Sadness
When I Feel Sad 💛
It is okay to feel sad
Sometimes we all feel sad. There might be lots of different reasons why we feel this way.
You might feel sad because:
- you have fallen out with a friend
- something has changed at home or at school
- you are worried about something
- you have made a mistake
- you miss someone
- someone you love is poorly or has died
- you feel lonely
- something hasn't gone the way you hoped
- or sometimes you might feel sad and not know exactly why.
Whatever the reason, your feelings matter.
What can I do when I feel sad?
When you are feeling sad, you don't have to keep it all to yourself.
You could:
🌟 Talk to someone you trust – this might be a parent, grandparent, teacher, teaching assistant or another adult who looks after you.
🌟 Have a cuddle or spend time with someone you love.
🌟 Do something you enjoy – read, draw, colour, play, listen to music or spend time outside.
🌟 Take some slow breaths – breathe in slowly through your nose and then breathe out gently.
🌟 Write or draw how you are feeling. Sometimes putting our feelings on paper can help.
🌟 Remember that feelings can change. You may feel sad now, but you won't always feel this way.
You are never alone 💛
At Holy Cross, we want every child to know that they are loved, valued and important.
If something is making you sad or worried, please tell someone. You can always talk to your teacher or another trusted adult in school.
You don't need to wait until you have a big problem. If something is bothering you, it is always okay to talk about it.
If someone has died
Sometimes sadness happens because someone we love has died. This is called bereavement.
Grief can feel different for everyone. You might cry, feel angry, feel worried, want to be alone, or sometimes feel happy and enjoy yourself. There is no right or wrong way to feel.
It can help to talk about the person you miss, look at photographs, make a memory box or draw a picture.
If someone you love has died, please talk to a grown-up you trust. They can help you understand your feelings and make sure you have someone to support you.
Helpful websites for children and families
🌈 Childline
Childline is a safe place where children can find information about feelings and worries and get support.
💛 YoungMinds
YoungMinds has information to help children, young people and families understand feelings and mental health.
🌟 Child Bereavement UK
If someone you love has died, Child Bereavement UK provides support and resources for children, young people and families. They have child-friendly information and activities to help children understand grief and their feelings.
🌱 NHS – Children and Young People's Mental Health
The NHS has information for parents and carers about supporting children's emotional wellbeing and knowing when to seek additional help.
Visit the NHS mental health information
A message for parents and carers
It is normal for children to experience periods of sadness. Talking openly about feelings can help children understand and manage difficult emotions.
If you notice that your child's sadness is lasting for a long time, is affecting their everyday life, or you have concerns about their emotional wellbeing, please talk to your child's class teacher or a member of the Holy Cross pastoral team. You can also speak to your GP or seek advice from organisations such as YoungMinds.
At Holy Cross, we believe that every child should know that they are loved, listened to and never alone.