Children & Young People's Emotional Health

Low Mood

• Try and make your own private journal to track your mood, goals and thoughts.
• Name one thing about today that was positive.
• Have some motivational statements or pictures on your wall to look at when you’re feeling low.
• Try to do at least one thing each day that feels good/you might enjoy.

Self-Esteem

• Try new hobbies and activities to help build your self-esteem.
• Write down one thing you are looking forward to in the day, tick it off when you have done it.
• It’s important to have fun and have time to do the things that you enjoy.

Self-Harm

• Make a safety plan and keep it with you for when things feel really tough.
• Try and keep yourself busy at times where you are more likely to self-harm.
• Try not to be on your own when you feel like harming – if you can, stay with others or go out for a walk (if you feel safe to).
• Use the strategies that feel meaningful for you (e.g. listening to music, drawing, using a punch bag).

Sleep

• Put your smart phone on airplane mode at a set point in the evening so it doesn’t distract you when you’re trying to relax and get ready to sleep.
• Try to go to bed and get up at the same time every day.
• Take ten deep breaths before you get out of bed in the morning, and before you go to bed at night.
• Do some calming activities that feel good before bed; like listening to music or having a bath.