Feelings
What can affect us? How can we cope with our feelings?
Factors that have a huge impact on how we feel
- Having a long-term physical illness
- Having a parent who has had mental health problems, problems with alcohol or has been in trouble with the law
- Experiencing the death of someone close to them (especially by suicide)
- Parents who have separated or divorced (loss)
- Been bullied or physically or sexually abused
- Living in severe poverty or being homeless
- Experience discrimination: due to race, sexuality or disability
- A young carer
- Having problems with school or exclusions
- Experience of living in care
Things that improve how we feel
- Accepting who we are and recognising our strengths
- Being in good health, having a balanced diet and getting regular exercise
- Being able to have fun, indoors and outdoors
- Being part of a family, that gets along (most of the time)
- Going to a school /college that cares about its students
- Taking part in local activities or groups
- Feeling loved, trusted, valued and safe
- Having opportunities to learn & succeed
- Having aspirations and goals for the future
- Feeling valued
Starting difficult conversations
If you can, be clear and ask for help straight out or tell someone how you are feeling, that always works best, but it isn’t always easy. Here are a few ideas to help start the conversation…there’s no right or wrong way, give it a go!
- I don’t know how to deal with my feelings
- I want to tell you something but don’t know how to start
- I need some advice on something. Can you help me?
- How do I cope in the future?
- I’m really struggling at the moment, I need help
Feelings Resources for Under 13s
No resources found.