Even though you're not sure that they understood, it was really good that you called them in the first place @redhead and perhaps after some sleep things may feel a little clearer and calmer for you. Take care tonight  ... View more

Thanks for letting me know you're safe @redhead. I really appreciate it. If following your plan is making things feel worse, I would really encourage you to contact your crisis supports, as they might be able to offer you some alternative and specific suggestions    Do you feel you can do that if you need? ... View more

I'm sorry to hear this @redhead. It sounds like things are feeling a bit detached and pretty confusing at the moment. Do you feel that you can stay safe tonight? And follow your safety plan?      ... View more

I can definitely understand being a bit nervous to go chat to someone @Bookworm2004. It can feel pretty daunting but just remember mental health supporters like psychs or counselors chat to people all day about this type of stuff and making someone feel comfortable and heard is part of their job...    It sounds like your friends have noticed somethings wrong and even though you've said you're fine, I'd say they probably have a sense that you're not??? I know you may feel like you're burdening them by sharing with them what's been going on but I'm not sure that's how it would go... Do you feel burdened when you support your friends?   And importantly: What advice would you give a friend who was going through a similar situation? ... View more

Hey @Bookworm2004 I'm sorry to hear you're going through this, it sounds like things are really tough for you at the moment. I think you've already done one of the biggest things that can help and that's simply asking for help and seeking support   I've found a couple of RO articles which you might also find helpful. One is about mental health issues  and the other is about 6 ways to get help for Mental Health issues. Is this the first time you've really spoken to anyone about what's going on for you or are you currently chatting to someone (psych, counselor, helpline)? If not this might be the best next step to take, particularly as you've been thinking about self-harm and feeling like you need to get away from the pain.   I'll pop some helpline info below for you, because it might be helpful to save / bookmark them into your phone, so that if you ever feel unsafe or in crisis you can call them straight away:   Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 Lifeline 13 11 14 eheadspace      ... View more

I'm really sorry to read this @Bee there sounds like there a couple of key stressors which may be influencing how you've been feeling and it's understandable you would feel concerned and scared. I also think it's really brave you've shared what's been going on for you and hopefully this is a big step towards being able to process what's going on for you... It's amazing how well you've been doing with regards to staying safe, you should feel really proud of yourself... Is there a particular strategy that you've found helpful in keeping yourself safe? I'm also sorry you don't feel like you can chat to your family or GP about what's been going on, it sounds like some one-to-one support would be helpful. When do you go to see your psychologist?    ... View more

That would be really hard to hear @MemphisBelle but sometimes if people don't understand your vision, your passion and your determination then they can tend to question it or be a naysayer about it... but ultimately this is your dream and if you want to make it happen, it will!     ... View more

Hey @MemphisBelle thank you for letting us know that you're not in any danger, it's very much appreciated and I think feeling like crying and being in an FU mood is very understandable considering what's happened. I think @litgym has given you some fantastic advice, how are you feeling now a little time has past since your post? ... View more

 After reading through that info I would say that it seems like one of the aims of antidepressant medications is to change how your feeling emotionally and because people can react so differently to each medication, it's really important to chat to the GP about how it's effecting you both physically and mentally @litgym    I am sorry that you're finding it hard to open up to the GP (especially with your mum in the room) but I'm sure the GP has seen all different types of reactions to medications and is very used to having to adjust or change peoples meds to suit them better and reduce side effects. Is it worth trying to write down what you would say on your phone? (i.e. you feel less irritable and angry but you think that your darker thoughts - about death in particular have increased). That way you could read it out? I know this may not make it more comfortable for you to actually say but when we're feeling uncomfortable or stressed our mind can go blank and at least you'll have a prompt to follow  ... View more

Hey @litgym I think this is definitely something that you want to discuss with your GP tomorrow, as there could be a number of factors influencing the medications effects (dosage, time to start working, and some can produce adverse side effects). So it's really important your GP knows and can monitor, adjust or switch things up for you. And if they haven't already maybe get them to talk you through some of side effects of the medication with you that way you're a bit more prepared.   With regards to some general info on anti-depressant medication check out this RO link here and a fact sheet link here   Do you feel comfortable chatting to your GP about this?  ... View more

Hello again @Sanya I will be logging off shortly and have just sent you a quick email, if you have a moment to take a look  ... View more

I'm so sorry to read this has happened to you @Sanya. We have had a couple of somewhat similar experiences shared from members lately, so you are certainly and unfortunately not alone in this type of experience and we want you to know that no one ever deserves for something like this happen to them.   Understandably, it sounds like things are quite confusing for you at the moment, so I thought I'd share some information with you regarding  sexual consent and   sexual assault,  which may help to clarify things for you a little bit.    To help understand the emotions you're experiencing and work through them, I think it's really important to take that next step and get some one-on-one support as soon as possible.    I would link you into some local support services, however with your reference to college, I'm thinking you may not be based in Australia?    Also just a quick note, I've moved your post to our tough times - somethings not right section due to the nature of the content and I edited out one of the more graphic details in the post. If you need more info on this, please check out our community guidelines here. ... View more

Welcome to RO @4rentity and thank you for offering others support across different threads    I think you've hit on a such a big topic with loneliness and like @DruidChild I actually think it would make an awesome stand alone thread for people to get involved in as it comes up quite a lot across peoples posts! and would help people to feel less alone in that feeling.  ... View more

I've found that type of activity so helpful @DruidChild    ... View more

Hey @DruidChild I'm sorry to read things have been rough. It's awesome you've been able to do some self-care (mindfulness and tea) and supporting others on RO today. Do you use an app or a specific type of for the mindfulness exercise? ... View more

Hey @Blurryphaced it sounds like things are feeling a bit overwhelming for you due to the lack of structure and tasks to do over the break. First off, I'd like to check in about your safety, do you feel that you can stay safe tonight?   Secondly, perhaps during the holidays, creating your own structure and activity plan may be helpful? This could include scheduling times to read, study, exercise, cook. You can make it as detailed as you like.    And finally I think creating a safety plan for yourself might also be helpful, so listing all the things you could do when your thoughts of suicide increase (i.e. helpline numbers to call, distraction techniques to try). Do you have a counsellor or psych at the moment who could help you with this? Or are there any helplines that you've found helpful during these times? ... View more

Welcome to RO @LimaLima and thank you for sharing what's been going on for you.    As @Libellule said you should be really proud of yourself and your efforts and as @4rentity suggests perhaps the psychedelics have been a coping tool for you. However, it sounds like the psychedelics are having some pretty serious effects on you, like memory loss and changes in personality. Moving forward, I would also advocate for going to see your GP, and perhaps giving Directline a call on  1800 888 236, as they offer 24/7 alcohol and drug counselling, and may be able to refer you to the best supports and info for you (positive coping strategies, safety planning etc).   I've also found some info on RO on drug use and addictions, so feel free to check out some further info here and here . And just a small note, I've add a trigger warning (TW) to your post just in case some people find the content a bit triggering.     ... View more

Hey @Matty D that's awesome that you're feeling better and calmer now. What do you think helped you to feel better? ... View more

Hi @Suhail  feeling connected, loved and supported is so important to our wellbeing and I'm sorry you're feeling lonely at the moment. It's fantastic you're reaching out online for support    I have just sent you a quick email if you could please take a look.  ... View more

Hey @amycharles111, I'm so sorry to hear what's happened to you. It sounds like a really difficult situation to process and I think it's really powerful that you've reached out and shared what's happened to you. It's so important that we talk about these experiences, as it helps us to begin to process and heal.   Understandably, it sounds like things are quite confusing for you at the moment, so I thought I'd share some information with you regarding sexual consent, sexual assault and support for sexual assault, which may help to clarify things for you a little bit.    I can only imagine the roller-coaster of emotions you would be feeling right now and to help understand them and work through them, I think it's really important to take that next step and get some one-on-one support as soon as possible.    1800 RESPECT is a confidential information, counselling and support service for people impacted by sexual assault and it's available 24/7. Would you feel comfortable chatting with a helpline like this or do you have a support person you could book an appointment with?   I also just wanted to let you know I have edited out a couple of the more graphic details in your post, and I added a trigger warning in the title, as we just try to be mindful of creating a safe space for everyone to share and receive support. I hope you can understand.   Finally, please know you are not alone in this and we are here to support you      ... View more

Don't worry about posting twice @Matty D, I have to make edits to my posts all the time and have posted more than once (by accident) on many occasions. I really like the advice @safari93 and @annabethxchase have given you and I was also thinking perhaps it might be helpful to rethink "mistakes" a little bit.   Mistakes are a very normal part of everyday life. We all make them and I think sometimes it can be more helpful to focus on how we can fix the mistake or learn from it, rather than focusing too much on the fact we made the mistake in the first place.   Does that make sense?       ... View more

Thanks for your reply @BunnyWalks. I think @safari93 has offered some great advice below, particularly around perhaps finding some people, organisations or groups who have shared similar experiences. That way you might get the chance to both listen to and share your experience in safe and comfortable environment... which in turn may help you to speak your truth, in as you say an informative manner that helps the person understand in a respectful way.   Or another option which may also help would be to go and have a chat to a counselor or psychologist... again I think it's about feeling comfortable and safe and perhaps if people ask you about your background in the meantime, I feel like its more than okay to tell people it's an emotional subject that you're not quite ready to talk about      ... View more

You're welcome @bigmommashouse and I think you are doing really well in managing things. You've become a member of RO; you're talking to your gf; and you've called and left a message for your psychologist. All of this is very proactive and is key to you staying safe today. I am really concerned that you don't feel safe at all in relation to self-harm.    Do you have a safety plan to follow when you're in this space?   I know it's hard if you haven't used a helpline before but I would again really like to encourage you to call Kidshelpline or Lifeline, as it sounds like you're in need of some one-to-one crisis support (even it's just to get you through while you wait for your psychologist to get back to you).   ... View more

Welcome to RO @bigmommashouse and thank you for sharing what's been going on for you. It sounds like things are quite difficult at the moment, particularly with managing / coping with your emotions and stressors? Which may be why your urge to self-harm has intensified over the last month or so.   I think it's really important to acknowledge the courage it's taken for you to reach out and  express yourself as openly as you have, particularly when you've been feeling like you can't tell people how bad things are right now. We are always here to listen and I'm sure other members will jump in and offer some support and advice shortly   Right now though I'd really like to focus on your safety. Do you feel that you can stay safe today? As it sounds like having work tonight is causing you some stress? I'm thinking perhaps some one-to-one support may be helpful right now.  You mention your parents are away, is this something you could speak to you gf about? Or is it perhaps best to maybe have a chat to a helpline today? I'll list a couple for you, just in case you feel like chatting to someone:   Kids Helpline is great - 1800 55 1800 Lifeline 13 11 14     ... View more

Hey @gezellig I just wanted to touch base on your post, as I think a lot of people will identify with what you're going through. I know I did when I was younger and I'll tell you what @Bee has really hit the nail on the head. Everything changed for me when I started to learn more about the mind body connection and started practicing yoga. It sounds a bit corny but these were really game changers for me AND actually what was really helpful was reading Deepak Chopra's "Reinventing the Body, Resurrecting the Soul : How to Create a New Self". I found it totally reshaped the way I understood my body and my mind. Before all of this I just felt like they were two very separate entities that were almost at war with each other!   Anyway just know you're both not alone in this struggle, and we are here to listen and support you both    ... View more

This sounds like a really difficult situation to be in @Nightruner23. As it sounds like you are trying your hardest to gain some independence and autonomy, however is sounds like you feel your Mum isn't believing in your ability to be independent and is undermining your efforts?   I also noticed you said that you think your Mum believes she is helping you but that you feel she is actually hurting you... Is there anyway to try and communicate this to her in a way where she would really hear you? For example, by writing her a letter or with the help of a mediator (a trusted family member or friend) or a counsellor?    We here to help you through this @Nightruner23 ... View more

Hi @BunnyWalks I'm really sorry to hear that you feel very self-conscious in Australia and feel nervous about your identity; and you've actually brought to my attention that asking someone about where they're from can actually be quite triggering for them. I wonder if like me, these people who asked what Malaysia is like, may not have realised the impact of the question for you?    When you say that it's hard for you to talk about your home country in a socially acceptable manner? Is this because you feel you'll be expressing a side of your home country that people may be unaware of or may not accept? Or is it more that when you try to explain things there is a lot of emotion there so it may not come across as intended?   From reading your post, I think it's important for you to feel empowered and that you can speak your truth open and honestly; because you know what when people speak from their truth, others tend to respect it, and in telling people you not only educate others about what's happening in the world, you also create a deeper understanding for them of your experience.    ... View more

Hey @Matty D I think it may depend on the person because some people may be a little hurt if they feel ignored, especially if they have asked you a question. However I think most people realise that with online communication there can sometimes be a bit of delay in our response time if we're busy. If I've replied to someone a bit late, I always just say "I'm sorry it's taken me so long to get back to you..."   I also always like to put myself in the other person's position. For example, if I asked someone a question and they ignored me, would I feel that they were being rude?   I hope that's helpful!   ... View more

I really should give it a go hey @scared01 if I come up with anything I'll post it for you!  ... View more