Young people and mental health
Self-harm
Young people and mental health – it is not unusual to experience issues in this area as you are growing up. Are you between 11 and 18 years old, self-harming and have nobody to talk to? I can help you. I have experience in supporting young people who self-harm. Please don’t feel you have to suffer in silence. Deliberate self-harm can be a sign of emotional distress, a way of expressing feelings, where words are not possible. This behaviour could result from previous abuse (emotional, physical or sexual), bereavement/loss, or highly impulsive behaviour. Whatever your reason, you can find help, acceptance and a place to talk about your feelings should you wish to.
It is a fact that self-harm is different from suicide. Those who self-harm are rarely trying to take their own lives. I can help by listening and helping you explore what is going on.
Despite the pressure you may feel from others who care about you, it is not always the right decision to cease self-harm. There needs to be another safety net put in place to begin with. This is where Harmony Counselling can help. Together, we can decide on a way forward. At no time will you be left on your own, having to make decisions completely unsupported.
Why not contact me and see if Harmony can provide you with help and support?
Bullying
Are you experiencing bullying at school, college or university? Do you worry about the way it makes you feel? You have no-one to talk to about this. You need no longer struggle on alone. I have experience in helping young people who are facing bullying. I can help you get in touch with who you really are, and help you become the person you would like to be.
That might feel a long way off now, and that’s perfectly normal for what you are experiencing. However, with help, you can become stronger by changing from within.
I have direct experience working with young people
I have several years working in the Youth Wing of a South London secondary school. Young people were able to talk with me about their bullying, which arose outside as well as inside school. Young people were bullied over many issues, family of origin, race, gender, or simply the way they looked. Without fail, all were yearning for a sense of self-worth and acceptance, whilst feeling the opposite. From what I heard, the bullying was taking this away from them and, in a few cases, causing major mental health issues.
Bullying can happen in the workplace too. It is not just something that young people experience. The perpetrator is often someone we know well, or who has been a previous friend. Sometimes bullying occurs within a family perhaps between siblings. This is particularly hard to bear since, often, you all need to share the same house together. In these situations I can help you work through your thoughts and feelings so you may see life from a different perspective. It is important to learn coping strategies – what works for you, what doesn’t and why.
Bullying causes low self-esteem and a lack of confidence for many. It need not be like this and help is close at hand. You can call (01256 976747 /07500 770464). Why not pick up the phone and give me a try? It could be the best call you ever make.
Lack of confidence
Many young people I see struggle with a lack of confidence. This shows itself in many behavioural issues in and outside the home. For example, some young people are unable to walk to school by themselves, or through the local shopping centre, for fear of being looked at. The feelings experienced are at such a level of intensity, they are considered to be extreme.
Some young people struggle with eating disorders (anorexia or bulimia), or have general anxiety over eating in front of others in the school canteen. This can result in many difficulties at home when parents/carers force the issue over eating and you may or may not feel like doing so. I can provide support in these areas, although some eating disorders require specialist clinical input.
Some young people become ‘people pleasers’, always saying yes to everything, for fear of being rejected. This can have a detrimental effect upon health and well-being. This can be due to a fear of confrontation, or being constantly put down and made to feel worthless. If this problem is not addressed at a young age, it can be carried on as a behaviour into adulthood.
I can help you believe in yourself again, to become more confident and learn how to be assertive. No longer will you have to say yes when you mean no! Sound familiar? Pick up the phone!
Why not contact me and give Harmony a try?
Domestic or Sexual Abuse
Domestic and sexual abuse are unacceptable forms of behaviour. I hear about them frequently from the young people that I work with. A young person should never have to experience such encounters. I can help you turn this around, empowering you on the journey from victim to survivor.
This is obviously a delicate area in terms of confidentiality. All information shared in counselling sessions is kept entirely confidential, but there are some exceptions to this rule. Primarily, these exceptions involve your life being in danger, where I would have a responsibility to talk to someone about this (either my supervisor or 999), although this rare and I would always endeavour to seek your consent prior to talking to anyone.
Young people sharing past or current sexual abuse may simply want to talk about what happened and to take no action. There is a fine line to tread here which depends upon your age and understanding. Sometimes it is necessary to involve Hampshire County Council Children’s Services, for your own protection. Your safety and care is paramount at all times and your living situation would also be taken into consideration, particularly if such abuse involves a close family member.
For more information about how I can help, you can refer to my Article on Childhood Sexual Abuse written 1st March 2015.
Why not contact me and give Harmony a try?
