Hey @anonymousgirl101, I think this is a really important topic to generate some discussion about, so thanks so much for sharing your story! It definitely sounds like a difficult thing you're going through - did it feel like this before you graduated, or is it just mainly wanting to not run into people that you've known in highschool since graduation? I think running into people from highschool after graduation is definitely a situation that some people seek to avoid, especially if they feel like they've changed somewhat since grad and don't want to be associated with the image of themselves from high school. Is this a perspective that you think you can relate to? Let me know how everything goes :) -BoM ... View more

Hey @litgym, i just wanted to check up on how you're going! Sending all my positive thoughts your way :) How are your assignments going? ... View more

Congrats on the job interview @Bee! let us know how it goes <3 Good luck!! ... View more

Hey @pyrogus, i don't have a lot of experience with gender dysphoria so I don't feel super qualified to give you a lot of advice on it, but I just wanted to say that I think it's amazing that you're so open about how you are feeling, and that you are reaching out to the community to find some advice :) It's such a great topic to start a discussion on <3 -BoM ... View more

Hey @Mystruggle, I'm so sorry to hear that you're not going through a great time. It seems like you've been through some really rough times recently, and I just wanted to say that I think it's amazing that you've continued to pull through them and that you're reaching out for help now. You seem to be in a bit of distress at the moment, and while you are always welcome on ReachOut I just wanted to also give you a few options for emergency numbers incase you need an immediate response to a situation that you're experiencing. Here's a link that may be worth saving in your phone just in case, as I'd hate for you to feel like you can't access help in a moment where you feel like you need it.    It seems like you've gone through some really rough experiences in high school, with your relationship and with some substance abuse issues. Is there anyone that has talked to you about these issues in a professional capacity before? And if not, how do you think you'd feel about trying to access help so that you could talk through these issues with someone? Of course, that's just a suggestion, and please know that we are all here to support you also.    Let me know how everything goes :)   -BoM ... View more

Hey @Blurryphaced, i just wanted to say thank you so much for your post. While you may not be in the place where you feel like you can express it at the moment, it's great that you have shared your story with us and i can guarantee you that you're not alone in how you're feeling. The best piece of advice i can give you right now (s super clique but I promise you that it does get better. Coming out in high school is such a scary thought for a lot of people, and often because they have peer groups that can be pretty unaccepting (like how you described). But i can assure you that in environments like university, or even just out of high school, the world tends to open up a lot and become more accepting. my uni actually has a rainbow flag outside of our student union building, and a bunch of LGBTQI groups! I think when people get out of high school, it's a lot easier to feel more comfortable in their own skin. This isn't everyone's exact experience, but i can definitely say that it was for me and a lot of my friends. It sucks that you live in a space where you can't join an LGBTQI group. just a thought -- have you tried seeing if there are any online ones? Obviously we are all super accepting here on ReachOut, and if you wanted to start an LGBTQI chat thread in our other sections then i'm sure that you'd have heaps of people ready to chat with you about their stories! But if you'd like to search online too, I'm sure that there will be plenty of options :) Let me know how everything goes <3 -BoM ... View more

Hey @Moonchild_26, I'm sorry to hear that he's being a bit inconsistent toward you. I can totally relate to how annoying it is when people do that, especially when feelings are involved. It's also extra hard when you think in your head that you shouldn't like somebody, but you do anyway. Unfortunately liking people is one of those things that's often beyond people's control. Do you think that you are just going to be friends with him at the moment? I can totally understand not wanting to risk the friendship, and I don't know the ins and outs of your connection so I'd be interested to see why you thought that it may be the best decision. I'm sorry that you're feeling a bit lonely at the moment. I hope you know that we are all here to support you and are happy to talk about whatever you want <3 -BoM ... View more

Hey @Tashbear221, I definitely relate to the feeling of stress that you have when you're just totally unsure of where to go from here. It's a totally crappy feeling and I'm sorry that you're not feeling too good about it at the moment. Is there anything in particular that's stressing you out? I'm happy to talk with you if you need :) ... View more

Chair ... View more

Hey @Moonchild_26, I'm glad that you feel a bit better!! I'm sorry for not getting back to you so quick, I've also had a super busy week. How's everything going at the moment? Also, I'm super happy that you have people to sit with at your table! I'm super excited for your formal for you, I'm sure it'll be a great time and it's great that you have people to sit with. Make sure to swing me a post after your formal to let me know how it goes, too! - BoM <3 ... View more

Hey @Jesssister2001, just checking up on you and seeing how you're doing :) ... View more

Hey @Moonchild_26, it sounds like a lot is going on for you at the moment and I just wanted to say that it's great that you've chosen to talk about it and get support from others. I'm sorry to hear that things are a bit hectic at the moment, and I'll try to break down what you've talked about into the separate areas that you've put them in. 1. First of all, I'm sorry that you got left out of your friend's table at formal. That must be such a crappy feeling, and even if they didn't know you were attending, I totally get how you could feel a bit left out, especially with formal coming up. Is there any way that you could get an extra seat at that table, or is it a set-in-stone kind of thing? I went to a pretty chill school where I'm sure they would have moved an extra seat if we sent an email in, but I'm unsure as to what your circumstances are. As to the night itself, my personal experience was that we spent so little time sitting down anyway that it didn't matter too much! I sat at a table with my date's friends instead of my own and I was super anxious about missing out on time with my friends, but as soon as people are getting up for photos, and dancing etc,. anyone could go wherever. Again, I don't know how your school works but it's definitely a possibility that you'd be able to still spend a whole lot of time with your friends :) 2. I don't think it's stupid to be scared of heartbreak, I think it's a perfectly normal feeling for some people to experience when they've been let down by other people before. Do you know for sure that this guy isn't talking to you as much anymore because he thinks you like too many guys? If that's the case, it could just be that he doesn't know you like him, and he's intimidated by the fact that you've expressed interest in other people. Guys can be weird, and it may just be the case that he's a bit threatened by other people! Either way, you have nothing to lose by being open and honest with your feelings, as even if they're not returned then you end up with a much clearer image in your head regardless. That being said, I know it's definitely not as easy as it sounds, and if you dont feel like its your time then thats perfectly ok too! 3. It's a tricky issue for sure! i think a lot of people express interest in different ways, but it may be worth seeing how they act around other people vs. the way they act around you. From my personal experience, you'll be able to tell if they like you because they'll treat you differently! Hope that helps somewhat :) Let me know how everything goes! -BoM ... View more

Hey @Jesssister2001, I'm sorry to hear that you're feeling this way. It's great that you've chosen to reach out and talk about how you're feeling, and I think you should be super proud of yourself for taking that step. Are you safe at the moment? A lot of the language you're using makes me think that you're quite distressed and I just want to check that you're in a safe space at the moment. I'm happy to talk at the moment if you need anything <3 -BoM ... View more

Well if it helps at all, I still think you've made amazing progress @scared01. It's okay to have bumps along the way - it's all part of the process! That being said, I know they suck to have to go through. Is there anything you can do tonight that you think may help you feel better? ... View more

I practiced self-care by taking the time to finish a book before starting on my work, because I knew it would slow me down and help me relieve some stress ... View more

Sorry to hear that @scared01, what's on your mind? ... View more

Hey @Eden1717, I think it's really brave of you to speak up about how you're feeling. We are all here to support you and I hope you know that we all consider you to be a super important part of our community. How are you feeling now? Same with @Jesssister2001 - we are here to support you if you need help yourself, and it's such a great gesture for you to reach out to somebody and let them know that they're not alone :) ... View more

Hey @scared01, sorry that you're having a rough night. It's so great that you've decided to be open with it and talk about it instead of experiencing it alone. While it's totally okay to want to take care of other people, your mental health should always come first. Is there something you can do at the moment to relieve your stress? Sending positive vibes your way <3 ... View more

hi @Katementalhealth123, welcome to ReachOut! It sounds like youre going through a really rough time at the moment, and I'm sorry to hear that your relationship is in a bit of a rough spot. What's always the most important thing is taking care of your immediate safety, so I'm just going to drop some info below about some services that you can use. I'd really reccommend keeping these on your phone as a back up plan incase you have an urge to hurt yourself and need some immediate support Lifeline - 13 11 14 (available 24/7) - they also have an online chat service for night hours Kids helpline - 1800 55 1800 (24/7) Suicide callback service - 1300 659 467 (they also have a really nifty 24/7 chat service) With that in mind, it sounds like your relationship is in a bit of a rough spot at the moment and both of you seem to be experiencing your own struggles with mental health. May I ask if you're getting any support at the moment to deal with this? I'd also just like to say that it's really important that you consider your own mental health to be a priority - while its a really common instinct to want to take care of other people first, it's really important that you put your own mental health first. Let me know how everything goes :) ... View more

Hey @hmm789, I'm sorry about what you're going through. It's always rough when you don't feel like part of a family unit and I totally understand how it would be making you feel at the moment. I do agree with @Bree-RO about getting outside help. KHL aren't the only services with an online chat method if that's what you prefer - lifeline also has online chat services from 7pm-12am.Do you feel like you're in a space where you would benefit from talking things through with a professional? Let me know how everything goes. Self-care is super important, please remember to take some time out to take care of yourself, especially when you're not feeling too great. <3 - BoM ... View more

Hey @Jeplar, thanks for sharing and i'm sorry to hear that you're going through a rough time at the moment. I totally agree with @Lan-RO - seeing a councellor in school is a super good idea. I did that when I was in grade 10 and I was having issues in school and you'd be surprised with the amount of help they can give you. In my situation I was able to get help with deadlines on instances where I was stressed that I wouldn't get the work in on time. It's definitely a good idea to get someone inside school to back your corner, especially if that's where you're feeling a lot of that stress. Do you think that'd be something that would be possible? Let me know how everything goes :) - BoM ... View more

hey @j95, sorry to hear about what's been going on. it's definitely a serious issue if people are threatening your family and I agree with @Birdeye that it's totally okay to get the police involved if you want to. If they come on ReachOut and there's evidence of them deliberately harassing you on the forums and trying to make you angry, then of course feel free to tag in one of the RO staff as they can moderate all posts made on the forums if they are inappropriate. Hope that helps :) - BoM ... View more

hey @hmm789, that doesnt sound too good at the moment. Do you want to talk about what's going on? I'm here if you wanted a chat :) -BoM ... View more

Hey @redhead, sorry to hear that you're in emergency but i'm glad you're in a safe place. Sending all my positive vibes your way <3 ... View more

Hey @Tdozer - just checking up on you and seeing how you're going at the moment :) ... View more

Hey @redhead, it's great to hear that you've managed to calm down a bit. Don't be sorry about what was said last night - we all go through periods of feeling a bit out of control and more often than not it's good to just let it all out rather than keep it bottled up. I've heard some stuff about your mum before on the forums and it really doesn't seem like she's providing you with the support that you're looking for at the moment. What's the situation with her now? Are you still staying with her? Let me know how everything goes :) ... View more

That's absolutely okay @j95, I'm sure one of the RO staff will be on tomorrow and they'll be able to talk to you about it with a way more detailed perspective than mine. Take care :) ... View more

@j95 I understand how you can feel like that is frustrating, but I can also assure you that we don't have something against you and we aren't out to get you. We are all just trying to make sure that as many people can use the forums as possible and that they all feel safe and included. ... View more

@j95 I can promise you that we all still want the best for you. I think the forum layout can be tricky sometimes, because it means that we have to be mindful of all the current/potential users when making sure that posts are appropriate to stay on them. But we do still want you to feel comfortable, and as I said I'm more than happy to talk about what your issue is :) ... View more

I'm happy to talk about the issue with you if you want. I know it sucks that Ben left and it can be hard sometimes to adjust to change but I promise you that we all still want to listen to you and still want the best for you <3 @j95 ... View more