It can be helpful to think of mental wellbeing as a continuum that ranges from feeling happy and content to experiencing challenges that can be extremely difficult to manage. How you should respond and the support that you might needs depends on where you are on this continuum.

It is normal to go through times when we are leaning towards the negative end of this continuum. Our experience of what is happening or has happened in our lives will influence our mental wellbeing. Sometimes, when we experience thoughts, feelings and behaviours that are challenging or distressing, it can be difficult to move back to the positive end of this continuum. There will be lots of things that influence how we cope and show resilience at times like these.

Relationships

In almost all situations, people’s mental wellbeing is best supported by those closest to them.  This can include parents, carers or family members, friends, and other key adults such as a teacher in school.  Even if you are feeling lonely or isolated, there is usually someone in your life that you can speak to about it, if you look hard enough.

Our relationships with other people can help us to learn coping strategies along the way that help us to manage difficult times and develop our resilience.  We often learn by watching how others deal with the challenges they face. 

Resilience

Our resilience is our ability to cope with challenges and bounce back after them, sometimes even stronger than we were before.

Strategies

These are the things that we can do regularly which will help us to cope with challenges throughout our life.

Support

In some situations, people will experience times when they need some additional or specialist support. This may be because of the impact of what they have experienced, such as loss, trauma, neglect or abuse.  If you think that this might apply to you speak to a trusted adult in your life, either at home or in school.  They will be able to help you to find the right support.