DAY TIMES

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Supporting Our Children

As parents of adolescents you will know unexpected things will happen and young people will all react differently.

Sometimes young people will want to talk to you or another trusted adult about how they are feeling. Let them know it is ok to ask for help and you are available to listen or can help them contact other support agencies.

Some signs to look out for are:

• Changes in behaviour (tearfulness, sleep patterns, eating patterns, up and down emotions or heightened anger or irritability, becoming suddenly calm or happy after being down, feeling hopeless orworthless, guilty, whakamā or ashamed.
• Losing confidence, or a downturn in school or sport performance.
• Becoming isolated or withdrawn from whānau, family and friends, things that are normally of interest (hobbies, sports, friends).
• Talking about depression and death – expressing dark thoughts
• Not coping with day to day problems, or becoming overwhelmed with usual activities
• Using drugs or alcohol to cope with difficult feelings or thoughts
• An escalation of risk taking behaviours including self-harm or sexual activity or stopping taking medicine
• Giving away possessions, tying up loose ends,
• Physical symptoms that don’t have an obvious cause such as aches, pains, feeling sick

If you are worried about your child please contact the Guidance Counsellors during school hours on: 04 478 8189 extension 831 and 849.

Outside of school hours and term time:

You can also ring or text 1737

Youthline text on 234 (8am to midnight) or ring 0800 376 633 or email talk@youthline.co.nz

Lifeline 0800 543354