Mental Health Problems

Recognising the signs

A large majority of us will experience a period of time in our lives where our mental health is suffering. This does not mean that we ourselves have a mental health problem but it does mean that we should prioritise our health and self-care first over our responsibilities. Stress for example can leave us feeling emotionally drained and exhausted whilst showing itself physically with a weakened immune system and problems with digestion. This is why it is so important that we check in with ourselves from time to time and give ourselves frequent breaks from both studying and planning for lessons or marking.

Check out the 'self-care' section of the 'Healthy Mind' tab to find out some helpful ways to make sure that you are looking after yourself on a daily basis!

Mental Health Concerns

Nowadays more and more young people are experiencing mental health problems. This can be for a variety of different reasons, one of which may be the pressures and stress faced in school.

Here, you'll find information on different mental health problems and tips on how to cope with them.

Anxiety

Anxiety is a natural response to stressful situations which is important for basic human survival. This feeling of intense fear or panic allowed our ancestors to survive using our 'fight-or-flight' response to react when faced with a threat or danger.

It is normal to worry sometimes when in different stressful situations like exam pressure, friendships or money, as this allows our brain to become more alert and respond to the situation. Usually, we can calm down afterwards quite quickly. Too much anxiety on the other hand, has the opposite effect causing us to feel overwhelmed and unable to complete our tasks.

When someone suffers from an anxiety disorder, their anxiety will affect their behaviour due to experiencing worrying thoughts on a daily basis which inhibits their ability to cope with their school and family lives.

Signs of anxiety

These may include:

procrastination and avoidance

finding it hard to concentrate
having troubles with sleeping
not eating properly due to changes in appetite
crying more frequently
physical sensation - pounding heart, sweating, nervous/upset stomach
loss of pleasure in usual activities/hobbies
social isolation

Tips on how to cope with anxiety

TALK - with your peers, family, or a counsellor about your anxiety
Try to manage your worries - breaking down tasks into more manageable components can relieve your anxiety
Re-frame your negative/anxious thoughts - test the reality of these thoughts and whether they are actually true
Journal daily - here you can show yourself gratitude for any little daily successes which can be as simple as showering/cleaning your room
eat a balanced diet - including regular meals to stabilise your energy levels
mindfulness - trying relaxation and breathing techniques and meditation may help 'ground' you when you feel overly anxious
daily exercise - can be as little as 15 minutes (like a short walk) to help relax you

More information on anxiety

These are some sites that you can access if you would like to find out more about anxiety.

Depression

Depression is a mood disorder where an individual experiences frequent low mood and a loss of interest in their usual daily activities. This is different from the normal occasional sadness that we may experience due to different stressful or upsetting situations. When these feelings persist for a prolonged period of time, disrupting an individual's ability to function adequately in their daily lives, they are thought to be suffering with depression.

A good way to view depression is as a 'black dog' that influences your life. Watch the video on the right to learn more.

Signs of depression

These may include:

not enjoying activities you used to
avoiding friends or social situations
feelings of persistent sadness and low mood
easily irritable and agitated
feeling hopeless or empty
low self-esteem and confidence
changes in activity - restless or lethargic
sleeping either too much or too little
eating more or less than usual
difficulty with concentrating
potential thoughts of suicide or self-harm (not necessary to be diagnosed with depression)

Tips on how to cope with depression

Be more active - getting more exercise (even as little as 10 minutes) after being sedentary will be difficult, to begin with, but sticking with it will help improve your energy levels and can help improve your mood as a result of the endorphins that are released when exercising.
Go for a daily walk
Sleep around 8 hours a night
Reach out - talk about your struggles with someone you trust and take part in social activities which can help improve your mood and change your current outlook on the world.
Spend quality time with those you care about
Take pride in your appearance - sometimes the little things like self-care and hygiene practice can get people out of their depressive state by making a conscious effort to get ready in the morning, which forces you to get out of bed.
Practice relaxation techniques - this can include yoga, deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation or meditation
Aim for a healthy diet - by 'healthy' this doesn't mean eliminating any sugar from your diet, because all foods can fit in moderation. A balanced diet means trying not to skip any meals/snacks as this can be one of the causes of low energy levels and thus low mood and agitation.
Stay hydrated

More information on depression

These are some sites that you can access if you would like to find out more about depression.

Page updated

Report abuse