What is wellbeing?

The concept of wellbeing comprises two main elements: feeling good and functioning well.

Feelings of happiness, contentment, enjoyment, curiosity and engagement are characteristic of someone who has a positive experience of their life. Equally important for wellbeing is our functioning in the world. Experiencing positive relationships, having some control over your life and having a sense of purpose are all important attributes of wellbeing.

The Five Ways to Wellbeing

The Five Ways to Wellbeing

Evidence suggests there are 5 steps you can take to improve your mental health and wellbeing. Trying these things could help you feel more positive and able to get the most out of life: 

Connect - Talk and listen, be there, feel connected.

Be Active - Do what you can, enjoy what you do. Move your mood.

Take Notice - Remember the simple things that give you joy.

Keep Learning - Embrace new experiences, see opportunities. Surprise yourself.

Give - Your time, your words, your presence.

When times get tough...

Remember that it is normal to go up and down the spectrum of mental health at different times in our lives. Here are some things you can do to support yourself when things get tough: 


Try writing down how you feel

Some young people find keep a 'mood diary' helpful to record how they feel on different days and identify any patterns which might explain what is upsetting them. 


Reach out to others who are struggling

If you know that someone else in your friendship group is also finding things difficult, reach out to them and see if you can support each other. Helping someone else can help you feel better too. 

Be kind to yourself

When times are hard, it’s important to be extra kind to yourself, just as you would be kind to a friend in need. Think about what you might find comforting – reading a favourite book, playing your favourite music, watching a film you enjoy with a friend or parent/carer, going for a walk to clear your head. 

Speak to someone you trust

One of the most important things you can do is to speak to someone rather than ‘bottling up’ your feelings inside yourself. Choose a close friend, family member or a teacher or other school staff member to share your worries with.

what-is-stigma.pptx

What is mental health stigma?..

This presentation features a young person sharing their story and explores the impact of mental health stigma on young people.

This resource was created by the Time to Change campaign to end mental health discrimination. It introduces young people to the concept of mental health stigma and discrimination, sharing examples they may have come across in everyday life. It then looks at the impact this may have on those with mental health issues.

Tips for looking after your mental health...

Making sure you look after your mental health is just as important as looking after your physical health. Here are some suggestions that everyone can try, to help manage stress and look after your mind. 

Spend time with or in nature: You may go to a local park, find a tree-lined street to travel down; visit a nature reserve or go to an allotment or garden. Spending time in natural surroundings or with animals is proven to reduce feelings of stress and anxiety and improve your mood. 

Practise meditation or mindfulness to find calm and restore: There are lots of ways to include mindfulness in your day — you can take time to focus on your breathing or try out mindfulness colouring.

A few times a week, take time to move: Mind and body are one; so, whether it's going for a walk, climbing, swimming or attending a yoga class, movement is a great way to de-stress, increase feel-good hormones and improve your overall health. 

Have a digital detox: Phones and social media can cause us to feel anxiety and pressure. Taking some time away from technology, whether it's short breaks away from your phone or a day when you limit all technology, can be really helpful for reducing stress and worry. 

Talk it out: If you're ever worried about your mental health or start to feel like you're becoming stressed or anxious, talking to someone you trust, such as a friend or family member, is a great way to calm yourself down and look after yourself.