my mental health isn’t the best, my teachers have noticed but my parent haven’t? is this normal or are my parents being ignorant
Hey, thank you for trusting luna with your question 🩷 It’s a really valid one, and you’re definitely not alone in feeling this way.
It can be surprisingly common for teachers to notice changes in your mood or behaviour before parents do.
This isn’t always because parents are ignoring it, sometimes they might not recognise the signs, or they may not know how to bring it up.
They could also be distracted by other things going on in their own lives, which makes it harder for them to see what's happening emotionally for you.
That said, your feelings are important and if you’re struggling, you deserve support.
👉 Try having a calm, honest conversation with your parents
They might not realise how you’re feeling, so opening up could help them understand and support you better.
You could say something like, “I’ve been feeling a bit low recently, and I thought it might help to talk to you about it.”
If you’re nervous, try writing it down first or asking a trusted adult to help you talk to them.
👉 If that feels too difficult...
Speak to a teacher or another adult you trust – someone who’s already noticed how you’re feeling.
They can help guide the conversation or support you in talking to your parents.
👉 Reach out for extra support if you need it
If things are feeling really heavy, it’s important to let someone know.
You could speak to your doctor or try a free support service like Shout by texting "SHOUT" to 85258.
Struggling with your mental health isn’t your fault, and you’re not overreacting – you're being brave by recognising how you feel and looking for help ♡
How we answered this question:
luna's team of experts comprises GPs, Dermatologists, Safeguarding Leads and Junior Doctors as well as Medical Students with specialised interests in paediatric care, mental health and gynaecology. Questions are answered and reviewed by this team.
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