Supporting mental health for young people

The importance of self-care

Some quick tips which may help to improve mental wellbeing

• Self care:
  • take regular breaks from work
  • find time to do things you enjoy
• Set yourself small and achievable goals.
• Set yourself a good routine.
• Keep on learning – develop new skills or find new hobbies.
• Eat regularly and with a balanced diet.
• Try not to compare yourself to others.
• Be mindful of how long you are spending on social media.

Tips for looking after yourself

• Connect – Good relationships provide a source of happiness and a place of support.
• Learn – Learning can build self confidence and provide a sense of purpose.
• Be mindful – Mindfulness can be a great way to recharge, take a step back and gather your thoughts.

Affecting factors

• Sleep – Sleep has a major affect on mood so try to get as much as possible and have a routine.
• Nutrition – Diets should be varied, balanced but, most importantly, tasty and enjoyable!
• Exercise – Taking time to move your body is great for both your physical and mental wellbeing.

Talking about it

Being alone and feeling lonely are two very different things.

People can feel lonely in a room full of people, but you are not alone.

Sometimes it can be difficult to start a conversation about mental health. Here are some tips:

• Write down what you’re feeling.
• Let the person you’re going to talk to know in advance that you would like to have a serious conversation.
• Choose your first confidant carefully (try to find someone who you expect will be patient and understanding).
• Choose an environment where you feel comfortable to have the conversation (eg an activity you both enjoy or over a drink).
• Avoid downplaying what you’re going through.
• Allow the confidant to ask questions and let the conversation go at its own pace.
• If the conversation doesn’t go as well as you had hoped, don’t be afraid to try again.

Don't ignore the signs

• prolonged low mood
• constant fatigue and/or sleep issues
• unable to relax
• struggling with concentration and memory
• atypical mood (eg anger)
• physical symptoms

Support

For useful information, visit the Keep Your Head website (opens in a new tab)

Helplines

• If there's immediate danger: call 999, or call 111 (option 2 for mental health) to talk to a NHS professional
• Samaritans: call 116 123
• Childline: call 0800 1111
• There's a wide range of support and activities at kooth.com (opens in a new tab)