Mental health
Information for children and young people
Sometimes we feel great, sometimes not so much. That’s totally normal. It’s important to pay attention to our feelings and talk about them openly. Simple tips can help us strengthen our mental well-being so we can go through life with energy, happiness and confidence.
Info at a glance
The term mental health encompasses a lot of things. But it’s really just about how we feel. Mental health is an important part of our lives and our day to day. At times we feel great, at times not so much – that’s completely normal.
Every child has the right to good health. The World Health Organization defines health as “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being.” In other words, it’s about our overall well-being. Worries or negative feelings should be taken just as seriously as an injured arm.
Regardless of where they live, young people are exposed to various psychological stress factors. These include personal challenges but also major global issues like wars, pandemics and climate change. Studies show that many young people keep their problems to themselves and do not seek support. It’s important that you take care of yourself and talk about your feelings.
Counseling and support for children and young people
Asking for help is a sign of strength: it shows confidence and courage. If you need help or just someone to listen, speak with someone you trust – for example your friends, a teacher or your parents. You can also call a helpline any time if you’d rather talk to a professional anonymously.
Children and young people can contact the professional counselors at Pro Juventute (website in German, French or Italian) 24 hours a day, free of charge and in complete confidence:
- Call or text: 147
- Chat: 147.ch
At 147.ch you can also chat with other people your age.
If you find yourself in an emergency situation, dial 144 (medical emergencies) or 117 (police) immediately.
Tips for improving your well-being
Good mental health requires that we take care of ourselves. You can strengthen your mental well-being just like you can improve your physical well-being. You’ll find some practical self-care tips here.
More information
If you want to learn more about mental health and self-care, you can also check out the following websites:
- Feel-ok.ch (in German or French)
- Lilli.ch
- psy-gesundheit.ch (in German, French or iItalian)
