It's important to look after your mental health - especially with exams coming up. Even if you don't think that you've got time to take a break, you will be much more efficient if you do.

Empathy can be difficult to explain but Brene Brown does an excellent job in this video.

Self-confidence is an attractive feature. This is different to arrogance or egotism - it's knowing that you are ok, just the way you are. It is also a quality that not many of us possess. Even people who seem confident are often just faking it. So how do you get it?

1. Ignore your inner mean girl and start repeating some positive affirmations about yourself.
2. Write a list of your strengths, achievements and things that are unique about you.
3. Visualise a fantastic version of yourself.
4. Help others - this takes your mind off of you and makes you feel better about yourself.
5. Take care of yourself - physically and mentally. Treat yourself like a V.I.P.

The holidays are meant to full of fun so why do so many teenagers feel down and depressed? Even though you might not enjoy the school routine, it can be a safe place. You have too much time to think when you're on holidays. You may feel isolated from your friends. There may be family tensions. There are some things you can do to be in a good head space on the holidays:
Get enough sleep
Make plans to see friends
Be creative and get crafty
Volunteer somewhere
Eat well
Get some exercise each day.
If you're really struggling, get help. Talk to your parents or a trusted adult. Call one of the numbers above. This too will pass.

Alcohol and drugs can have serious side effects such as anxiety, depression, psychosis, and death from overdose. They can also make you look ugly:

• tooth decay
  
• facial sores
  
• accelerated aging of the skin
• bloodshot eyes
• red rash all over the body
• cellulite

The good news is, you can have a good time without drinking alcohol or taking drugs.

Warning: this is pretty confronting but very powerful. Sexual assault is a terrible thing to happen to someone and it happens more than you realise. According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 1 in 6 (1.5 million) women and 1 in 9 (992,000) men were physically and/or sexually abused before the age of 15. But it doesn't have to destroy you or define you.