Worried about feeling different?
Feeling different from the people around you can sometimes make you feel lonely or make you worry. People may feel different for many reasons, for example their religion, skin colour, accent, disability, body shape, sexuality or just a feeling that they don’t fit in. People might feel different because they experienced something really big or difficult and feel that no-one else can understand what it was like. If you are feeling this way, there are lots of resources below that you may find useful.
Are you struggling with self-esteem? Has someone made you feel bad for being different?The Equality Act 2010
Did you know? Some things that might make you feel different, like your religion or having a disability, are called protected characteristics, and The Equality Act 2010 means the law protects people with protected characteristics from discrimination (being treated unfairly for being different). The GOV.UK website has more information about the Equality Act, where you can learn about your rights.
Getting More Help
Talking to family and friends about your worries can help you feel more supported. You might want to talk to someone outside the family like a GP, teacher or mentor at school, or even a friend’s parent. Choose someone you trust and if you find it difficult to talk about how you are feeling, you could write them a letter or send them a text. Support is also available through Childline, Compass Phoenix and Recovery College Online.
Childline
Childline provides a free and confidential telephone service for children and young people up to the age of 19.
Visit Chidline website Call 0800 1111BUZZ US
Compass Phoenix offers a confidential text messaging service, called BUZZ US, to young people aged 11-18 across North Yorkshire.
Visit Compass Phoenix website Call 07520 631168Recovery College Online
The Recovery College Online provides a range of online educational courses and resources to people with mental illness.
Visit Recovery College Online websiteGetting Urgent Help
If you’ve seriously injured yourself or taken an overdose call 999 or get immediate medical advice from NHS 111.
If you are in a crisis and feel like you can’t cope, speak to somebody straight away. Search below for help or see the Urgent Help page for contact details for the North Yorkshire single point of access Crisis Service.
Things you might find useful
Dealing with racism
Explores the ways people may experience racism and has advice for dealing with it.
Visit Childline websiteLiving with a disability
Get the lowdown on living with a physical or learning disability, including relationships, sport and what to do if someone treats you unfairly. Includes British Sign Language videos on different topics.
Visit Childline websiteAutism Spectrum Disorder
Operation Ouch! meet Alex who has Autism to find out how he experiences the world.
Watch on YoutubeADHD
Struggling to concentrate, having too much energy or not being able to easily control your behaviour are some of the symptoms of ADHD. Find out more about ADHD and how to get help.
Visit Young Minds website