The end of January often brings a significant period of change and transition for young people.
They may be starting the school year with new teachers, or at a new school all together. Perhaps they are looking for fulltime work, or about to start their first job, or they might be returning to, or starting, TAFE or university. For some young people, they may have no set plans and might be feeling unsure about their next steps, while those around them settle back into routine.
To help your young person during this transition, creating space for conversations can make a real difference.
Here are some conversation starters to encourage young people to explore and express how they’re feeling about the year to come.
What will the next few months look like?
- Talk about how this year may be different from previous years.
- Map out what is staying the same and what is changing.
What are they worried about?
- Encourage young people to share any concerns they have.
- Work through these together, brainstorming strategies to manage stress or anxiety and check in regularly to see how they are coping.
What are they looking forward to?
- If there is nothing big coming up this year, celebrate the small things.
- Consider making a calendar or visual board with activities they are looking forward to, or spending time planning ways to include enjoyable moments – big or small – into their routine.
What does their new routine look like?
- Get familiar with their new timetable or routine so you can support them through the transition.
- Work together to make sure they are making space for sleep, exercise, nutrition and regular catch-ups with friends and family.
- Share your own routine to help increase clarity and provide reassurance during a time of change.
Discuss how they will look after their mental health in the year to come.
- Offer the young person ideas, such as connecting with friends, spending time in nature, having screen free time, or trying a new hobby, that they can refer back to if they are needing to focus on their mental health.
- Share your own plans about how you intend to prioritise your mental health and wellbeing this year.
Explore how to find consistency together.
- Talk about what will stay the same and ask if there are any regular check-ins or routines that would feel grounding and supportive for them.
While talking things through may initially bring up feelings of stress or anxiety, it also reminds young people that they’re not facing change alone and support is available.
If the young person in your life doesn’t feel ready to talk with you, encourage them to reflect on these changes on their own, with a trusted adult or friend, or with a counsellor.
