For this month’s blog we have a young person’s perspective from Poppy on mental health support.
Mental health is something that affects everyone at some point in their lives, but knowing where to go for support can be difficult, especially for young people. Everyone is different, and the place someone turns to for help often depends on the situation and what feels comfortable for them.
For me, where I would go for support depends on what’s going on. My school has an app called Tootoot, which allows students to report concerns to teachers if they are feeling bullied, unsafe, or worried about something. Having something like this can be really helpful because it gives people another way to reach out when speaking face-to-face feels too difficult.
That said, I would not always choose to go online for support. One reason is that sometimes you don’t know where your information is going. Because of this, I would only use websites or apps that are trusted by services such as my school, the government, or a workplace.
I also find talking about my feelings quite difficult. I know a lot of young people feel the same way. In the past, when I have struggled, I have spoken to my friends first. Friends can be a good source of support because they know you and can listen and could understand your experience. If things become more serious, I would then recommend speaking to parents, who could help contact a teacher or another trusted adult who is trained to help.
There are also organisations that provide support specifically for young people. Charities such as MAP, Cup-O-T and Braver Futures create safe spaces where young people can talk about their feelings and get support. I have personally used Braver Futures in the past, and I had a really positive experience. The staff were supportive, I felt listened to, and the environment felt calm and safe to speak about my mental wellbeing.
When some people are feeling overwhelmed, their first instinct is often to hide away and avoid people. I think many young people can relate to that feeling. Sometimes it seems easier to deal with everything alone. However, keeping your emotions bottled up is not always best for you. Feelings can build up over time, becoming more difficult to manage.
One of the most important things I have learned is that you do not have to deal with everything on your own. Talking to someone you trust can make a huge difference. It does not really matter whether that person is a friend, parent, teacher, support worker, or any other trusted adult. What matters is that you feel safe, heard, and supported by that person.
My message is that if you are feeling overwhelmed, speak up. Reaching out can feel scary, but asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness. There are people who care and want to help, and you deserve support when you need it, so don’t disappear into your emotions, embrace them and get help to understand them.
You can find useful resources here: Helplines and Apps – Cup-O-T: Wellness and Therapy Services CIC
