How to cope with your mental health

Reach out and talk to people about what’s going on with you. You could talk to:

• a trusted friend or family member
• a volunteer peer supporter at Amazing Futures
• your school nurse – text 07507 332473 (East Sussex) or 07480 635423 (Brighton & Hove)
• your doctor
• a counsellor or therapist
• a helpline or text chat service

Doing things for other people can help you feel good about yourself too. Some ideas you could try:

• volunteer – you could volunteer with Amazing Futures if you’re aged 18-25, or find volunteer opportunities elsewhere
• do a favour for a friend
• raise money for a good cause (you could raise money for Amazing Futures if you wanted!)

It’s important to stay active, in a way that feels good for you. There are loads of different ways to do this:

• join a club or activity group
• try a new sport or game with Defiant Sports
• dance with your friends at the Purple Playhouse, Brighton
• check what’s on at Amazing Futures for any upcoming walks or get active sessions

Don’t live life on autopilot. Try to stay in the moment and really notice what’s happening and what you’re feeling:

• keep a diary
• take pictures
• use mental health apps
• get creative: write stories or paint pictures about how you feel
• when you feel overwhelmed, try the 5-4-3-2-1 exercise

Learning new things is a great way to help you feel better about yourself, and it can be a lot of fun. Some ways to keep learning:

• try a new hobby
• learn new skills through volunteering
• take a course or go to a workshop
• learn about how to manage your mental health at Sussex Recovery College (for adults age 18+)