I agree with everyone here!  I think it really resonated how important it is for those coming out to have a supportive social network that they can rely on. That feeling of relief and freedom when you are finally able to live as your true authentic self is also so important to acknowledge. As a community, I think it really emphasises the importance of validating peoples experiences when coming out, as well as celebrating with them when they feel safe and able to live their lives openly and authentically  ... View more

@xXLexi_Lou122Xx  Now I'm going to have that song stuck in my head all day!    I hate Mandarins! The texture, taste... something about them just doesn't work for me    What is/was your favourite subject In school?   ... View more

@Hozzles Hi! Nice to meet you, too! Love meeting a fellow psych student/bookworm!! :) Yeah it's so great keeping up to date with research in areas of interest! I haven't set up alerts but I may have to... thanks for the idea! :) ... View more

Hi @Jazzy_Fizzle , I'm so sorry to here about your Uncle's diagnosis :( It can be really hard to watch loved ones suffer. Cancer is a horrible disease that (as you said in one of your quotes) really does effect the whole family.    My grandad passed away from lung cancer when I was around your age and I relate to you in that it was really difficult seeing my Dad go through that, it really is heartbreaking. I also have an Aunt who had breast cancer (is in remission now), and watching her go through that was really difficult.    Thank you for reaching out to chat about your feelings. It is so important and takes a lot of courage :) Do you have a family member, friend or maybe a teacher at school you can talk to whenever you are feeling like you need to chat?    As one the of previous responders said, it is important that you practice self-care during a difficult time like this. Self-care is basically different things you can do that may help you when you are feeling sad, anxious or overwhelmed. Some things I do include reading a book, listening to music, meditation or baking something delicious! :) There's great resources on ReachOut about different self-care activities that you may find helpful :)   I'm happy to chat if you ever need someone to talk to :) ... View more

Hi @WheresMySquishy (cute name!), It's great to meet you, too! Great to meet a fellow psych student! Instruments are hard, especially trying to pick them up later in life as an adult! Definitely worth it though if you have the time/desire :) Thank you! <3 ... View more

Hi @Bento , I'm sorry to hear that you're having a difficult time right now :(   However, congrats on your study! As a fellow uni student I understand how stressful and time-consuming studying can be so kudos to you for persevering :) It sounds like you are doing great things to take care of yourself (which is so important) like eating healthily and going for walks with your pups :)   Are you struggling to fall asleep/stay asleep at night? If you are, I find that using some free apps (if you have access to a smartphone) are really helpful! I like "Rain Rain" for background noise like rain, wind etc; or "Smiling Mind" which has a great meditation course specifically for sleeping :) Have you tried anything like this before? If so, how helpful/un-helpful did you find it?   Should you need further help, there's no shame in going and chatting to a GP about your sleep troubles :)  ... View more

@ecla34 Amazing haha!! <3 ... View more

@ecla34 Amazing, thank you! It's great to meet you, too! :) I thought something like that may have happened, thanks for releasing it! The bear is very cute <3 I'm glad you appreciate a good Harry Potter quote! It really is a great one imo! :) ... View more

Hi everyone! I tried to post here before but I don't think it worked, so I'll try again! :) So sorry if this is the second time I've posted here!  I'm a new builder here so I thought I'd just introduce myself to all of you!  1. How did you first hear about ReachOut and when did you decide to get involved on the forums as a user? I first heard about ReachOut a little while ago from a friend at uni when we were discussing the importance of safe, online forums that allow young people to talk about their lives (the good and the not so good). After visiting the website, I loved it and decided to apply to be a builder straight away :) 2. What's your favourite post thread? I still have a lot more to discover on this website, but I did post in the "Three Positives of Today" thread. I love that the concept is so simple but effective. I really believe that acknowledging positives things that happened even in a bad day can make someone feel way better about the day past and the days to come. 3. Why did you decide to become a Builder? I love to chat with people about everything going on in their lives! I hope that I can use my experience to help some people with problems they are facing, and hopefully both of us will learn something along the way :) 4. What do you do during the day (Study? Work? Hunt ghosts? Fight Crime? Taste cupcakes?)? I'm a third year psychology student at the moment, who is currently trying (desperately haha) to get into post-grad programs in psychology/social-work/teaching. I tutor and blog in my (limited haha) spare time. I also love to read and play my piano and guitar! 5. Do you have any weird hobbies (Train a rubber duck army? Teach lizards Spanish? Learn how to the master the recorder?)? I love to study! I love to read journal articles and current research in the fields of psychology and neuroscience :) Not really weird but I know some people hate studying so loving it is about as weird as I get haha! 6. What's you're all time favourite TV show? An impossible question! I love Game of Thrones, Mindhunter, Arrested Development, Handmaids Tale, The Office... I think The Office would be my go-to tv-show because it's the one show I can put on to chill-out and have a laugh :) ... View more

Hi everyone! I just became a builder here so I thought I'd just introduce myself to you lovely people! :) 1.How did you first hear about ReachOut and when did you decide to get involved on the forums as a user? I heard about ReachOut recently from a friend at uni when we were talking about the importance of online mental health communities for young people! I checked out the website and absolutely loved it! I immediately applied to be a Builder and here we are today! :) 2. What's your favourite post thread? I haven't check out a whole lot of forums yet (although I definitely can't wait to discover more), but I did post in the 'Three Positives of Today' forum which I loved reading through. I love the simplicity of it, as I really do feel that, for a lot of people, thinking about a few good things that may have happened in a day can really make you feel a little bit better and more optimistic about the day past and the days to come :) 3. Why did you decide to become a Builder? I love chatting with people about everything they are going through: the good and the not so good. I hope to use my life experience to help some people who may be struggling at the moment, and hopefully both of us will learn something positive along the way :) 4.What do you do during the day (Study? Work? Hunt ghosts? Fight Crime? Taste cupcakes?)? I'm a third year full-time psychology student who is trying (desperately haha) to get the grades to get into post-grad courses in psychology/social-work/education at the moment. I do some tutoring and blogging in my (limited lol) spare time. I do love to read and play my piano and guitar, so I do spend time doing those things as well :) 5.Do you have any weird hobbies (Train a rubber duck army? Teach lizards Spanish? Learn how to the master the recorder?)? Hmm... I do really love to study, like I love reading research journals and current studies within the fields of psychology/neuroscience. Not really weird, but I guess some people may find it weird that I love to study haha! 6.What's you're all time favourite TV show? Oh my goodness an impossible question! I can't just name one so I'll just list some of my favourite that come to mind: Games of Thrones, The Office, Handmaids Tales, Arrested Development, Mindhunter.... a healthy diversity of many different styles and genres haha! I will say that The Office is my go to because that's the one show that I could put on at anytime to just chill out and have a laugh! :)     ... View more

That sounds amazing!    1. Got an interview for a volunteer position I applied for 2. Cuddled my dog 3. Ordered an amazing coffee ... View more