Some people may turn to self-harm as a way of coping with overwhelming emotions or difficult experiences, such as feeling depressed, being bullied, experiencing abuse or struggling with a sense of not being loved.
Young people who self-harm say it is a way of being in control and use it to help them cope, as the physical pain takes their mind off their problems.
Alumina is a service that offers free online self-harm support for 10-17 year olds.
Food is an important part of our lives. For some, mostly young people, how much or how little food they eat becomes the most important thing in their lives.
Eating disorders develop when food is used as a way of dealing with personal problems. How much is eaten, when and where, can sometimes seem like the only thing in their lives that they can control and have a say about.
While every young person feels highs and lows, for some it can turn into depression.
Young people are more vulnerable and sensitive to what is happening to them and less experienced at dealing with problems and anxieties. Depression can be started by several things, including the following:
Talk to your doctor or your child's school if you have concerns.
CAMHS provide community child and adolescent mental health services for North Somerset. They can provide help and information on anxiety, eating issues, emotional difficulties and other conditions.
Off The Record (OTR) is a mental health social movement by and for young people aged 11-15 years. Young people can visit their website if they are feeling anxious or have feelings of depression.
Kooth is an online mental wellbeing community for children and young people.
Coping with pressure from friends to act in a certain way can be difficult for young people, they may feel that they just want to fit in.
There is a lot of helpful information online that may help young people understand the possible effects of taking drugs and alcohol.
Help and advice can be found on the following websites.
Our substance advice service provide information, advice and education about drugs and alcohol. They also offer treatment programs for children and young people who want to cut down or quit using drugs and/or alcohol.
The North Somerset LGBT+ Forum provide sessions for young people who identify as LGBT.