Emotional wellbeing is just as important as students’ physical health.

Adolescence is a crucial period for developing the social and emotional habits that are important for mental wellbeing. These include:

  • adopting healthy sleeping patterns
  • exercising regularly
  • developing coping, problem-solving and interpersonal skills
  • learning to manage emotions

It is common for adolescents to feel a range of emotions, both positive and negative. However, if negative thoughts and feelings start to affect their daily life and stop them doing the things they enjoy, or their ability to feel OK, they are likely to need support with their mental health.

Knowing what steps we can take to support our mental wellbeing can help us feel better, sleep better and have better relationships with the people around us.

If you are worried about either your own emotional health and wellbeing or that of somebody else, please speak to a member of staff at school. There are also a number of links below which can offer advice and support for young people and their parents/carers.

Online Counselling and Support for Young People

Free online counselling and emotional wellbeing platform for children and young people, accessible through mobile, tablet and desktop. You can get help with the following: Relationships, Exam stress, Bullying, Eating disorders, Self-harm, Life problems, General health.

Visit the Kooth website.

Young Minds is an online platform for young people who want to understand how they are feeling, find ways to feel better, or support someone who’s struggling.

Visit the Young Minds website.

Young people can text the Young Minds crisis messenger (also known as SHOUT) for free, confidential 24/7 support across the UK if they are experiencing a mental health crisis.

Texts are free from EE, O2, Vodafone, 3, Virgin Mobile, BT Mobile, GiffGaff, Tesco Mobile and Telecom Plus.

Text YM to 85258

Visit SHOUT online.

Mind offers information and support for young people aged 11-18. This includes videos, tools and tips for student mental health.

Visit the Mind website.

The Anna Freud National Centre for Children & Families provides useful Mental Health information, guidance and advice on their website.

Visit the Anna Freud website.

The AFC Crisis Messenger text service is a free, confidential, 24/7 text message support service for anyone who is feeling overwhelmed or is struggling to cope. The service is staffed by trained volunteers who will work with you to take your next steps towards feeling better.

They can help with issues such as anxiety, worry, panic attacks, bullying and depression and are there to talk at any time of day or night.

Young people in need of support can text AFC to 85258.

Childline offer support, activities and tools such as, mood journal, boost your mood tool, Art box, coping kit and calming tips.

When you call Childline you’ll get through to a counsellor, they’re there to listen and support you with anything you’d like to talk about 24/7, 7 days a week. This call is free and it won’t show on your bill.

Call free on 0800 1111

Or you can have a one-to-one counsellor chat online.

Click here to contact Childline.

Click here to visit the Calm zone.

Self-harm is any behaviour which may result in a person harming their body through their own actions. The reasons children and teenagers can self-harm are often complicated and will be different for every child or young person.

More information, advice and guidance around self-harm can be found on the sites below:

The NHS offer self-care videos with tips on taking care of yourself on social media, dealing with unhelpful thoughts, sleep, dealing with change, worry and exercise.

Visit the NHS Better Health website. 

Thrive Hubs are a single point of entry to Manchester’s emotional wellbeing and mental health offer. Young people, parents/carers and schools can refer to their service for support.

Visit the Thrive Hubs website. 

The Proud Trust supports LGBTQ+ young people. Their website offers advice covering a range of different things such as coming out, faith and religion, and staying safe. 

They also offer Proud Connections – a live web chat providing online support for LGBTQ+ young people.

The web chat is open 11am – 6pm, from Monday to Friday, and 12pm – 6pm on Saturdays.

Visit the Proud Connections homepage.

Visit the Proud Trust website.

Online Support for Parents and Carers

The Anna Freud Centre provides resources for parents and carers which offer advice and guidance to help support children and young people who may be struggling with poor mental health.

Visit the Anna Freud website.

Young Minds offer detailed advice, emotional support and signposting for supporting a child or young person up to the age of 25.

Call the Parents Helpline for free on 0808 802 5544.

Visit the Young Minds – Parents homepage.

Mind provides information for parents and carers who are supporting a young person with their mental health.

Visit the Mind – Parents homepage.

The Mental Health Foundation website offers helpful advice on a wide range of topics, including supporting children with their mental health.

Visit the Mental Health Foundation website.

The NHS provide information on looking after a young person’s mental health, including top tips on how to support children and young people as well as looking after your own mental health.

Visit the NHS Better Help website.

The Proud Trust supports LGBTQ+ young people and also provides helpful information for adults on how to support them.

Resources cover a range of different things such as exploring LGBTQ+ identities, inclusion and how to support young people coming out.

They also offer Proud Connections – a live web chat providing online support for LGBTQ+ young people and the adults in their lives.

Visit the Proud Connections homepage.

Visit the Proud Trust – Trusted Adults homepage.