Doorways

Stress is like pressure on the body and the mind. Although stress can often seem like a bad thing, there can be good stress, the type that keeps you alert. It’s all about keeping a balance. When stress becomes too much to handle it affects our body, mental health and emotions. Symptoms such as tiredness, depression, lack of motivation and anxiety.

​Depression is more than simply feeling unhappy or fed up for a few days. Depression is a real illness with real symptoms that can last for quite some time. It isn't a sign of weakness or something you can snap out of by just pulling yourself together; but by beginning to understand and recognise things for what they are. This way you can begin to take a step forward. It often helps when we talk to someone.

Self-harm usually comes from low mental health and it’s when we deliberately injure ourself. Often we may feel it's a way of coping with or expressing overwhelming emotional distress; but it's really not safe. Do talk to someone if you get any thoughts of harming yourself in any way.

Often we get an unpleasant feeling of danger, pain, or harm, which is fear both mental and emotional. Everyone has the fear of something, some of failure, some of being left. Fear can restrict our lives as we naturally want to grow. It can hold us back from being who we are and the fear to connect with people around us. Talk through your fears with someone you can trust.

Guilt can also prevent us from positive growth. Guilt holds on to our mistakes and starts to change our identity and that’s when guilt wins. Its fine to be ashamed of something but it’s being careful that shame doesn’t turn into guilt. Learn to forgive yourself and move on.

Anger is an emotion, and one that is important to have. It’s what we do with the emotion and how we manage it that's important. Males are told to suppress anger because they become too violent females are told not to be angry because it makes them less lady like. Anger is an emotion that identifies something is wrong and gives us the urge to fix it. But often anger is not managed well. We must learn to manage emotions like anger and not suppress, because that can lead to other issues.

The human connection with one another is very important to us, though it can be become unhealthy depending on the relationship. It’s good to have healthy and well-built relationships with the people around you; including parents, family and friends. One way of making sure is knowing and understanding that the person you are with, also has needs just like you. So, take time in finding the best way to be with others.

Sex is a natural way of human connection, but there’s both a physical and emotional side to this. Sometimes the emotional part gets lost in the physical. It's important that we manage in a safe way, our physical and emotional health. Sex comes out of a loving and intimate relationship, respecting each other as individuals. Avoid the health dangers and find out more about this important area of life.

In relation to sexual health it’s important that if having sex, you are considering the risks and managing your choices. Things like contraception, to avoid the consequences of pregnancy as the impact on your future can be massive.

We all know the legal age for drinking is 18 and we know the health risks in drinking at ages of 12 plus. Drugs & Alcohol may seem a whole lot of fun but after using them excessively and for a long time, they start to affect you negatively, mentally and physically. There are help lines you can find if you feel things are getting out of hand. Talk to someone.

Gambling is a habit and can also become unhealthy to our mind and body. It often starts very small and innocent, then becomes something you can’t turn away from, whether you are winning or losing a lot. Gambling can be found in or outside of school, but both can still lead you into trouble. Don’t leave it long!

Some of us don’t grow up well around money, so we find it hard to budget when we have it. There's a temptation to spend while we have it. It’s important to budget, because we start to get a sense of discipline for when we get older, when we have much bigger amounts in life to manage.

Money is important and does matter, so important that we know it enables us to live our lives’ well. So, it’s important to view money as a resource and not a priority. It’s important you know how much you’re going to earn in the future and will determine how you are going to live. But it doesn’t mean money is everything.

There are toxic areas we should take care when entering. The Internet can be a wonderful place but can also be quite a harming or toxic place too. It’s important that we are aware of what we are doing online and if you see something that doesn’t seem quite right; it’s probably time to exit. Have the courage to speak up about something before things gets worse. Stay safe!

Hanging out with friends is great but we need to stay safe. It’s important that you manage your personal space and that you think first before acting. Trusting your instinct and noticing when something doesn’t seem quite right. It takes a lot of courage expressing to yourself and other people about your safety but it’s vital to do so.

We all have different expectations and standards of what is considered healthy eating; eating less or over what is required. If overweight or underweight, make sure you’re getting your main sources of protein (meats), carbohydrates (potatoes, rice, pasta), wheat, minerals (plenty of water) and vitamins.

An eating disorder is forming habits of eating, whether that be too much or too little. It also means having an unhealthy attitude to food, which can take over your life and make you ill. Physically but also mentally, for some people it’s anxiety or depression.

Talk it through, it can get better.

Activity is important even if it’s just regularly being outdoors with friends. People often think it must be sporty but whatever is active can contribute to your well-being and improve mental and physical health. Feel better about yourself and wake up fresh in the morning.

Personal development is a lifelong process. It's a way for people to know their skills and qualities, setting goals in order to realise and improve their potential in life. This doesn’t happen overnight.So, start by knowing what you’re good and what your not so great at. Strengthen your strengths and the rest will follow.

Self image is important because you need to know what you think of yourself before people make their thoughts about you. Be careful not to be the person people think you are, but begin to truly know who you are and knowing your own strengths, abilities and personality.

Confidence is not arrogance and it’s okay to be sure of who you are and to be firm in that. Some people mix the two up. To be arrogant would be too overly confident and putting yourself over people. Confidence is simply understanding yourself and being sure of it.

Domestic violence does not have to be physical, it’s like bullying and happens at home. Many, including children and young people suffer from domestic violence. It’s not your fault, talk to someone you can trust.