Hey @hopeful well done on  reaching out and sharing this story about what your daughter is going through.   Sounds like a tough time for both of you... I can't imagine how you would have felt when she told you she wouldn't be here long, but also sounds like you're doing the right things by taking the time out to sit down and speak with her.   Initially I would like to introduce you to some free immediate support services which could be good to have on hand..   1. Kids Helpline help adolescents (14-25) going through a tough time - they also have webchat available if she is not keen on the phone.. If she does want to call the phone number is  1800 55 1800. 2. This next service I think could be really good for you, mainly because it provides as a great support not only for people who are at risk of suicide, but also to support family members of people who are self harming and threatening suicide. They are called Suicide Callback Service 1300 659 467. Both these services are free and are available 24/7.   In terms of ongoing support, have you considered checking out available counsellors in your area via Relationships Australia [click]?   Of course this forum can be a great resource for support as well, so again well done on sharing your story, and know that you're not alone in this  ... View more

Hi @Big_Crab, thinking of you tonight. How are you feeling now? ... View more

Hi @LovingThruBlue, sorry to hear about the recent stress with your daughter back in Hospital.  This must be an incredibly draining time, well done on sharing this journey with RO Parents we're all feeling for you at present. There's an organisation called ParentLine [click here] I wonder if you have heard of... Both Parentline and Parenting and Relationship Line are run by the same service. ParentLine is the name for NSW and Parenting and Relationship Line is name for other states. The telephone service is for parents and carers of children 0-18. Parent Line can help parents and carers to understand their children's needs, improve communication, manage children's behaviour, support children's development and strengthen family relationships. I believe there's a counsellor available free until 9pm tonight, would you consider giving a service like this a go? ... View more

@Big_Crab I love this thread, such an important and crucial element of our wellbeing. I am familiar with that part of the Sunshine Coast, how wonderful! And you're right it's good to be aware of self care tips and tricks to prevent compassion fatigue and exhaustion.   My self care is pretty basic, take the dog to the beach or a sit down alone at the local cafe with a book. Looking forward to hearing further! ... View more

Hi @hashtagmum thanks for posting and welcome to the ReachOut parents forum! No doubt a few of the other members of the forum will provide some further support but in the meantime as a young person who came out as a gay teenager myself I will provide as much expertise as I can.   For me the school counsellor was an immensely helpful resource when I came out in year 10 - Is your son willing to have a chat to the school counsellor? Another option for both you and your son is QLife [click here] who have qualified counsellors online and the phones for free until midnight each night. QLife also may be able to link you into more local services/supports to help discuss the concerns around bullying and changing schools.   Look forward to hearing from you :) ... View more

@TeenToddlerKids thanks for the post and I am sure a few of the other parents on the forum will have some great feedback for you soon :) Have you considered getting in touch with the school counsellor to see if there's some supports available for you around the issue of tech time interfering with grades?  ... View more

Hi @Serapis22 thanks for reaching out  There are definitely a few resources that could benefit you. This website Raising Children [click here] has a list of amazing supports available to kinship carers or grandparents at the bottom of the page :) Relationships Australia also can be a great organisation to call as a base.   I was raised by my Grandmother, and I remember her seeking out similar supports during my own teenage years, please let us know how you get on with the supports listed here :) I am sure the rest of the RO parents community will have further ideas for you too. ... View more

@Myfeuilletine look forward to reading through your thread :) Will be good to start a discussion around some of these situations with young people, as well as the rapport your Son has with his Dad and how to manage that with the conflicting time zone.  Will keep an eye out for your post! ... View more

HI @seaglecc thanks so much for sharing this story, it will prove a great asset for other members. Immensely sorry about all you had to go through when dealing with the terrible bullying your children endured.   I needed to edit this post due to community guidelines [click here] and will follow up with an email shortly :) ... View more

Hi @dazzlejazz thanks for sharing this story. And wow, that's an incredibly emotional ride you've been on. Well done for reaching out and seeking some support from like minded parents.  There are some resources available to you that I would encourage you to get in contact with. These supports are available to you free of charge and sometimes these services can be the first step in feeling a little less alone when dealing with clinically depressed young people.    Suicide Callback Service is a free helpline that you can ring if your Son is self harming/trying to end his life. You can phone as a parent needing support on  how to assist or even get linked in to some further emotional support for yourself. Their website is here - https://www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au/ They're 24/7 fully qualified counsellors, the number is  1300 659 467.   I am not sure if he would be up for it, but Kids Helpline work with young people up to 25 years of age. Their staff are incredible, and again totally free. With an online chat option as well - https://kidshelpline.com.au/ Look forward to hearing from you soon. ... View more

@taokat wow .. Incredible; it sounds really like a completely lawless area of the internet. Well done on your strength and insight jumping into something so heavy and negative like that. I think your idea of "build me up" is amazing. It sounds like the moderators are also very challenging to work with... I wonder what kind of agencies could be contacted about this issue?   Look forward to hearing further about your article. ... View more

@Chauny this sounds like a very hard and challenging situation for the entire family. It sounds like you all are trying very hard to progress and keep on the right path, it must be hard trying to split this attention between the kids as well. Just out of interest have you checked out Parentline at all? The link there has a list of numbers for each state :)  The  counsellors there are able to explore a tone of issues impacting parenting, family and overall relationships. In the mean time have you got any self care planned to give yourself some down time? ... View more

@jdbza Wow I completely understand your tiredness. I hope on the next day to yourself, you can reflect; and see how incredibly resilient you are in providing for your niece. How did your Niece seem after her Mum was so unimpressed by her tone of voice - how's she doing following that phone call?   Is there a chance to lock in some more soothing time for yourself? Even a once a month spa session etc, or is it a bit of a full schedule at the moment?   I am currently in the middle of a really interesting book called The Buddha and the Borderline - I wonder if some of it will be familiar to your experiences with your sister.. If the diagnosis is legitimate of course!   Look forward to hearing from you :)  ... View more

accomplished! ... View more