Pastoral Care
Beyond Blue and Support Services
There are times when problems seem overwhelming. If you’re feeling like this, one of the best things you can do is talk to someone. Finding someone to support you can help you take control of your problems and feel better.
There are many services you can call in times of urgent need. Find out what options are available to you to get immediate support.
People I can talk to
Family and friends
Sometimes it can be hard to talk about how you are feeling or what you’re thinking with your parents or close friends. You might think "What will they say?", "How will they understand?" But they want the best for you. They don’t want to see you hurting and not coping well.
Parents and friends will react in different ways. Some may be supportive and caring, while others might have trouble understanding your experiences. It can be surprising to see how helpful people can be when you let them know what's going on. Others might feel frustrated because they don't know how to help, or because they feel disappointed that they had not seen how unhappy or anxious you were.
If their reaction is because they don't know much about mental health, then you may be able to learn about it together. Talking about what is going on can really help.
If you don’t have any family or friends you feel comfortable with, you could reach out to a health professional like your school counsellor or to a youth support service. Find more options below.
Tips on talking about your mental health
Health professionals
Talking to your doctor/general practitioner (GP) is the best thing you can do to start supporting yourself. Your GP will usually ask questions to learn about you and how you’re feeling. They need this information to help them work out what’s going on and what might be the best way forward.
What you tell the doctor will be kept confidential – they won’t tell your family that you’ve had an appointment with them, or anything that happened during your appointment (unless they are very concerned about your safety).
If you’re uncomfortable with the first person you talk to, it’s okay to try someone else. Some people find it easier to talk to a doctor who is the same gender, is closer to them in age, or is not their family doctor. It can be useful to involve your parents, carers or a friend when you get help, so they can support you.
Support services
There are many organisations dedicated to providing support for young people. If you don’t feel comfortable talking to anyone you know, you might feel better reaching out to a service online via webchat. Many organisations like Beyond Blue have trained mental health professionals ready to chat to help point you in the right direction.
Online forums
The Beyond Blue forums are a supportive place to connect with people who are going through similar experiences to you. You can read other people’s stories, ask for advice or share your own experience.
Taking care of myself
There are many things you can do to manage anxiety and depression and to help you recover. Eating well, exercising regularly, hobbies, getting enough sleep and connecting with friends are all positive changes you can make to support your mental health and wellbeing.
Find more ways to look after yourself
For more information on this topic go to: https://www.beyondblue.org.au/who-does-it-affect/young-people/support-and-services
The Pastoral Care Team