As part of Children's Mental Health Week 2022 in partnership with Place2Be, The Engagement Hub is running an event for all young people throughout the county.

The theme for this week is 'Growing Together'.

As we change and grow, sometimes it is hard to see the way forward. But there is always a way forward. The people that we are surrounded by and our community itself can help us on our journey, as we grow into the people we are today.

Imagine that you could offer this same advice and support to your younger self. What would you say?

We would like to invite you all to write a letter to your younger self. We've provided some examples and inspiration for you! Struggling a little? We've also provided some questions to answer too.

Please be assured that this form is entirely anonymous.

"Follow your heart as much as possible. Stand up for yourself and others when you need to, do what you feel is right and trust your instincts.

Do what you love and what makes you happy. Please keep up the dancing, I know you love it right now. Don’t let anything get in the way of that. Keep learning music and enjoy expressing yourself in the way I know you do. Those things are going to be so valuable to you in the future. Follow your dreams and follow your heart whenever possible, because you deserve to be happy.

I hope this helps with some things coming up. You are going to be okay, just remember that no matter what, you’re never alone.

Good luck!"

- https://www.youngminds.org.uk/young-person/blog/a-letter-to-my-five-year-old-self

"Don’t fight you, you are great just the way you are. But whilst you feel alone right now you really don’t need to be. Your Mum will later tell you that, “it would have been so much easier if you just opened up a bit more.” And she’s right. The first step is always the hardest, the first word the most difficult to say but talking is always the way forward.  

In your future job you will meet some of the world’s most inspiring people who right now you look up to and adore. They will teach you that not only is it the greatest cure to talk, the greatest power is in listening. Open up and share your internal struggles now and for years to come. Find that one person you can trust, it’s going to be a long road but ultimately you will arrive at the destination of actually loving yourself. Loving your sexuality and loving the skin you are in. Everything you will achieve will be for the you that is suffering right now. Be brave, and find your brave in all the good and positive things that currently surround you.  

Talk, share and listen, you will be more than ok – you will be AMAZING."

- https://www.place2be.org.uk/about-us/news-and-blogs/2020/february/a-letter-to-my-11-year-old-self/

Ready to get cracking?

Use the space below. Don't worry about making it perfect, all that matters is that it is true.

Don't worry!

You might find that answering the questions below help you. You don't have to use these questions, but you also don't have to write a letter after answering them either. Just type away!

The Source – www.thesource.me.uk/wellbeing 
Emotional Wellbeing Hub – www.thesource.me.uk/hub 
Just One - www.justonenorfolk.nhs.uk/emotional-health/children-young-peoples-emotional-health 
Kooth – www.kooth.com 
ChatHealth - www.thesource.me.uk/Chathealth 
Suffolk Mind - www.suffolkmind.org.uk