Top tips for how you can support young people with their mental health

In this day and age mental health is more important than ever especially for our young people. Here at The Highlife Centre we work with young people to help them develop not just educationally/ professionally but also as an individual and this includes focusing on their wellbeing. Here are some tips that we follow to help our young people that come and see us. These can be used at home as well as in social/ educational settings for young people and grownups.

• Listen First

Give them your full attention. Do not try to "fix" the problem right away. Let them share how they feel. This builds trust.

• Validate Their Feelings

Make them feel heard. Say things like, "It makes sense that you feel this way." Do not ignore or minimize their worries.

• Encourage Healthy Habits

Good sleep, healthy food, and daily physical activity (like a walk or sports) boost brain health.

• Set Tech Boundaries

Too much screen time can cause stress. Encourage screen breaks and device-free zones, such as during the last hour or so before going to sleep.

• Do Fun Things

Make time for hobbies. Doing things they love (like art, games, or being outside) helps lower stress.

We have a series of wellbeing activites for youth at The Highlife Centre. Be sure to check our social media to see what events are on.