Young people who feel good about themselves and are confident and optimistic about the future will be better equipped to deal with and adapt to the inevitable stress that life will create. How young people feel about themselves will affect all aspects of their development, it is vitally important to help them to achieve good emotional wellbeing.

Improving the mental health of children and young people is a priority area for the National Programme for Mental Health and Wellbeing (external link). This builds on recommendations of the Needs Assessment Report on Child and Adolescent Mental Health, produced in 2003. The report identified three core themes: recognising the right of young people to be heard; 'mainstreaming' mental health services for young people into communities and schools; and integrating promotion, prevention and care.

The promotion of emotional wellbeing requires a holistic approach from health professionals that takes account of a range of factors that may affect a young person's mental health. Young people may not be aware that the foods they eat may affect their emotional wellbeing by depriving them of essential nutrients, or that physical activity can help to prevent low mood and depression, as well as improving confidence and self-image. Alcohol and drug use will also have a negative impact on emotional wellbeing.