Mental health problems affect around one in six children. This includes depression, anxiety and behaviour change.
Up to 75% of children today do not receive the support they need to improve their mental health.
Children's mental wellbeing is as important as their physical wellbeing. Good mental health helps children develop resilience to face life's challenges, cope with them and grow up into healthy and fulfilled adults.
Things that can help children and young people with their mental health:
Things that affect children and young people's mental health:
A key question to discuss is whether social media have a detrimental effect on children and young people's mental health.
Hello!
And now we are in 2022! But what did I achieve in 2021? Words of the CORONAVIRUS YEAR that come to mind.
Personal well-being is a priority for all. It is important to consider it on a daily basis and also to consider the well-being of others around you. Mental Health Awareness Week every February 7th to 13th reminds us annually that good mental health leads to personal happiness.
What Makes Us Feel Good?
In life there are many things that can help us feel good and here are a few for you to consider:
Keeping Positive
At times it’s easier to focus on the negatives in life and lose focus on the positive things that have happened during the day. Why not try a gratitude jar? This is a great way to remind you of the positives in your life. Write something you're grateful for every day and put them in a jar.
Keep them and when you feel depressed turn to them to remind you of the positive things in your life.
Asking for Help
Childhood and adolescence are very difficult times where individuals change and develop very quickly. There are some major problems and pressures to challenge you, such as exams, relationships and other daily pressures.
At times like this, it’s important that you don’t feel invisible and that you use your voice to share your worries and ask an adult for help.
Sometimes there are problems that can’t be solved on your own. Turning to someone else can bring a different dimension to the problem. Their previous experience may have helped them face similar problems and they may have the answers to help you.
A problem shared is definitely a problem halved and comes as a relief because you are no longer alone.
Remember:
How to start the conversation:
Meditation
I've heard that people 'Meditate’. But how and why do they do this?
Is everyday life stressful?
Meditation builds resilience to combat stress.
Do people worry about their health?
A scientific study has proven that meditation lowers blood pressure and builds a healthier heart.
Are you happy?
Meditation promotes brain chemistry for you to be happier.
Do you suffer daily anxiety?
Frequent meditation practice lightens the state of the mind.
How can I be more creative?
Being alert and peaceful is an opening to better possibilities.
There are many styles of meditation for you to practise. Why not investigate further to find out the best form of meditation that works for you?
Sŵn y Nant,
Llangoed
SA14 3BE
05/02/2022
Dear Cadi,
How are things now? I hope you’re alright. Did you receive a gift on St Dwynwen's Day? I got nothing and I didn't expect anything to be honest!
I thought I’d share a worry with you as I’m not sure who else to turn to. For some reason a bunch of year 7 girls have taken against me, I think it’s because I have red hair and I’m slightly shorter than the rest of the kids in my year. At first I managed to ignore them but now they’re taunting me every day and going out of their way to follow me at lunchtime. I try my best to avoid them but they manage to find me and the taunting makes me feel depressed. My other friends tell them to shut up but they don’t listen at all! In fact the more they tell them the louder they mock. Apologies for sharing my problems with you but I thought you might know what to do.
Thank you for listening and I would be grateful for any ideas to help me.
Bye for now,
Mabli
