Mental health and wellbeing
What is mental health and emotional wellbeing?
We all have mental health!
Good mental health is a feeling of happiness where we are able to handle the normal stresses of life and can do the things we want to do.
Emotional wellbeing is how we feel day to day.
Everyone feels low sometimes or experiences stress or anxiety due to exams, family problems, or changes in our life.
These changes can effect our mental health and emotional wellbeing.
"Our mental health and emotional wellbeing, is just as important as our physical health."
Mental health issues can affect anyone at any age.
What can I do to look after my mental health and emotional wellbeing?
There are lots of support out there and things that you can do to help feel better and build your resilience to everyday stresses of life:
- Speak to someone - Talking really helps.
Talking to family and friends provides great support.
if you are not sure who you feel comfortable talking to, below is a list of support services that provide free anonymous and confidential help.
- Surround yourself with positive things - Quotes and people that make you feel good about yourself.
- Find something you enjoy doing - Things that make you feel good or relaxed after a stressful day.
- Eat healthy and sleep well - The food we eat and how much sleep we get effects our mood.
- Don't be alone with your thoughts - Share how you and your friends are feeling and check-in on each other.
- Follow the 5 Ways to wellbeing - 1.Connect with others, 2.be active, 3.Take notice of what’s around you, 4.Keep learning, and 5. Give to others.
- Try our 30 Day What’s Up Challenge - It's 30 simple things to help look after your emotional health.
"Don't be afraid to seek help if you're feelings are starting to get too much, it's important to talk to someone you trust."
Get advice on emotional wellbeing issues
Check out our pages below for support on various emotional wellbeing problems:
- Berevement - when someone dies
- Confidence and self-esteem
- Depression or low mood
- Eating disorders
- Feeling frustrated or angry
- Feeling lonely
- Feeling overwhelmed or suicidal
Check out Mind's A - Z of mental health.
Do you know what CAMHS is?
CAMHS stands for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services.
These are NHS services that assess and treat young people with emotional, behavioural or mental health difficulties.
For more info see the Young Minds 'Your Guide to CAMHS'.
Emotional Wellbeing Support Services for young people in Suffolk
The following services provide free, anonymous and confidential support:
Kooth - Is a free, safe and confidential online service where you can find someone to talk to when you need it.
Emotional Wellbeing Hub - Online self-referral service and helpline: 0345 600 2090 if you're worried about you or a friend's emotional wellbeing. (For young people living in East and West Suffolk)
Just One Norfolk - Mental health support services for young people in Lowestoft and Waveney.
ChatHealth- Speak to a school nurse for support and advice on any health concern. Text 07507 333356.
They offer weekly confidential 'drop-ins' in secondary schools.
4YP in Ipswich - Offer a drop-in service for young people to come and chat to a youth worker about any social, emotional, physical health and wellbeing issues.
Just42 Compass mentoring - mentoring support for 11-18 year olds struggling with mild mental health issues.
The Kernos Centre - Based in Sudbury, offers counselling for young people who feel their emotional wellbeing is suffering, whatever the reason may be.
Suffolk Wellbeing Service - If you're 16 or over, you can refer yourself for free support from them. This could be in the form of short term counselling or a telephone call from a professional, or wellbeing workshops or classes on things like low mood and sleep.
Visit your GP - You can go to your GP for help. Anything you talk about is confidential and will be kept between you and your doctor.
Feeling distressed and having a crisis?
The following services can help if you are experiencing a mental health crisis:
- Mental Health Crisis Line: Call 111, options 2 - if you are feeling distressed and need urgent support (replaces the First Response helpline).
- The Samaritans - call the Samaritans on 116 123 or visit their website.
- PAPYRUS - helpline for young people who are feeling suicidal, or have thought about self-harm or taking their own life. Call 0800 068 41 41.
- YoungMinds Crisis Text Messenger Service - free, 24/7 crisis support. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis and need support, you can text YM to 85258.
- C.A.L.M Campaign Against Living Miserably - free, confidential and anonymous helpline and webchat service for men and boys who are struggling and need to talk to someone. 24/7 helpline: 0800 58 58 58.
Emotional wellbeing resources
You may find these websites useful:
- BBC website information and support contacts
- BBC website MY Mind and Me
- Young Minds website
- On My Mind
- Become a better listener and help save lives with these tips from the Samaritans.
Download our emotional wellbeing leaflets for young people:
- How are you feeling today? Toiletdoor poster of key contacts A4 East and West Suffolk
- How are you feeling today? Toiletdoor poster of key contacts A4 Waveney and Lowestoft
- How are you feeling today? Z Card
- Feeling Overwhelmed and Suicidal Z Card
- Movement and Mind Z Card
- I feel like hurting myself Z Card
Please email firstname.lastname@example.org if you would like to request an accessible version of our leaflets.
Useful health and wellbeing Apps:
- Go to our 'If the App fits' page