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
Categories
Start a discussion

Pinned discussions

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

All discussions

Start a discussion

Bowie_Fandom_64 Rant, Advice, Anxiety, Help Eachother!
  • replies: 7

Hey, I'm new. Basically i just wanna rant to ya'll because you understand aha. So basically, I've had anxiety since year six, it's been rough. when i have an attack i feel like i'm going to pass out, or my chest will explode or something like that. I... View more

Hey, I'm new. Basically i just wanna rant to ya'll because you understand aha. So basically, I've had anxiety since year six, it's been rough. when i have an attack i feel like i'm going to pass out, or my chest will explode or something like that. I decided to post right now, because i had an attack this morning. And i managed it. Granted, i sat on my bedroom floor crying for a half hour, and i almost hyperventilated, but for me that's progress! But i still have a long way to go, but i'm really glad that i'm learning to manage my anxiety, and i'm no longer having attacks everyday. I'm in high school, and these two teachers always make me feel so stressed and anxious, even when they walk past me in the hallway. My palms get sweaty, and i tense up. I don't feel safe near them. AND, a neighbor of ours is SUPER narcissistic, he bullied my and my younger brother when we were little, and once he came to our damn house, and i had to tell my little brother to hide in the bedroom, so i could answer the door, only to be bullied and berated. The situation was dealt with, but whenever i walk past his house i feel so scared and anxious. It gave me massive PTS from when i was in touch with my dad, and when i saw him. I feel like i can't escape from my anxiety, it's like a huge black smoke that follows me, and when something scary or odd happens, it fills my lounges and chokes me. And covid19 isn't helping either!! Sorry for ranting, i just needed to get that out of my system. I guess that's what these forums are for though! Sending love and virtual hugs to everyone!! Hope ya'll are well xx

liltimmytim Feeling like im a background character.
  • replies: 4

Hi, I'm new to this so I don't really know what to say but ill give it a go. I'm not young but younger than many people here (I'm in high school) so I feel like this isn't really valid or anything because some people can't even get up in the morning ... View more

Hi, I'm new to this so I don't really know what to say but ill give it a go. I'm not young but younger than many people here (I'm in high school) so I feel like this isn't really valid or anything because some people can't even get up in the morning and I'm just complaining. Recently I was admitted to the hospital for self-harm and suicidal ideation, it was probably the worst experience I've ever had as it was forced by my school and 'friends'. Although the initial experience was horrible my abusive family became more aware and my parents really tried to stop and change. I also had an 'I don't care' attitude about everything afterward and it made me do some stupid things like give myself a stick and poke tattoo, but it also made me feel like I could keep living and do anything without the constant fear of ruining everything I've tried to achieve. With all that said, in the past couple days I've been feeling down and I've had a lot of time to think about everything and I've noticed that my friends say they're there for me always but they're really not; they only respond to me when they are bored and it's obvious they are tired of dealing with me. And I'm not going to act on this or anything so don't worry about it but I know for certain they would not care if I left and I feel like a burden to them. I've realized that I should find a new group of friends as this happens really often but I'm sick of having to switch friend groups because they don't care about me. They will get upset about something and I will comfort them like I would like to be treated but they don't open up to me; I'm pretty sure the reason for them being ignorant is the lack of a firm connection but I can't force them to open up nevertheless a friendship cannot progress if its all one way. I can't get any of my school work and my once 'close' aspirations and dreams feel so far away now. I've thought of most of the possible solutions so I've come here for help. Sorry if it's long, thank you for reading if you made it this far.

Pale i can't do school anymore
  • replies: 4

So just some background. I'm a year 11 student doing distance education. I moved from a normal school because I wasn't completing the work and usually wasn't going to class due to mental issues. Still not entirely sure what I'm officially diagnosed w... View more

So just some background. I'm a year 11 student doing distance education. I moved from a normal school because I wasn't completing the work and usually wasn't going to class due to mental issues. Still not entirely sure what I'm officially diagnosed with but I think it's depression. Also ASD but I doubt that for some reason. Now I'm doing senior over three years instead of two with only four subjects a year. Thing is, I can't even do that. I did okay last term; my grades were good. But now everything seems so pointless and I feel terrible all the time. I can barely get out of bed, so doing a massive history assignment seems futile. I miss my friends every day. I'm so behind in my work. I never study anymore or complete my homework. I was given all of these second chances to do well and I don't even try because it seems impossible. Beginning to feel like I'm not fit to live in this world that values productivity so much when I'm so useless and lazy. I just want it all to stop. Thanks for listening.

bon7989 Losing friends, dealing with the hurt and worry of not making new friends
  • replies: 2

Hi, recently i have been constantly feeling that my friend group doesn't care about me and that in a way its time for me to move on. i was always scared to leave as I felt I wouldn't be able to find a new group. last month a certain friend and I had ... View more

Hi, recently i have been constantly feeling that my friend group doesn't care about me and that in a way its time for me to move on. i was always scared to leave as I felt I wouldn't be able to find a new group. last month a certain friend and I had a falling out in which she said she felt she couldn't be friends with me anymore, this really hurt. Ive given her space and whenever we have a group facetime made sure to be nice and ask questions from time to time and engage. I've felt through this that others from the group have taken her side and made me feel even more lonely and miserable. i feel at this point I've tried my best to reach out but she isn't wanting to be my friend anymore and there's a divide in the group and eventually, they'll all choose her side. I'm wanting to know the best way to go about this, make it end as civil as I possibly can whilst still keep friends with certain people who have made it known to me that they are still there for me. i just am sick of waking up everyday wondering if ill be ignored again and feeling so miserable and defeated

avab1 tired of being me
  • replies: 2

ive been starving myself for two days now to get skinny

ive been starving myself for two days now to get skinny

MacJS Is it normal to imagine people watching you?
  • replies: 1

I keep imagining that people I'm attracted to or have respect for are always watching me. I know 100% that they aren't there but I can't help but imagine it, and the thing is I hate it. This has been going on for months, and I haven't been able to fe... View more

I keep imagining that people I'm attracted to or have respect for are always watching me. I know 100% that they aren't there but I can't help but imagine it, and the thing is I hate it. This has been going on for months, and I haven't been able to feel like myself at home or at school anymore because of it. If it's someone I'm attracted to, then I feel like I have to act like someone better than me and has no flaws for that someone to like me. If I don't, I feel embarrassed and upset with myself. If it's someone I have respect for (like an authority) I feel like I have to act intelligent, know what I'm doing, etc. I can even imagine people that I haven't seen in years watching me. This gives me the urge to look at mirrors, cabinets, windows, doors, any place that could have someone looking through, or open space. Anything I'm doing, that someone or people are watching me and judging me, even walking around the house. I hate doing this because I feel like I'm going crazy and this is some abnormal problem that I've created in my head. I just don't think this is normal, I've read that this could be a self-image problem but IDK. Does anyone have a clue on what I'm doing or what this could be?

TheFirstSunset I'm confused to what I'm feeling
  • replies: 2

Hi I'm a teenager and I've always been the really happy, hopeful and helpful girl but I've been changing. I've started getting these mood swings and getting really anxious sometimes and sad other times. I've had two mild anxiety attacks. I feel like ... View more

Hi I'm a teenager and I've always been the really happy, hopeful and helpful girl but I've been changing. I've started getting these mood swings and getting really anxious sometimes and sad other times. I've had two mild anxiety attacks. I feel like I can't talk to anyone about it and I know I should but I don't. I feel like I can't let anyone down. I do have a really supportive friend group and family but i keep up a mask. I pretend that im fine and happy and they believe it. I just wish someone would notice, but I don't want things to change and people to fuss over me. I get insecure about everything and am super shy/have an irrational fear of talking to anyone I don't know well. When my feelings go haywire it feels like the world is collapsing but I keep telling myself this is just part of being a teenager. Does it stop? I feel like I can't talk to anyone, I'm avoiding talking to my friends and it doesn't help that I like to be alone and am very introverted. I'm just really stuck. Please help

LobsterTimpani My life is going nowhere
  • replies: 3

Made an account purely because I need to be heard. I’m 23 years old and work a minimum wage job I hate because it was the only place out of 100 odd jobs I’d applied for that even bothered to give me an interview, I have a bachelors degree in a useles... View more

Made an account purely because I need to be heard. I’m 23 years old and work a minimum wage job I hate because it was the only place out of 100 odd jobs I’d applied for that even bothered to give me an interview, I have a bachelors degree in a useless field that has gotten me nowhere that I only enrolled in because of my low ATAR and prompting from parents, I don’t have any family or friends (ones I do have I’m no longer on speaking terms with), all in all I’m miserable all the time. I just want to drop everything and simply aimlessly wander the country, I can’t take another year of this drudgery. I don’t want to spend the rest of my life as the complete failure I am now and while I acknowledge it won’t last forever I don’t see any light of hope at the end of this dark tunnel that is my current experience. I want to go back to school and earn a degree in a field that will actually provide me with decent work, but I’ve been so badly burned by my previous degree that I’m too afraid to go further into debt and waste my time on another three years of useless “education”. All I want is just a bit of hope. That’s all. I hate myself so much. Why should my life be this frustrating? I don’t have any happiness

broome Break up during isolation!
  • replies: 2

Hey there, I am 18 and dealing with a confusing break up type situation. I already have mental health issues and dont know how im going to cope through a break up during isolation and not being able to hang out with my friends. Please does anyone hav... View more

Hey there, I am 18 and dealing with a confusing break up type situation. I already have mental health issues and dont know how im going to cope through a break up during isolation and not being able to hang out with my friends. Please does anyone have any tips to get through this. Thankyou all the best x

venng27 not sure what to do
  • replies: 1

Hey, Something has been on my mind for a while now and I'm not sure how to approach it. See when I may be struggling with something and I want to get things off my chest, I never do. I feel like I'm just going to burden my friends with my unnecessary... View more

Hey, Something has been on my mind for a while now and I'm not sure how to approach it. See when I may be struggling with something and I want to get things off my chest, I never do. I feel like I'm just going to burden my friends with my unnecessary troubles. Most of the things I'm dealing with, I know doesn't really need a second/outside opinion or advice of any sort. The things I'm struggling with I know how to solve them, I just don't. So if I were to tell my friends my problems, nothing can really be done on their part. I don't want to make them feel bad for not being able to provide any sort of input. Plus, my closest friend that I used to tell a lot of things to is currently going through some struggles herself. She's the type of person that a lot of people go to when they need advice. She has also has mentioned this to me recently that a lot of people have confined in her with their struggles. She's trustworthy, reliable, non-judgmental and understanding and I think that's why a lot of people feel comfortable around her. That's why I haven't really opened up to her recently. I don't want to burden and stress her out anymore than she already is. This is really silly, I want to open up, because there are things on my chest that I want to let out because it's frustrating me, yet I know it wouldn't do anything...? And then I guess I could open up to other people, but again, I feel like it would just burden them. I've always wondered if someone would be happy for a friend to open up to them in the sense that their friend trusts them enough and relies on them like a friend would do. Or would it really just burden them and stress them out, and hence affecting their own mental health. I don't know the answer and I don't know what to do.