Be The Change!

Recognising stress, building resilience, and supporting each other.

Stress Awareness Month is here again, and this year’s theme — #BeTheChange — is all about something powerful: self‑efficacy. That means believing in your ability to face challenges, bounce back from setbacks, and make positive changes in your own life and the lives of others.

Whether you’re 11 or 25, stress is something everyone experiences. Exams, friendships, work, family, money, social media pressure — it all adds up. But the good news? You’re not powerless. You can learn to recognise stress, manage it, and support the people around you too.

At The Centre Place, we’ve spent the past year working hard to support young people’s mental health — and we’ve seen just how strong, creative, and resilient you can be.

💬 What Is Stress, Really?

Stress is your body’s natural reaction to pressure or challenges. In small amounts, it can help you stay focused and motivated. But when it builds up, it can drain your energy, affect your mood, and make everyday tasks feel overwhelming.

Some common signs of stress include:

• Feeling anxious, worried, or on edge

• Struggling to make decisions

• Difficulty sleeping

• Headaches or stomach aches

• Snapping at people or withdrawing

• Losing motivation

Recognising these signs early is the first step in learning how to manage stress — and #BeTheChange for your own wellbeing.

🧭 Spotting Your Stressors

You can’t deal with stress if you don’t know what’s causing it. Try asking yourself:

• What situations make me feel tense or overwhelmed?

• Who drains my energy, and who lifts me up?

• What’s one thing right now that’s taking up a lot of space in my mind?

Stressors can be:📚 School or uni deadlines💬 Friendship or relationship issues💼 Work pressure💸 Worrying about money📱 Social media expectations🏠 Home or family conflict

Once you identify what’s causing your stress, you can start building habits that protect your wellbeing.

💪 Building Resilience: How to Strengthen Your

Mental Health

Resilience doesn’t mean “never feeling stressed.” It means being able to recover and keep going.

Here are some ways to get started:

✅ 1. Break things into smaller steps

Big tasks feel less scary when you turn them into manageable goals.

✅ 2. Talk about what you’re feeling

Sharing your worries with someone you trust can instantly reduce pressure.

✅ 3. Practise self‑care that actually works for you

This could be drawing, gaming, going for a walk, having a nap, listening to music, or even doing nothing for a bit. Rest is productive too.

✅ 4. Challenge negative self‑talk

Swap “I can’t do this” for “I’m going to try my best.”

✅ 5. Limit comparison — especially online

Remember: people only post their best bits.

✅ 6. Celebrate your wins

Even the small ones. Especially the small ones.

🤝 Supporting Friends & Others

#BeTheChange isn’t just about supporting yourself — it’s also about showing up for others.

You can support someone by:

• Listening without judgement

• Asking: “How can I help?”

• Encouraging them to take breaks or get support

• Checking in regularly

• Reminding them they don’t have to face things alone

Small acts of kindness can make a huge difference.

🎉 What The Centre Place Has Been Up To

This year has been an amazing one for young people’s mental health at The Centre Place. We’ve been working hard to create spaces for learning, creativity, and support — and you’ve responded in the best way possible.

🏆 Anxiety Workshop Competition

We ran a competition for local schools and businesses to win a free Talkzone workshop worth £90, all about understanding and managing anxiety.The response was incredible — so many teams showed interest in supporting their young people, and we loved seeing communities come together to prioritise mental health.

✍️ Young People’s Stress Poetry Competition

We also launched a Stress Awareness poetry competition, inviting young people to write poems about their experiences with stress.

The entries were phenomenal. Raw. Honest. Creative. Brave.Your words showed strength, vulnerability, and a deep understanding of what it means to live with stress — and to rise above it.

Choosing the winners was unbelievably tough because the quality was so high. Every poem was something special, and we’re proud of every young person who shared their voice.

🌈 Final Message: You Can #BeTheChange

Stress is a natural part of life, but it doesn’t have to control your life.You have the power to:✨ recognise what’s overwhelming you✨ take steps to look after your wellbeing✨ reach out for support when you need it✨ support others who might be struggling

This Stress Awareness Month, challenge yourself to take one positive action — even a small one — to #BeTheChange.

And remember: The Centre Place is always here for you.