Welcome! Growing up in today’s world
has its’ challenges. At times it can become stressful and so looking after your mental wellbeing and health is important. The information and links below are so you can explore resources when you are unsure what to do at times. Always remember, you have many adults around you who all care about you and are available for you.
You may have heard the phrase 'mental health difficulties' used before. But what does it actually mean?
To explain this, it’s helpful to think about mental health on a spectrum from mentally healthy to mental illness. Everyone sits somewhere on this spectrum, and where you are can change from day-to-day or week-to week, depending on many things.
Let's explore the Mental health spectrum.
Healthy
This means you feel able to work and study, feel connected to others, be involved in activities in your community and ‘bounce back’ when life’s changes and challenges come along.
Coping
This is when people feel some pressure but are doing OK.
Difficulties
This is when people feel some pressure but are doing OK.
Mental illness
This is a broad term that refers to a group of conditions like anxiety, depression or others. These can significantly affect how a person feels, thinks, what they do and interactions with others. Almost half the population will experience a mental illness at some point in their lives.
In a mental health emergency please see contacts below:
Kids Helpline 13 11 14
eHeadspace 1800 650 890
BeyondBlue 1300 22 46 36
Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467
Eating Disorders 1800 33 4673
Anonymous and confidential, ReachOut.com is a safe place where young people can openly express themselves, get a deeper understanding and perspective on what’s happening in their lives, connect with people who will provide judgement-free support, and build the resilience to manage their challenges now and in the future.
Designed with – and specifically for – young people, ReachOut is 100% online, anonymous and confidential, and lets young people connect on their terms. From one-to-one peer support and moderated online communities, to tips, stories and resources, ReachOut offers a wide range of support options that allow young people to engage in the ways they want to, when they want to.
The website is aimed specifically at providing young people in Australia with customised resources if they need help with support/counselling, food, housing, money, domestic/family violence, everyday needs, health, advice/advocacy and work/learning. It is free and anonymous, with thousands of services listed across Australia.
Living with ADHD can be difficult. Let’s explore how to cope and even thrive with it.
Anxiety is the most common mental health condition in young people in Australia. Feeling anxious is one way our bodies keep us safe from danger. But sometimes we can become overly worried and if it affects daily life, it may be an anxiety disorder. When we’re very anxious, we have intense feelings of worry or distress that are not easy to control. Anxiety can interfere with how we go about our everyday lives, and make it hard to cope with ‘normal’ challenges.
There are different types of anxiety and they feel and look different to each person. You can find out more about the different types of anxiety here:
https://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/resources-support/anxiety/signs/
You can take an anxiety self test here:
https://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/resources-support/digital-tools-apps/anxiety-self-test/
Understanding autism, coping strategies and how to support others with autism.
https://kidshelpline.com.au/teens/issues/understanding-autism
Remember, CGS is an inclusive community!
Body image is the way we see, think, feel and behave towards our bodies. The way we see or perceive our bodies directly impacts the way we think and feel about our bodies.
If you’re being bullied or know someone who is, there are lots of things you can say or do to make the bullying stop and to cope. Remember, CGS takes bullying seriously as we believe everyone should be treated with respect!
Bullying is behaviour which is unkind and mean, deliberate, repeated and where one or more people have power over another or others.
There are several forms of bullying: Online, physical, verbal and social.
Below are some sites with information to help you.
https://kidshelpline.com.au/teens/issues/bullying
https://thebullyproject.com.au/get-help/#kids
Remember, CGS does not tolerate bullying!
How to tell if it’s bullying
Not all unkind or hurtful behaviour is bullying. This link will help you tell the difference.
https://kidshelpline.com.au/teens/issues/how-tell-if-its-bullying
Disagreements in families are normal and healthy. Here is a guide to resolving family conflict.
Find out more about these and how they can affect you.
https://kidshelpline.com.au/teens/issues/drugs-and-alcohol
Remember, CGS is a drug free community!
Over 1.1 million Australians are living with an eating disorder. If you are concerned about a friend or for yourself, this page is for you.
Feeling sad is not the same as feeling depressed. Sometimes it’s hard to tell the difference. Sadness will pass but depression will stick around.
https://kidshelpline.com.au/teens/issues/feeling-sad-and-depression
https://headspace.org.au/explore-topics/for-young-people/depression/
Although it’s hard to fight with your friends, it’s totally normal and even common to disagree with those closest to you. Here are some tips to help you out.
Headspace is Australia’s National Youth Mental Health Foundation, providing early intervention mental health services to 12-25 year olds.
- Headspace Armadale
- 40 Fourth Rd
- Armadale WA 6112
- 9393 0300
Here at CGS we know the importance of respectful relationships. But it does not just apply to when you are at school. Respect is the glue that holds all of your relationships together.
For some young people, self harm is a one-off event. For others, it can happen several times or become a repeated behaviour that can be hard to change.
https://headspace.org.au/explore-topics/for-young-people/self-harm/
Sexting is when you send or receive a message that has sexual content like a nude or partially nude picture, sexy words or a video or live chat or stream. What you need to know about sexting…