Wellbeing

Good mental health enables children and young people to lead happier lives, find it easier to learn, enjoy friendships and ultimately fulfil their potential.

The emotional wellbeing of children is just as important as their physical health. Good mental health allows children and young people to develop the resilience to cope with whatever life throws at them and grow into well-rounded, healthy adults. (Mental Health Foundation 2016)

Childhood, and the transition into becoming an adult, can often be a challenging time. Young people today can face stressful situations and unfamiliar challenges such as; exams, new relationships and the impact of social media. Many young people feel confused and unsure how to express how they are feeling and where to get help.

Most people can experience low moods from time to time. Occasionally, these feelings may become more intense and may start to impact their day-to-day lives.    

Your GP or School Nurse will also be able to provide you with further advice on referrals to specialist services and local agencies. If you are worried about your child’s emotional or mental health please speak to your GP.

TidyMinds

If you’re a young person living in Swansea or Neath Port Talbot, TidyMinds are here to help you understand the way you’re feeling, and find the right advice and support.

TidyMinds is a website brought to you on behalf of Swansea Bay University Health Board and hosted by Swansea CVS. 

For more information and support, follow this link to the Tidy Minds website.

Childline

Childline is a free and confidential helpline open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 

You can call Childline on a freephone number - 0800 1111 - where you’ll get through to a counsellor. They’re there to listen and support you with anything you’d like to talk about.

Or you can have a 1-2-1 counsellor chat online.

You can also send them an email from your locker. 

For more information and support, follow this link to the Childline website.

Meic

Meic is a helpline service for children and young people up to the age of 25 in Wales. 

From finding out what’s going on in your local area to help dealing with a tricky situation, Meic will listen even when nobody else will. They won’t judge you and will help by giving you information, useful advice and the support you need to make a change.

They're open 8am to midnight, 7 days a week.

You can contact them by:

Freephone: 0808 80 23456

Text message: 84001

Or online chat.

Meic is confidential and you don’t have to give your name. It is a free service for everyone.

Support is available in Welsh and English.

For more information and support, follow this link to the Meic website.