Help yourself approval

Help YOURSELF - a guide to good mental health -

created by : Adam (17) Breghanna (17) Courtney (18) Erin (17) Jade (17) Joanna (16) Marcus (17) Sophie (16) Tarran (17)

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Introduction Mood diary Colour break School stresses Positivity challenge Conditions Places that help

Hello

We are a group of students and young people from Usk, Wales.

School can be a tough time - a few of us experienced and still live with mental health issues as a result. Which isn’t great.

Talking about mental health in school is still a big hurdle for many, plus we found there was a lack of resources available to students, leaving many choosing to struggle, rather than speak candidly.

We want to help change this!

‘Help Yourself’ is a booklet encouraging young people and students to talk about mental health - to break down the stigma often associated with mental health, and to inspire confidence in speaking about and managing your own mental health conditions. We want to help you, help yourself!

mood diarys DAY OF THE WEEK

MOOD / 1-10

ACTIVITIES

Example

anxious / 4 / :(

I had an exam in school and it was stressful

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

- How is my week going? A weekly planner for you to fill in.

Keep track of your positive mental health every day, for as long as you want!

GOOD & BAD THOUGHTS

My thoughts were a mixture of good and bad, but im feeling more relaxed after talking to a friend.

colour break

Colouring can help with a number of emotional and mental health issues.

Focusing on this calming activity can actually help remove thoughts from negative issues and let your brain have some much needed rest.

Info sourced : medicaldaily.com // Mandala sourced : free-mandalas.net

School stress “My schedule is packed, I’m not sure how to cope...”

“I need to find time to eat right...”

“There’s so much pressure to get things right...”

If any of these issues sound familiar, we encourage talking to someone and getting help.

You are not alone.

Everyone struggles from time to time.

Info sourced : livestrong.com

“I’m definitely not sleeping enough at night...”

Positivitys 1

2

3

Go for a walk!

Make a to do list!

Take a bath!

7

8

9

Do a puzzle!

Watch the sunrise!

Watch a happy movie!

13

14

15

Listen to fun music!

DRAW!

Meditate!

19

20

21

Cook a nice meal!

Do some Yoga!

Go for a run!

25

26

27

Lunch with a friend!

Have positive mantra! Learn something new!

- 30 day challenge A 30 day positivity challenge.

Complete each day and get one step closer to positive mental health!

4

5

3 Deep breaths today! Genuine compliments!

6 Laugh today!

10

11

12

Call a friend!

Write a positive quote!

PAINT!

16

17

18

View positive picures! Unfollow negative people!

Positive playlist!

22

23

24

Have a goal today!

Help a cause!

Admire the world!

28

29

30

Write a letter to you!

Watch the sunset!

Reflect on 30 days!

- Mental health conditions There are lot’s of different mental health conditions.

Not every person is affected the same, and not everyone has a condition.

But the below are some examples of common conditions, if you are worried or concerned or want to know more, visit the NHS website.

General Anxiety Disorder (GAD).

A feeling of unease, such as worry or fear, that can be mild or severe.

Everyone has feelings of anxiety at some point in their life – you may feel worried and anxious about sitting an exam, during times like these, feeling anxious can be perfectly normal. However, some people find it hard to control their worries.

GAD can cause both psychological and physical symptoms. These vary from person to person, but can include: feeling restless or worried, having trouble concentrating or sleeping, dizziness or heart palpitations.

Depression.

Depression is more than simply feeling unhappy or fed up for a few days.

When you’re depressed you feel persistently sad for weeks or months, rather than just a few days.

Depression affects people in different ways - from lasting feelings of unhappiness and hopelessness, to losing interest in the things you used to enjoy and feeling very tearful or anxious. There can be physical symptoms, such as feeling constantly tired and sleeping badly.

Bipolar.

Formerly known as manic depression, Bipolar is a condition that affects your moods, which can swing from one extreme to another. People with bipolar disorder have periods or episodes of depression and mania – feeling very high and overactive.

Symptoms of bipolar disorder depend on which mood you’re experiencing. Unlike simple mood swings, each extreme episode of bipolar disorder can last for several weeks (or even longer), and some may not experience a “normal” mood often.

Info sourced : nhs.uk

Asking is the first step

I

HeLPlines MIND

Young minds

- the mental health charity -

- child & adolescent mental health -

mind.org.uk

youngminds.org.uk

0300 123 3393

0808 802 5544

Childline

rethink

- free, online, anytime -

- our goal is a better life -

childline.org.uk

rethink.org

0800 1111

0121 522 7007

B-Eat

FRANK

- eating disorders -

- friendly, confidential drug advice -

beateatingdisorders.org.uk

talktofrank.com

0808 801 0677

0800 7766 00

Created by a group of young people from Usk, Wales.

These young people are changing the way others approach mental health conditions, and are encouraging students to help themselves through a positive mental attitude.

These are the views / experiences / opinions of young people, and should not be relied on or substitute for formal (medical or other) advice.

Attribution: Positivity doodles from Bryan Ochalla, Flickr.

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