Student life isn’t always the best time of your life. In fact, it can be one of the most overwhelming. Four students at Edinburgh discussed the pressures of life at university, often far away from home, friends and family. Stay connected to what feels true to you, whether people you love, or activities you enjoy, […]
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The stress of student life, Students, Edinburgh University
Taking the Weight Off Your Back, Danny
Danny started counselling when he began to experience bullying during the transition to secondary school. He was experiencing anxiety attacks and his school work was suffering. His parents suggested that he talk to a therapist. Danny has found his counselling helpful because he says it offers him small things that he remembers to do every […]
We’re On the Same Team, Josh Smiiffy
Musician Rapper Josh Smiiffy found himself isolated as a child and severely depressed and suicidal as a teenager. He found help in writing and performing his own music. Although he still suffers, he says, from ‘more downs than ups’ he is keen to see more help for children. Josh would like more arts and sports […]
Peers Without Pressure, Anna and Millie
Wimbledon High Students Anna and Millie are students at Wimbledon High who take part in the school’s peer counselling project. They help advise younger girls on how to cope with the pressures around them. That pressure can come from outside: Anna and Millie say that looking good and body image are big concerns among some […]
Belonging To Something Bigger Than Yourself, Jane Lunnon
Headmistress The Head of Wimbledon High School, Jane Lunnon, says that the world has changed for her pupils. The old certainties of society aren’t there any more — what fills the gaps is often social media. Jane says young people need breaks from comparing themselves to their peers. Nothing, she says, beats a really good […]
Child & Parent Therapist, Dr Genevieve Von Lob
Parenting Therapist Clinical psychologist Dr Genevieve von Lob says that we can learn to become more conscious, mindful parents. Although this generation of parents is the most self-aware, we have all learnt templates of parenting from the generations before us. Children are aware of the emotional issues we pass on and reflect them back to […]
Blogger and wellbeing writer, Emily Clarkson
Blogger Emily Clarkson set up her blog, Pretty Normal Me, as a way of saying to other young women like her and her sister that ‘you’re ok’. Whoever you are, whatever you look like — despite the pressure that she has noticed in other media. Emily has been diagnosed with anxiety and found herself prey […]
Former Government Mental Health Ambassador, Natasha Devon MBE
Former Government Advisor on Mental Health Natasha Devon is a former advisor to the government on child mental health. She has personal experience of anxiety and eating disorders herself. Natasha would like to see a society where children are taught how to develop healthy habits that will stand them in good stead in the future. […]
Let’s Play, Marguerite Hunter Blair
Distraction and playfulness are sorely missing in many children’s lives, says mother-of-five Marguerite Hunter Blair. And our children are bearing the brunt, as it is through play, especially outdoors, that children learn life skills and improve their physical and mental health. Hunter Blair is chief executive of Play Scotland and a passionate advocate for children’s […]
Headmaster turned suicide awareness campaigner, Dick Moore
Waller Trainer for Schools and Young People (Charlie Waller Memorial Trust), Youth Mental Health First Aid Instructor (MHFA England) The Moores were a privileged, fortunate, happy family. Then, in September 2011, the third of their four sons took his own life at the age of 21, after a break-up that led to depression. Dick Moore, who is […]
Fighting for your Child, Dani Maimone
Mother of Child with Eating Disorder and Depression Depression and anxiety among children and teenagers has soared. Yet a staggering 70 percent don’t receive help when they need it most. When Dani Maimone’s teenage daughter developed an eating disorder and became so depressed that all she wanted to do was die, Maimone faced years of fighting […]