Steps to 18: Tips for keeping well

There’s a time in everyone’s life when they look forward to turning 18, finally a chance at freedom; no more school, a chance to vote, drink, smoke and watch 18-rated movies (without sneaking in) because you’re officially an adult!

So, most 17-year-olds can’t wait for the big day but for me it’s something I’m dreading. Anyone in the mental health system may well know what I mean about turning 18 but I’ll still explain. When you turn 18 you go through the transition from CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services) to adult services and for me it’s the possibility of leaving my current unit and moving to an adults’ unit.

Remember that things can get better

My story is about the steps to my 18^th birthday and what I’ve learnt from my experiences.

1. It’s important to keep your mind active and distract yourself – keeping your mind active by simple things like reading or doing puzzles or distracting yourself when things are tough can go a long way to making your day better.

2. Keep in contact with friends and family – don’t let yourself drift away from the people you care about

3. Express yourself – try music or art to express your emotions in a positive way

4. Treat yourself with respect and respect others equally

5. Don’t put yourself down

6. Appreciate the little things eg fresh air, fun times or times you feel happy

7. Remember that things can get better, think about the fun memories you have from before things got bad.

8. Dance in the rain (but don’t catch a cold) – take a second to be young and free and just have fun

9. Be yourself and let others accept you for who you are (in a non-cheesy way)

10. Don’t accept discrimination – I had problems with my school not accepting me back after treatment and they cut off all contact to us. It’s not acceptable to discriminate against people and you shouldn’t stand for it either

11. Set goals – have something positive to work for whether it’s college or going to a festival

12. If you have therapy to attend and work your hardest

13. Negotiate – if you’re not happy with how things are going then discuss it with someone, but be open to their suggestions too

14. Accept help when you need it

15. Don’t give up when things get hard

16. Make the best of situations – simple things like watching the Lizzie McGuire movie with friends and singing along to it (yeah, even at 17!) and having a 2-person mini rave to the song Selfie by Chain Smokers! Just make the best of what you have available to you

17. Great support – it will go a very long way. Not only do I have the love and support of my family and amazing friends but I have the support and care from the most amazing team of people here on the unit, and they go out of their way to help me get better, and I couldn’t do it without them

18. You have to want it. No one else can do it for you, you have to use all of the above to help you realise that you are worth it. I’m still working on this last one but I know I don’t want to be ‘that girl’ who could have achieved all these great things but ended up going in and out of hospital, who was stuck in the system and forgotten and I’m not going to be her. If you want it enough and try your best then you can do it for you.