Need help straight away?
You can talk privately to a counsellor online or call 0800 1111 for free.
Hi there,
Thanks for your letter.
It can be a real struggle to deal with problems on your own and youve done well to ask for support. It sounds like some of the people in your life might have assumed that things are okay for you but its alright to let them know that youre struggling. Everybody needs support at some time in their life and it can really help to reach out to somebody you trust.
You and your family sound as though you have a good relationship and it seems as though youd really like to be able to let them know how youre feeling. Perhaps you could practise telling them by writing down what youd like to say. You could even give them what youve written if you feel that would help to open up the conversation. Many young people have told me they find practising things like this beforehand really helpful.
Please remember that ChildLine can always be there for you as well. Our counsellors want to listen and support you. They will take the time to understand what life is like for you. Talking things through could help you understand everything better too.
I can hear that youre feeling under a lot of pressure about your next year at school and you seem as though youre trying to make an important decision. Sometimes problems all mix together and feel like one big, overwhelming problem, so it can help to try and sort them out one by one. Making a list of each worry can help so that you can deal with things one step at a time.
I noticed that you said that you feel like youre disappointing other people. If you think about what youd like for your future, rather than what others expect, what would you choose to do? Have a think about whats important to you and what support you need so that you can be happy.
The idea of growing up sounds really frightening for you and I get the feeling that youre worried about what will be expected of you as you get older. Remember that life comes one day at a time. You dont have to make changes in your life overnight or do things on your own. Whatever age you are, you can ask for support.
Im concerned that youre thinking of giving up on life. Im not sure whether you mean that youve been thinking about suicide but if youre having thoughts about ending your life, its a good idea not to keep the thoughts to yourself. If youre ever feeling in danger of causing harm to yourself, remember that you can call 999 for emergency help. You can always contact a ChildLine counsellor about how you're feeling too.
You mentioned that youve become emotionless. From what youve told me, youre coping with a lot of emotions inside but youre trying to hide them from others in your life. Maybe you could find a way of expressing your feelings so that theyre not all trapped inside. You could try out some of our games, which are designed to help you let out your feelings.
You might also find it helpful to use the ChildLine message boards and discuss your experience of growing up with other young people. Sometimes we assume that other people in our lives dont have similar worries because they dont talk about them. It can help to know that youre not alone.
Thank you for writing to me. It can take a lot of courage to speak out and there will be other young people reading who also realise that theyre not alone in how they feel. If you ever need to talk, remember that you can talk to ChildLine counsellors by calling 0800 1111, sending an email or logging on for a 1-2-1 chat.
I hope that you get the help you need.
Take care,
Sam
You can talk privately to a counsellor online or call 0800 1111 for free.
You can ask me about anything you want, there's nothing too big or small. I read every single letter but I can only answer a few each week. My replies are published here on my page.