Teenagers often suffer low self-esteem, a challenge that can manifest in various ways. This week, we were joined by Clinical Psychologist,  Dr Gemma Allison, to talk about some of the early signs of low self-esteem, the impact of social media and how parents and carers can create a supportive home environment. 

Knowing how best to support neurodiverse young people can be a challenge, especially during the complex developmental period of adolescence. In this week’s session, we talked to Dr Sarah-Jane Knight, a Clinical Psychologist with extensive experience in working with neurodivergent children and adolescents, about ways to help teens manage sensory sensitivity, overwhelm and emotional regulation in daily life, including social and school settings. 

More teenagers are encountering death in and around their lives than ever before - whether it's the loss of a close family member, friend, someone in their own community or a celebrity. The way in which someone dies - whether through illness, by suicide or a tragic accident - adds another layer of complexity to their grief. On top of this, their awareness of death is heightened by global events like Covid-19, wars, terrorist activities, earthquakes, and natural disasters, making loss feel more immediate and widespread.

Sleep is fundamental for both physical and mental health, yet it can be a common struggle for teenagers and their families - even more so when it comes to changes in routine such as school holidays. 

In last night’s Let’s all Talk Mental Health session, we were joined by the brilliant Dr Faith Orchard, Research Psychologist, to talk about all things sleep, including understanding the unique challenges teens can face and how best to support them in developing healthy sleep habits.