Family & relationships
In an ideal world our families should be the place we feel safe and secure, and where we learn about having good relationships with people. But sadly parents, carers, relatives and siblings, may not always behave in a way that makes us feel happy and cared-for.
When parents are no longer happy together and decide to separate or divorce, it can feel scary and sad and you may become very anxious about your own future, while your parents seem too preoccupied to help you.
Sometimes parents or carers have mental health problems – depression, stress, drug or alcohol abuse – of their own and as a result cannot care properly for your emotional needs. At worst, the person supposedly caring for you and protecting you may abuse you so that you feel a painful mix of anger, fear and self-loathing.
If someone dies who you you love or really like, the grieving may feel very lonely and you may not know how to cope well. There are people specially trained to help you through any of these painful and disturbing times and many people have been helped by going for help.
