Leaving school can be a hard time for lots of young people. With so many different things happening all at once and plenty of decisions to be made, it is unsurprising that many young people feel stressed and their mental health takes a hit.

Mental ill-health can impact your well-being, learning, relationships and work. If you feel like you are suffering from a mental illness, you are not alone and there are both people and services who can help.

We are not experts on the subject, so we have drawn together some information below from organisations who specialise in supporting young people towards better mental health.

 
 

IMPORTANT: If you are in an emergency situation and require immediate assistance, mental health or emergency assistance, please call 000.

If you or someone you know are having suicidal ideations please call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467.

 

 

About your mental health

Note: The following is reproduced from ‘What are mental health difficulties and when to seek help’ on the headspace website. headspace is the national youth mental health foundation. Check out their website here for more information. © headspace National Youth Mental Health Foundation Ltd.

You hear the phrase “mental health difficulties” used all the time. But what does it actually mean?

To explain this, it’s helpful to think about mental health on a spectrum.

At one end of the spectrum is mentally healthy. In this area you feel able to work and study, feel connected to others, be involved in activities in your community and ‘bounce back’ when life’s changes and challenges come along.

Mental health spectrum, courtesy headspace.

At the other end of the spectrum is mental illness. Mental illness is a general term that refers to a group of conditions, such as anxiety, depression or eating disorders. These conditions can significantly affect how a person feels, thinks, behaves and interacts with others. Almost half of the population will experience a mental illness at some point in their lives.

In between these two ends there is a ‘coping area’, where people might feel some pressure but are doing OK, and a ‘difficulties area’ where people might feel like they aren’t doing so well.

It’s important to know that everyone sits somewhere on this spectrum, and where you are can change from day-to-day or week-to-week, depending on many factors.

Understanding Mental health difficulties

Everyone can experience the signs and symptoms of mental health difficulties from time to time. It’s common for people to have times in their life when their sleep, mood, motivation or energy are not going as well as they would like.

Image courtesy headspace.

If these signs and symptoms are happening for a few weeks or more, and are starting to have a bigger impact on things like relationships, or work and study, it’s a sign that you might be heading towards the difficulties area of the spectrum.

If you’ve noticed these sorts of changes, it’s important to look after yourself, learn a bit more about what’s happening for you, and enlist the support of family and friends. By finding the right support and strategies, things can get better.

Signs and symptoms of mental health difficulties

  • not enjoying, or not wanting to be involved in things that you would normally enjoy

  • changes in appetite or sleeping patterns

  • being easily irritated or having problems with friends and family for no reason

  • finding that you aren’t performing at school, TAFE, university or work like you used to

  • being involved in risky behaviour that you would usually avoid, like taking drugs or drinking too much alcohol, or depending on these substances to feel ‘normal’

  • feeling sad or ‘down’ or crying more often

  • having trouble concentrating or remembering things

  • having negative, distressing, bizarre or unusual thoughts

  • feeling unusually stressed or worried

  • feeling things have changed or aren’t quite right.

Contributors to mental health difficulties

The challenges that we experience in life can often contribute to periods of difficulty. It is important to remember this is never someone’s fault. There is no one cause of mental health difficulties. Instead, there are a number of overlapping factors that might increase the likelihood of developing mental health difficulties, such as:

  • current circumstances: such as stress at school or work, money problems, difficult personal relationships, or problems within your family

  • difficult life experiences: abuse, neglect, or the loss of someone close to you

  • individual factors: coping skills and thinking styles

  • biological factors: family history of mental health difficulties

Looking after your mental health

There are a number of things you can do to look after and maintain your mental health and wellbeing. As a start, incorporate the tips for a healthy headspace into your everyday routine. This will leave you more prepared to cope with the challenges you face in your everyday life. These include:

  • get into life

  • create connections

  • learn skills for tough times

  • eat well

  • stay active

  • get enough sleep

  • cut back on alcohol and other drugs

When and where to seek help

If you are experiencing mental health difficulties, it’s important that you reach out to a trusted friend, family member, teacher or Elder to share what you are going through. Or you can get in touch with your local headspace centre or use the online or phone-based service at eheadspace.

If you ever feel unable to cope because of overwhelming or intense emotions, or if you have any thoughts of harming yourself, then ask for help immediately.

For immediate help contact: triple zero (000) if it is an emergency

National 24/7 crisis services:

Additional youth support services include:

Note: The preceding text is reproduced from ‘What are mental health difficulties and when to seek help’ on the headspace website. headspace is the national youth mental health foundation. Check out their website here for more information. © headspace National Youth Mental Health Foundation Ltd.

Further information and support

Head to Health

Head to Health can help you find digital mental health services from some of Australia’s most trusted mental health organisations.

Provided by the Australian Department of Health, Head to Health brings together apps, online programs, online forums, and phone services, as well as a range of digital information resources.

Whether you are trying to improve your own sense of wellbeing, looking for help with something that is bothering you, or helping someone you care about—Head to Health is a good place to start.
Description courtesy © Commonwealth of Australia 2017

The Orange Door

The Orange Door is a free service for adults, children and young people who are experiencing or have experienced family violence and families who need extra support with the care of children.

You should contact The Orange Door if:

  • Someone close to you is hurting you, controlling you or making you feel afraid – such as your partner, family member, carer or parent(s).

  • You are a child or young person who doesn’t have what you need to be OK.

  • You are worried about the safety of a friend or family member.

  • You need more support with the care of children, e.g. due to money issues, illness, addiction, grief, isolation or conflict.

  • You are worried about the safety of a child or young person.

  • You need help to change your behaviour and stop using violence in your relationships.

The Orange Door can work with you on your own, or together with your family members depending on your situation. Tell a worker if you use communication aids or require an interpreter, including Auslan.

The Orange Door welcomes everyone, regardless of migration status. You can seek help or support if you are a migrant or a refugee or do not have permanent residency. You can contact The Orange Door whenever you need help. Workers at The Orange Door understand that all families can experience difficult times and may need help. © State of Victoria