Friendship Survival Guide

by Caroline Young

Published 27 April 2023
Friendships are of vital importance for all age-groups and good friendships go hand-in-hand with good mental health. But what is a friend, and why do we need them so much? This insightful guide explores how we can make friends, how we can keep them, what makes a good friend and whether we need best friends. It provides advice on recognizing fake and toxic friendships, surviving fall-outs and break-ups, and building resilience while successfully navigating the choppy waters around tribes, cliques, groups and gangs. There's also help for those coping with bullying and unkind behaviour, both on and offline.

The teenage years can be a turbulent time, and managing the pressures of school, friendships, puberty and family life is tricky for many young people. This book takes an honest look at some of these issues, and offers plenty of tips and suggestions to help teenagers cope with anxiety and stress. Many aspects of self-care are explored, including eating well, sleeping enough, doing things you enjoy and socializing. There's guidance for managing social media too, and a 'happy, healthy life plan' to take forward. In a time of many pressures on young people, this book offers both insight, and sound friendly advice.