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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Sophie_M How are you feeling about the social media restrictions in Australia for under 16s?
  • replies: 13

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

Random323 Real friends
  • replies: 2

Feeling lost like I don't know who my real friends are, it feels like people on care when there could be impacts for them. didnt go to a party this week cause some "friends" were trying to avoid me about it/ hanging out before it just feeling like I'... View more

Feeling lost like I don't know who my real friends are, it feels like people on care when there could be impacts for them. didnt go to a party this week cause some "friends" were trying to avoid me about it/ hanging out before it just feeling like I've been wasting so much time with people who don't care and I don't know what to do anymore

Jason_V We should feel comfortable at sporting events
  • replies: 3

At club netball we should feel safe to be there and not be worried that somebody is going to abuse you Well today I was abused by a father. He tried to intimidate me and got up in my face. All because his daughters team was losing. Sport is about hav... View more

At club netball we should feel safe to be there and not be worried that somebody is going to abuse you Well today I was abused by a father. He tried to intimidate me and got up in my face. All because his daughters team was losing. Sport is about having fun and a score shouldn't matter. You should still enjoy yourself and have fun with your friends. People need to learn to let kids be kids and respect the calls of all officials. Nobody is perfect and everybody is doing the best job they possibly can. I hope that this father learns that abusing kids is not ok!!. I'm 15 years old and should be comfortable while umpiring the sport I love. I wonder how he would feel if that happened to his child. So we need to let kids be kids and enjoy the game for what it is. Final scores don't matter it's all about having fun. They are just kids not professional athletes

Hayley96 im so depressed
  • replies: 1

i need advice, im 21 and live with my parents. My dad is so emotionally abusive and controlling, im so depressed i just want to leave but its so hard with no job/money, im trying so hard to find a job but im constantly rejected. i dont know what to d... View more

i need advice, im 21 and live with my parents. My dad is so emotionally abusive and controlling, im so depressed i just want to leave but its so hard with no job/money, im trying so hard to find a job but im constantly rejected. i dont know what to do im so fed up

tashaann_ Studying
  • replies: 6

Hi Everyone! I am currently a business student at Tafe college. I have been there for five months now and loved the first semester although my anxiety flared up now and again; My lecturer was really supportive and I was only in a quiet class (3 OTHER... View more

Hi Everyone! I am currently a business student at Tafe college. I have been there for five months now and loved the first semester although my anxiety flared up now and again; My lecturer was really supportive and I was only in a quiet class (3 OTHER STUDENTS) with four subjects to do so my workload wasn't that stressful either. Tomorrow is my first day of semester 2. I am now starting the business class with around 15 people and the lecturer has informed me that it will be a very full on class now as this is what I need to pass. My anxiety is now at its worst form, panic attacks, shaking, sweating, stomach pain, sickness, dizziness. Would like to know if anyone else is in the same boat or have any helpful tips on how to cope? Thanks!

SimplySarah HighSchool
  • replies: 2

Hi, Im 17 and Im in year 12 NSW. Year 12 is really hard on many levels. My boyfriend of two years broke up with me randomly one morning with no warnings. He said he needed to focus on the HSC and he was not upset about breaking up with me. THis is go... View more

Hi, Im 17 and Im in year 12 NSW. Year 12 is really hard on many levels. My boyfriend of two years broke up with me randomly one morning with no warnings. He said he needed to focus on the HSC and he was not upset about breaking up with me. THis is going to sound cliche but he said he truly loved me and etc.Saying this he cries uncontrollably and i had to hold him and drive him home. He then kept contradicting himself and I left. On top of this 2 years ago I was diagnosed with severe depression and anxiety, I used to have seizures and was put on medication. I struggle socially and tend too overthink situations and get anxious. He knew all this. He spoke to my parents , his parents knew. He even went to the counsellor at school to try learn how to help me!? Now however it is just awkward at school. His friends ignore me, completely ice me out even though we are in the same group and he broke it off.Now i just feel horrible at school. I have some friends but its really awkward half the group kind of checking their loyalties. Im stressed because of school , guys , social situations Ive felt like Ive grown out of school I just want the HSC to be over. I have 2.5 months left but god its going slowly. So slow. Im sick of him actin glike a douche and ignoring me for no reason. Just over school. Want to work, I have two jobs . SOrry for the rant. Umm have a good day people. xx Keep going strong

This_is_me_1 Is it possible to be exempted from an exam due to anxiety?
  • replies: 3

In two days I have a trial exam for one of my subjects. It does not count towards my grade whatsoever as it is merely seen as a practice for my final exams. However, a part of this trial exam is a summative test and will thus form a small percentage ... View more

In two days I have a trial exam for one of my subjects. It does not count towards my grade whatsoever as it is merely seen as a practice for my final exams. However, a part of this trial exam is a summative test and will thus form a small percentage of my grade. My school states that if you have a valid reason, you can be excused from the trial exam. I have studied to some extent, but every time I try to resume reading over notes and doing practice questions I become very anxious and unhelpful thoughts will creep in that further stress me out. It's gotten to the point that I've become nauseous and headache-y and can't continue studying because I feel hopeless and as if nothing will prepare me adequately. I keep thinking of myself in the exam room not able to answer any questions either from a mental blank or because there's content I haven't covered. This thought alone sends me into a mental whirlwind where I can't stop thinking of detrimental scenarios and i ultimately shut down. It's difficult to explain, but that's a small sense of how I feel. I have two more days to prepare and I can't see it happening as I have yet to fully memorise the content and have other work to complete for school and family commitments as well as time for myself to manage my stress. Even writing this post is making me stressed and I want to cry and close the door and not have to think about this exam that i'm unprepared for and have been trying to tackle for the past week and a half. I don't want a bad grade but I don't see a psychologist and hence cannot speak to him/her about what to do. Is it even possible to be excused from an exam due to anxiety? Who knows? I've always just thought that if you were severely ill or had suffered a family trauma, you'd be excused from the exam, rather than for something silly like stress. If possible, please help me out a little and let me know if my situation is worth seeing a doctor for (in order to obtain an extension for the summative part of the trial exam).

mhk_khm Anger and anxiety, HELP ME
  • replies: 5

I feel like my anxiety and my anger is completely consuming me. I dont know what to do anymore, I am on an anti consultant drug, but it seems to only be adding stress with all of the side affects... I am a generally happy 21 year old female, but I am... View more

I feel like my anxiety and my anger is completely consuming me. I dont know what to do anymore, I am on an anti consultant drug, but it seems to only be adding stress with all of the side affects... I am a generally happy 21 year old female, but I am pushing away all of the people in my life who mean the most with my acid tongue, impulse / heat of the moment reactions and my panic attacks. I dont know what to do, I hate that I am such an angry, jealous, judgmental, anxious person, I just want to be something and someone that i can be proud of, but I have no idea where to even begin. Please help me.

talklp Depressive thoughts triggered after starting back at Uni
  • replies: 2

I need to get this off my chest before going about my day. My gf (20) and I (21) broke up at the end of last year (3 year relationship). Although not being the 'cause' of my depression, it certainly didn't help me get out of the rut I was currently i... View more

I need to get this off my chest before going about my day. My gf (20) and I (21) broke up at the end of last year (3 year relationship). Although not being the 'cause' of my depression, it certainly didn't help me get out of the rut I was currently in. Through posting on here and some time off and away, the thoughts and need for her, as well as my overall mental health, seemed to be better. I still think about her everyday, but there isn't as much contact between us and I was beginning to come to terms with it all. There is a lot more to all of this 'story' in my life but I will skim over it to where I am today. I go to the same Uni has her still, and last semester we had no classes together so I did not see her much, which helped keep her out of my mind enough to do work and be okay in general. However, I am in class with her this semester. It does not seem like a big deal on the surface level, because we are generally on good terms and still chat as friends etc. But today it really got at me and has all these previous emotions resurfacing. We were talking before the lecture, and it just got me thinking about how much things have changed, and how she is sort of the only person in my course that I am comfortable enough to talk to. She has a lot of friends at uni, so when they came in I was sort of brushed aside. She does not do this intentionally, and she is more supportive than most. But I know she feels weird about it all. It's sad because she used to be a big part of my life during uni time. Lunches. staying over after classes etc. I'm sort of just interested to see how this semester will play out. I managed last semester well not having her there or seeing each other because I never saw her. But this semester, having her there is just a constant reminder that things are not the same. It is only first class, but I think I just needed to collect my thoughts before I dwell on it too much and it tears me up.

R_C Struggling with the truth
  • replies: 10

It's my first post, and I'm not sure if there's anything wrong with me so I might just be wasting your time. But anyway I've been going through the HSC and I've been feeling really down, the only time I'm really happy at all now is when I'm with my d... View more

It's my first post, and I'm not sure if there's anything wrong with me so I might just be wasting your time. But anyway I've been going through the HSC and I've been feeling really down, the only time I'm really happy at all now is when I'm with my dog. Two of my close friends have been depressed and one recently hurt themself and is in the hospital. They are so much worse than I am so I feel like I'm a wimp or useless because I can't survive my easy life. As the title says I've been struggling with telling anyone about it, or even showing that I'm upset. I haven't told anyone or sought help up until this point because I thought I was just being selfish. I've become good at presenting a facade but my biggest fear it to be a disappointment to my family. Both my parents are really talented and so is my elder sister, but I'm not as good as them. I don't cry which is also why I thought I wasn't really depressed. Even talking about this now makes me feel like I'm wasting time. I guess I was just hoping for someone to help me communicate with my family about how I feel, and whether or not I should seek professional help.

Kdart outlets for sadness or anger?
  • replies: 2

in the last 2 years I've recently come to notice that my ability to not let go of anger or sadness has ultimately been the downfall of my social life and relationship, I was hoping people would have ideas of ways to move past feelings that you strugg... View more

in the last 2 years I've recently come to notice that my ability to not let go of anger or sadness has ultimately been the downfall of my social life and relationship, I was hoping people would have ideas of ways to move past feelings that you struggle to let go of? I tried music and song writing, which was effective for the first 2 weeks once hit my low point, but as my sadness has consumed my creativity, I'm kinda in a slump, any help is good help. Please and thank you.