We all have mental health and it affects how we think, feel and act. Some people call mental health ‘emotional health’ or ‘mental wellbeing’ and looking after our mental health just as important as looking after our physical health.

Your mental health doesn’t always stay the same and can change depending on what’s happening in our lives at a certain time, and as we move through different stages of life. We all have times when we feel down or stressed or worried. However, if we are struggling with our mental health it can affect our everyday life.

Some common signs that someone might be struggling with their mental health include:

  • A change in sleep pattern (sleeping more or sleeping less)
  • Not engaging in usual activities/ hobbies, and/ or not having the same enjoyment from these
  • A change in appetite (eating more or less)
  • Change in mood (presenting as tearful, withdrawn, anxious)
  • Having thoughts of self-harm and/ or suicide
  • Any other change in behaviour
  • Physical symptoms; headaches, stomach aches, feeling sick

If you feel you are struggling with your mental health, there are many things available to help support you at this time. Find out more about getting help here.

Mental health problems in young people are very common. Up to one in four people will experience poor mental health at some point in their life.

We all go through times where we feel down, angry or worried, and this is a normal part of being human. However, sometimes these difficulties stick around for prolonged periods, or affect us in many ways. If you find your mental health is affecting your everyday life it might be time to consider talking to someone. This could be a parent, teacher, friend, GP or any other person you feel could support you. Most schools have access to some form of pastoral support so talking to your head of year or a teacher can be a good place to start. Many young people find that talking to someone they trust can really help, and it doesn’t have to be someone specifically trained in mental health that can help us.

Seeking help is often the first step towards staying emotionally well, but it can be hard to know where to go for support. In our ‘helping yourself' and 'getting help from services' sections we cover a range of self-help resources and guidance, as well as information about the various services and organisations who can support children and young people with any difficulties that they might be experiencing. 

There is a useful guide on how to open up to someone at: www.mind.org.uk/information-support/for-children-and-young-people/talking-to-friends-and-family