Healthy Mind

Good health is vital if you want to enjoy life to the full. So it's really important you

• think about ways to stay healthy
• don’t put off getting help with any health problems you may have.

Everyone struggles with growing up - there are just too many things to be unsure about, too many ‘what ifs?

What if…

I fail my exams?
No-one likes me, or fancies me?
I’m unsure about my sexuality?
I’m not ready to study further or to get a job?
I feel like I’m going crazy?
I don’t fit in?
I hate my mum and dad?
My family want to get rid of me?
I have no money, or nowhere to live?
I just don’t know…

You might not want to talk to anyone about your worries because you are embarrassed, you might think people won't take you seriously or understand you, or that they might tell someone else when you don't want them to. You might think adults have let you down, so find it hard to trust them. It can be very difficult to talk about your feelings and what's happening in your life, but some problems won't go away if you try to sort them out yourself or ignore them.

We all have to deal with different kinds of emotions, sometimes we are happy and sometimes we are sad. Depression is a mental disorder which occurs when sad emotions become overwhelming.

A young person who is depressed may have low spirits, feel inadequate, be downcast and stressed, feel guilty or responsible and worried or lonely. Depression can also show itself in many ways. In its extreme form it can lead to suicide attempts and so it is very important to get help.