If you are feeling lonely or isolated the following organisations have some helpful resources for you to look at:
Young Minds
Samaritans
Barnados
Childline
Relationships can be great. They should be fun, exciting and make you feel good. But for some young people, relationships can be 'unhealthy'. They may experience feelings of being controlled, manipulated or physically/ emotionally hurt. It might be hard to set boundaries, or you feel these are not being respected. This is sometimes called a 'toxic relationship'. It’s not always clear when relationships have become unhealthy or toxic – especially if you’ve had harmful relationships throughout your life. Act on It Now describes more about the different types of relationships.
You can also read more information and guidance around healthy relationships on our healthy relationships page.
Peer pressure means feeling like you have to do something because people around you want you to or expect you to. It might be to make someone else happy or to fit in with a new group. It's okay to say no if you don’t want to or feel uncomfortable. You have the right to choose what’s best for you, even if it’s not what other people think is best.
The people around you (your peers) influence your day-to-day decisions, even if you don't realise it. Sometimes this can be a good thing. Maybe a friend suggested a book that's now your favourite.
It can be tempting to do everything you can to fit in with your friends. But if you don't feel comfortable with something it's always okay to say "no".
Peer pressure might include being pressured to bully someone, to drink, smoke, vape or take drugs, to lose weight or look a certain way, or anything else that makes you feel uncomfortable, unhappy or unsafe.
Childline and BBC Bitesize have information that can help you.
We all have similarities and differences. Our differences make us unique! However, a person's differences can sometimes lead to discrimination; when someone is treated differently or unfairly for being who they are, or for a particular quality or feature they might have.
Here are some ways people might experience discrimination:
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Racial discrimination based on skin colour, nationality or ethnic origin.
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Gender discrimination based on gender identity (including gender reassignment).
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Disability discrimination based on disabilities.
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Religious discrimination based on religious beliefs.
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Age discrimination based on beliefs around age/ experience.
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Sexual orientation discrimination based on an individual's sexual orientation.
- Marital status (including civil partnership) and being pregant/ on maternity leave, are also protected characteristics.
Childline offer advice if you are worried about discrimination
We are all sometimes scared about what the future might hold, but if you are particulary worried about exams, we have some useful advice here.
Here are some other topics young people told us they think about;
- Climate Change
- Cost of Living
- Getting a Job
- Leaving Care
It's Good To Talk
It may sound simple, but if you are worried about anything the best thing you can do is talk to someone you trust. This could be:
- Friend
- Parent/carer
- Teacher
- Youth worker
- Social worker
Childline is also here to help anyone under 19 in the UK with any issue they’re going through. You can talk about anything, whether it’s something big or small, our trained counsellors are here to support you on the phone, email or chat box. Childline is free, confidential and available any time, day or night.
It can be hard knowing how best to support a friend when they’re going through a tough time, Childline have some advice to help. They suggest 4 things to remember;
- Being there to listen without judgement can be one of the best ways to support someone
- You don’t have to solve everything yourself, and it’s okay to help someone get support
- If a friend doesn’t want to talk right now, that’s okay and you can still do things together
- Make sure you’re looking after yourself, talk to us any time you need to
Visit there website to see more advice on what to do if you are worried about a friend.