For friends & family

Raising sensitive issues and working to resolve problems that arise along the way can be challenging. It can also be hard as a parent to know the difference between normal behaviour, such as moodiness, irritability and withdrawal, and an emerging mental health problem. This section is designed to help you.

Do you have a few minutes to spare? If you are a family member or friend supporting a young person who is seeking support at a headspace centre, we would love to hear from you!

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Life issues

Health & wellbeing

Mental health

Alcohol & other drugs

Work & study

Life issues

Health & wellbeing

Mental health

Alcohol & other drugs

Work & study

back to school

Young people can feel a range of emotions when they're heading back to school, which include feelings of excitement, anticipation and nerves.

a parents guide to school issues and stress

Issues with school can have a major effect on young people and can often leave them feeling overwhelmed or stressed. While this is the case, it's important to note that there are two kinds of stress - good stress and not so helpful stress.

Understanding school refusal

School refusal can occur when a young person finds it difficult to attend school because they experience emotional distress, such as anxiety , in doing so.

eheadspace Group Chat

School reluctance and school refusal

Many parents and other adults supporting young people have concerns about a young person who is reluctant to attend school or refusing to attend school and are unsure how to help them.