About Real Stories
When you’re struggling with your feelings it can sometimes seem like you’re the only one who feels the way you do. But you’re not alone. Lots of other people deal with similar problems all the time – you just might not know it.
Real Stories are created by MindMate, to share stories from young people in Leeds who have had problems with their mental health. We’ll be adding more stories over the next few months so please check back again soon.
For more information about the issues raised, look out for the pop-ups throughout the films or see our ‘Common issues’ section on the MindMate website.
Send your story
Would you like to feature on MindMate’s ‘Real Stories’?
Have you experienced panic attacks in the past and would be comfortable talking about it on film?
If so, we’d love to hear from you!
Please contact us if you’re interested.*
Contact us*Unfortunately, we can't promise to include everyone who comes forward, but we will reply to every email we receive as soon as we can.
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Here's some tips on getting prepared for exam season
The build up to exam season is a time like no other, so that means you need to look after yourself differently, too. Here are some things that might help:
Prepare your study space, which ideally wouldn’t be your bedroom, and definitely not bed!
Find out moreIf you have to use your bedroom, try to create different zones for working and sleeping/relaxing.
Find out moreCreate a great study timetable. This video can help:
Find out moreMake a revision priority list, and fill your timetable first with the subjects you need to study, not the ones you most enjoy (sorry!).
Find out morePerfect your revision technique - this short video can help:
Find out more
Getting the support you need
Balancing family life, friends and school is hard, and sometimes it can leave you feeling stressed, sad, lonely or worried. However, there’s plenty of advice and support out there, if you know where to look:
BBC Bitesize: Exam Stress
As well as great advice to help you revise and prepare for exams, Bitesize has top tips and videos to help you de-stress when it all feels too much.
Find out moreHelp from your school
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, your school can help. A trusted teacher is a good place to start, or find out where to go for more information on finding help in school.
Find out moreInformation about exam pressure
Helping yourself if always a great start, so we’ve put together a page to help you do just that.
Find out moreWhat’s in Leeds for me?
If you want to speak to a professional face to face, this page on MindMate can help you find the support that’s right for you.
Find out more
Talking about how you feel
Talking about how you feel can be hard. It’s not always easy to know what to say first or how to describe how you feel, but it can be a big help to share your feelings with someone who cares.
Top tips on starting conversations
Tips, hints, worksheets and more.
Find out moreGet Doc Ready
Doc Ready helps you get ready for the first time you visit a doctor to discuss your mental health.
Find out moreFind your MindMates
Try our quick and easy game to work out who can help and support you with whatever you have on your mind right now.
Find out moreTalk to someone in Leeds
This page on MindMate is there to help you find support available to young people in Leeds
Find out moreKooth
Free, safe and anonymous support for young people.
Find out more
Coping with exam stress
Exam season is a stressful and challenging time. Feeling anxious is normal but it’s how you face these fears that can really help. We’ve put together some things that you might find useful:
Get enough sleep
Visit Mindmate to find out how good sleep can help your brain function and how to get more of it in your life.
Find out moreTalk about how you feel
Just opening up about something can really help how you feel, but it can also give you ideas and inspiration to feel better. Here’s a list of places for young people in Leeds to consider.
Find out moreMeditation
Mind in overdrive? It’s time to stop, listen and relax. Just grab your headphones and try one of our 2-3 minute mindfulness recordings. You can do them almost anywhere, with zero embarrassment.
Find out moreYoung Minds
This charity is leading the fight for a future where all young minds are supported and empowered, whatever the challenges.
Find out moreHeadspace
This free app is another great way to get some calm into your life. They’re really short so easy to fit in every day (why not set an alarm to help you remember).
Find out moreKeeping active
Find out your exercise style with our quick quiz, learn about sneaking exercise into your daily life and much more, with MindMate's guide to keeping active.
Find out more
How exercise can help with exams
Exercise releases feel-good, de-stressing chemicals in the body – just what you need during exam season. This’ll help you get started:
Find a sports club in Leeds
Find sports clubs in Leeds and your local area and find out how you can take part.
Find out moreStart running
If you want to get into running, pull your trainers on and go! Or if you want help building up, try this plan which takes you from Couch to 5k.
Find out moreGet on your bike
Cycling to school is an easy way to fit some activity into your day. If you need help getting started Cycle Leeds has bike training courses for everyone, so you can learn how to ride safely in your local area.
Find out moreFree clubs
Fancy something free? Actually, who doesn't? This site has loads of free activities to try.
Find out moreEasy everyday swaps
Find out your exercise style with our quick quiz, learn about sneaking exercise into your daily life and much more, with MindMate's guide to keeping active.
Find out more
Advice if you're going to college or university
Maybe you’re about to go to college or university soon, or perhaps you’re just thinking ahead to post-exam freedom. Whatever it is, it’s a big and exciting time. If you need a hand preparing, these links might help:
Leeds Pathways
This website describes itself as 'your guide to discovering the range of exciting eduction, career and training options available to you in Leeds'. Sounds good, right?
Find out moreThe Mix
The Mix is a national support service full of advice about sex, relationships, drugs, mental health, money and jobs. You can access them online, over the phone or on social.
Find out moreLeeds Youth Information Hub
The site has a range of information from Leeds City Council for young people in Leeds, relevant for those at uni, college or in work.
Find out more
A final note from Exam time
Find a way to stay focussed on your goals, but enjoy yourself as well.Play again
Did you find this helpful?
Did you enjoy the story or find it helpful? Let us know so we can do more of the good stuff.
Learn more about...
If you need help with your feelings, there are lots of options available to you. This might be through your school or college or with the brilliant local services available in Leeds. Most of them are free, although some of them have a waiting list. You just need to find the right service for you.
Find out moreExams are something that most of us can’t avoid in our lives. They’re designed to test us, literally, so naturally they can feel like a lot of pressure. And stress, worry and nerves can go hand in hand with that pressure. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Here are some ways to prepare well for exams – while staying healthy.
Find out moreIt isn’t always easy to talk about how you feel so MindMate has some tips to help you start that first conversation.
Find out moreAlthough it is completely normal for moods and feelings to change, sometimes you might decide that you need some help managing what’s going on in your head. From feelings about food, to hurting yourself, there is help and advice available.
Find out more