World Mental Health Day 2023
October 10th is World Mental Health Day, a chance to raise mental health awareness.
This year we are supporting #HelloYellow which was launched in 2016 by Young Minds to show young people they’re not alone.
Since then, thousands of schools, companies and communities have come together and made World Mental Health Day that little bit brighter by sharing the message of hopefulness with #HelloYellow
Young Minds reminds us all this World Mental Health Day that reaching out to our friends is important, especially when we are struggling…
Talking To A Friend
From Young Minds
Talking to a friend about your mental health is one of the first steps on the road to feeling better. But sometimes, this can feel quite scary. You might not know what to say, or you might be nervous about sharing how you are feeling. That’s okay! Here are some tips that can help:
- Pick a good time when you won’t get interrupted and find a quiet space to chat.
- Explain how you are feeling.
- Be clear about what you want shared. You may not want other friends to know yet, and that’s okay. Let your friend know that you are not ready to share with others. However, if your friend is worried that you aren’t safe, they will need to tell a trusted adult.
Remember: Good friends will want to be there for you so you don’t have to struggle alone.
Everyone’s support network is different and you will know best who you feel most comfortable to turn to. Here are some further ideas from Young Minds of who you can reach out to:
- Your family – parents or carers, siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles or cousins.
- Trusted friends – your own friends, friends of the family, neighbours.
- Professionals – your GP, a doctor or nurse, a social worker, a therapist.
- Colleagues or people you work with.
- A community support group or online community.
- A faith leader or trusted member within your religious community.
Understanding Mental Health With Your Mental Health
One key action all of us can take in our mental wellbeing is learning more about mental health. This may help us understand ourselves and others better and help guide us to understand when further support is needed.
Your Mental Health is a clear, accessible guide which demystifies anxiety, depression, eating disorders, self-destructive behaviours, plus more.
To get your copy, visit Your Mental Health here.
Support For Young Minds
Fighting for young people’s mental health, YoungMinds has a free Shout Textline which offers young people 24-hour mental health support.
Find out more here: Shout Textline
YoungMinds also have a Parent Helpline:
You can call our Parents Helpline on 0808 802 5544, Monday - Friday 9:30am - 4:00pm.
Kooth is an anonymous site which helps children and young people to feel safe and confident in exploring their concerns and seeking professional support. Visit their website here.
