Feeling stuck can happen for so many reasons. Maybe your living situation isn’t great, you’re stressed about money, or you don’t feel supported by the people around you. Maybe you’re feeling pressured to hide who you are, or perhaps you’re dealing with grief or trauma, making every day feel like a struggle.
Sometimes, it can feel like you’ve tried everything to feel better, but nothing seems to work. It’s easy to feel like things will never change, but they can. We have tips and advice to help you move through this.
How to help yourself if you’re feeling stuck
If you’re feeling stuck or overwhelmed, there are things you can try to help clear your head and shift your focus. Even simple techniques can help you feel a bit more in control and ready to tackle whatever’s on your mind. Here are some ideas to get you started.
Take a moment to think about what might be causing that ‘stuck’ feeling. Are there emotions you’re trying to avoid or issues you’re not sure how to handle? Understanding what’s behind it can help you figure out what you need. If you think you know what’s causing the problem, our guides offer advice that’s specific to your situation.
If you’re sure how you’re feeling or just want to process things, getting your thoughts out can really help. You could write them down like a diary, poem, or song lyrics. Or express yourself in other ways, like drawing. Keeping a journal is a great way to make sense of what’s on your mind.
When everything else in life doesn’t go right and it all feels a bit hopeless, I open up my laptop, or my sketchbook, or my craft draw. I write whatever comes to my mind.
Trying something new can be a great way to get out of your head, meet people, and focus on something different. Whether it’s a hobby, joining a club, or volunteering, it’s worth seeing what’s near you.
Getting support when you need it
If you’ve tried to get through this yourself but you still feel stuck, it might be time to look for some extra support. It’s okay to ask for help when you need it, and reaching out can help you move forward. Here are some ways you can get help.
Talk to someone
Feeling stuck can be tough to deal with on your own. Talk to someone you trust about what’s going on. They might be able to offer a fresh perspective that you find helpful. But even if not, just sharing what’s on your mind can make you feel less alone.
If you don’t know who to turn to, there are trained professionals you can contact.
Speak to your GP
If how you’re feeling is getting in the way of your everyday life, your GP could be a good place to start. They can give you information on what might help and point you to support in your area. If you’re not sure how to talk to your GP about your mental health, we’ve got some tips and advice to guide you through the conversation.
Get therapy or counselling
If you’re feeling stuck, therapy and counselling can be a huge help. A therapist or counsellor can work with you to figure out what’s really going on, so you can start feeling more confident and excited about life again.
For more information on getting therapy and counselling, take a look at our guides and advice from young people.
Mental health can be difficult to navigate at times. Sometimes you may feel like you're making a lot of progress and sometimes it feels like you're going around in a circle. But it's a process that's different for anyone who experiences it. There is no set time that you have to feel better nor is there a set way of feeling better.
Real stories from young people like you
4 min read
5 min read
Get help now
-
Childline
If you’re under 19 you can confidentially call, chat online or email about any problem big or small.
Sign up for a free Childline locker (real name or email address not needed) to use their free 1-2-1 counsellor chat and email support service.
Can provide a BSL interpreter if you are deaf or hearing-impaired.
Hosts online message boards where you can share your experiences, have fun and get support from other young people in similar situations.
- Opening times:
- 24/7
-
NHS 111
To get urgent mental health advice from the NHS, call 111 and select the mental health option. 111 will tell you where you can get help. They may also be able to put you through to a trained mental health professional over the phone.
111 can support anyone who is feeling unsafe, distressed or worried about their mental health. They can also give information and advice about what to do if you're worried about someone else.
If you would rather get help online, you can use 111 online.
- Opening times:
- 24/7
-
Samaritans
Whatever you're going through, you can contact the Samaritans for support. N.B. This is a listening service and does not offer advice or intervention.
- Opening times:
- 24/7
Whether you love the page or think something is missing, we appreciate your feedback. It all helps us to support more young people with their mental health.
Please be aware that this form isn’t a mental health support service. If you are in crisis right now and want to talk to someone urgently, find out who to contact on our urgent help page.
At YoungMinds we take your privacy seriously. If you’d like to read more about how we keep the information we collect safe, take a look at our privacy policy.