I don't actually know whether I'm just constantly really depressed or whether I actually have depression but either way I'm struggling to find motivation to do school work and pass my tests. Every time I do badly in a test the stress and anxiety piles up and then in the next one I feel worse about it, and most of the time end up flunking it. I don't know what to do and I'm getting super stressed about my future and having mild breakdowns.

Hi there,

Lack of motivation is a common symptom of depression and especially with COVID-19 it might have not helped and high levels of anxiety and stress re year 12 are not good for mental health

Um... maybe you should talk to your parents (your decision)
Secondly, you can make an appointment with a GP who then can make a referral so you can get 10 sessions with a psychologist via Medicare...

Also there's a section on young adults on this forum...

Also maybe your school has a guidance counsellor - I want to iterate there are multiple pathways to higher education and training.. you need to make sure you're okay re mental health... If your high school is super obsessed about trying to have a large percentages of high ranks they aren't going to reinforce the multiple pathways bit.

Thank you for your advice although I don't feel comfortable talking to my parents and I don't feel comfortable with my GP, so I don't really know who to go to. As much as my friends are supportive and everything it doesn't feel right talking to them

Yeah, I know what you mean with parents as I've been there. I've had depression symptoms blamed on level of exercise and possible hormonal stuff too at times etc..

There's kids helpline https://kidshelpline.com.au/ there's a webchat option though it says long waiting times or you can call. Also headspace but I was never recommended headspace until I was too old.https://headspace.org.au/welcome-to-headspace-centres/

Basically if you email beyond blue they will suggest medical professionals... which is daunting...

So I can understand not wanting to discuss it with your friends... my depression was triggered by grief of a friend... none of my other friends seemed to get depressed... like I know they felt miserable about it... and young people haven't had a lot of life experience...

Sorry just found this: https://www.beyondblue.org.au/who-does-it-affect/young-people/helpful-contacts-and-websites

Hi Josh,

I just want to let you know that the HSC and Year 12 isn't the be all and end all of your professional life as so many stakeholders in schools make it out to be. When I was in Year 12, I got really depressed, flunked, and got less than a desirable ATAR than expected. Remember if things don't work out in Year 12, there are always other pathways in life, some people end up very successful in vocational education, some people work their way up to a university course through alternative pathways and entry programs, some people thrive by starting their own business, some thrive by entering the workforce straight away.

I knew people in high school that made it to uni and realise that make up artistry was their passion and dropped out, I also know people that started in floristry courses and realised that retail wasn't really for them so they pursued nursing instead.

My advice is to do the best you can, and regardless of whether you felt you succeeded or not, know that there are many pathways to the future for all of us.

It's the same here, I told my parents that some days I just lack the drive to do any work and they just said to go do some work that is a different subject. They think that the ATAR is THE way into a career and my dad in particular is always asking me about grades.

So I happened to only just manage to get through Year 12 (wheels began to fall off)... and in my first year of Uni while on an antidepressant it got upped and I went like a zombie... but my mother kind of noticed (but I had done Distance Education previously)... but other times it affects my concentration and motivation too and I have gotten a spiel from my parents...

Depression really nasty... If you have a runny nose from a cold, people can see it...

Ah... well I've met people who got to Uni via TAFE... or worked for a bit, got into a Uni degree with a low rank, did a year of the uni degree and used that to get a rank and get other prerequisites and then transfer into another degree.. one is doing a PhD

Um... word of advice... if you begin to feel miserable or depressed in regard to people, always try to keep in regular or face to face contact with people. Because my depression occurred when I didn't have face to face contact with people and they lived more than 30 mins away... and I got worse and worse... and I felt guilty about it as it was triggered by grief... So I felt guilty about being depressed when everyone else seemed ok... but people forget you or met up irregularly.. It's harder to make new connections with people when you had or have depression...

Thanks for the advice, although unfortunately the few close friends/ only friends I have live about 45 minutes away and the lockdown has prevented me from being able to see them.

Well.. try to stay in virtual face to face contact or phone or email..

Hi josh174,

Sounds like school is an incredibly stressful environment for you at the moment... well virtual school environment considering the times. Has it always been like this for you or is this new this year?

I hear you say that talking to your parents of GP is not something you want to do right now and thats okay. Sounds like sharing your experiences with someone else is more comfortable for you, such as friends or on here!

From one stressed studier to another, we are here for you.

In previous years going back to the start of high school I had depressive episodes, but I just put it down to growing up and teenage mood swings, although of late with COVID and some other events happening over the last few years it's become more prominent than ever and I'm fairly sure mood swings aren't this bad.

Hey Josh,

Sorry for the super late reply. I was on a formal placement with BB as apart of my course (I'm studying psych) and it finished up a couple weeks back.

Your reflections about the start of high school are really interesting, the power of hindsight hey. What your saying is that you have felt this way before but considered it as more "growing pains" then perhaps depression or a mental health problem. Show really good self-insight that you can identify that there is a but of a pattern going on. I would imagine that the transition to high school would have been very new, and stressful, probably quite similar circumstances to what's happening now maybe?

It might be helpful to know that in general mental health issues can come and go, depending on the circumstances. We can think of particular life events (say starting in a new school, COVID-19) as triggers. These things can kick back in an underlying mood disorder, or concerns. Does this resinate at all?

I hope I'm not too late, and I hear back from you soon Josh174

Hi Josh, your message is very timely for me because my son is in year 12 also and is really struggling like you. Can I say from the perspective of a mum, we don’t always know what to say and we have no experience dealing with Covid, this is new for everyone. I can say that today I registered my son for counselling sessions. I also spoke to someone at beyondblue who was fantastic. I told her that I was also feeling overwhelmed with Covid and having a hard time and she helped me to see how hard it must be to motivate yourself to work hard in year 12 with Covid thrown into the mix on top of all the other daily stuff we deal with, and you’re at a tough age to boot.
This really helped me put myself in my sons shoes. We parents sometimes nag because we know what you are capable of but ultimately we just want our kids to be happy, decent humans. Maybe try to get your parents to realise how hard it is to be motivated right now, and get them to put themselves in your shoes. It has helped so much for my relationship with my son. Also, I can see how relieved he is now knowing we have a plan in place. I’m sure you would feel the same. You might not have a close relationship with your GP but you may be surprised how understanding they are, and at least you’ll have a pathway to feeling better. Hang in there Josh, this year won’t define your life!

Hi Josh,

I completely agree with you!!! Year 12 is a very different and uniquely challenging year and especially at this time!!! I was also having breakdowns and panic attacks whenever I would not get a high grade because I wanted to get the highest ATAR.

And ATAR is not the ONLY way, once you finish your year 12 there are other ways to get into your desired degree! I did not do this, but you know taking a gap year after year 12 is the best thing because when you take a break and come back you come back very strong!

So for now, probably focus on the process of simply studying - like for every subject what can I do weekly? daily?. If I had done this, I would have done it better. By the way, what are you planning to study? Maybe I could help out?

I was planning on studying Mechanical engineering and/or Industrial design, but now with my grades slipping I don't know whether I can do Mechanical engineering, and I'm now doubting whether I want to do it or not.

Wow! That's a thought! Mechanical Engineering is great!

But again there are other pathways to get into your desired course!

So now doubts are coming in, tell me about what is your vision for the future? What do you see yourself as in the coming years? What do you want to become in life? Maybe addressing those questions might help clarify!

Also, it is NEVER too late to start fresh!

Looking forward from hearing to your response