For anyone who has ever looked at a young person's behaviour and wondered, “What on earth is going on?”

When a young person becomes withdrawn, angry, anxious, difficult, secretive or suddenly seems like a completely different child, it is easy to focus on the behaviour we can see.

But behaviour is often the symptom, not the story.

In this powerful and thought-provoking talk, Andrea Marsh explores what may be happening beneath the surface when a child or teenager begins to struggle emotionally.

Drawing on both professional experience and her own lived experience as a parent navigating serious mental health difficulties with her daughter, Andrea shares a perspective that challenges audiences to look beyond labels, reactions and assumptions and become more curious about what a young person may be trying to communicate.

This is not about diagnosing young people or expecting parents and professionals to become therapists. It is about recognising changes earlier, understanding behaviour differently and having better conversations before situations reach crisis point.

Andrea combines powerful storytelling, practical insight and moments of humour with an important message:

Sometimes the behaviour we are trying to stop is the very thing we need to start listening to.

Audiences will explore: Why behaviour can be a form of communication What changes in behaviour may be telling us Why struggling young people do not always look like they are struggling The danger of dismissing changes as simply “teenage behaviour” How adults can respond with curiosity rather than confrontation How to start difficult conversations without immediately trying to fix everything The importance of early recognition, connection and appropriate support BEST SUITED TO: Schools, colleges, parent groups, education conferences, safeguarding events, youth organisations, charities, healthcare audiences and organisations supporting children and families.