Mental Health
Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we manage stress, relate to others, and make healthy or unhealthy choices. Mental health is just as important as physical health at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through to adulthood.
Growing up is hard, there can be many pressures such as school, exams, career, friendship groups, appearance, social media, and you also have the added pressure of having CHD.
How do you know if you have a mental health problem?
Some of the symptoms include feeling sad or down, unable to concentrate, excessive fears or worries, feelings of guilt, extreme mood changes, withdrawing from friends and activities, low energy, problems sleeping, extreme tiredness.
What should I do if I think I have a mental health problem?
Talk to someone, let someone know you are not feeling brilliant. We can all have good days, bad days, something in between or even all three in one day! It is important to talk about how we feel to someone you trust or by accessing external support e.g., a website or helpline, if that feels better.
At Youth at Heart, we have found that ‘help’ can come in many forms. Acknowledging you need or want help is a very empowering first step. Your medical team or GP can help you. Our CHD Health Youth Workers can listen and signpost you to a professional or service they think you would benefit from.
Some people like to keep a journal to help them deal with life and different situations or use mindfulness as a coping mechanism.
Help is available, and we hope that you will find the information in these pages useful when considering different options for care and support.
Links
Mind
Explore Youth at Heart
Youth at Heart are a charity committed to young people aged 13-24, and their families, who are living with Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) in South West England and South Wales.
We empower, inform and support them to live their best life.
For young people
We are committed to supporting you as you start your Transition Journey aged 13 and leading up to your Transfer from Paediatrics to Adult Services and beyond, until your 25th birthday.
For the whole family
Youth at Heart recognise that congenital heart disease affects the whole family, which is why our Youth Workers are there for families too.
For professionals
Youth at Heart is a charity independent from the NHS that works in partnership with health professionals across the South Wales & South West Congenital Heart Disease Network.
Get involved
Youth at Heart rely on funds being raised through donations, grants, events and activities and for people to get involved to help us carry on our important work.