Blog

Mental Health & Wellbeing

Being a teenager can feel like riding an emotional rollercoaster—full of highs, lows, pressure, and change. This part of the blog is here to remind you that your mental health matters just as much as your physical health. Whether you're feeling overwhelmed, anxious, down, or just not quite yourself, you're not alone—and you're not weak for feeling that way.

In this space, we’ll talk honestly about mental health, share tools for self-care, and explore ways to feel more balanced, understood, and supported as you navigate your teenage years.

Taking care of your mind isn’t a sign of weakness—it’s a sign of strength. Choosing to rest, reflect, and reach out is how you grow, not how you fall behind.
— Jon Nugent
Feeling Lonely? Here’s Why—and Why It’s Okay
Loneliness, Wellbeing, Mental Health Simon Richardson Loneliness, Wellbeing, Mental Health Simon Richardson

Feeling Lonely? Here’s Why—and Why It’s Okay

At some point, everyone feels lonely—even people who seem like they have a hundred friends or are always surrounded by others. Loneliness isn’t about how many people are around you; it’s about feeling disconnected, misunderstood, or unseen. And if you’re feeling that way right now, you’re not broken, weird, or weak. You’re human.

Especially during the teenage years, when life is full of changes, emotions, and pressures, loneliness can sneak in without warning. It’s easy to think you’re the only one feeling this way, but the truth is, loneliness is a natural (and very common) part of life. Understanding what it is and why it happens is the first step toward handling it in a healthy way—and realizing that it doesn’t have to define you.

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Your Body, Your Voice: Building a Kinder Inner Dialogue
Body Shaming, Mental Health, Wellbeing Simon Richardson Body Shaming, Mental Health, Wellbeing Simon Richardson

Your Body, Your Voice: Building a Kinder Inner Dialogue

When it comes to body image, some of the harshest comments don’t come from other people—they come from inside our own heads. That quiet, critical voice that whispers you’re not thin enough, fit enough, tall enough, or “right” enough can be louder than anything said out loud.

For teenagers growing up in a world filled with filtered photos, comparison traps, and pressure to look a certain way, this inner voice can feel like a constant battle. But here’s the truth: you don’t have to keep believing everything it says. You can challenge those negative thoughts, and you can build a more supportive, encouraging voice inside you.

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Too Perfect to Be True: Why Social Media Can Hurt Your Confidence
Social Media, Body Shaming, Mental Health, Wellbeing Simon Richardson Social Media, Body Shaming, Mental Health, Wellbeing Simon Richardson

Too Perfect to Be True: Why Social Media Can Hurt Your Confidence

Here’s the truth: most of what you see online isn’t real. Filters, angles, editing apps, and even surgery can turn regular people into something nearly impossible to achieve in real life. Add in influencers who carefully craft their image to stay popular or make money, and suddenly you’re measuring your worth against something that was never real to begin with.

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Body Shaming: What It Is and Why It Needs to Stop
Body Shaming, Wellbeing, Mental Health Simon Richardson Body Shaming, Wellbeing, Mental Health Simon Richardson

Body Shaming: What It Is and Why It Needs to Stop

Body shaming is when someone is judged, criticised, or made to feel bad about how they look. It can come from others, or from ourselves, and it shows up in all kinds of ways—from teasing and online comments to silent stares or unwanted advice. For teenagers, who are already going through major changes and figuring out who they are, body shaming can hit especially hard.

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When You Speak, You Heal: Talking Through Anxiety
Anxiety, Mental Health, Wellbeing, Talking Simon Richardson Anxiety, Mental Health, Wellbeing, Talking Simon Richardson

When You Speak, You Heal: Talking Through Anxiety

Keeping anxiety bottled up can feel like carrying a heavy weight that no one else can see. On the outside, you might look fine. But on the inside, your mind is racing, your heart’s pounding, and you’re trying to hold it all together. It’s exhausting.

The truth is, you don’t have to go through it alone. Talking about your anxiety—saying the words out loud—can be one of the most powerful steps toward feeling better. It’s not always easy, but it is worth it. When you open up, even just a little, you give yourself a chance to breathe, to feel understood, and to start healing.

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Your Mind Matters: Practical Tools to Manage Anxiety
Anxiety, Mental Health, Wellbeing Simon Richardson Anxiety, Mental Health, Wellbeing Simon Richardson

Your Mind Matters: Practical Tools to Manage Anxiety

Anxiety can feel like a storm in your mind—loud, messy, and hard to control. As a teenager, life already comes with plenty of pressure: school, friendships, social media, big life decisions. So when anxiety starts to build, it can feel overwhelming or even impossible to manage.

But here’s the truth: anxiety is not a weakness, and you’re not alone. More importantly, there are things you can do about it. You don’t need to have it all figured out—you just need a few practical tools to help you feel more in control.

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When Stress Sticks Around: Could It Be Anxiety?
Stress, Mental Health, Wellbeing, Anxiety Simon Richardson Stress, Mental Health, Wellbeing, Anxiety Simon Richardson

When Stress Sticks Around: Could It Be Anxiety?

Stress and anxiety can look and feel really similar, but they’re not the same thing. Understanding the difference is important because knowing what you’re dealing with is the first step toward feeling better. In this post, we’ll break down how stress and anxiety show up, how to tell them apart, and what to do if you realize it’s time to get a little extra support.

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Not All Anxiety Looks the Same: A Guide for Teens
Anxiety, Mental Health, Wellbeing Simon Richardson Anxiety, Mental Health, Wellbeing Simon Richardson

Not All Anxiety Looks the Same: A Guide for Teens

As a teenager, life comes with a lot of changes, pressures, and expectations—and that can trigger different kinds of anxiety in different ways. That’s why understanding the types of anxiety can make a big difference. When you know what you’re dealing with, it becomes easier to name it, talk about it, and take steps to manage it.

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Let’s Talk About Anxiety: What It Is and Why It Happens
Anxiety, Mental Health, Wellbeing Simon Richardson Anxiety, Mental Health, Wellbeing Simon Richardson

Let’s Talk About Anxiety: What It Is and Why It Happens

Anxiety is more common than you think—especially during your teenage years. It’s not weird, it’s not a flaw, and it doesn’t mean something is “wrong” with you. It’s actually your brain trying to protect you… but sometimes it goes a little overboard.

In this post, we’re going to break down what anxiety really is, why it shows up, and how to start recognizing it in your own life. Understanding anxiety is the first step in learning how to handle it—and reminding yourself that you’re not alone.

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