1. Supporting your young persons well being
Presented by
Lisa Thomson

2. Our Vision
Our vision is of a world where people understand and talk openly about depression, where young people know how to maintain wellbeing, and where the most appropriate treatment is available to everyone who needs it.

3. Warning Signs

4. Isolated / withdrawn Loss of interest Accidental? Likely story?
Repeated?
Physical injuries
Personality change
Neglect
Change in appetite
There are a range of warning signs to be alert to. Most reason to be concerned when there is a change from the norm. The numbered box is related to physical injuries and promoting you to ask for reasons and assess whether their explanation fits the injury.
Change in sleep
Feeling unwell

5. Need to think about the impact these changes on their ability to maintain a normal life.

6. We all have bad days and life deals some blows sometimes – we would also expect to start to ‘recover’ after a while. How long have their low mood been going on for? Is there an understandable trigger? (eg bereavement, friendship issues, exam stress)
Longevity

7. What Next?

8. Rationale – we need to be able to take actions that will build our resilience and enable us to cope with the bad stuff. Young people need to know and understand that we do not feel joyous every day. Sometimes content is good enough!
Just as healthy eating can prevent physical illness and promote good health, The following ‘5 ways to wellbeing’ can do the same to prevent mental illness and promote good mental heath.

10. 1
Connect
connect with the people around you: your family, friends, colleagues and neighbours. Spend time developing these relationships. Even if teenagers say they are not interested they will appreciate an offer of spending some time – talking about their day, asking about their friends (on and off line).

11. 2
Be Active
you don't have to go to the gym. Take a walk, go cycling or play a game of football. Find the activity that you enjoy and make it a part of your life. Walk to school instead of getting a lift. Walk the dog……

12. 3
Keep
Learning
learning new skills can give you a sense of achievement and a new confidence. Students are learning at school all the time, but how about a different kind of skill – cooking, learning a musical instrument or a language. Learn to knit!

13. 4
Give
even the smallest act can count, whether it's a smile, a thank you or a kind word. Larger acts, such as volunteering at your local community centre, can improve your mental wellbeing and help you build new social networks.

14. 5 Take Notice (Be Mindful)
be mindful – be more aware of the present moment, including your feelings and thoughts, your body and the world around you. Some people call this awareness "mindfulness", and it can positively change the way you feel about life and how you approach challenges
(Be Mindful)

15. How we can help? Listen Make time Be honest Act don’t react
Offer practical ideas
Act don’t react
Role model
Six sensible ideas here. Practical ideas rather than advice goes down better with teenagers, Let them know if you are concerned about them – be honest. Don’t hide your own bad days – it’s good for them to know that you get anxious about big events or wake up feeling low sometimes – it makes them feel ‘normal’ and also they can learn more strategies to cope from you. Remember what Lisa said about their brain development not finishing until they are in their 20’s and so teenage angst is understandable.

16. Right People, Right Questions
Have you ever had a question related to young people’s (aged 11 – 25) mental health that can be answered by research?

17. Further Sources of Support

19. Text CWMT17 £2/£5/£10 to 70070 to donate
Fundraise for CWMT
It’s vital to get messages about mental health and wellbeing into schools.
Fundraising for CWMT not only brings in money to help us continue our work – it also raises awareness of depression and what young people can do to take care of their mental wellbeing.
Our fundraising pack is full of useful information, ideas and tips.
For your copy please visit:
call: or
Charlie Waller Memorial Trust @CharlieWtrust
Text CWMT17 £2/£5/£10 to to donate

20. Students Against Depression
studentsagainstdepression.org

21. Free information booklets
Free resources for parents, professionals and others interested in mental and emotional wellbeing