MANAGE YOUR FEELINGS

It’s definitely NOT easy being young! Sometimes it’s tough to avoid feeling worried, and pressure can build up.

Some of the things we might be worried about are; friends and family, how we look, not having the things other people have, feeling different and our health.

Managing feelings during the coronavirus outbreak

Things have been very different over the past few years, with various lockdowns/ restrictions and things we have to do to help protect ourselves and others. So it’s completely  normal to feel sad, confused and worried about the impact on our own and families mental health.

Things to try to help our mental health and wellbeing

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