Feeling a sense of belonging can be so important. It can make you feel seen, heard, valued and listened to. It can also help you to feel that you are important and loved. Having a sense of community can be so vital, especially if you are going through a challenging time: having the support of others can really help you to keep going.
Young people’s mental health is really important to me as a youth activist as I have seen firsthand the importance of feeling that you truly belong within a wider community and how it can help you to feel less isolated and it helps you to feel that you aren’t fighting these causes alone.
What mental health means to me, and how I look after mine as a young changemaker
I think that mental health can mean different things to lots of people but to me, it means feeling safe and secure not just in my environment but also within myself. Something that isn’t often talked about is the link between physical health and mental health and both really impact each other. I know personally my mental health struggles have mostly been related to having physical health conditions. It’s also important to be aware that some groups are more likely to experience mental health challenges such as those from underrepresented backgrounds such as those from an ethnic minority background or with disability.
Here are some of my top tips on looking after your mental health as a young changemaker:
- Taking breaks regularly. This is so important and I think it can be really difficult especially when you are so passionate. Sometimes having a break from activism can really help you to come back with new energy and a fresh perspective. It is also really important to prevent burnout.
- Prioritising self-care and saying no if you need to. Being an activist often means that you are often sharing your lived experiences. This can sometimes be challenging and also exhausting so prioritising self-care and saying no on the more difficult days can allow you to rest and recharge.
- Reaching out for support if you need it. This could be to somebody you trust like a family member, friend, teacher, youth worker or sports coach but it could also be to an organisation such as some of the organisations listed below. Personally, I always like to organise some time to catch up with my friends who are also activists as they can really understand what I’m going through.
- Limiting screen time and swapping it for a screen-free activity. We can definitely spend quite a lot of time on screens and on social media and it can be overwhelming at times. Some things that I like to do to get away from the screen are spending time with family and friends, reading a book or being creative, but there are plenty of options to choose from. It’s about finding something that works for you!
Youth organisations doing work in the mental health space
Here are some youth organisations doing amazing work within the mental health space: The Mix, Young Minds, Spark UK, Papyrus and Action Mental Health.
My advice for anybody struggling with their mental health is that I know it can feel like you’re struggling alone, but you’re definitely not alone and there is support available out there so reach out if you need it. The world is a better place with you in it so keep going. You can do this.