Symptoms of anxiety, anger/behavioural and emotional issues are often a direct response to what is happening in their world; which makes emotional well-being just as important as children and young peoples physical health.

Things that can help support children and young peoples mental well-being:

-Being in a school that focuses on and looks after the well-being of all its pupils

-Eating a balanced diet

-Taking regular exercise

-Making time for indoor and outdoor play

-Being in good physical health

-Being part of an easy going and family

-Being involved in local groups and activities with similar aged children and young people

-Having control of their own life

-Being positive

-Feeling safe, loved and valued

-Feeling others understand you and have trust in you

-Being part of school life

-Having the opportunity to learn

-Having the skills and ability to cope with any issues they may face

-Having the resilience to cope when things go wrong in their life

Common mental health symptoms children and young people experience

Depression: Affects teenagers more than very young children. Depression has increased in children and young people in the last few years.

Generalised anxiety disorder (GAD): Causes extreme worry/ may have separation anxiety.

Self-harm: By cutting and burning. This is how young people try to manage their intense emotional pain by harming themselves.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): By witnessing something extremely frightening or traumatising. Surviving a disaster or being a victim of bullying or violence.

Eating Disorders: Common in teenage boys or girls.

Sleep problems: Due to mind working overtime.

Feeling very down and in a low mood: Being negative to everything.

Anger

Behavioural issues

Triggers for mental health problems

-Traumatic events

-Moving home or school

-Birth of a sibling

-Breakdown of family life e.g. separation or divorce

-Transitioning to adulthood

-Alcohol, drugs or other substances (abuse in themselves or a parent)

-Living in poverty or homelessness

-Having a parent with mental health issues

-Being a long term carer for a relative

-Being bullied

-Suffering physical or sexual abuse

-Death of a relative or someone a child or young person was close to

-Discrimination because of race, religion and sexuality