
How I Feel
The “101”
Emotions are a person’s response to specific situations. Moods are a person’s deep-seated feelings or outlook. Our emotions and moods are influenced by a number of inputs, or “factors.” Some emotions and moods are your body’s physical response to signals from your brain. Some emotions and moods are triggered by events or situations that take place around you or happen to you. Some examples of these events are things like the death of someone important to you, being picked on, or
Everyone has a “bad day” here and there. That’s normal. What’s not normal is when a person has negative emotions or moods that are
There are treatments for negative emotions and moods (sometimes called “mental illness” or “emotional disturbance.”) So it’s important to know that if now or at some point in the future, you feel sad, anxious, stressed, irritable, depressed, or angry—either a lot of the time or as a sudden change to your usual mood—you are not alone; there are people who will want to and can help.
Reflect On It
Write in your journal (download journal) any thoughts you have as you think about this topic, using the questions below:
Learn More
Mental Health Information Get a
Take Action!
Get Treatment for Negative Emotions and Moods
If you are curious, anxious, or stressed about your emotions or moods, it’s important that you speak to a healthcare provider who can support you in learning more about your situation or disease and help you manage them. You can set an appointment with your family’s healthcare provider, or ask the adult responsible for you to set an appointment.
If you or your family do not have a regular healthcare provider or are uninsured, find free or low-cost mental health services by ZIP Code and type of service or reach the National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357) or online.
Get Help in a Physical Emergency
Call 911 if you are having any type of physical emergency, including being at immediate risk of harming yourself or another person or group of people.
Get Help in an Emotional Emergency
Call the toll-free National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or initiate a confidential online chat with a trained counselor if you are considering harming yourself for any reason, including due to