Young people may often find that facing a new year and new challenges, can evoke feelings of anxiety, uncertainty or even fear. The cold winter months can add to these challenges, when even getting out of our homes of just facing people can feel difficult. When all of this is added to the pressures of teenage life, these dark days and winter months, can seem endless and feel very isolating.
As a Youth Mentor, I have experienced first-hand, how supporting young people through these times and helping them to manage anxieties around change e.g. a new school term, changes at home and finding structure and routine, can positively impact their social and emotional wellbeing. Our work as Youth Mentors is only one piece of the puzzle, we know that many others will also be providing valuable support to young people through these times, including parents, carers, family members and volunteers.
I just wanted to share a few ideas about how we can motivate young people during this difficult time:
The biggest thing for me personally is just ‘turning up’. It sounds so simple, but turning up and being there each day to support our young people is a big part of reminding them that we care. Empowering them to keep going and finding the positives in every day can help to keep young people motivated and build resilience.
Another idea is writing journals to help process thoughts which can help with low mood or feelings of isolation, when friends might be staying in more. I often try to look at planning ahead with young people, setting small yet achievable goals for home and school. This could be ‘’try to help more around the house’’ or ‘’try to complete homework on time’’. These goals can help reset structure and motivate young people to aim for positive outcomes, building self-esteem and confidence.
Another positive of looking at achievable goals for the new year ahead, is that this can be a great way of reflecting on and processing negativity. Placing those past fears and anxious thoughts in a box and metaphorically placing the key somewhere safe in their mind, can help them to ‘start a fresh’ and maybe revisit past traumas when they feel mentally stronger, on those brighter sunnier days.
Creating our own sunshine is another good way of bringing light into the winter months, by challenging ourselves with a new hobby or activity, such as cooking or crafting. A few of my young people aspire to achieve a new level in their gaming or even just sort out their bedrooms, which may sound like small things, but making small wins can support our young people to look forward and seek a sense of self-worth.
Generally checking in, whether it be over the phone, by a text message or a face-to-face chat, helps remind our young people that ‘we are here’, we care’ and they are ‘not alone’.
And finally, encouraging young people to practice self-care is really important. Young people I have been working with have suggested ideas recently such as enjoying a bowl of soup, fluffy bed socks, running a hot bath or snuggling down under a blanket with a mug of hot chocolate!
Our young people are amazingly talented, intelligent and resilient individuals, who with a bit of support and guidance from us all, can achieve anything they put their minds to. With a bit of care and kindness we can beat the winter blues together.
Becks Tomlin
Change Direction Youth Mentor for Ryedale, Whitby and Scarborough.