Podcast
Try this relaxation podcast from the Mental Health Foundation
What is stress?
Stress is a normal reaction to certain tasks or events in our lives, which happens automatically in our bodies. However, when stress gets too much and goes on for too long it stops being helpful to us and eventually can become a risk to our mental health.
You may have heard of the ‘fight or flight response’. This is when your body gets a surge of hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol which make you more alert and ready to react. It is very useful when we are threatened or in danger and need to run away or protect ourselves. However, when this reaction occurs regularly in situations where there is no real physical threat it can start to have a negative impact on both our mental and physical health.
What causes stress?
There are many reasons why you might feel over-stressed, different things causes stress in different people and often stress is the build-up of lots of things rather than a single event.
These are some of things that can cause stress:
See Epic Friends or The Mix for more information about stress and tips on how to manage it.
How do I know if I’m stressed?
Stress can build up without us really noticing, so it’s important to look out for early signs that things are getting too much or starting to feel out of control, then we can take steps to reduce it and find some healthy ways to cope.
Signs of too much stress can include:
Stress can also give you physical symptoms, you might:
What helps?
Talking about why you are stressed will allow you to identify solutions to help reduce your stress levels. For example, if you’re overwhelmed at school then you should talk to your teachers. Together you can come up with a plan to make your work more manageable. This could involve reducing your work load, having a deadline extension or getting some extra support with certain tasks.
How can I help myself?
There are lots of things that you can do to reduce stress. It’s important to find some time and make changes.
https://www.ted.com/talks/kelly_mcgonigal_how_to_make_stress_your_friend
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qH3Ujy0muP4&index=6&list=UU_l7KgbwZi5XU-Vk_0F1gcg
Who are they?
Emotional Resilience Groups are a 6-week programme which provides a safe space and social support for young people to build emotional resilience. The programme provides young people with early support around concerns such as anxiety, low mood, stress, relationship difficulties and bullying.
What Mental Health conditions do they support?
Anxiety, low mood, stress, low self-esteem, poor communication skills, self-harm and risk taking.
What services do they provide?
When are they open?
This can vary but generally Monday-Friday
Where?
Within schools and Community venues across Cornwall.
How do I refer?
Via email: referral@ypc.org.uk
Who can be referred?
Children and young people aged 11-25 with mild to moderate mental health
Who are they?
HeadStart Your Way is the Community strand of HeadStart Kernow delivered by the Your Way partnership. They support young people aged 10-16, parents, carers, volunteers and community groups through their Youth and Community Facilitators aiming to prevent the onset of mental ill health.
What Mental Health conditions do they support?
The main target group for support within HeadStart are young people with low level anxiety and stress through to mild and early stage mental ill health. However, all staff have also been trained within the Trauma Informed Schools approach to develop an in-depth understanding of what it’s like for a young person to suffer from specific mental health problems e.g. depression / anxiety and feel confident in offering them accurate empathy, understanding and key psycho-education support.
What services do they provide?
Their Youth Facilitators can provide you with direct support through one to one workshops and group activities. Offering a safe and confidential place to talk as well as giving you the relevant information and techniques to help with your emotional wellbeing.
Their Community Facilitators can provide links between young people, schools, community groups, professional and parents. As well as delivering specialist training packages tailored to parents/carers, community groups, VCSE providers and volunteers around mental health and wellbeing. They also manage a group of volunteer mentors who can offer you support, understanding and encouragement through any challenges you might be experiencing, at a lower level than our Youth Facilitators provision.
When are they open?
Their services are arranged between Monday – Friday by the individual and Facilitator.
Where?
Their Facilitators arrange visits in schools, local outreach and community venues across the County dependent on the individual they are supporting.
How do I refer?
Referrals should be made via the Early Help Hub by requesting a "Bloom" consultation. The Early Help Hub will then ensure that the most appropriate means of help and support are given. It’s important to note that a referral into Bloom does not guarantee support from a HeadStart Youth Facilitator. It is however the only way to access HeadStarts one-to-one support. Contact the Early Help Hub by calling 01872 322277 or emailing earlyhelphub@cornwall.gov.uk
Who can be referred?
10-16 year olds with Mild to Moderate Mental Health issues.
Who are they?
Run by Young people Cornwall (YPC) speak up Cornwall is a participation group for young people aged 13-24 looking at, supporting with youth voice and creating tool kits for mental health services across Cornwall. Speak Up Cornwall works at both a local reginal and national levels. It also supports services at a strategic level as well as service entry level.
What Mental Health conditions do they support?
When are they open?
Days and times will be confirmed by the group lead.
Where?
They meet once a month at Zebs youth centre The Leats, Town Centre, Truro TR1 3AG.
They also work remotely (over social media) and attend meetings, conferences and events all over Cornwall, the southwest and nationally.
How do I refer?
Via emailing charlotte.brasier@ypc.org.uk or through the Young People Cornwall referral form which can be requested by emailing: referral@ypc.org.uk
Who can be referred?
Young People aged 13-24 with an awareness of mental health services.
Who are they?
XenZone is an organisation that provides Face to Face and online mental health services for children, young people and adults. Kooth, from XenZone, is a free online counselling and emotional well-being platform for children and young people, accessible through mobile, tablet and desktop.
What Mental Health conditions do they support?
Anxiety, Stress, Identity, Sexuality, Health, Relationships, Eating Disorders (no restriction to this currently).
What services do they provide?
When are they open?
Their Online services are available Monday-Friday 12pm-10pm and Saturday-Sunday 4pm-10pm.
Their face to face services are arranged between Monday – Friday by the individual and counsellor.
Where?
Their Face to Face team arranges visits in schools, local outreach and community venues dependent on the individual they are supporting.
How do I refer?
Via email cornwalloffice@xenzone.com or phone for face to Face support but email is always recommended. You, a family member or professional can make a referral to the service.
For online services you can create an account and log on to the website to access information and support.
Who can be referred?
Children and young people up to the age of 19 (up to the eve of 20th Birthday) experiencing Mental Health difficulties.
Who are they?
Run by Young people Cornwall (YPC) the service is for male individuals aged 11-19 with low level mental health issues to engage in group work. Their 1 to 1 service is first offered, with invitation to join a group. Group operates similar to a youth group in that young people can relax in a safe space, engage with workers and other group members through activities, enjoy informal discussion and have something to eat. Group trips to residential centres, activity providers and meals out also happen.
What Mental Health conditions do they support?
A wide range of low level general mental health concerns such as Anxiety, depression, stress, low mood, self-harm etc.
What services do they provide?
When are they open?
Two groups are run once a week on a weekday evening for two and a half hours.
Where?
Previous groups took place in Launceston & Liskeard but these will be moving locations towards the Redruth, Camborne & Pool area as well as St Ives.
How do I refer?
Via email: referral@ypc.org.uk
Referrals can be made from a wide range of sources such as yourself, school, charity service, CAMHS, G.P, parent, targeted youth worker and police. Once referrals have been received workers aim to make contact within 7 days.
Who can be referred?
Young men aged 11-19. Usual referrals indicate willingness to get involved with group work at some point. Criteria can include; social skills, social isolation, low level mental health, learning disability, victims of crime, general low confidence and self-esteem.
Myth: Stress is bad
Fact: People tend to talk about stress as if it is totally negative, actually some forms of stress can be good for us! A little bit of stress or stimulation can help us to stay motivated and productive, it gives us energy and can help us to concentrate and focus, it drives us to meet deadlines or perform well in exams, sports or public speaking for example. This type of good stress we could feel very lethargic, lazy and even bored. Stress becomes a problem when it Is long lasting and feels overwhelming.
Watch this ted talk to find out how to make stress your friend.
Myth: Stress is a sign of success
Fact: We live in a society where busyness and stress seem to be worn like a badge of honour, showing how important and hardworking we are. However, while a little bit of stress and stimulation can motivate us to perform better, too much stress quickly overwhelms us and leads to underperformance. Overworking can lead to burn out in the end, rather than making us more successful. So remember to take a break.
Myth: Stress is everywhere and you can’t do anything about it.
Fact: There are lots of things you can do to reduce stress, for example setting priorities and problem solving rather than worrying, and making sure you build activities to help you unwind into your daily routine. This could include exercise, relaxation, a hobby or club, or just watching something you like on TV.
A self-help app for young people to manage stress and anxiety
Try out the ‘Stresshead’ app for some immediate stress relief