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Children show us how they are feeling through their actions and behaviour.

Often difficult behaviour is a sign of a child’s emotional distress.

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Teenagers often experience emotional turmoil as their mind and bodies develop. An important part of growing up is working out and accepting who they are. This can be difficult with so many other pressures to deal with such as peer relationships, school work and social media.

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Just like adults, children and young people can also struggle to deal with a traumatic experience or natural life events, like family issues and bereavement. Feeling low, anxious or angry, and finding it difficult to manage and express emotions are often a direct response to what is happening in their lives.

 

For children and adolescents, having someone to talk to outside of their family and friendship networks can be helpful. Having time and space to think through what’s going on in their lives, and finding ways through difficulties that make sense to them, builds their confidence and self-esteem.