Agony Aunt Page- Advice and Information for 12 years +

This page has been developed to offer advice, information and support on a variety of issues that children and young people feel are important to them:

Smoking

Stop smoking services are available nationwide and are provided by the NHS for more information visit
 the website linked below

LGBT

Unsure about you sexuality or gender identity. For more information or support contact DISC LGBT service via the link:

Young Parents

 Some young people decide to become parents because they feel ready for this big step. Others might get a surprise when they find out they’re pregnant.
They might still be learning to become independent and make their own decisions.

If you feel like you need some support click the link below to visit NCT for new parent support or the Need to Know - Teen Pregnancies page:

Domestic Violence

Domestic abuse can affect anyone regardless of age, sexuality and gender.

There are lots of different signs of domestic abuse many of which people don't realise.

The Home Office provides a clear definition of domestic violence and abuse.

​Signs of an abusive relationship include:
  • demanding to know where you have been, what you have been doing, who you have been talking to
  • stopping you seeing friends and family
  • bullying or intimidating you
  • punching, shoving, slapping, kicking, biting, spitting or threatening you or your children with these actions
  • constant criticism aimed at you or your abilities as a partner or parent

Domestic abuse isn't just about individual incidents but also the repeat nature of these and how they can get worse.​

If you feel you would like more support around this click on the links below:

Disabilities

Disability is an impairment that may be cognitive, developmental, intellectual, mental, physical, sensory, or some combination of these. It can affect a person's life activities and may be present from birth or occur during a person's lifetime.

To find out more information visit the links below:

Diet and Fitness

When most adults think about exercise, they imagine working out in the gym, running on a treadmill, or lifting weights.
​
But for kids, exercise means playing and being physically active.

​It is important that you try and stay as healthy as possible when you are young. That means eating a good balanced diet and exercising regularly.

Mental Health

Mental Health problems can affect anyone of all ages and everyone can access help from a variety of services. For more information on how to gain help and support visit the CAMHS (child and adolescent mental health service) website on the link below:

​If your in crisis please call the CAMHS Crisis Team on:
0191 441 5733
For more contact information on different areas visit the link below.

Health

it is important to stay healthy. That means doing plenty of exercise, eating right, sleeping or staying happy.

For more information click the link below on how to stay healthy:

Bullying

Bullying can happen anywhere and be about anything.

Below on the Childline link you'll find information about the different types of bullying, plus get help and support.

You can also ring Childline on 0800 1111

Feeling Safe

Everyone has a right to feel safe and secure but if for some reason you don't feel safe click the link below for information and support 

Money

Having money or not having money affects everyone in some way.
​Below is a website that will offer you advice around the following areas:
  • ​Budgeting
  • ​Looking for work
  • Saving
  • Student Finance
  • Lots more....

Relationships

As social beings, the capacity to form and maintain relationships is essential to us and how we function within life. 
It is a key component to being mentally healthy, and having a positive sense of wellbeing.
Being Looked After
If you are looked after in County Durham and want to have a voice. The Durham Children in Care Council offers this and works with the council to make changes happen so that life in care gets better.

​To find out more click on the Durham CICC website:

Racism

Racism takes many different forms. These can include:
  • written or verbal threats or insults
  • damage to property, including graffiti
  • personal attacks of any kind, including violence
  • being treated differently or being excluded because of your race or culture
  • having people make assumptions about you because of your race or culture
  • people making racist jokes.
​
It's a fact that racism can affect anyone. It exists in all races and cultures. If someone is abused or treated unfairly just because of their race, background or culture, this is racism - no matter where they're from.

​For help and support click on the link below:

Drugs

Do you think you have a drugs problem?
​
If you do, then find out how to gain support by visiting the FRANK website link below:

Depression

Often people are depressed for a variety of reasons or no reason at all. Depression is not something to be ashamed of because it effects everyone in different ways.
Here are some top tips to help you with depression:
​
  • Reach out and stay connected to supportive people
  • Do things that make you feel good—even when you don’t feel like it
  • Keep active during the day—don’t sit for more than an hour
  • Challenge negative thinking
  • Gain support from mental health services because they can help you.

"You don't know how cold the sea is until you take a dip"- Jak (Young Person)

​For more information about depression click on the Young Minds Website link below:

Home Life

It's normal for parents to argue and disagree from time to time.

​It is also normal to think you may feel like you have no one to talk to.

​Click on the link below for advice and information from Relate:

Alcohol

Alcohol can affect people in many ways. The effects of alcohol can include:
  • Reduced feelings of anxiety and inhibitions, which can help you feel more sociable.
  • An exaggeration of whatever mood you're in when you start drinking.
  • A wide range of physical health problems, either as a result of binge drinking or from more regular drinking. The problems caused by alcohol include high blood pressure, stroke, liver disease, cancers, falls and other accidents.
Alcohol is a depressant, which means it slows down your body's responses in all kinds of ways. Just enough can make you feel sociable; too much and you’ll have a hangover the next day, and may not even remember what you got up to; and way too much alcohol in a single session could put you in a coma or even kill you.

If you feel like you need support on this matter or want some more information, click the links below:

The Future

It's not unusual to be unsure about your future and what direction you are going in.
​
Don't Panic... it is completely normal.

​Here is our top tips:

1.  You can’t predict it.  

Stop worrying about the future because you cannot predict the future.

2. You can’t control it.  

Stop worrying about the future because you cannot control the future.

3. You’re missing the best time of your life.  

Stop worrying about the future because you’re missing the best time of your life in the here and now.

4. Sometimes the worst is not as bad as you think.
​
Stop worrying about the future because sometimes the worst is not as bad as you think.