Supporting Someone Through Low Moods

Everyone has periods of low mood at some point. Low moods are a part of the human experience. We can’t expect the children, young people, and adults in our settings, or ourselves and our colleagues, to always be happy.

The presentation of low mood varies for everyone, meaning we must consider lots of reasons as to why a person may be feeling low, such as (but not limited to):

•         Physical development

•         Emotional development

•         Challenging memories and lived experiences

•         Post-crisis recovery

•         Excessive tiredness and fatigue

•         Sickness and poor health

There are many things that cause low mood, and everyone will experience fluctuations in mood differently, needing different kinds of support and reassurance. It’s also important to remember that despite our best efforts to prevent a low mood, some of the individuals we care for will experience days that are harder than others, and our job is to offer compassion, empathy, and support – not necessarily to ‘fix’ their mood.

Possible reasons for low mood

The individuals we support may experience feelings of unhappiness or anxiety because of changes in their lives, some planned and some unexpected. They may seem unhappy because they’re worried about moving home, starting at a new school, or setting, or experiencing changes to their family or care situation.

Physical feelings of hunger, thirst, and being tired can also have significant effects on an individual’s behaviour as well as loud, bright, or crowded spaces. Other factors can be smaller changes, like a different member of staff or a deviation from their usual routine.

Read more about sensory impact on behaviour.

Puberty, growth, and physical development can also contribute to huge behavioural changes for older children and teenagers, while ageing and overall health may contribute to changes in behaviour for the older individuals in our care.

Spotting patterns in mood

Curiosity in our supportive responses can help us to understand why the individual experiencing a low mood has ended up feeling this way. The behaviours, responses, body language and interactions we see are like clues or pieces of a puzzle, that can help us understand more about an individual’s emotional state and experience. Understanding whether there is a specific trigger for their behaviours and mood may help us decide how best to offer help and support in the future.

Sometimes we notice that periods of low mood happen at a particular time or location or in what has become a pattern or cycle.