St Helens :: Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust
Mental health affects us all and is important to us all. It is about being able to enjoy friendships and personal relationships, being able to learn to cope with difficulties to the best of your ability, and believing in yourself.
We all go through difficult times, we feel anxious or angry or sad. Sometimes other people get us down. That's part of life and it's important to learn how to cope. Sometimes these things can affect young people a lot, leaving you feeling overwhelmed and you forget your own important skills.
Some problems go away pretty quickly and we carry on, but if they are unidentified or ignored they tend to become bigger and cause even more distress, not only for young people, but for families, carers, and friends.
The problems that go on and on seem to take over and there's a change in you, in your usual behaviour, your emotions or your thoughts. Sometimes anxiety and depression are severe and frequent enough to take over everyday life. People can then feel isolated, like no one gets it and that they can't cope.
Talk to someone
This could be anyone - a teacher, parent, friend or someone else. All that matters is they are someone you can open up to and trust.
Don't be alone
Although your room might feel like a safe place, surrounding yourself with friends or family will help with loneliness and sadness.
Think positive
List all the things you like about yourself and the things people have told you they like about you.
Face your problems
Make a list of all your problems. Picture yourself coping with these problems. Think about how you can deal with them and what you can control.
Take a break
Do something you enjoy, whatever that is.
Stay active
Exercise can make you feel happier and more confident. It doesn't matter what you do, the most important thing is to find something that makes you feel good.
Eat well
Eat three regular meals a day, and drink plenty of water. It's surprising how much eating well can affect your mood.
Help others
Volunteer for an organisation that interests or inspires you, or volunteer for our Trust. Helping others will make you feel valued.
Avoid drugs and alcohol
These cause more problems than they solve.
It is important to talk to someone if:
- You feel so desperate you think about stopping school, running away or harming yourself
- You feel low, sad, tearful or that life isn't worth living
- You lose your appetite
- You find it difficult to sleep
- You have feelings and thoughts which are hard to talk about because you feel people might think you are odd
- You are avoiding seeing your friends, going out, or doing things you used to enjoy
- You are using drugs or alcohol to block out the feelings
Your GP, school nurse or teacher can help - they may send you to see someone from your local Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS)
For further information, please click on the link above to the Mersey Care website.
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