The campaign reminds audiences that lasting happiness and well-being come from feeling connected to others and part of something bigger.
At Childline, our counselors speak to children and young people every day who are struggling with their mental health, thoughts and feelings. The counseling sessions focus on a range of children’s worries and concerns, including issues with bad moods or feeling unhappy, and more than 14,000 sessions were provided to children on this topic last year. This equates to almost 40 counseling sessions by Childline per day.
Our counselors know how vital it is for young people to seek support, as prolonged mental health problems can have a long-term impact on their lives. To mark the International Day of Happiness and with the support of Lidl GB, a new campaign has been launched to highlight this subject. Find Your Calm encourages children to seek help for mental health problems and reminds them that the service is there for them 24/7.
Unhappiness was the second most important sub-concern observed by the service under the main concern of “mental health”. Nearly 40 percent of these counseling sessions were for young people aged 12 to 15. Many young people were also concerned about issues such as loneliness, trust, loss and anxiety.
At the NSPCC we understand that every young person is different and may need help to get through the ups and downs of their lives. This is highlighted in a new movie of the service, following four teenagers talking about their own coping methods. Expressing feelings through writing, art or speaking, making things more manageable, establishing a healthy routine and trying something new are all ways that can improve a child’s mental health.
Parents and guardians who want to support a young person can let them know they are there for them. Try to remain patient and calm, even if his behavior is upsetting. Let them know that you can be open and honest about their emotions and that they have a safe space to express how they are feeling and what steps they can take next to feel more positive. It might also be helpful for young people to talk to their peers about their feelings and experiences. Moderated discussion forums on the Childline website allow young people to talk to each other about concerns they might have. Childline is free, confidential and open 24/7: call 0800 1111 or visit childline.org.uk
