Friends are important

Friends are really important as you get older. Apart from your family, they are the people that can support you through the good and bad times. They might check in with how you are feeling, give practical support, or simply make you laugh. When friends help and support you, they can boost your self-esteem, make you feel good, and remind you that you are loved for who you are.

We might have arguments with friends, and sometimes fall out, but often you can get through those difficult moments together. You or your friend may not have realised how each other were feeling or understood what either of you were going through.

By talking things through and explaining how you both feel, you can both learn to better understand how you can support each other. Overcoming these tough times together can sometimes help make your friendship stronger.

Making choices in life can seem like a big challenge. Hopefully you will grow to have the confidence to make positive choices and say no to something that does not sit right with you. Even when you disagree with friends, you still deserve to be treated with kindness and respect.

Tellmi is a safe, anonymous app where you can talk about absolutely anything, giving you the tools to manage your own mental health and support others. Sharing your experiences with this supportive community can help you feel better – some topics you can discuss include

• anxiety
• autism
• dating
• depression
• self-harm
• self-esteem

Moderators check everything to keep you safe and in-house counsellors are always there if you need extra support.

Making friends

Everyone worries about making friends. They also worry about falling out with their friends or falling in with the wrong crowd.

When you worry too much you may start to feel lonely. Remember, there are lots of people that are just as worried about making friends.

You can

• try to talk to someone you do not usually sit with
• join a club – you may meet people with similar interests as you
• access facilities in your local community

Peer pressure

Sometimes when you have friends you just do what they want you to do. Usually, it is things like supporting the same football team or buying similar clothes. Sometimes you might feel pressured by doing things you do not want to do. For example, messing around in lessons or doing an activity you do not like.

Explain your reasons why you do not want to. If your friends do not respect your decision, there will be people out there that will.

There is no pressure to stay friends with them if you feel like they are pressuring you or making you do something you do not want to do.

Relationships and sex

The reason that you go through puberty is so that your body is ready to make babies when you get older, if you want to.

As changes happen you will also get new sensations which feel nice. You will want to touch parts of your body because it feels nice. This is normal. Remember that it is private and do not do it in front of anyone else.

You will start to feel differently about people. You might fancy someone and cannot stop thinking about them.

Relationships can bring happiness and a greater sense of freedom to people. You have the right to express your sexuality and have personal and sexual relationships if you want to, whether you have Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND) or not.

You can use the ChatHealth text service to confidently ask for help about a range of issues from a school nurse including emotional health, sexual health and relationships. You do not have to give your name if you don’t want to.