Health - Mental health

Mental Health

Stress and Depression

Everybody feels down sometimes, its part of life, but if you start to feel down or depressed for long periods and it’s stopping you from getting on with your life you may need to get help.

Sometimes when you are down or stressed there is a particular problem, for example - you’re not getting on with your family; you’re worried about exams; you have money problems; or you’ve split up with a boyfriend or girlfriend. In this case by tackling the specific problem you will eventually feel more positive about life.

At other times though there may be a whole range of problems and feelings that are dragging you down and you can’t see a way out. Signs that it’s all getting too much for you can include:

  • Arguing with friends or family
  • Feeling tired a lot and not wanting to go out
  • Crying a lot
  • Having trouble sleeping
  • Feeling you want to harm yourself
  • Thinking no-one likes you
  • Eating a lot more or a lot less than usual
  • Stealing things or getting into trouble

Getting Help

The first step may be to talk to someone about the way you are feeling. Your Connexions personal adviser can suggest sources of help, advice and counselling or if you would prefer you could ring a helpline. Your doctor (GP) may also be able to help.

Open Door Leicester

open door

Open Door Leicester offers a free and confidential counselling service to young people in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.

Working in schools, colleges, youth clubs and Connexions Centres, Open Door supports all young people aged 11 - 25 years old.  If you, or someone you know, needs counselling or support – Open Door can help. They offer a safe, secure environment to explore issues, troubles and problems.

Visit the Open Door website

ichange

ichange is a new group for young people (aged 11-16 years old) who are being bullied or are concerned about their body image and want support to make healthier lifestyle choices. The group gives you the chance to:

  • Explore your feelings
  • Make new friends
  • Cook healthy meals
  • Take part in fun physical games and activities
  • Plan trips

When: Wednesdays 5.30pm - 7.30pm in term time

Where: Watershed Youth Centre, Upperton Road, Leicester

For more information call Faye or Helena on 2232397

www.opendoorleicester.org

If you would like further information about this opportunity please complete our short contact details form and we will get back to you

Counselling Service

Job Number: 4062000
Location: Leicester
The Watershed Youth Centre sign Connexions Leicester Shire Centre Watershed Youth Centre room Details:
The Open Door Counselling service wants to help you to help yourself. Through one to one counselling, you can be helped with any issues that you may be facing, build your confidence and help you to make better choices. The sessions are voluntary and you are encouraged to attend at least 3 sessions to get to know your counsellor and see how your issues can be addressed. Counselling sessions take place once a week and last as long as you need them.

To take advantage of this free and confidential service you will need to get your Personal Adviser to complete a referral form with you. You can then access counselling locally through Connexions Centres across the city and county.

"I felt relaxed with the counsellor"

"The Counsellor really understood my situation"

"They did not judge me"

"Helped me see things in a positive way"

headphones

Chill out and listen to advice and tips on dealing with stress from TheSite.org

Click here to listen to advice on coping with stress

Audio clip copyright

 

Exam Stress

It’s normal to feel a bit stressed in the weeks and months leading up to exams – but you need to keep things in proportion. Careful planning is half the battle.

  • Have confidence in yourself
  • If you aim for perfection try not to worry if things aren’t quite perfect
  • Get help from your teacher if you don’t understand anything
  • Talk about the worries you have
  • Remember there is life after exams however well you do!

If you need more info or just somebody to talk to, check out the listed web sites or call one of these local organisations for advice and info:

LAMP Leicester Action For Mental Health
0116 255 6286

Open Door Young People’s Counselling Service
0116 223 2397

 

Telling other people about a mental health difficulty


You Can Do It - For people experiencing mental health difficulties to think about the benefits of taking up learning.

Should I Say? A short guide to help learners think about whether or not to disclose their mental health difficulty to their learning provider.


Last Updated: 18-Mar-2010

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