Mental Health Awareness

We all know it’s important to take care of our bodies by eating healthy, exercising, and getting plenty of sleep.

But did you know it’s just as important to take care of your mind too?

This is called mental health, and it helps us feel happy, calm, and ready to enjoy each day!

What is Mental Health?

Mental health is all about how you think, feel, and act. Just like your body can sometimes get sick and need rest, your mind can feel a little tired or upset too. Mental health helps you handle all kinds of feelings – whether you feel excited, sad, angry, worried or even tired. Good mental health helps you:

Handle big feelings (like being mad, sad, or excited)
Feel strong inside
Keep going when things are hard
Sleep well

Why Is It Important?

When we feel good in our minds, it’s easier to make friends, enjoy school, and do the things we love. When our mental health isn’t feeling great, it can be harder to focus, get along with others, or enjoy our activities.

But don’t worry! It’s completely normal to have days where we feel down or frustrated. Everyone has tough days, and it’s okay to feel all sorts of emotions.

Ways to keep your mind healthy

Talk about your feelings

It’s okay to talk about how you feel! Whether you’re feeling happy or sad, telling someone you trust, like a parent, teacher, or friend, can help you feel better. It’s important to know that you’re not alone, and people are always there to listen.

Get outside - Get moving

Moving your body through sports, games, or even just going for a walk or having some time outside away from devices can make you feel great! Exercise helps your brain work better, and it can also boost your mood.

Take a break

Sometimes you might feel tired or overwhelmed. Taking a break to relax and do something you enjoy like reading, drawing, or listening to music can help your mind feel calm and recharged.

Be kind to yourself

It’s easy to be hard on yourself when things don’t go the way you planned. But remember, everyone makes mistakes, and that’s how we learn. Treat yourself with kindness and be patient as you grow and learn new things.

Sleep well

Sleep is like a reset button for your brain. When you get enough rest, you’ll feel happier, more focused, and ready to take on the day!

When to Ask for Help

Sometimes, even after taking care of your mental health, you might still feel upset or worried for a long time. That’s okay too! It’s important to ask for help from an adult you trust. They can support you and help you find ways to feel better.

Remember, your mental health is just as important as your physical health, and it’s great to ask for help whenever you need it. By looking after your mind, you can grow up to be the best, happiest version of YOU!

Useful Websites

YoungMinds provide young people with tools to look after their mental health. They give young people the space to get their voices heard.

A black image with no discernible features or text.

Kooth is a free, safe, and anonymous online platform providing mental health support for young people, primarily between 11 and 25 years old. It offers access to qualified counsellors and practitioners through text-based chat sessions, as well as resources and activities to support emotional wellbeing.

The Sleep Charity provides advice and support to help people sleep better, raise awareness about the importance of sleep, and campaign to improve sleep support and information access.