Hey @ruthxxx and @jasmine12345678    Sorry to interject. It's lovely to see you two supporting each other and making friends on here . I'm just posting here to let you know I edited out some identifying details. We just need to be conscious about how much we reveal about ourselves on this forum because it is an anonymous forum. This means we avoid stating our first/second names, location/address, photos of ourselves/others, schools/universities, workplace etc. We encourage this for your own safety. We do allow some details of course because you can't idenfity a person by their first name and age, but when you start adding in other details then you may be identifiable, so we just want to err on the side of caution . Just thought I'd highlight that for you two. But otherwise, keep chatting and supporting each other as that's what the forums are meant for    Hope you've had an enjoyable weekend!  ... View more

Hi @Izzyy  Thanks for sharing. I had to remove some identifying details from your post. Remaining anonymous is one of our community guidelines. A full list of our community guidelines can be found here.      ... View more

Hey @Izzyy    Welcome to ReachOut and thank you for sharing your story. I'm really sorry you had to experience this. It must be really scary to reflect on the past and to  try and come to terms with what happened. It's important to know that it's not your fault, at all. At ages 9-11 we often lack the level of maturity and knowledge to speak up or fight back when something feels wrong - and we are often really impressionable. So it's possible that could've happened to any 9 year old, and says little about you as a person. You are not to blame.    I'm glad to hear you haven't self-harmed in a year  . I imagine the thought of telling someone in real life would be really daunting. However, your mind is probably building it up to be scarier than what it actually is. I come across many users on this forum who are scared to open up about things in real life, but once they do, they are relieved to find out it wasn't that bad. I'd highly encourage you to speak up. Talking about things can help so much. Often just getting things off our chest, and having someone listen, help significantly.    Would you consider telling a parent/guardian or school counselor?  Also, I recently sent you an email, so please check your emails when you get a chance.    Thinking of you  ... View more

Hey @Cheeseburger    It's unfortunate that your friends aren't being supportive. We're here to listen and support you (as best we can) along your journey I hope you know that  ... View more

I'm glad to hear your safe. Thank you for confirming safety. Yes, if you do become unsafe, then it would be a good idea to ask to go to hospital. You're displaying great help-seeking behaviour for other users on the forums to model, so thank you.   What can you do to ease your distress right now? Might it be a good idea to separate yourself from this all, go to your room, and read or draw or do some activity you enjoy?  ... View more

Hey @Tiny_leaf    Sorry to hear that home life has been difficult for you. It never is pleasant to hear our parents/relatives arguing. It can disrupt the whole household! I feel you regarding the "hyper-empathy" stuff. I think I have those tendencies too. If there's tension in the room, I feel it even if it doesn't involve me. It can become exhausting at times.    You said that you wanted do disappear, which is a little ambiguous. Are you able to confirm your safety for me? ... View more

Hey @Bento    Thanks for sharing that story.  I read it and really enjoyed it. I really liked the following line: "I feel like the longer I get to live, the more I’ll be able to know myself.”   Beautiful story. It's always lovely to hear about people who have recovered (or have learnt to manage) their mental health struggles. Stories like this really do spread hope, so thank you.    An art portfolio sounds awesome. I'd love it if you shared some work - so long as it doesn't jeopardize your anonymity in any way. Writing a book is also an awesome idea. Self-expression is great for the mind and soul   You said "... but all the negative reinforcement from people saying how there’s no hope for us has just kept on beating me down.. That’s what I hate about the society here in Melbourne, it just feels like there’s this really unhealthy negative mentality people have that makes it feel like a really toxic place, and I feel like I just don’t fit in."   Could you please clarify what you mean? Do you think that other states or countries are less hateful or toxic? Are there people in particular who are telling you there's no hope? Is it like your circle of friends? Sorry, I'm just trying to understand what you're going through ... View more

Hey @Blurryphaced    Thanks for sharing. Awesome to hear you practiced some self-care yesterday.  ... View more

Hey @LizO1997    Thanks for sharing. Your story is something I can personally relate to. My grandma worries about everything. I love her to death, but yes, at times it can become frustrating. She worries over the smallest things. I said I wanted to get a bike the other day to go on bike rides (along the river, not on the road) with my boyfriend, and she was against the idea because its "dangerous". She's pretty much against any idea that involves me leaving the house. So yes, I definitely hear you. To be quite honest, I'd usually not listen to her anyway,  but she doesn't get too upset at me for it. Or she might in the moment (because she was worried), but then she'd get over it.. I'd usually laugh things off. I'd also say "grandma, if I was at home all the time and had no social plans, then you'd be worried then too, so just be happy that I'm going out..." I guess it helps that I have my parents who stick up for me going out though. Could your parents try talking to your grandma for you?   If you could clarify - you said 9 times out of 10 you don't get a lift. Do you mean when you ask your grandma for a lift, she usually says no? If so, that's pretty rough on you and I understand how frustrating that would be. Would she feel better if your friends came over, and you two headed out together? At least she sees that you're with someone?    You mentioned wanting to hurt yourself earlier. Are you still having these thoughts?    ... View more

Hey @StrawberryShortcake    Firstly, welcome to the forums and thank you for sharing your story. It was very courageous of you to express yourself. I hope that you find the forums helpful.    Secondly, there are many people who can relate to what you're going through. I know that doesn't make things any easier but at least you know you aren't alone. Depression and anxiety are very widespread and well-known, which means they are well-researched and that there is a lot of help out there for such conditions.  I'd really encourage you to seek professional support, and sooner rather than later if possible . Things can definitely get better!    On that note, are you seeking any professional support such as seeing a counselor or psychologist? Have you spoken to a parent or guardian about any of this?  ... View more

Hey @Cheeseburger    Lovely to hear from you.    It's great to hear that you're beginning to feel more and more like yourself again, and that you've found a boyfriend who makes you happy.    I imagine transitioning would be quite a daunting experience. I'm sure lots of questions and thoughts are running through your head. It's a huge decision, and comes with a lot of change.    I noticed that you are reluctant to transition due to what OTHERS are telling you. You should do what your heart wants. Try not to let what others say impact your decision. I know it's easier said than done. It's just..there are always going to be people who disapprove of your decision - no matter what decision you make. So, just do what is right for you, and if people aren't supportive, then that tells you that perhaps they are not the best company for you... It is harder with school though (I'm assuming your in high-school) because you are forced to be around certain unhelpful people. I promise things get better post high-school. You have more freedom to surround yourself with people who are more on your level. And it'll make you realise how unimportant the nasty people's opinions were.   If you don't mind me asking, who is telling you to hurt yourself (without naming them)? I find it really horrible  How are you coping with hearing such terrible words?  Have you talked it through with a relative or professional?   Thinking of you  ... View more

Hey @SomeoneNADJS    It's great that S was eventually okay with coming out to your trans friend. Does this mean you are going to come out to them? Speaking to another person in a similar situation can be really good for one's well-being. However, like your mum said, you need to feel ready. Take your time with it. Don't pressure yourself.    It was very courageous of you to open up to your mum. Writing an email was a really great idea. It's good that you thought outside the box, and were able to communicate with you mum in a way that felt comfortable to you. How did your mum respond?   You're taking all the right steps to keep safe. It shows how very determined, courageous and strong you are throughout all of this .  ... View more

Hey @Pasta    I'm glad to hear you arrived at your grandma's safely. Though I'm a little bit concerned that you're walking, alone, for 40 minutes at night time. Is this something you do often? [this is my grandma coming out of me - she worries a lot, haha]   In your last post, you said "it kept saying things about traumatic events..." - if you don't mind me asking, who/what is "it" referring to?   It's awesome that you took some photos today. It's good to distract ourselves with activities even if they don't feel as enjoyable as they once were. What did you take photos of?  I love looking at photos of flowers and birds and nature in general.    Also, did you end up speaking to your KHL counselor? It's great that you're looking forward to sessions with your counselor. You must have bonded quite well with him/her .  ... View more

Wow that sucks. I'm sorry you had to experience that - them ganging up on you. Feeling left out can be the worst feeling but it is one that we all experience. I remember sometimes feeling that way in high-school, but it has gotten better with age and I don't often feel that way anymore. Gee I'm really sorry it wasn't a good experience for you. Sending you my love and thoughts today      I'd love to see the sand mermaid you created. Please share when you can .    How are you spending your weekend? ... View more

Hi @ruthxxx    Welcome to the ReachOut forums and thank you so much for sharing. It sounds like you're going through a really hard time. It is very brave of you to reach out like you have done today .    I know it's easier said than done but I'd encourage you to talk to your parents about how you're feeling, then they might be able to help you access professional support outside school if you feel uncomfortable seeing your school counsellor. It's definitely not easy to speak up but most of the time, it's worth it. Generally speaking, parents want the best for their children, and will do their best to help them in any way they can.   Is speaking to a parent something you'd consider? We come across many users who are afraid to open up to their parents, but once they do, they realize it wasn't as scary as it seemed.    Also, I've had to edit some of your post so that it aligns with our community guideline which asks users to not share their method of self-harm. A list of our community guidelines can be found here. Please have a read of them when you get a chance  . ... View more

Hi @RMF092,   Welcome to the ReachOut Forums and thank you for sharing your story with us. It was very brave for you to express how you're feeling. It sounds like you're going through a really hard time, and I want you to know that you don't have to be going through this alone. There is so much support out there, and there is definitely nothing wrong with receiving some guidance until you're well enough to do "life" alone. People definitely can and do recover from situations like this, especially if they have the right supports in place.    It might be best if you set up some professional support. You can start by seeing a GP, who can get a mental health plan organised for you, and recommend a suitable psychologist in your area. There are also many helplines that you can call such as Kids Helpline, Lifeline, Suicide Call Back Service - all of which offer free one-on-one telephone and chat support (see our help page here for contact details). These helplines are often good to use in conjunction with receiving face-to-face support. For example, if you're feeling down, but your psychologists appointment isn't until next week, then you can always call the helplines for additional support.   There are many other ways to get help, but I think I have given you enough to focus on for now. How are you feeling about these suggestions? Do you feel confident to take these steps?   If it's all a bit too daunting, you might want to ask a friend or relative for help. It's sounds like you have a very caring and supportive family which will definitely assist with recovery. You are also always welcome to post here for support too - we have a community of amazing, non-judgmental, and welcoming people who provide words of encouragement, empathy and support to others on the daily. We are here to support you throughout your journey .   Lastly, I've had to do some minor edits to your post so it aligns with our community guidelines, which can be found here.  ... View more

Hey @Moonchild_26    Thanks for updating us. You're right - a year does go really fast! It sound like you're struggling to juggle the stress of school with the stress of relationship/ crushes. It can be a lot to deal with all at once! I noticed you called your friend Trent - is that his real name? Because if it is, then it goes against our guideline which enforces anonymity, and we're going to have to change/edit the name. A full list of our guidelines can be found here. Anyway, back to what's going on for you, have you had your bio exam yet, or is it on October 1st? Exams can be so anxiety-provoking. I did VCE almost 10 years ago now, but I still remember how stressful it was. All you can do is try your best  . Is there something in particular that you want to study at university/TAFE? Even if you don't get the mark you want, there are so many pathway options nowadays, that I'm sure you'll still be able to achieve your career goal one way or another. And that's if you don't get the mark you want. I believe you'll do just fine      ... View more

Hey @Maryhadalittlelamb    You're not a burden or a waste of space. We've seen your kindness on the forums and it is something we really appreciate. It is okay if you have taken a step back, it'll only be a matter of time before you take one, two, or even three steps forward, especially because you seem to be doing all the right things such as speaking with your counselor and removing toxic people from your life.    Do you have a parent, guardian, or older sibling that you could talk to when feeling this way?  If you ever feel like you need additional support to your counselor, you can get free counselling through these services here.    The next time you're feeling worthless, you might want to partake in some activities that make you feel better. We have many threads that could help facilitate this. For example, you could try turning negatives into positives here, or focusing on three positives of the day here. If you'd like to practice some self-care or positive coping strategies, you can get some ideas in this and this thread. If you're confused about what self-care, then have a read of this.    Thinking of you   ... View more

Hi @drpenguin    I found your post! We have a feature that marks things as spam without us knowing, sort of like a spam inbox for email accounts, and for some reason it marked your two posts as spam - I'm thinking it's related to the link that you shared? Anyway I've gone in and marked it as "not spam" for you, and it is showing up on the thread like it should now.    Thanks for bringing this up. Generally speaking, if we have removed something we'll let you know why  ... View more

Hey @drpenguin    Was this post made tonight?   ... View more

Hey @Pasta    I can hear how distressed you are. It might be a good idea for you to try some breathing exercises. Have you ever done them before? They can be extremely calming. If you like I can send you some guided breathing exercises.    I think it is absolutely fantastic that you have spoken up about how you feel. I know it might seem really scary right now, as reaching out can be a huge and hard step for everyone, but remember this is your mum and her partner - two people who probably want the best for you. I don't think it's going to go as badly as you think, and even if it does, at least you know you tried.    Ps. you are correct regarding the 10 sessions. If you get a mental health care plan from your GP, you should be eligible for 10 medicare-rebate-able psychology sessions. Some psychologists charge extra than the rebate, meaning there might be a gap fee. E.g., the psycholgist might charge $150.00, but medicare might only cover $125.00 of that, meaning you'll be out of pocket $25.00 each session. However there are some bulk billing psychologists (meaning there won't be a gap fee). If you ask your GP for a bulk billing psychologist they should be able to point you in the right direction.    Laslty - have you ever been in contact with any helplines? Services like Kids Helpline and Suicide Call Back Service offer free counselling and crisis support. See here for more information.  ... View more

Hey @Tiny_leaf    I'm glad the links I sent you were what you were looking for! Did you manage to make contact with one of the organisations today?   It sounds like you've had a rough afternoon/evening. I've had to edit some of your post out because it goes against our guidelines (see here). Are you safe at the moment?  ... View more

Hi @ApplesRoses    No worries. I also edited the title of your thread as it goes against our guidelines, and added a trigger warning to the body of the post.  ... View more

Hi @ApplesRoses    Thanks for your post.    I went to remove the links you shared but noticed a volunteer moderator beat me to it. Posting links like these go against our guidelines that ask users to not post links tor content that aren't age appropriate.   A full list of our guidelines can be found here. Please have a read of them when you get a free moment  ... View more

Hey @Tiny_leaf    I've just caught up on your thread - sorry to hear the past week has been challenging for you.    I've found some mental health advocacy services that may be of use to you, which I will email you shortly.    Hopefully things improve for you soon  ... View more

Hey @Pasta    It sounds like you had a pretty challenging night last night. It can be so hard when you're awake at that time, alone with negative thoughts. It's a bit of an eerie feeling isn't it? It's great that you used good coping strategies such as equal breathing and listening to music.    Are you feeling any better this morning?    Also I noticed you're a fairly new user. I think it is my first time responding to you. Welcome to ReachOut  . I'm maddy, one of the moderators for Reach Out. Nice to e-meet you.  ... View more

Hey @Saltwaterdreamtime    Thanks so much for sharing and updating us. Posts like yours are so important because they remind people that they can and will improve. I thought I might tag some users who were feeling quite down last night to remind them that things can get better - @mspaceK, @Bananatime04, @Tiny_leaf, @Pasta.    Saltwaterdreamtime, I'm so happy to hear that things are going well with your brother, partner, and "family"... and that you're spending you're time doing activities that you enjoy  . It made me very happy to read this.   I also love that meme haha  best!    I'm currently in the midst of applying for postgraduate courses. I recently purchased an iPad and have been doing digital drawings in my spare time. Similar to yourself, I've been spending my time catching up with my partner, friends, and family. I'd love to fit in some hiking in the near future. Any suggestions on where it might be nice to hike in Victoria?    Again, thanks so much for sharing  ... View more

Hey @mspaceK    Sorry to hear you had such a tough night . It's okay though, you made it through the night, and today is another day. It's great that you're utilizing your supports and speaking to your KHL counselor later today . You may not know it but you are being very strong throughout all of this. You are also not alone, with @Bananatime04 feeling similarly last night/ this morning. @Bananatime04 has shared some useful suggestions - do you think you'll use any of these the next time you're feeling this way?   Also, thank you for confirming your safety .    I've neglected my drawing at the moment, haha. Sometimes life gets in the way of us doing the things we enjoy! I must put aside some time for me to finish it. Thank you for asking . ... View more

Hey @Bananatime04    It sounds like you had a pretty rough night. I can hear how distressed you're feeling.   Being awake at odd hours of the night, with negative thoughts and no one to talk to, can be really challenging. Did you manage to fall asleep? How are you feeling now?    I'm so glad that you're step-mother is being understanding and supportive of you. It is really helpful to have a trusted adult to confide in and I'd encourage you to utilize her support when you need it.    Also, Thank you for confirming your safety last night  ... View more

Hey @xXLexi_Lou122Xx    Thanks for the update  . There's no need to apologise about not responding sooner. We understand that life can get busy. We don't ever want you to feel pressured to respond and we prefer if you respond when it suits you  . This is your safe space where no such thing as pressure exists    I'm so sorry to hear about the duckling. That must have been so upsetting  . I'm glad to hear that you're feeling okay with it all now though.    It's unfortunate that you're feeling unsafe at home and school, especially because these are the exact places you should feel safe. At least you feel better with your church family.    Do you know who has been writing such horrible things on the school desk? Is this something you have spoken to your teacher / year-level coordinator about?   Also, I have just sent you an email, so please look out for it    Also, thank you for following the guidelines and confirming your safety .  ... View more