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

I_am_a_Failure People dislike me and I literally have zero friends..
  • replies: 4

Hey! I am fairly shy and embarrassed to post this but you know, so anyways. I can't really socialise as much anymore because people seem to have zero interest in me, and I get sad lonely and have no self esteem to even try to bother getting friends a... View more

Hey! I am fairly shy and embarrassed to post this but you know, so anyways. I can't really socialise as much anymore because people seem to have zero interest in me, and I get sad lonely and have no self esteem to even try to bother getting friends as people find me awkward or just really odd. I feel like I have depression which I won't go much into. But the thing is I don't get why people do though, what have I done wrong to be treated like a ghost or whatever. I have however attempt to find new friends and they ignore me or think I am not "good". I honestly get upset cause I am lonely yet people tell me things get better or go outside, honestly when I am told that I feel like they don't understand me until I go into depth on why and etc. I only have 1 friend but they pretty much ghosting me so I have none, i always am told you do have some. The fact that peoples lives are better and most of ours which makes me sad and people judge me because of how I talk and pronounce words when I have difficulty in speaking, typing or understanding it sometimes, I barely have friends to tell this to so I decided to attempt it here and see what advice I get. I really want to know but I will be posting another one probably later sometime next two weeks. Hopefully people would understand and that.

Bob_S Running out of room to escape? time to fight? with med?
  • replies: 3

Hi all, I'm turning 21 and finding myself out of room to escape from my anxiety & depression. Here's the breakdown: I've always had both depression and anxiety, since the age of 6-7 from memory. However, probably due to my grandfather's love for fish... View more

Hi all, I'm turning 21 and finding myself out of room to escape from my anxiety & depression. Here's the breakdown: I've always had both depression and anxiety, since the age of 6-7 from memory. However, probably due to my grandfather's love for fishing, I've learned over the years that thrilling outdoors activities forces me to take my mind off these negative thoughts, and "live in the moment", in these good times, I feel truly close to those around me and negative thoughts rarely come up. However, like how there are no never-ending banquets, these activities become "normal" and lose their thrill, and I come back to the starting point, and the few friends I've been able to make, as well as my family, feel like they are way too distant to grasp, like how water slips through my fingers when I try to grasp it. (To be honest, it's also probably due to my anxiety/fear of been seen as someone who is depressed and 'need help', thus over the years, I've worked very hard to build a facade that I'm a healthy, positive, optimistic and adventurous.) And now, I have found myself at a crossroad. In order to keep things exciting and keep my depression away, I've been progressing up the outdoor/extreme sports ladder. it all started with fishing, then camping, afterwards, there's downhill mountain biking, 4wd, freediving/spearfishing/scuba-diving. HOWEVER....These are also quickly becoming unable to keep my depression away, YET... I can no longer afford to tap into new activities. Thus, why I believe I have come to a stop in my escape. Recently, I've been thinking of new ways to fight my problems. 1st(&worst): Alcohol/Drug, I don't drink, nor do drugs, for the reason that I fear I would develop a dependence on it, thus not a viable option. 2nd: Find a girlfriend to take my attention off....but my anxiety is like a leg iron...thus, I haven't dared to seek a girlfriend even in the good times, let alone now. 3rd: seek professional help.... nope, anxiety. 4th (&probably last): antidepressant medication???? I have a growing suspicion that medication would be my last and final resort... Does anyone have any experience like mine? any recommendations? Many thanks for reading my rant on myself. this is the first time that I have ever spoken out, I think it makes me feel a bit better. Sincerely, ME.

Zoneey I am too stupid
  • replies: 2

I think I am more stupid than average. 1. I am not used to more than a week’s work 2. I always make stupid mistakes 3. My friends are so much more independent and better. My family too 4. I am not good enough

I think I am more stupid than average. 1. I am not used to more than a week’s work 2. I always make stupid mistakes 3. My friends are so much more independent and better. My family too 4. I am not good enough

daisyqueen So depressed - don’t even know where to begin.
  • replies: 2

It’s been a few years since I’ve posted on here and only recently I’ve felt so terrible that I’ve turned back here. I’m 22 now, have an amazing partner and I have a reliable job. I should be happy, but I’m not. I feel lost, I have no sense of myself ... View more

It’s been a few years since I’ve posted on here and only recently I’ve felt so terrible that I’ve turned back here. I’m 22 now, have an amazing partner and I have a reliable job. I should be happy, but I’m not. I feel lost, I have no sense of myself anymore. My concentration and focus on things is next to non existent, I’ve gained weight, my body aches, I’m tired all the time and the only way I can sleep is with sedatives or bipolar medication. All of which seem to point toward severe depression. I don’t know how I let myself get this bad. I didn’t even notice. I don’t know what to do. I tried talking to a psychologist not long ago when my partner and I were having issues, but I never really went back to it. My brother died 2 months ago - he was my half brother & a lot older. I didn’t really know him that well but I feel like I haven’t allowed myself to grieve. I feel like I’ve just shut myself down, carried on. Having a stable job should do something, but I’m on edge all the time. I feel like I’m just waiting for the ball to drop, for them to fire me. Apparently I ‘sigh’ too much & I get yelled at ‘you have to stop sighing’ - I didn’t even notice I was - being heavier and running around all day, I find it hard to breathe. I feel like I may have mild asthma or something. I go out of my way to be nice to patients that come in, to co-workers, to my bosses, I stay back beyond my rostered hours, I have taken on so much more than my job description allows, yet I still feel like I’m not doing enough, like I’m just.. nothing. My bosses look down on me, like I’m a means to an end. I can’t really explain it to let everyone see what I mean but I’m mentally exhausted worrying and trying to prove myself. Having someone yell at me for breathing without trying to tell me gently has just set me off today. I drove home in tears. I started this job 2 months ago knowing nothing about the role itself, only the industry. All the girls at work talk, laugh, joke - they’re good friends. I see them tagging each other in Facebook things - I’m just sitting there wondering where I went wrong. I don’t have friends anymore, I don’t know how to talk to anyone, I don’t know how to be close. I’ve moved away from my home, from my parents, to be with my partner but I’m just feeling lost. My partner & I don’t talk as much anymore even though we live together. I don’t know who I am anymore. I miss my animals. I just miss me. I miss the person I thought I could be.

Wet_Bread Looking For Resources To Help Me
  • replies: 4

I have been looking for something or someone to help with my mental state for a while. I have not been diagnosed with any mental illnesses as I have never had the chance to talk to a professional. However, I have been experiencing a few suicidal thou... View more

I have been looking for something or someone to help with my mental state for a while. I have not been diagnosed with any mental illnesses as I have never had the chance to talk to a professional. However, I have been experiencing a few suicidal thoughts throughout the weeks and so I took it as a sign to seek help. School has been rough as this is now my 11th year, parents are now expecting more of me as I slowly age into a young adult, I no longer talk to my friends as I don't have the motivation to, I now sleep for an average of 4 hours because I have trouble falling asleep (currently taking medication for this issue), and life in general is a boring and tough concept to me. So, I really do want to change my perspective on these things and maybe talk to someone if it's what I need. However, the issue is that I don't want my parents or anyone to know that I need to talk to the school council, therapist, phycologist, or any other professionals that are available. I don't want anyone to be concerned or worried about how I've been feeling and seeing them otherwise would make me feel even worse about myself. I also have trouble calling up helplines and talking to them through calls as I tend to get extremely nervous and panicky whenever I do. I really hope to find some other alternative and I see this as the very last resort. As a minor, is there a way to seek mental help without others knowing? Especially parents?

Anakin_Skywalker Sexting and anxiety
  • replies: 3

Hello there, I’m bi or gay and 17. I have never had any like sexual experiences so I wasn’t ready for what was to come, basically about 3 months ago I was somehow harassed into sending nudes to someone who turned out to be Lying about there age, and ... View more

Hello there, I’m bi or gay and 17. I have never had any like sexual experiences so I wasn’t ready for what was to come, basically about 3 months ago I was somehow harassed into sending nudes to someone who turned out to be Lying about there age, and this happened on 2 occasions both with different people both within the same time. I just hate my self how that happened, I often stress about it and can’t sleep properly, sometimes don’t feel hungry, and can’t get it off my mind, and other times really hate myself for what I did i just want to know if anyone else has had an experience like this, and how I can cope with this

Historyfan01 Moving on from something causing you pain
  • replies: 3

I've had a lot of things happen since I last used the forums but I'll start with the most recent event For the past 4 years of my life, I have been attempting to make it in the video production industry, studying it at University and doing any work e... View more

I've had a lot of things happen since I last used the forums but I'll start with the most recent event For the past 4 years of my life, I have been attempting to make it in the video production industry, studying it at University and doing any work experience I could. However I've faced many dramas doing so from courses being changed, communications falling flat with companies I did work with and just not being cut out for the industry due to anxiety and social phobias. I've had a strong passion for movies my entire life as long as I can remember but I cannot make it work I've decided I want to move on and try something else, find something else that I can shine in and be great at but I find letting go of the vid production thing hard. Part of my brain keeps repeating to continue, but I feel it would be hurting me to keep trying. So I need advice on how to let go, move on and try another adventure to see if I can find my calling.

Belle_Rey19 I don't know what life/job I should have
  • replies: 2

Hi, I am in my early twenties and I don't know what to do with my life. I've never had a job before and I struggle with social anxiety and depression. I'm going to graduate from University in 2 months with a bachelor of arts majoring in creative writ... View more

Hi, I am in my early twenties and I don't know what to do with my life. I've never had a job before and I struggle with social anxiety and depression. I'm going to graduate from University in 2 months with a bachelor of arts majoring in creative writing...but I regret doing that major. I want to write books and publish them but that's going to be something more on the side. I just don't have the confidence in working in a publishing firm which was what I was intending when I decided on that degree. Now everyone will ask me 'What are you going to do next?" "are you doing honors?" My degree won't get me any job and is pretty much useless. So in a way, I feel like I've wasted 4 years of my life. My plan is to write books on the side, maybe sell some art on an online art store and then have my main job. I just don't know what I want for that main job. My plan I had a month ago was to go to TAFE and do animal studies so I could work with animals and help them because I love my pets and I want to care for animals...until I found out how low paying all the jobs are and that if I want to move out of my parent's house then I won't be able to support myself on a salary of $20aud an hour. I really want this but the low pay is the only thing stopping me. I have a strong desire to help animals. My mum suggested that I should do a diploma in nursing and work as an enrolled nurse instead of a veterinary nurse or zookeeper, etc. The pay is much better and nurses are respected too. BUT...I just don't know if caring for people is something that I'll like...I've never done it before so I'm just unsure. This has been really stressing me out and causing me a lot of distress I just don't know what to do. I don't want to be living in my mum's house at the age of 30 because I want to be independent and feel like my life has actually started, you know? I also have hobbies like karate. I want to start dancing and also act in plays and movies because I used to really want to be an actress. I feel like a failure and that I've disappointed my mum and myself. I compare myself to other people and I don't want my life to be meaningless. I don't want to be unhappy. I can't remember the last time I was happy. I REALLY miss being a kid. You dreamt of things and you didn't feel like a disappointment. Kids have the ability to dream and be happy and I feel like I can't do that no matter how hard I try. Other people look at me as if I'm okay but the truth is on the inside, I'm drowning.

Zoneey My worthless life
  • replies: 3

Hey guys. just ignore me, I am just venting I AM SO STUPID!!!! Like, I always do really bad during NAPLAN tests (annual test for years 7,9 and 11) Plus I have no purpose. I’ve been told a million times I have a purpose but what is it then? What do I ... View more

Hey guys. just ignore me, I am just venting I AM SO STUPID!!!! Like, I always do really bad during NAPLAN tests (annual test for years 7,9 and 11) Plus I have no purpose. I’ve been told a million times I have a purpose but what is it then? What do I do? I’m clearly just a useless burden. Even now I’m being a burden. I mean, no one needs to know about my life. Mainly because it’s probably useless.

CookieFrog Family trouble
  • replies: 12

Hey, I wanted to see if anyone has some advice for me because I’m struggling with my parents at the moment. Especially my Dad. I just started high school and I feel so pressured. It started as a small fight about needing to wok harder but it has turn... View more

Hey, I wanted to see if anyone has some advice for me because I’m struggling with my parents at the moment. Especially my Dad. I just started high school and I feel so pressured. It started as a small fight about needing to wok harder but it has turned into an all out war. I really hate fighting with my parents but every time I try to talk about anything my Dad gets so angry. I know he has good intentions but sometimes he actually gets scary. A couple days ago he threw my school bag across my bedroom and yelled in my face. It seems crazy but I feel much better when I’m at school. Does anyone have advice on what I should do? I’ve also been feeling really depressed lately and can’t get much sleep. I’m just too scared to tell my parents in fear that it will make things worse. I decided today that I would try here because I had another fight as usual and sent my mum some stuff telling her how angry I was. Mum texted back comforting me and helping me feel better but then Half an hour later I got a message from my dad saying that I should be ashamed of my disgusting behaviour and that he was going to take away my phone and a bunch of Privileges for a while on weekends. He says he will talk later but I’m sure this talk is just another fight. My mum obviously doesn’t know about the message because she was comforting me and saying the opposite. All of this is making me so depressed. What do I do?