ugh it's so hard when supports aren't available/away...such a big thing at this time of year @Tiny_leaf how are you feeling today?  ... View more

Hi @Nick160199 I just wanted to tell you that a lot of people feel that way when they struggle to find work, you're not alone with that. I remember applying for soooo many jobs and feeling the same way when I didn't hear back from any of them. It can be hard, but it's important to try not to base your value as a human off things like your employment or study. You are valuable regardless :)  ... View more

I can tell how hard you are trying @Eden1717 the fact that you've been able to get up and try to get things done alone speaks volumes! I really struggle to even move when I'm really distressed. I'm really sorry to hear you ended up having a bit of a meltdown early this morning :( thinking of you and please know that even if you can't fully describe what is happening today for you, we all care and will be here, it doesn't have to make sense - as long as you can get some of it off your chest.  ... View more

Aww @Lost_Space_Explorer5 I'm sorry to hear that happened :( dealing with anger is a hard one, you're are most definitely not alone with that and I think anger can be really confusing emotion to deal with. We have some articles about it on the ReachOut website if you'd like me to link that to you? Hope you're feeling okay today, here to chat if you need :)  ... View more

Hey @musicfan_xo thanks for giving us an update on how everything has been for you lately - sounds like you've been doing a lot of good work to look after yourself and get the support you need. I'm sorry you had a tough holiday period though, it is such a hard time of year and it can really amplify all the tough things you're going through, I really relate to that. Sorry to hear you've not had the support you feel you need from your GP. Are there any other good doctors you've seen in the past that you might be able to see again?    Also, I just wanted to let you know that I understand how upsetting and deflating it is having to deal with intrusive thoughts and depression. It's such a hard thing to go through but you should feel proud of yourself for trying your best to get the help you need and being so open with us about it all. Are there any things you do that help with the dark thoughts? Maybe we can all share our tips with that...because I know you aren't alone with that struggle!  ... View more

That is shit @Saltwaterdreamtime :( It's so hard to not get really down when missed opportunities come up. I'm the same if there's something I really want to do, but can't. How are you feeling about it this morning? I'm here to chat if need be :)  ... View more

I'm sending you so much comfort right now, as last night sounded so horrible for you @Eden1717 It must be so tiring and scary to have all this stuff happening in your head and being expected to do things by certain dates, having to say sorry etc. Looks like last night was a late one, I hope you ended up getting some rest. If you're around today I hear to chat or just listen to you. You are very cared for here and we are thinking of you.  ... View more

Heya @musicfan_xo and @AngelJoy so glad you're connecting and making friends with each other. That's what joining the forum is all about :) As @scared01 mentioned though, remaining anonymous is really important. @musicfan_xo I have needed to edit your post about facebook, as directing a user to the RO Facebook is one way anonymity could be breached. I am sending you an email today, if you could be please get back to us today that would be really appreciated.    We all really empathise with wanting to connect in a private setting, but we also have a duty of care to everyone and part of that is making sure that we ensure everyone is safe. We hope you can continue to connect and make friends here :)  ... View more

Hey @scared01 it's good to see your name pop up too!! It has been awhile, I hope you've been well :)  ... View more

No problems at all @musicfan_xo these things slip everyone's mind from time to time :)  ... View more

It seriously warms my heart to see the support on this thread @musicfan_xo  @AngelJoy Just quickly, I wanted to let everyone know that we don't share names here on the forums as it is an anonymous space, just to make sure it's safe for everyone to share openly here :) I'm just going to link the guidelines here, for anyone who wants to read or refresh their knowledge.  ... View more

Aww @ebony1987 I'm so sorry to read about this and how it's made you feel. It's a situation many people find themselves in and it can make you feel really sick inside. How are you feeling about it this morning?    I just wanted to also show you some articles that ReachOut put together about these sorts of interactions that can happen online and what to do if you think someone may have shared private pictures of you. Click here if you want to give it a read. Also, I'm going to send you an email just to check in with you because last night seemed really upsetting and we want to give you as much support as possible. So, keep an eye out for that email this morning :)  ... View more

Can I just say... @Lost_Space_Explorer5 @Eden1717 @MB95 @musicfan_xo you are all the best. Reading through this thread lifted my spirits so so so much. You're all absolutely amazing people and RO are so lucky to have people such as yourselves making this community exactly what it's meant to be   ... View more

Hi @AngelJoy I can see that you're feeling really nervous about this. Do you mind if I ask what you mean when you say that you're disobeying your mum?    It does feel better to be able to openly communicate, but I think it's also okay to wait until you feel safe to do that.  ... View more

Hey @MB95 today sounds like a tough one :( paranoid thoughts are like that, it's hard to get them out of your head and it can make you feel like your head is about to explode! When I have them, I try to voice them to someone. Something about saying it out loud to someone helps and your brain kind of reassess the thought. Or you can tell us :) I'm sure typing it would help as well.    In terms of your questions around aging out, I think different things work for different people. A lot of it is working through the feeling that it brings up and trying to shift the narrative. For example, when I had to leave a service in the past I was devastated. I really connected with the psych and I didn't want to have to get to know another one. I was really down for weeks about it. When I felt like it was time to let go, I wrote down all of the positive things I gained by meeting my psych. I tried to feel grateful that she was there for me and taught me so much. I still think of her and when I do, I try to imagine sending her a little bubble of love and gratitude for helping me.    During times of transition and change, there will be feelings of grief that come up - and it takes practice learning how to move those feelings on. What I suggested is what worked for me, but it would be different for everyone. Allow yourself to feel the sadness when it comes up and remember we will be thinking of you and missing you right back.  ... View more

Hey @AngelJoy I just want to reassure you that you're not the first person to worry about joining this forum. If you really want to tell your mum that is good, keep in mind though that it's okay to wait until the right time and the right way to tell her. You're not doing anything wrong by being here and we are happy you have joined :)   ... View more

Ah soooo many good ideas here for ways of caring for ourselves.    Day 1: I will journal and try my hardest to make it a nightly routine.  Day 2: I will go to my local pools/beach and do some laps for exercise and relaxation.  Day 3: I will reach out to a friend and organize a time to catch up.  ... View more

My pleasure @musicfan_xo  ugh I hate that sick feeling you get from being anxious. It's understandable, I always get anxious when I have to go to health related appointments. I just try to think of how much better I'll feel when it's over lol. I hope that it's a positive catch up with the psychiatrist, let us know if you need to chat after it :)  ... View more

Aw @MB95 I'm really feeling for you. Aging out of services is such a difficult time for many people, you're not alone with that feeling. I truly hope that you find yourself in another community that fulfills your needs, what other forums have you been considering?    Know that we will never forget about you and the impact you've had on this community and it's users. You've always been an incredibly warm, supportive and open minded person to so many people here. Anybody would be lucky to call you a friend, the way we have here :)  ... View more

Heya @musicfan_xo it's been awhile! I'm sad to read how you've been feeling of late, it's a feeling I can relate to. It's hard not to question "why me" sometimes. I just want you to know how valued you are here, you are an important member of this community who is there for others. Whenever you're really this way, please know that there will be someone who cares to listen to you. What are you getting up to today?  ... View more

Hey everyone, I've been away for awhile and am just catching up on this thread @Lost_Space_Explorer5 totally resonate with what you've said about being vulnerable. It's okay to have certain people/spaces that you feel able to open up to. I'm glad that everyone here gives such good support, like @MB95 and @Eden1717. It helps to practice opening up in a safe space like this.  ... View more

Aw @AngelJoy first off I'm so happy you decided to come and share what's going on with you, it's so important to open up and get support when you need it. Also, I'm really sorry to hear that your brother can be mean to you (I know how that feels!). It sounds like it's also making you feel down that your mum didn't say anything, do you think it's something you could bring up with her? If so, maybe we can help you think of what to say :)  ... View more

So important to talk about this! I've been thinking about it quite a lot and trying not put all my eggs in one basket. I think like any years of our lives there's definite ups and downs, but this year that is really highlighted.    What are your tips for navigating uncertainty and looking after yourself in these ever-changing times?   Improving routines that are in my control - things as simple as having a nice morning routine, being mindful to not abandon self care. I think something I've learnt is to seize the day, don't wait to do things that make you happy. If it's a hot day I try to drop my plans to get to the ocean, because I know that is the place that makes me feel better. I can't say that beaches won't close this year again, but I can take each day as it comes and take advantage of the opportunities that present themselves to me.  ... View more

Morning @Eden1717 I'm just catching up on what has been happening for you and I must say, I'm absolutely brokenhearted that you are having these kinds of experiences. You have needed mammoth amounts of resilience to get through everything you have, but I can imagine how utterly exhausted you'd be feeling right now.    I want to echo what @Lost_Space_Explorer5 said - we really care about you and want you to be safe. When things are tough, remember that there is a whole community of people that value you so much.    I hope you had a good sleep last night, or are at least getting a sleep in this morning. I'm going to send you an email to check in as well, so when you have time/energy I'll chat with you some more.  ... View more

So nice to hear you're at that space where you can pass those intrusive thoughts, they can be so hard @Macaria It sounds like either way the results go, you've got you're own back - which is the most important thing   ... View more

Hey there @Eden1717 so good that you saw a film on mental health that wasn't totally problematic! Sounds like it was strange to see those parallels with the voices though. Also, I always get nervous to see doctors so I have some idea of what you might be feeling today. We are here to chat things out if you need to :) I'm going to check in with you via email, have a look when you feel up to it.  ... View more

Thank you for being honest @Saltwaterdreamtime I think that's a really admirable trait. I can see why you'd feel that way. I think a lot of people here would relate to that as well, especially with how isolating this year has been, it's very understandable that the feeling has become more intense for you.  ... View more

Hey @Saltwaterdreamtime I'm really feeling for you right now, I can completely relate to these feelings. It's so hard when you've outgrown or drifted from a certain period of your life, it is such a disorientating and lonely feeling. When I've been through this I try to think that new phases, communities, friends etc will come into my life eventually and try to sit tight. It's not easy though and can really hurt, so I get that in this moment it would feel completely shit. Do you think there are any groups/hobbies etc you could plan to get involved in?  ... View more

Heya @Eden1717 thats good that you had a nice outing with your mum but sucks to hear that you're feeling weird. It would also be really difficult when you don't know how to explain it, but know that regardless of that we are here and we thinking of you. I've sent you an email when you have time to check it.  ... View more

Hey @MB95 its nice to read that you're feeling a bit better and that you can even laugh looking back on things! Playing with my dog is my go to when I need to be cheered up, it's amazing how much it helps :)  ... View more