This article was first published in November 2020.
When you鈥檙e a teenager, so much is changing that it can be a weird, exciting and sometimes scary time. Not only is your body changing, your brain is changing too.
You're likely to experience a whole range of emotions during these years. We need all of these emotions; they help us make sense of the world around us. Some of these emotions can feel pretty intense. Sometimes that can be really exciting, but sometimes it can feel overwhelming too. This is a very normal part of teenage development. If you're struggling with your emotions, there's plenty of support available and we've listed some sources below.
Understanding a little about the basic science of the brain can help you cope with some of the things you might be feeling. Natasha Devon, mental health campaigner and author of Yes You Can Ace Your Exams Without Losing Your Mind, is here to tell us a little bit about how the teenage brain develops.
If you need support
You should always tell someone about the things you鈥檙e worried about. You can tell a friend, parent, guardian, teacher, or another trusted adult. If you're struggling with your mental health, going to your GP can be a good place to start to find help. Your GP can let you know what support is available to you, suggest different types of treatment and offer regular check-ups to see how you鈥檙e doing.
If you鈥檙e in need of in-the-moment support you can contact , where you can speak to a counsellor. Their lines are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
There are more links to helpful organisations on 大象传媒 Action Line.
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