Suicide is a really tough subject to talk about, but it's important to understand what it means. When someone takes their own life, it's called suicide. This usually happens when they're feeling overwhelmed by emotional pain , dealing with problems that may seem impossible to solve and can't handle what's going on in their life anymore.

Self-harm is a challenging and deeply personal experience where someone intentionally hurts themselves as a way to cope with overwhelming emotions like sadness, anger, or hopelessness. 

Sometimes people think that self-harm is just for attention or to manipulate others, but that’s not true. It’s a serious issue that comes from deep emotional pain and not knowing healthy ways to cope. It’s not about getting attention, but about trying to deal with really tough feelings in a harmful way.

Social media has become a major part of our daily routines, giving us a platform to connect with friends, share experiences, and showcase our personalities. It’s like having a look into everyone’s lives right at our fingertips. 

It’s essential to be aware, however, that social media can impact how we perceive ourselves and our lives. What we see online isn’t always the full picture. Sometimes, scrolling through posts where everyone seems to have it all together can leave us feeling inadequate or like we’re missing out.

You know how school can often feel like a second home, a safe place where you can learn, make friends, and have fun? But unfortunately, there are times when things don’t feel so safe, such as when there’s violence happening around you.

School violence is when any kind of harmful behaviour or violence happens within the school grounds. It could be physical fights, bullying, or even threats and verbal abuse. Seeing or experiencing violence in school can be really tough. It can make you feel scared, anxious, or even affect how you feel about yourself.

During teenage years, you might become really focused on what you see as flaws in your appearance, even if those flaws are minor or imagined. This can cause a lot of stress and make you do things repeatedly to hide or fix these perceived flaws. This can even lead to a condition called body dysmorphic disorder (BDD),which is a mental health condition where you can’t stop thinking about one or more perceived defects or flaws in your appearance.

For Teens seeking support

We know that for teens, there is a lot on your mind when deciding if to seek the help of an adult. Especially if you are in a situation where an adult is the cause of your concern. For those who have decided to seek support through a school counsellor or social worker, see what you can expect below.

Things you should know before making the decision to get help