If you need urgent support, call 999 or go to your nearest A&E. To contact our Crisis Messenger (open 24/7) text THEMIX to 85258.

Best Of

Re: Opening up to more extent (Trigger warning mentions of suicide)

Hello @TheNightmare

I'm very sorry you're struggling at the moment. I understand that you might prefer to receive support through webchat services - I second what Slinky said, Kooth could be a good platform for you: it provides emotional support and online counselling to young people aged 10-19. They also offer a range of articles and resources, discussion boards and a daily journal space on their website. Their webchat service is open Monday-Friday 12pm-10pm and Saturday and Sunday 6pm-10pm. You can find out more here: https://kooth.com/

Another option is Qwell.io, it is an anonymous support options for adults. Their team provides free, safe and anonymous online support and counselling. You can message a professional online for either a booked or drop-in chat. They chat queue is open from midday to 10pm on weekdays and 6-10pm at the weekend. Alternatively you can message online to book a slot or to just reach out at a time that is convenient for you and someone will get back to you. They have an online community that offers support and has therapeutic content. https://www.qwell.io/

I hope you get better soon and keep us updated, you're not alone and we care about your wellbeing

Former Member

Re: July 4th- Support Chat Topic Poll!

Thank you all for voting! Looks like a draw!

So, On Thursday 4th July we will cover Anxiety and Depression
On Thursday 11th July we will discuss Neurodiversity

How does that sound for everyone?

p.s did you appreciate being able to pick the topic this week? If yes, we can keep doing it this way!

ella

Re: This is hard

Morning @Rose113 i’m just checking in on you this morning to see how you’re doing now. I’m so sorry things are so difficult for you at the minute and we are here if you wanna chat more about how things are and I’m sending you so much strength and hugs and hope you can do something nice for yourself today. I know it’s not easy but you’re doing so great and keep going. We are all very proud of you

ebyrne556

Re: Im struggling. TW Alcohol, Scars, Eating, Suicide

Hey @Chloe234, just wanted to chime in here and say well done for sharing your experience here with us. It sounds like a lot is on your mind, and hopefully being able to use this space to express yourself helps to lighten the load a little. We're here to support you through this, good days and bad

TW Drinking
I can hear how difficult this is for you. Please know, you're never "too young" to have an issue with drinking - it can, and does, affect people of all ages. And usually, something like alcohol can relieve pain/stress (e.g. "making you feel okay"), so addressing an underlying problem that is causing that stress is likely to help with this too. It's not uncommon to find it hard to contact services - what do you think makes it hard for you to reach out for support on this?

TW Suicidal Thoughts
I'm sorry to hear that losing support has had this impact on you, and unfortunately it's a common experience as well. It can be really frustrating when you seek and need support, and are let down repeatedly. There are other services that are available that might be helpful for the summer break before college starts - are there any that you're thinking of using? I want to reiterate - you deserve to be listened to and supported

I'm glad to hear that the college support network is good - I wonder if you could reach out to them, whether they would be able to offer you any support during the summer months? Might be a long shot, but worth a try. I hear that it's hard to know what will happen in the future - just take things one day at a time. You're stronger than you think, and you've done so well to open up about your experience with us here. Take things slowly and let us know how you're doing - we're here with you every step of the way

Azziman

Re: Im struggling. TW Alcohol, Scars, Eating, Suicide

Just wanted to echo the advice the others have put and say I hope you're okay (even if that's just today - it still counts as an achievement) and remember we're all here for you too if and when you need us.

Sending big big hugs
Sinead

sinead276

Re: Leavers day and Prom 🩷🪩✨️

I love ur dress sm @Chloe234 hope u had the best time u deserve it

ebyrne556

Re: Football chat ⚽️

its 0-0. just looked.

eylah

Re: not sure what to do about my pronouns

Anonymous55 wrote: »

She said that I look like 'a beautiful baby girl to her'. She said she'd be sad because 'she'd already lost one beautiful little girl' (referring to the fact that my brother is trans, even though that's stupid to say) I told her she hadn't lost anyone, and that my brother could be a beautiful little boy. Then I explained that I meant about being non-binary, and she said that was 'better' and 'not so bad'. I just don't know what to do.

Yikes - not surprised you feel fearful after that. What a rough thing to hear, especially with the context of your bro's past attempt to take his life. I'm sorry @Anonymous55

This is a rough situation, because assuming the best in your mum here, she's probably being truthful in that she feels genuine conflict about this but also sincerely loves you. You said your parents have shown support for you and your brother in everything, and that may still be true even if your mum is finding the idea of this difficult to process at this point in time.

For some parents, identity changes in their kids are hard to process, especially if they're emotionally attached to those bits of identity (whether it's gender, a name, even a hobby). If this is true for your mum, it's not necessarily her fault and it's something she can work through, but the weight of that shouldn't be placed on you. That conversation must have taken a lot of courage to have and you deserved to feel accepted and validated after it - not fearful. 💚

I'd probably be feeling pretty awful after that interaction too, but please know that you have a right to live how you want, and every part of you is valid (at least, it is here).

Anonymous55 wrote: »

What do I do?

How comfortable would you feel writing her a letter / message?

When there's a big, emotionally-charged conflict, I find writing down my thoughts and reflections to send to the person is a good first step in resolving it. It means I can say my piece uninterrupted, without all the anger or upset I might feel in the heat of the moment, and I can take my time to lay out how I honestly feel and try my best to be empathetic to them.

If you do decide to do this, using 'I statements' can be a good way to go about it. Focusing on how you feel and your perspective rather than things the other person did. Helps make sure they don't get defensive before they've even digested what you're saying to them.

Anonymous55 wrote: »

I keep thinking I'm just going through a phase, or misunderstanding my situation, and then I ask whether I'm comfortable with pronouns I wasn't born with, whether I like my voice and body, and I suddenly realize that maybe I'm not misunderstanding the way I feel. Then it just goes on and on. It's confusing, and I'm a bit scared.

I also wanted to touch on this (sorry long post!)

For the sake of argument, say this is true - say it does end up being a phase or a misunderstanding on your part. It's okay to work through that and come out the other side with a different perspecitve on your identity and who you are (if that's what happens).

I've been through periods like this, and how I think about my sexuality and gender has changed a few times in my adult life. Sometimes we put a lot of pressure on ourselves (or other people put pressure on us) to be sure about these things when it's okay to feel uncertain.

JustV