"Your most important body part.
Look after your mind it will look after you."
The teenage brain is a wonderful thing, it allows us to take in the world around us and gives us a unique view of the problems we face. It can also be something that runs wild and causes us worries and fears. Click the links below to find some helpful info and guides to help manage your mind.
For help in a crisis please Click Here
6 Facts you need to know about your teenage brain
Your brain is still developing. The teenage years are one the biggest periods of brain development since early childhood, these changes usually continue into your mid-20s. That means your brain is still growing, strengthening useful connections and getting more efficient.
Fact 2
The thinking ahead part develops later. The front part of the brain helps with planning, decision making, problem-solving and impulse control, and it is one of the last areas of the brain to mature. This is one of the reasons why young people can act quickly in the moment without thinking things through first.
Fact 3
Emotions can feel bigger during the teenage years. As your brain develops, feelings can feel more intense and harder to manage at times. that does not mean you are "overreacting" for no reason - it means your brain is still learning how to handle big emotions and respond calmly.
Fact 4
Sleep changes are normal during puberty. During puberty, it is natural to want to go to sleep later, because melatonin, the hormone that helps you feel sleepy, is released later at night. So teenagers are not always being lazy - their sleep pattern is genuinely shifting
​​​
Fact 5
Your brain is learning fast and changing with experience. During the teenage years, your brain keeps getting better at learning and remembering. Practice, new experiences, positive relationships and healthy habits all help build and strengthen brain connections.
​
Fact 6
What you put in your body matters. Because the teenage brain is still developing, alcohol and drug can affect it more. UK health sources say children under 18 should not drink alcohol because the brain is still developing. Regular cannabis use in young people has been linked with problem concentrating and learning.
Watch
Sign up to get regular helpful updates
Mental Health Conditions
It is important to know that just like your body, your mind can become unwell too. Mental health problems are usually a lot harder to spot, and do not always come with physical symptoms like that of a broken leg or bruised arm.
Click the icons below to find information on common mental health conditions.
Feelings & Emotions
Coping with Life
Supporting Others
How to support friends or family
Family and friends are the most important people we have in our lives, helping them means noticing when someone may need support. Supporting someone doesn't have to always be big - even small actions can make a real differences and help people feel seen, valued and less alone
What are the signs someone may be stuggling?
Here are some changes to look out for......
Heightened emotions, being angry, upset or agitated a lot of the time.
They feel tired all the time, have low energy or are seeming 'lazy'.
They are using drugs and alcohol
Withdrawing themselves, not doing things with friends, avoiding people
Eating habits changing, eating more or eating less regularly
Talking about not caring anymore,
taking risks and not thinking ahead.
Not replying to messages
or appearing online
Talking about feeling worthless, guilty or that they feel like a burden.
Daily ife getting to much, falling behind with school work and low attendance
4 Steps to Supporting a Friend
Here are some helpful tips to talk to someone in need.....
Environment
-
Set aside time in a quiet place
​
-
Chose a familiar place
​
-
Try to avoid stressful times
​
-
Don't rush them
​
Talk
-
Ask open ended questions
​
-
Ask how you can help
​
-
Reassure them
​
-
Avoid trying to diagnose
Listen
-
Don't interrupt them
​
-
Reflect back what you have heard
​
-
You don't have to fix everything
​
-
Use phrases like "it sounds like" and "I can see that".
Signpost
-
Encourage them to seek support
​
-
Find support with them
​
-
Plan to speak again
​
-
Reassure them
Open Ended
Questions
Open ended questions are questions that require more than just a yes or no answer
"How have you been lately?" ​
​
"What's been going on for you?"
​
"How did that make you feel?"
​
"Tell me more about that."
Important stuff.....
If a friend or family member has spoken to you, you should always try to keep that information between you and them, but there are certain times where that may not be possible.
You should tell someone else if....
-
They have told you they are going to hurt themselves or someone else
-
The are in immediate danger or someone else is in immediate danger
-
They have told you about abuse, neglect or criminal activity.