly struggled with studies as a kid, especially with focusing and retaining information. for example, i used to do Kumon tutoring and i never got far in it cause it tests how fast y... View more

im currently 17, almost 18, and a first year uni student. ive constantly struggled with studies as a kid, especially with focusing and retaining information. for example, i used to do Kumon tutoring and i never got far in it cause it tests how fast you can solve equations and do reading comprehension, but i would lose focus and start daydreaming. that would result in me being yelled at. i especially struggled in year 12, as i really wanted to study but i never started until it was too late and my SAC scores always turned out horrendous. i become super depressed and started to lose touch with reality as i would go to school in a daze, come home and procrastinate for the rest of the day and then not be able to sleep cause id be guilting myself. anyway, i managed to barely scrape past and hoped maybe uni will be better. now im in uni, everything is online cause of the coronavirus and im losing touch again. its only week 3 and im 2 weeks behind on work. i have no motivation or focus. im thinking of deferring this year and taking a well-earned break. but ive had this itch in my brain since i learnt about adhd; do i have it? i read the symptoms and i think “oh god that’s me”, but im scared my parents might reject the idea. how do i get myself clinically diagnosed? some other symptoms i share with adhd is struggling to keep emotions in check; sometimes i feel completely numb and empty, but other times i get excited so easily or snap at others over small things. i make the most careless mistakes even with simple things like 2+2. i put my phone somewhere for a minute and then forget and get frustrated that i cant find it. sometimes i think i stim? but im not sure im usually not focusing on it. please help and give any advice. im feeling lost in life right now

continuousventer cover letter
  • replies: 5

hi all, I'm 21 and I would like to find a job so I could have money. The problem is I don't know how to write a cover letter. I've written many cover letters, but I don't have experience to back me up. Like I study full-time at university, so it is h... View more

hi all, I'm 21 and I would like to find a job so I could have money. The problem is I don't know how to write a cover letter. I've written many cover letters, but I don't have experience to back me up. Like I study full-time at university, so it is hard to find time to find a job because I have pre-readings and assignments to do. But I can't focus all of my attention on study. I am currently studying occupational therapy, but I'm not as balanced as everyone else with jobs and social life. Like I know I shouldn't be hard on myself, it's just that life is unpredictable. I might do the degree and not end up with a job. I feel like a black sheep because of my difficult upbringing. Like if I had time, I should be volunteering or seeking support for cover letter making. I really like OT, but maybe I am setting myself for failure because I come from an abusive household and it's like i'm always stressed.

sanmmi Why do i feel like this?
  • replies: 1

So i've been feeling this for quite a while now, i'd say 4 years or more.. I feel a kind of rush of adrenaline and sort of like a rush of fake happiness and like i would just start smiling and laughing and feel so confident with myself but not in lik... View more

So i've been feeling this for quite a while now, i'd say 4 years or more.. I feel a kind of rush of adrenaline and sort of like a rush of fake happiness and like i would just start smiling and laughing and feel so confident with myself but not in like a normal way... if that makes sense? This would usually happen once every few months, its like episodes i guess? And i could feel it coming, so like i could feel its like a kind of switch in my chest and i could feel it switch itself and i would be different. Usually occurs when im under stress or when something triggers it like today i felt it switch when i was talking about it to my friend, i haven't ever talked about this before and i kind of also forgot about it for a year or two but today i for some reason remembered it and told someone and i came home and felt it switch. It makes me feel like i could be on top of the world or go onto really high places like roofs or go for a run or scream and stuff like that. I really dont know how to explain this feeling im so sorry but i just want to know what this feeling is and why i get it.. i'm not trying to self diagnose myself with anything i just want to get an idea of what it might be so i can have some sort of closure that i'm not going crazy. I cant see a professional about this either because my parents are against it.. even though im 18 >.< I was diagnosed with dissociation disorder, depression and anxiety disorder in 2016 but the therapist that diagnosed me was a bit sketchy so i'm not too sure if this is why i feel this way? Sorry if this doesn't make sense... I'm not sure how to explain it but does anyone know what this is?

sanmmi Stressed, Depressed, Overwhelmed
  • replies: 4

Hey so i just started studying a Diploma at a college. It's been alright, the work is okay just a bit too much with the assignments which make me a little stressed because of how little time i have to do them. Anyways, it's been 2 months since i star... View more

Hey so i just started studying a Diploma at a college. It's been alright, the work is okay just a bit too much with the assignments which make me a little stressed because of how little time i have to do them. Anyways, it's been 2 months since i started and i've already had 2 breakdowns IN CLASS. One of them was yesterday, had a full blown panic attack in class, everyone was super nice about it but i dramatically ran out the class which was so embarrassing. I've been struggling a lot with my anxiety and panic attacks and depression. My moods have been all over the place i cant seem to control them. I feel like my emotions and my whole body is so out of control and i don't like the way it makes me feel. I also feel really alone since i fell out with my best friends last year, tried reconnecting but they don't seem to want to be civil. So i feel really alone, my mental health is deteriorating and idk what to do about it. I would go seek help if i could but my parents are against it, even though i'm 18. I thought about going by myself but i don't know what the process is and how much it is... but yeah idk what to do.

Soulstorm Not Suited for Full-time Study
  • replies: 3

I'm having a surprising amount of trouble with tertiary education. The TAFE I go to only has full-time study for my chosen course, meaning even though I am passionate about what i'm studying, I might not be able to finish it. Additionally, the campus... View more

I'm having a surprising amount of trouble with tertiary education. The TAFE I go to only has full-time study for my chosen course, meaning even though I am passionate about what i'm studying, I might not be able to finish it. Additionally, the campus doesn't offer a certificate IV, so I'm stuck studying a diploma, the difficulty of which I am only just finding out. My brain just isn't suited for academia and it feels disappointing I'm not at that level yet. It's cliche but I feel lost now that I'm transitioning into a full-blown adult. Thanks for reading.

neh4 help
  • replies: 3

It's been too long and I think I need to share my thoughts. I've gone to a councilor couple times before but it didn't feel right. I guess I'll give this a shot. I always feel empty, some days more than others but I always have it in me, like somethi... View more

It's been too long and I think I need to share my thoughts. I've gone to a councilor couple times before but it didn't feel right. I guess I'll give this a shot. I always feel empty, some days more than others but I always have it in me, like something's missing. My mom noticed that something might be wrong but I'd just get mad at her and reassure that I'm alright, I dont know why I'd react like that... Sometimes days would pass without me even noticing because all I've done is lie on my bed. Sometimes I don't even have any reasons to feel like that but I can't help it. I've disappointed so many people with my behavior... I've lost friends and I've lost opportunities. Once my host mom (I'm an exchange student) got so mad at me for spending too much time in my room and when she told me this I was surprised because I didn't even notice it. I didn't realize that the time had gone by so quickly. I also got into an argument with my other host family and they told me the same thing. I don't get it. And when I'm feeling like this, it'd last for atleast three days, sometimes way longer but I think it depends on the "trigger". Once I got into a huge fight with my then best friend and it got me so messed up. I would cry myself to sleep every night and on days I literally looked like half dead. I'd spend my time self-loathing and sleeping. It's been over 3 months and I'm still not fully over it. After that fight all I've done is compare myself to the girl and I feel like it's making me crazy. She's skinny and beautiful and I'm the opposite. I exercise nearöy every day and I feel like I'm not losing any weight. I did try some unhealthy methods as well but I feel like my body is against it. Everything the girl does makes me compare myself to her. We're in the same situation; exchange students, same school, same city and we used to be in the same friend group as well but after the fight I couldn't be with them because it made me feel awful. She has done some other stuff that makes me wonder if she's trying to prove me that she's better than me but maybe she doesn't do it on purpose. It's not like she'd have to prove that anyways. Honestly though, I have no idea what I'm doing here. I can't even put my feelings to words and this whole thing is going to sound like I'm a crazy jealous angsty teenager.. I don't know maybe I just feel lonely.