We know that talking and listening about mental health has the power to educate and change lives. If you are struggling with how you are feeling or your emotions, it’s okay to ask for help.

Whether you’re managing a mental health problem, or supporting someone who is, you'll find useful information and resources on this webpage. You can also view are full list of services here.

Young People In Mind offers support to young people from 11-18 (inc), across Norfolk and Waveney, who are struggling with their mental health and experience emotional difficulties.

Anxiety

• Know that it’s okay to feel anxious, it’s a really normal feeling.  If you can, tell somebody that you trust so they can support you.
• Set aside a worry time each day to think about the things that are troubling you.
• Write down 5 positive things about your day.
• Take deep calming breaths when you notice you’re starting to feel anxious.

• Try and make your own private journal to track your mood, goals and thoughts.
• Name one thing about today that was positive.
• Have some motivational statements or pictures on your wall to look at when you’re feeling low.
• Try to do at least one thing each day that feels good/you might enjoy.

Self-Esteem

• Try new hobbies and activities to help build your self-esteem.
• Write down one thing you are looking forward to in the day, tick it off when you have done it.
• It’s important to have fun and have time to do the things that you enjoy.

• Make a safety plan and keep it with you for when things feel really tough.
• Try and keep yourself busy at times where you are more likely to self-harm.
• Try not to be on your own when you feel like harming – if you can, stay with others or go out for a walk (if you feel safe to).
• Use the strategies that feel meaningful for you (e.g. listening to music, drawing, using a punch bag).

• Do not be afraid at being annoyed with the results and that feeling, this is motivation for the future, a lesson on what you will do better and where you may have struggled in certain areas that you now have a better understanding of.
• Stop comparing yourself to others, in life people will do better or worse than you but every successful person is greater through failure, there is no better teacher.
• If you’re finding that the wait for exam results is making you anxious and stressed, here are some tips from other young people who have been in your shoes.

How to provide emotional support to your child

A Parent's Journey - My Child Self-Harms

How to talk to your teenager about the invasion of Ukraine

Our own Mindfulness team at Norfolk and Waveney Mind run a Nurturing Parents Course throughout the year.

Visit their page to find out the next available course dates.

The Wellbeing Service supports children aged 16-19 with therapists and counsellors who are specialists in working with young people.
Call: 0300 123 1503. Lines open Monday to Friday (excluding Bank Holidays) from 9am to 5pm.

YoungMinds have an A-Z guide which offers advice on how to help your child with their feelings and behaviour, as well as mental health conditions and life events.