This week is Children's Mental Health Week. It’s so important to talk about mental health and well-being and to seek advice if you need it. There are lots of brilliant organisations and resources out there that can help you if you are struggling or just need a bit of advice Os I have compiled the following guide to some of the best links and tools. If you find them useful please share them with a friend who may benefit too.
As parents and carers we play an important role in teaching children and young people how to understand and manage their feelings as they grow up.
I’m worried about my child or young person
- If their life is in immediate danger, call 999.
- If not, follow our advice for getting urgent help
What can I do at home?
- Find time to talk, just the two of you – ‘Check in’ with them while you’re doing things together, so they get used to talking about their feelings.
- Play together – Play helps them to be curious, learn new things, solve problems and express feelings without words.
- Be a role-model – Show how you cope with difficult feelings and look after yourself.
Shout (in partnership with Place2Be)
Text CONNECT to 85258
- For: anyone in the UK
- Available: free, 24 hours a day
- More info: giveusashout.org
Childline
Call 0800 1111
Chat online (set up an account first)
Send an email (set up an account first)
- For: children and young people in the UK
- Available: free, 24 hours a day
- More info: childline.org.uk
Samaritans
Call 116 123
Send an email (response within 24 hours)
- For: adults in the UK
- Available: free, 24 hours a day
- More info: samaritans.org
Support for under-18s
If you’re worried about something, talk to an adult that you trust as soon as possible. This could be:
- Someone in your family, like your mum, dad or carer
- Someone at school, like a teacher or Place2Be (if you have it in your school)
- Your doctor.
If you are not sure who to talk to:
- Call Childline on 0800 1111 or
- Text CONNECT to 85258 to contact Shout (in partnership with Place2Be).
Talk or text for free any time, wherever you are in the UK.
I’m worried about my child or young person
If their life is in immediate danger, call 999.
If not, we recommend talking to someone who can help you understand what they might be going through and refer you to support in your area.
This could be:
- Your doctor
- The Place2Be staff member at their school OR a similar support service if the school doesn’t have Place2Be
- The Young Minds Parents Helpline, which you can call for free on 0808 802 5544 (9.30am-4pm, Monday-Friday, UK).
Support for teachers
Education Support Partnership Helpline
Call 08000 562 561
Text 07909 341229
For: Teachers/educators
Available: free, 24 hours a day
More info: educationsupport.org.uk
More resources and useful links:
Place2Be
Place2Be is a children’s mental health charity that provides counselling and mental health support and training in UK schools. Our tried and tested model is backed by research.
We believe that children should not have to face mental health problems alone.
https://www.place2be.org.uk/
Mind
If you're going through a difficult time or are struggling with how you're feeling, it can be really scary and upsetting. We're here to help you understand you're not alone and to help you find the support you deserve. On this page, you can find information about mental health and wellbeing and how to find support.
https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/for-children-and-young-people/
HNS Healthy Minds
There are times when we all feel the strain. As parents and carers, there are ways we can support children and young people to give them the best chance to stay mentally healthy. There's support available if you feel you or they need it.
https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters/childrens-mental-health/?WT.tsrc=search&WT.mc_id=EMMParentsSearch&gclid=CjwKCAiAjeSABhAPEiwAqfxURRgcuyJ1lLnZNPJi9MbgEJK_3T-ZlqvLGICsbixTQiRt-C1mgni8_BoCOPAQAvD_BwE
Twinkle.co.uk
Online resources for school's to help approach the subject of mental health with children.
https://www.twinkl.co.uk/resources/events-and-celebrations-twinkl-life-key-stage-1/events-events-and-celebrations-twinkl-life-key-stage-1/childrens-mental-health-week-events-events-and-celebrations-twinkl-life-key-stage-1
BBC
To support your class and promote the importance of mental wellbeing the BBC have created this collection of resources for use with both primary and secondary students.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/teach/childrens-mental-health-week/zk37bdm
Adults - where to get mental health support
- Every Mind Matters - get ideas and advice for improving your mood at home.
- Rochdale and District Mind - over the phone help and online support groups for all adults.
- Thinking Ahead - you can access online or over the phone therapy to help you with any mental health difficulties.
- Alzheimer's Society - offering information, support and advice on coronavirus for adults with dementia. In particular, they try to help if dementia makes it difficult for you or your loved one to follow NHS or government advice.
- Shout - anyone 16 years or older who's experiencing mental health challenges can access a free text message helpline. You can send a text message any time of day or night wherever you are. Every conversation is with a human being.
- Public Health England - guidance on how to look after your feelings and your body in self-isolation.
- OCD-UK - advice and coronavirus survival tips for adults with OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder).
Children and teenagers - where to get mental health support
- #Thrive from Healthy Young Minds - offering different types of support and advice on your mental health and general lifestyle. For children and young people aged up to 19 years.
- Kooth - children and teenagers aged 11-18 can use this confidential and anonymous online counselling and emotional wellbeing service.
- Anna Freud - young people can get help dealing with worries about how coronavirus will affect loved ones.
- Young Minds - help for teenagers who are anxious or scared about coronavirus.
- Covibook - children under 7 years old can use this interactive resource to help them explain and draw the emotions that they might be experiencing during the pandemic.
- The National Autistic Society - children on the autism spectrum, including those with Asperger syndrome can access advice, tips and links to further resources on dealing with anxiety.
Parents - where to get help to support your child's mental health
- Anna Freud - resources on how to talk to your children about coronavirus and how to help them with any worries they might have.
- Calm connections – provides regular support groups for parents and carers of children who are struggling with their mental health. They also run specific sessions for dads.
- Government advice - parents and carers who need help supporting their child's mental health can access self-help tips and links to further support.
- Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership - access a list of local and national services who offer mental health support for parents.
- Beyond Psychology - online workshops for parents and carers about helping young people and children understand and manage their anxiety, stress and emotional behaviour. The workshops are FREE but you need to register for an account.