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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.

six I didn’t get in to my dream high school and now I feel lost
  • replies: 0

About three weeks ago I tried out for a school volleyball team at this school you do four periods a day and two of said periods are your sport of choice practice being a slightly alternative way of learning it is also the only one of its kind in my c... View more

About three weeks ago I tried out for a school volleyball team at this school you do four periods a day and two of said periods are your sport of choice practice being a slightly alternative way of learning it is also the only one of its kind in my country/state literally . I’ve been doing volleyball for about a year now and it’s safe to say I don’t know who I would be without it the school I’m at currently is somewhere I feel I don’t belong, I have dealt with countless other issues surrounding friendships and mental health I’ve spent two years at this school and I knew I wanted out my parents found the school I tried out for and suddenly it felt like all the work I did to keep my grades above the expectations and my absences as low as possible through the last two terms would finally amount to something it felt like there was a light at the end of the tunnel after two years of barely being able to be at school because of anxiety I had finally worked hard enough that I could make into my dream school. Then came the trial I worked so hard the weeks before that with how anxious I felt my whole body tensed up the same feeling you would get after pushing your body too far in the gym it hurt to sit up in bed. Finally after a week of pain my body had calmed down just in time for the trial still sore but 100 times better no matter what angle I look at it and over think it again and again I can’t find anything that could have given the school a reason to reject me there was only four other people trying out and I couldn’t think of anything I did terribly wrong I’m saying this as someone who is very hard on themselves and pushes to go above and beyond I don’t think I made it that far at the trial but I know I was not far enough off the only thing me and my family could think of was that it was my absences from the year before and semester one, and I’m angry and upset as we tried to give them recommendation letters for this very reason so it hopefully would be a problem but the school didn’t want them. it’s been three weeks since the Friday I found out the news and to be honest I fell into what feels like a depressive episode and the only thing I’ve been able to do is push down the though I didn’t get in to my dream school every time it comes up I know this is no way to help myself but it’s all I’ve been able to do recently It felt like I had lost all direction I’m not one to let go of something once I’ve grasped it once so I’ve stood my ground with my parents and I’m going to email the school and ask why I didn’t make the cut I don’t plan on begging I just need it for me this is what my councillor recommended to do if I felt I needed it I don’t know if ill be able to let go and if I will be happy at whatever school and end up o still feel a loss of direction. (please forgive the lack of punctuation and spelling mistakes aswell as the poorly explained rant? lol ) thank you six

Guest_56962122 Is australian government stupid?
  • replies: 1

First of all, this is a big privacy reach, and risk. The government is trusting social media platforms to store our id’s? Faces? And sensitive info? Hell no. I hope this backfires so hard they have to revoke the ban, the fact that they are saying thi... View more

First of all, this is a big privacy reach, and risk. The government is trusting social media platforms to store our id’s? Faces? And sensitive info? Hell no. I hope this backfires so hard they have to revoke the ban, the fact that they are saying this is for safety is such a bs excuse. They just want to see what you do on social media and god knows what else they can do. Also, if a data leak happens, say bye to all your juicy info, because its now in the hands of people you dont want it to be. And the company has to go through the photos, videos, and messages i sent and allow the service to see to check if im old enough? What if i DONT want them to look at my photos videos and other things to see if im old enough? What if i dont consent to that stuff? They just want to monitor you at this point and are putting it behind the words of “protecting children”. This country is doomed

lilacsky8 Need support/ someone to talk to
  • replies: 6

I’m really struggling with depression and I keep on getting thoughts to hurt myself. I’m not sure what to do. I have been self harm free for 2 days! My parents aren’t listening to me and see me as the problem. I’m so done.

I’m really struggling with depression and I keep on getting thoughts to hurt myself. I’m not sure what to do. I have been self harm free for 2 days! My parents aren’t listening to me and see me as the problem. I’m so done.

Sexuality and gender identity

Peer support and conversations about anxiety, depression and other issues in the mental health space affecting LGBTQI+ people.

Isme1234 Am I gay
  • replies: 4

I am so confused! for the past few years my labido has reduced. partially from prostate cancer treated with radiation. and partly from lost trust due to ex wife’s infidelities. before that i was a very sexual person. i did have my curiosity for same ... View more

I am so confused! for the past few years my labido has reduced. partially from prostate cancer treated with radiation. and partly from lost trust due to ex wife’s infidelities. before that i was a very sexual person. i did have my curiosity for same sex and after a few years of being single I gave in and tried sex with another man. the physical side was beyond amazing however I could not get that emotional connection. i am now remarried years later to opposite gender and love the intimacy however I don’t seem to be able to be aroused with her. I have seen specialist and have been told it’s all in my head so that leaves me to question myself AM I GAY???

waffle_puppy I feel like I'd like to be a boy?
  • replies: 1

Hi again! So recently I've been questioning my gender for a few weeks, and I've asked myself various questions such as "Would it be better for me?" or "Would I be happier in my body?" and I honestly feel as if I could be free if I was a boy. Every ti... View more

Hi again! So recently I've been questioning my gender for a few weeks, and I've asked myself various questions such as "Would it be better for me?" or "Would I be happier in my body?" and I honestly feel as if I could be free if I was a boy. Every time I glance in the mirror, I don't see a girl as I used to anymore; and I feel like a boy is staring back at me, or at least I'd like to see that one day. I've begun to feel uncomfortable with my body and every single time I wear something feminine, or even get called "she" I feel absolutely horrendous and awful on the inside, or even being called by the name I was given makes me feel disgusted and sad. I'm afraid of the fact that my parents might hate me for wanting to be a boy, so I never told them; but I have last year as I felt the same way. The results? My dad said "Just wait for a while, maybe you'll change your mind." compared to my mom who said the same, but with nicer wording; so I kept it a secret for a while. Along with that, I'd really like to be called Colin as I feel like it'd suit me the best. However I just don't think I look like a boy enough, or that I might be deemed "strange" for a boy. I'm not sure though, however I just wanna be a boy who's there to support his friends through everything. Maybe I'll tell my parents when I'm 18, but despite that they told me I'm too young to think that I'd like to be a boy. What could I do? 😣

kingKarter FTM body dysphoria
  • replies: 2

hi so i been on T for a year im only 31 just recently turned it, i come out late as trans because of the way i was raised and the way my family was, but my biggest issue atm is my body dysphoria! Im one of those unlucky trans man who have a large che... View more

hi so i been on T for a year im only 31 just recently turned it, i come out late as trans because of the way i was raised and the way my family was, but my biggest issue atm is my body dysphoria! Im one of those unlucky trans man who have a large chest which makes binding or taping hard. I have tried a few binders and they either don’t fit or they leave that like extra boob or they make it look like you have one massive boob! And I can’t tape because it doesn’t do anything because of how big i am! Does anyone else have this issue and what do you do? What has worked for you? Idk what else todo and it’s messing with my mental health! Please any information will help.

Multicultural experiences

Designed for members who were born overseas, have parents who were, speak a primary language that isn’t English or have mixed cultural heritage.

Vik888 Racism on the media
  • replies: 1

Hey all, I thought to express some thought here. I am of immigrant background Indian to be specific. I think the mental stress is just unbearable at this stage. Any tips how to get by and keep going when you are constantly abused for just trying to b... View more

Hey all, I thought to express some thought here. I am of immigrant background Indian to be specific. I think the mental stress is just unbearable at this stage. Any tips how to get by and keep going when you are constantly abused for just trying to be a "human" and get through life

BeTTerDaYsCome Does it Really get better with Truth?
  • replies: 2

When you come from a family so heavily coated in trauma that is disguised as 'tradition' Does it really get better? When you put in the work because you don't want to see your siblings as rivals or debt collectors nor do you want to be the one who be... View more

When you come from a family so heavily coated in trauma that is disguised as 'tradition' Does it really get better? When you put in the work because you don't want to see your siblings as rivals or debt collectors nor do you want to be the one who begins to, do things out of favour rather than out of love with no expectations. Does it get better? I've put in all this work and effort, only to be left alone on the otherside. To be a outcast, as if I betrayed everyone or better yet; the one that thinks they are above everyone else. I can't have simple conversations without being barked at, despite the fact I was using a calm tone and not once raised my voice. I ENDURED the yelling, The Name callings the being 'used' as some type of pawn to help benefit their big moves... & for what? Only to finally find my voice and stand up for myself, now I am the enemy. IM A EGOMANIAC, I'm someone who thinks I'm better?. No!!! I'm someone who saw the trauma and decided it's not going to be my armour. I peeled back from all that people pleasing, over compensating the love bombing, gift giving, pushover validation needing fear of being alone..all to be at the core... where it began -Family- I realised I can face the world and say it like it is yet crumble at the slightest hint of disapproval from my family. NOW They have all turned there backs on me because I've learnt to say "No".... and it's lonely. 🥺Maybe I'd rather be drowning in a sea of bullying, disapproval anger, repression and hate..if it means I don't lose them. Does this mean I developed some type of stockholme syndrome? Idk. I do know maybe I was better off keeping my mouth shut, maybe I should have just ignored my hurt and stayed submissive then I wouldn't be so lonely. Maybe I prefered they were all fake to me...at least I had them around me, willing to acknowledge me. I don't know. All this healing only to be left facing a truth I'd rather ignore because the lies seems less lonely. :(. Why did I open my mouth? Why did I try to heal? The truth seems like a consequence you get for being caught lying. Lying seems to have the reward a truth speaker SHOULD have recieved. It's lonely without them. Was the truth really better? 🥺😔

Swaggerd98 Job Search Blues
  • replies: 3

Hey everyone, Glad to meet everyone on this forum (hope it's the right forum). I quit my full time job 2.5 months ago without a job in hand, and have been looking for a job in the same field. While I have time until next December to stay in Australia... View more

Hey everyone, Glad to meet everyone on this forum (hope it's the right forum). I quit my full time job 2.5 months ago without a job in hand, and have been looking for a job in the same field. While I have time until next December to stay in Australia and look for a job and have had some interviews, I have been living in constant stress and anxiety, wondering when my next opportunity will appear. I have been regretting the time I quit my job since it acted as golden handcuffs, even though the months leading up to the exit were rough, and I was experiencing stagnant growth from a salary standpoint. Every application rejection is playing with my patience, and is making me look desperate. I am afraid people will call me out for not getting a job. Is there anybody else that is or has experienced the same issue as me? I am keen to hear people's thoughts.

Grief and loss

Support and advice following the loss of a family member, partner, spouse or someone close to you.

Eenah Grieving over death and betrayal
  • replies: 2

I recently lost someone I loved because of health complications. On the day he died, I found out he’d cheated on me with so many women. They say we only live once but die many times in our lifetime. Losing him, and learning he wasn’t faithful all the... View more

I recently lost someone I loved because of health complications. On the day he died, I found out he’d cheated on me with so many women. They say we only live once but die many times in our lifetime. Losing him, and learning he wasn’t faithful all the 13 months we were together, shattered me. I died twice.I don’t know how to process this. Which one do I grieve first? Sometimes I’m okay. Sometimes I can forgive the betrayal. But sometimes I wake up hating him so much. If I had the choice, I’d rather see him with another woman than dead. I don’t know. I don’t know how to regulate my emotions. I’m devastated. I miss him so much. I miss everything about him even the lies, I guess. My heart is so heavy.

Guest_93838120 Looking for Help with Grief That Has No Closure
  • replies: 2

I am not coping.My first husband — the father of my two children, a daughter now 25 and a son who will soon be 23 — told me when I left him in 2009 that if I dared to go, I would never see my children again. I thought he was joking. I believed my chi... View more

I am not coping.My first husband — the father of my two children, a daughter now 25 and a son who will soon be 23 — told me when I left him in 2009 that if I dared to go, I would never see my children again. I thought he was joking. I believed my children loved me too much for that to ever happen.When I left, I walked away from a 15-year marriage with nothing — no clothes, no shoes — just my children. But after I left, he began his campaign to destroy my relationship with them. He poisoned them against me, and by 2014, after years of conflict and heartbreak, my children disappeared.He moved houses, changed their schools and phone numbers, and made sure I couldn’t find them. I called the police, but they said it was a federal matter and that I needed a court order. I had no money to pursue one.By the time I finally found my children, they wanted nothing to do with me. They believed the most horrible things about me — lies he had told them — and I was shut out of their lives completely. Eventually, he moved them to Victoria, and I had to learn to live without them.Then, in June this year, my ex took what feels like his final act of revenge. He posted photos on social media, tagging enough mutual friends that they appeared on my feed. That’s how I found out my daughter had a baby — a beautiful little girl. My first granddaughter. A baby I will never hold or know.I have no parents. My father, who served in the military and cared for soldiers exposed at Maralinga, died of malignant melanoma when I was four. My mother passed away when I was sixteen. I am completely alone now.Since learning about my granddaughter’s birth, I’ve been struggling deeply. My days feel pathetic, dark and heavy. I’m not sleeping or eating properly. I feel worthless and broken. I work in healthcare and mostly from home, which means I can go a whole week without seeing or speaking to anyone.I’ve tried to find grief support groups, but because my children and granddaughter are still alive — just gone from my life — I don’t qualify. I don’t know where to turn anymore. Even when I try to go out to meet with friends, or socialise everyone wants to talk about their children, or grandchildren, so I have constant reminders. My grief is all consuming now. Can anyone offer some advice?

GeneM 2 years ago my brother committed suicide
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Nothing feels the same since my brother passed. He struggled with mental health issues for majority of his life. The year before he died was the hardest year. It felt like I was watching him die in slow motion, I couldn't help him, nothing could. Unf... View more

Nothing feels the same since my brother passed. He struggled with mental health issues for majority of his life. The year before he died was the hardest year. It felt like I was watching him die in slow motion, I couldn't help him, nothing could. Unfortunately support from "friends & family" lasted about as long as the flowers so I've been dealing with this loss alone. I think about him everyday, little things will bring him to my mind all the time which feels like a blessing and a curse. I've been experiencing alot of emotions lately and I think its just my grief trying to find an escape. I feel like I have to hide my grief because its been 2 years, but it feels like it happened last week all the time. I guess I wanted to share my story to connect with others who may have gone through something similar and maybe find some support. Cheers