Becoming an adult
Being a teenager and becoming an adult is an exciting time. You'll start to learn:
- who you are
- what's important to you
- who your friends are
- new life skills
- how to drive
- what you want to do with your life
- how to look after your money
- how to become more independent from your family or carers.
Don't worry, it is normal to experience a variety of feelings as we grow older. This could depend on relationships, friendships, school, college or life in general. Emotions can be positive and negative and they're all valid.
For more support visit the NHS mental wellbeing information hub.
As you grow up, you're discovering who you are.
LGBTQ+ is an acronym for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer or questioning. People use these terms to describe a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity.
If you need someone to talk to, or want to know how to become an ally, visit our LGBTQ+ support page.
Every relationship is different, but it should always be based on honesty and trust. Everybody should be able to make their own decisions and no one should be forced to do anything they don't want to. This is known as giving or not giving consent and this can change. This means consent needs to be consistent and not just given one time. Relationships do not have to be sexual, but if you do want sex, it should be when you're both ready.
To find relationship support visit:
- your sexual health and contraception options page
- school age parents page - for young people who are pregnant or have a child, young fathers (or fathers-to-be), parents and families of young people who are pregnant
- Mencap sexuality and relationships - national charity supporting you and your family with sex and relationship advice
- The Love Life - an easy read guide to sex and body parts
- Barnardo's website
- Scope's sex and disability advice webpage - sex and disability advice.
Friends can really help you with your mental health.
Friends are there to:
- help you
- lift your mood when you're feeling low
- make you laugh
- make memories with
- help you to understand your emotions
- talk about things on your mind if you don't want to talk to a trusted adult.
Visit our friendships page to learn what a healthy friendship looks like. You'll also be use our directory to find social clubs near you.
Bullying is behaviour that hurts someone else. It includes name calling, hitting, and pushing. It also includes spreading rumours, threatening, or making someone feel sad.
It can happen anywhere - at school, at home or online. It can affect you both physically and mentally.
It is important that you are in a safe relationship and no one is trying to harm you or make you do things you don't want to do. This can include being touched without your consent. As well as being asked to perform sexual acts or having inappropriate pictures taken of you.
Get support from domestic abuse in Kent and Medway.
Drinking alcohol or using drugs could change how you act and the choices you make. If you need help or want to support someone, find out who to talk to.
Smoking is one of the biggest causes of death and illness in the UK. It can increase your risk of developing more than 50 serious health conditions and can cause long term damage to your health.
Find out how to stop smoking or help to stop a friend smoking.
Body image is how we think and feel about ourselves physically, and how we believe others see us.
There are lots of ways we can think about our body and the way we look. Sometimes you might feel that you like parts of your body, and times you may not. Body image can be about how you:
- feel about your weight
- compare yourself to your friends or people you follow on social media
- how you feel that you are not shown on tv or film
- may feel sad about your body
- may feel misunderstood and get frustrated when people make assumptions about why you look a certain way
- think you are not attractive enough to someone else
- have maybe a different birthmark, or a scar or acne to others
- feel that your body does not match your gender.
If you feel that you are comparing your body with things you see every day, you are not alone. Lots of us are influenced by the things around us, which can impact our mental health.
It's important to remember that everyone is unique. If you are struggling, just remember to:
- be kind to yourself
- try to stop comparing yourself to images you see on social media
- follow positive body image influencers
- focus on the things you like about yourself
- talk to a friend or a family member
- talk to a trusted adult.
For more support visit:
- Young Minds
- Release the pressure
- Health for Teens about body image and spots.
Most girls start their periods at about 12. But, they can start as early as 8. So, it's important to talk to girls from an early age to make sure they're ready.
Boys also need to learn about periods. This includes the practicalities and mood changes that can come with them. As well as the biological reason behind periods. It will keep them informed, as well as help them to understand about periods.
Read more about periods and questions that girls might ask you as a parent. Get suggestions on how to answer on the NHS website.
Autistic young people
Autistic young people often need more time to understand and prepare for changes. Especially dealing with the physical and emotional changes of menstruation.
By helping them to understand how to manage their periods, you will give them the skills they need. These skills make them independent, confident, and resilient.
Want to know more? Read this helpful guide. It gives tips and advice from parents, carers, and autistic young people. Created the Parent Carer Voice group, alongside iThrive and our Participation Team.
Email talkaboutMH@kent.gov.uk to contact Parent Carer Voice or to join one of our meetings.