ARE YOU HURTING?

Sam Kavakli Design: George Walker Illustrator: Kian Westlake

How to look after ourselves and each other through mental health problems

Mental health issues are increasingly common in people of our age. According to our survey, nearly 40% of students believe they have bad mental health. Over 90% suffer or know someone who has mental health problems. Tag investigates how we can support ourselves and each other through mental health problems.

What should we look out for?

Mental illness is indiscriminate. It affects young and old, all genders, and individuals of every race, ethnic background, education and income level. Types of it can range from obsessive-compulsive disorder and generalised anxiety disorder to bipolar and schizophrenia.

How it affects people can be different for anyone. Common symptoms of mental health problems include extreme mood swings, feeling down for long periods, withdrawing from friends and activities, low energy, feelings of anger, and paranoia.

How can we cope?

Talking is a well-known therapy for mental health. Opening up the discussion with your friends and family can make a huge difference. When ITV started the Britain Get Talking campaign, we were shocked by the impact it had. 43% of those who saw or heard about it got in touch with family and friends, reaching over three million people, with 2.8 million people starting the conversations. Talking to each other allows you to open up and share your feelings.

There are also plenty of activities that you can get involved with to help you cope and feel better. Maybe use simple breathing techniques or thoughtful mind games to help calm yourself down. Sitting quietly by yourself while reading, listening to music, or doing things with your friends is also a great way to cope.

Keep it positive

Eastbourne Youth Radio produced a broadcast focusing on keeping upbeat and improving mental health. In the Positivity Hour, they played lively music and interviewed the head of the wellbeing team at East Sussex College, Helen Ding.

Sometimes we might prefer not to talk to someone we know, or at school break, caring for others and accepting who you are are all ways of looking after your mental health.

Look after yourself, look after others, and treat others as you wish to be treated.

or college when struggling. Helen told Eastbourne Youth Radio where we could go instead. “The college has signed up for a wellbeing platform called TogetherAll, which is pretty awesome. It’s got loads and loads of stuff on it, so you can talk to people from across the country. The military, the NHS, and colleges and universities all use it too. It’s got chats on it, it’s got help packs on it, it’s got journals; there are all sorts of things on it, and it’s really, really useful.”

Get the help you need

One in four of us has experienced mental health problems. If you feel that you are suffering, you may need to ask for support. Start by talking to your parents and teachers at school. There is always professional support that can be found, such as via the NHS.

Those around you can also play a big part in making you feel better. Reach out to your friends or family. Talking about your feelings, asking for help, taking a

“Open up and share your feelings”

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH FROM THESE CHARITIES

Mind – www.mind.org.uk Mental Health UK – https://mentalhealth-uk.org/