mental health & wellbeing

Wellbeing in children and teenagers is shaped by daily habits, relationships and how they handle difficulty. Sleep, movement, routine and support from adults all affect how young people feel and function.

What these articles cover

Topics include exam anxiety, sleep and learning, emotional vocabulary, coping with losing, the move to middle school, teenage breakups, body image, muscle dysmorphia, values and career thinking.

Stress and anxiety in children do not always show up in words. A stomachache before a test, changes in sleep or a shift in mood can all be signs that something is weighing on a child.

Skills that can be learned

Naming feelings, recovering from setbacks and managing pressure are skills that build with practice. Many articles explain how these skills develop and how adults can help.

When to seek help

These articles are for general information. If a child’s distress is lasting or affecting daily life, it is worth speaking with a doctor, school counsellor or mental health professional.

Firefly Ed publishes articles on emotional health in childhood and adolescence, covering stress, anxiety, self-esteem and the habits that support wellbeing.