Healthy mental wellbeing means feeling good, functioning well, and being able to cope with daily life. Healthy wellbeing can look different for everyone. Wellbeing is a combination of physical, emotional, and social health. Healthy wellbeing can look different for everyone, but it means feeling good, functioning well, and being able to cope with daily life.  

Healthy wellbeing in teenagers can help develop coping and resilience strategies to life’s challenges. Teenagers with good mental wellbeing can better:  

• manage their emotions, 

• enjoy positive relationships with friends and family, 

• apply themselves at school, 

• participate in activities that interest them, 

• Feel good about the future. 

Wellbeing Concerns  

Teenagers may experience a range of issues as they go through puberty. Fitting in and looking the same as others can seem to become important.  Other issues teenagers may face include: 

 

• bullying, 

• peer pressure, 

• Alcohol, drugs, smoking, or vaping 

• relationships, 

• exploring identity, 

• body image. 

Teenagers are at risk of feeling negative about their bodies or have an unhealthy body image. An unhealthy body image can be linked to lower self-esteem and self-worth. 

Young people who feel supported by their family and friends are more likely to work through issues they experience growing up.  

 

How to support your teen 

• Encourage them to be involved in new activities such as sports, arts or even volunteering. This gives them meaning and a feeling of being valued and a part of something, 

• Encourage them to be active and reduce screen time. This encourages positive brain chemicals and can help regulate moods 

• Encourage them to connect with friends and family who share the same values as they do 

• Encourage and praise a teen’s abilities, skills and attributes rather than the way their body looks. Avoid negative comments about weight or appearance 

• Be a positive role model by eating healthy and exercising and place importance on health, not on physical appearance.  

• Talk with them about body image and listen to their concerns 

• Watch out for dieting for weight loss. Fad diets can be dangerous, and rarely support any long-term weight loss. Encourage healthy lifestyles over fad diets. 

Should your child be experience bullying, some resources below can help in supporting 

• Bullying & Cyberbullying 

• Cyber Safety 

Local Support 

Headspace: 

Headspace is an early intervention mental health service for 12–25-year-olds. They promote wellbeing while focusing on: 

• mental health,  

• physical health, 

• work and study support,  

• alcohol and other drug services.  

In South Western Sydney Headspace centres are in:  

• Liverpool  

• Bankstown  

• Campbelltown 

Head to Health: 

Head to Health offers a phone service that can be accessed by teens on 1800 595 212  Monday-Friday 8:30am-5:00pm. It is managed by trained professionals and helps teens find the right mental health service from some of Australia’s most trusted mental health organisations. 

There are 10 Head to Health mental health pop up hubs available across NSW for COVID-safe face-to-face appointments, including two in South Western Sydney: 

• Bankstown - Suite 24, 1-5 Jacobs Street, Jacobs Court, Bankstown 

• Liverpool - Level 6, 203 Northumberland Street, Liverpool  

This is not a crisis service. If your teen needs immediate help or are at risk of self-harm or harm to others, call 000 now.  

ReFrame - Free psychological therapies for 12-25 year olds - South Western Sydney PHN (swsphn.com.au) 

If you are 12-25 years old living, studying or working in Wollondilly and Wingecarribee and are concerned about your mental health, you may access up to 12 hours of free psychological therapies per year through ReFrame. 

You In Mind – Psychological therapies for select populations - South Western Sydney PHN (swsphn.com.au) 12+ 

You In Mind provides free psychological therapies and non-clinical peer support for people with, or at risk of, a diagnosed mental illness. Contact them to find out if your family is eligible. 

ReachOut 

ReachOut.com is an internet service for young people that provides information, support and online resources about mental health issues and enable them to develop resilience, increase coping skills, and facilitate help-seeking behaviour.