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

princessamelie12 Master's student in struggletown
  • replies: 2

I'm 22- final semester master's student- this semester being my thesis semester. Since about March I've started to fall into a bit of hole (metaphorically speaking). As well as doing master's I've been dealing with two lots of family illness (one com... View more

I'm 22- final semester master's student- this semester being my thesis semester. Since about March I've started to fall into a bit of hole (metaphorically speaking). As well as doing master's I've been dealing with two lots of family illness (one completely unexpected)with immediate family as well as other mental health issues. My degree basically means I have no time for anything else but to study everyday and work part time (had to keep a high GPA through-out). Also did off semesters so I essentially did sem 1 2014, winter sem 2014, sem 2 2014, summer sem 2015 and sem 1 2015. Last semester I did 15 contact hours a week and 45,000 words of papers over 4 courses plus a 3 hour exam. On top of this I've also been applying for multiple jobs a week- working everyday and trying to play sport and maintaining my relationship. I've got a bit of a history of mental health issues, which seem to have been made worse by the family illness that I've also been dealing with as well dealing with rejection of not getting jobs (the applications have taken me up to 5-10 each- some of them demanded 1,500 word applications). On top of this, I've been sick basically since last year (was in hospital for a couple of days), I've been on antibiotics 12 times since the middle of last year for various things, and now I've got even further complications which means I'm in alot of pain most of the time. I'm on medication for this but it's been quite ineffective thus far. Some days I really struggle to get out of bed and do basic things- either because I'm in pain or because I'm feeling very very depressed/anxious. Have called in sick for work a number of times. I'm concerned about what's going to happen after I finish my thesis and going into the workforce next year. I'm bisexual and I've already found myself trying to "hide" myself to make sure I'm not being discriminated against in job applications. I thought I would essentially outgrow mental health issues- but they have just seemed to have stayed around. My partner is really caring and considerate and tries to help me- and he's also very successful (3 years older). I feel very happy and proud of him for being successful at his work, but at the same time, it also makes me feel like I've achieved nothing in comparison. Tried to speak to some professionals in my area but haven't been able to connect with them or I've been put on waiting lists. I think my resilience going to run out very soon. Advice would be much appreciated.

respite Worried I won't be treated Seriously...
  • replies: 4

Hi,I think I'm suicidal or atleast very depressed... I don't want to really talk about it right now I'm worried I will be too "cool" about it if I go to the doctors tomorrow but I really think I need help.Any experience or advice to help relay my ser... View more

Hi,I think I'm suicidal or atleast very depressed... I don't want to really talk about it right now I'm worried I will be too "cool" about it if I go to the doctors tomorrow but I really think I need help.Any experience or advice to help relay my seriousness to them. beyondblue's clinically-trained moderators often work offline (invisible to you) on issues relating to suicide or self-harm. At the same time, general supportive comments from the community are encouraged. If you have concerns around suicide or self-harm, please phone our support service on 1300 22 4636.

lel-iwish I've just been so anxious.
  • replies: 4

I am pretty sure I have depression. But I have been feeling so anxious lately. I've been doing this thing where I count stuff and when I don't I feel like I am about to have a panic attack and now slight messes really bother me. At school, I have to ... View more

I am pretty sure I have depression. But I have been feeling so anxious lately. I've been doing this thing where I count stuff and when I don't I feel like I am about to have a panic attack and now slight messes really bother me. At school, I have to have my pencils lined up or in my pencil case and it really really bothers me when my friends throw paper around. It doesn't make any sense to me as I am a naturally messy person. I got in trouble with my mum for leaving a mess in the car on the ride to school this morning and when she told me off, I was so nervous. I felt like I couldn't breathe and my heart was beating really fast so I started to count the number of trees we drove past (24 until I lost count) and it kinda calmed me down. Also when I lose count, I get really anxious again and I feel like something really heavy in on my chest. I'm not sure why I am feeling this way or when it started. Please help.

j_dawg Anxiety??
  • replies: 12

Hi I'm new here So it's exam time at the moment and I've been feeling pretty stressed out. I'm that competitive person who wants to be good at everything. Anyway, I've been getting stomach aches, nausea, loss of appetite, headaches and sleeplessness ... View more

Hi I'm new here So it's exam time at the moment and I've been feeling pretty stressed out. I'm that competitive person who wants to be good at everything. Anyway, I've been getting stomach aches, nausea, loss of appetite, headaches and sleeplessness for these few weeks. Is that a symptom of anxiety? Before the exams, but heart races, I'm sweating and feeling faint, too. Is there anything I can do, or anything that you can recommend to help stop these feelings? I'm not sure if it's just me, but it doesn't seem too serious to go to a doctor, compared to some other people's problems here.

Rhinosamigos Not sure if depression or anxiety?
  • replies: 2

Hi, I am a 15 year old guy living in Newcastle and i'm not sure if i have anxiety or depression. I always get really self conscious about how i look all the time because of my red cheeks that my mum refuses to do anything about. Then I get really sad... View more

Hi, I am a 15 year old guy living in Newcastle and i'm not sure if i have anxiety or depression. I always get really self conscious about how i look all the time because of my red cheeks that my mum refuses to do anything about. Then I get really sad or depressed about it. Then because of high school as well there's a few episodes in there. But I always laugh with my friends all the time, not sure if it's a fake laugh or a real laugh anymore. I have totally forgotten what being excited for things feel like, when i got my braces off i didn't feel any different. I didn't get a boost in confidence at all. I always look in the mirror and point out the bad things at me. I've told mum about this and she just says "Snap out of it".

guest161 No one cares about me and I am not that attractive
  • replies: 2

People don't care about me I ask them to be friend but they just say I don't care or treat like a bad person I am not a bad person. People that treat me wrong I don't curse them or anything i just want to see everyone happy even if it takes my smile ... View more

People don't care about me I ask them to be friend but they just say I don't care or treat like a bad person I am not a bad person. People that treat me wrong I don't curse them or anything i just want to see everyone happy even if it takes my smile way what should I do?

fat_and_depressed refused treatment - ECT
  • replies: 1

Hi,I have been severely depressed for the last 3 years or so but has been extremely bad for the past 4 months, during which time I made an attempt at my life. I have enquired about ECT as a possibility to a few psychiatrists but they just shrug it of... View more

Hi,I have been severely depressed for the last 3 years or so but has been extremely bad for the past 4 months, during which time I made an attempt at my life. I have enquired about ECT as a possibility to a few psychiatrists but they just shrug it off as though it's a completely ridiculous idea . why do they do this? I am a perfect candidate. I have been on 6 different medications, been in therapy, and been hospitalised 5ish times over the duration of my mental illness and nothing has helped. I'm only 19 and maybe that's why? I told the doctors I completely understand all the side effects and that I'd rather have memory loss for the rest of my life than be dead. I feel like I have one last shot at life and recovery but no one seems to want to give it to me.I don't really know what my question is, I more just need some advice from people who've been in similar situations?Thanks beyondblue's clinically-trained moderators often work offline (invisible to you) on issues relating to suicide or self-harm. At the same time, general supportive comments from the community are encouraged. If you have concerns around suicide or self-harm, please phone our support service on 1300 22 4636. Normal 0 false false false EN-AU X-NONE X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0cm; mso-para-margin-right:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0cm; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi; mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}

Tank_Engine im stuck
  • replies: 4

Hey there. This is all new to me. Im only 21. For the past 4 or so years ive felt quite off and down, but have always found stuff (whether it be work or friends) to keep my mind occupied. Over time It has slowly become worse. Ive always been a strong... View more

Hey there. This is all new to me. Im only 21. For the past 4 or so years ive felt quite off and down, but have always found stuff (whether it be work or friends) to keep my mind occupied. Over time It has slowly become worse. Ive always been a strong willed person and managed to cope and so nobody has taken notice, which worked for me. Just recently I had a breakup with a person whom id become really close to. While im not very upset with them, I feel as though it was the tipping point and now find myself in a bad place and not sure how to get out of it. I feel as though ive given up. I find that talking doesnt seem to help and its extremely hard to keep my mind off thale fact that im down. I have seen my GP who believes I do suffer depression, and have booked an appointment with a counsellor. But im still stuck and just dont know how to deal with this or what to do. I feel helpless, but dont want to be stuck where I am. Am I alone?

Stahly Need some advice
  • replies: 10

Hey guys, i am 19yrs old and need some advice with anxiety/depression. I was diagnosed with anxiety/depression about 3 years ago. Im on antidepressant and taking regular counselling sessions. Although both of those take the edge off, i have trouble w... View more

Hey guys, i am 19yrs old and need some advice with anxiety/depression. I was diagnosed with anxiety/depression about 3 years ago. Im on antidepressant and taking regular counselling sessions. Although both of those take the edge off, i have trouble when i am at work. I find my self being really anxious, afraid and shaky. I recently quit ny job as i wasn't getting treated good and my anxiety was really going through the roof. I have found that when this happened i would drink more alcohol then i usually would so i could just escape from everything (i know its not the right thing to do). This has been the case with my past two jobs and now im about to start my new job. Im really worried about the same thing happening again and i don't want to have a new job every 6 months. Im not sure what to do and i would like some advice to help with this issue.

guest159 Need Advise.. Anxiety first timer
  • replies: 10

Hi everyone this is my first time posting on beyond blue, since this is my first time suffering from anxiety. I am 18 years old, male and working part time in my family business. These couple of months have been extremely hard for me because I've had... View more

Hi everyone this is my first time posting on beyond blue, since this is my first time suffering from anxiety. I am 18 years old, male and working part time in my family business. These couple of months have been extremely hard for me because I've had health issues that i kept to myself, and googled a lot of info about it, and i was self diagnosing myself with a lot of terrible illnesses. Finally, i opened up to my family and they took me to the doctor for those issues and my doctor has referred me to a specialist and now i am maintaining the health problems i had. The main issue now is that i am experiencing a lot of random muscle pain, chest pain, problems swallowing, back of head pain, and lost about 9 kilo and weigh 60kilo. I'm seeing a psychologist next week about it, since doctors have told me this is anxiety im going through. Everyday i say to my parents about my pains i feel everyday because im constantly thinking about the pains because it's always there, EVERYDAY since all these health issues started. Also these last couple days i've had like rabbit poo stoles everytime i go toliet. not sure if this is part of the stress? please HELP. sorry if i didn't go into depth im not the best typer