Being a teenager’s rough. You’ve gotta juggle homework, extracurricular activities, friends, your family and not to mention figuring out who you are
It’s normal to feel stressed out, angsty, or sad sometimes. But it’s important to be able to check in and ask yourself — is this run of the mill teenage stress or is it something else? You might feel like you’re the only one in your school going through what you’re going through, but I promise, you’re not! 1 in 5 teenagers is experiencing a mental health issue, that’s roughly 5 students in your class, feeling stressed, sad, angsty.
It’s Okay to Seek Help From a Counsellor
When facing mental health struggles, it can be hard to find someone who you feel really understands you. It’s great to have friends to talk to about the things you deal with, but when you’re dealing with something a little heavier than general stress or sadness, it’s best to turn to a professional. Even if you’re not sure if what you’re going through is something that could be a mental health condition, it’s best to chat with a professional to be sure.
Next Steps if You Need Help
- You are not alone.
- Help is readily available.
- Having a mental health issue and speaking to a counsellor is absolutely nothing to be ashamed of.
And hey, if you’ve read this whole article, you’re already a step ahead in your mental health journey. Keep going.
Where to get help?
If you need someone to talk to, or want to find out more online, here are some organisations that can help:
- Kids Helpline (telephone and online counselling for ages 5-25) — call 1800 55 1800
- headspace (mental health service for ages 12-25) and eheadspace (online and phone support)
- ReachOut.com (youth mental health service) — online help
- SANE Australia (people living with a mental illness) — call 1800 18 7263
- Lifeline (support for anyone having a personal crisis) — call 13 11 14
- Suicide Call Back Service (anyone thinking about suicide) — call 1300 659 467
You can also ask your doctor or a mental health professional for advice or more mental health resources for teenagers and adolescents.