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Depressed?

Depression is more than just feeling sad. It can mean severe and long-lasting periods of low mood that eventually hinder your ability to live a normal life and/or maintain healthy relationships.

Some common signs of depression include
(Stanford Children’s Health)

• Intense feelings of sadness or hopelessness
• Irritability
• Loss of interest or pleasure in activities you once enjoyed
• Difficulty concentrating
• Difficulty remembering things
• Feelings of guilt or worthlessness
• Sleeping too much or too little

Getting Help

Please seek professional help if you think you or someone you know may be experiencing depression.

Stressed?

Stress is a feeling of emotional or physical tension. It can come from any event or thought that makes you feel frustrated, angry, or nervous. Stress is your body’s reaction to a challenge or demand. Did you know that stress can be positive, such as when it helps you avoid danger or meet a deadline?

Emotional symptoms of stress include

• Becoming easily agitated, frustrated, and moody
• Feeling overwhelmed, like you are losing control or need to take control
• Having difficulty relaxing and quieting your mind
• Feeling bad about yourself (low self-esteem), lonely, worthless, and depressed
• Avoiding others

Physical symptoms of stress include

• Low energy
• Headaches
• Upset stomach, including diarrhoea, constipation, and nausea
• Aches, pains, and tense muscles
• Chest pain and rapid heartbeat
• Insomnia
• Frequent colds and infections
• Nervousness and shaking, ringing in the ear, cold or sweaty hands and feet
• Dry mouth and difficulty swallowing
• Clenched jaw and grinding teeth

Cognitive symptoms of stress include

• Constant worrying
• Racing thoughts
• Forgetfulness and disorganization
• Inability to focus
• Poor judgment
• Being pessimistic or seeing only the negative side

Behavioural symptoms of stress include

• Changes in appetite — either not eating or eating too much
• Procrastinating and avoiding responsibilities
• Increased use of alcohol, drugs, or cigarettes

Feeling stressed?

Here’s what you can do

• Take a walk
• Meditate
• Read a book
• Listen to music
• Relax

If the source of your stress is due to a medical condition, you may want to talk to your parent/ guardian or your healthcare professional.

Angry?

Feeling angry is a normal, healthy response to a threat and may be used for a constructive purpose. When anger becomes uncontrollable or is unexpressed, it may lead to negative consequences.

• Your body has several ways of letting you know when you are getting too angry. Some common feelings may include:
• Your heart feels like it’s racing—it beats very fast and may even feel like it’s pounding in your chest, or pounding in your head.
• Your body temperature increases—you feel hot and may sweat a lot.
• Your muscles tighten—your body feels tense and on edge
• Your body temperature increases—you feel hot and may sweat a lot
• You may develop a headache – you may feel like your head is pounding or pulsating

Are there some situations that make you feel particularly angry?

Think about the last few times you became really angry. Do you know exactly what it was that made you angry? Was it justified or did you feel you had a right to be angry? How did you feel? By becoming more aware of what upsets you, and how you feel when you are angry, you can take control of it before it takes control of you. 

Here are some helpful ideas

So feeling okay about what exactly?

Did you know that “OKAY” is a phrase used to ask someone if they are feeling fine, especially when one suspects they may not be?

What does it mean to feel okay?

‘I’m o.k.’ means different things for me.

Here are some examples that I can see

• It may mean I’m happy or feeling sad
• It might mean I’m feeling good or really bad.

Let’s find out some more about feeling okay. Take this brief, fun quiz.

Feeling happy?

Happiness is the state of feeling or showing pleasure or contentment.

It can mean that you are pleased with yourself and your choices, and with the person that you are.

Happiness is more than how we feel when something good happens to us.

Here are some interesting things about being happy

• Happy people get sick less often and experience fewer symptoms when they do get sick.
• Happy people have more friends and a better support system.
• Happy people donate more to charity (and giving money to charity makes you happy, too).
• Happy people are more helpful and more likely to volunteer—which also makes you happier! Be sure to check out ChildLine Volunteer tab
• Happy people have an easier time navigating through life since positivity eases pain, sadness, and grief.
• Happy people have a positive influence on others and encourage them to seek happiness as well, which can be strengthening.
• Happy people engage in deeper and more meaningful conversations.
• Happy people smile more, which is beneficial to your health.
• Happy people exercise more often and eat more healthily.
• Happy people are happy with what they have rather than being jealous of others.
• Happy people are healthier all around and more likely to be healthy in the future.
• Happy people live longer than those who are not as happy.
• Happy people are more productive and more creative, and this effect extends to all those experiencing positive emotions.

If you’re interested in learning more about happiness, click on the link below:

What Is Happiness and Why Is It Important?