Wellbeing
Mental health and wellbeing is so important!
Here are some really useful support pages, with activities and ideas to help support your child’s mental health and wellbeing at home.
It’s natural to feel anxiety and a normal reaction to feel the need for safety, predictability and control. Anxiety is a normal reaction that everyone experiences some times. They key is how we deal with this range of emotions. Here you can find lots of tips to support your child.
To support you and your family at home, we have gathered some useful mental health support form a range of providers. Some involves some reading by parents and carers, others are quick and straightforward.
Downloads:
Supporting your child’s emotional wellbeing – NHS tips
Supporting your child’s emotional wellbeing – Longwell Green tips
A parent’s guide to depression – A help to parents and carers in how to recognise the warning signs of depression and talk to children about their feelings.
Support for children if you feel you are being hurt or abused by someone.
https://stopabusetogether.campaign.gov.uk/ Help if you are being hurt or abused.
ChildLine (for children and young people): 0800 1111 (free). The ChildLine number will not show up on your phone bill if you call from a landline or from most mobile networks.
https://www.childline.org.uk/get-support/ Get support online or by phoning 0800 1111.
https://www.youngvictims.org.uk/ If you need help and support after a crime or anti-social behaviour has happened against you.
Worries about the world? https://www.childline.org.uk/info-advice/your-feelings/anxiety-stress-panic/worries-about-the-world
General
The British Psychological Society (BPS) offers an excellent, concise guide on talking to children of different ages about illness . (This link explains what to say, what children may think and how to support them understanding medical condition that you or they may have, aimed at a range of age groups.)
Social stories are a way we use in school to support children who need to process information before being comfortable with it (and this can be a cause for anxiety / anger / upset etc. if items are not properly processed.
This website is a lovely introduction to how to use social stories.
Worries and anxieties – helping children to cope: for parents and carers
https://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/mental-health/parents-and-young-people
Three useful links if you have any child who has experienced bereavement.
1/ https://www.childbereavementuk.org
3/ https://www.cruse.org.uk/get-help/for-parents/how-to-help-a-child-or-young-person
Mind You South Glos – for young people
Young Minds (talking to your child about Covid19)
NHS every mind matters (interactive tailored support)
This link gives details about services offered to parents from such as health visiting, school nursing and immunisations – as well as specialist services which children may be referred to. Universal services are services and information accessible to all, while specialist services outline additional support available for children and young individuals who have been referred to their programs based on specific medical and SEND needs.
https://sirona-cic.org.uk/children-services/resources/information-about-our-services-for-parents/
Mental health apps
Breathe, Think, Do Sesame. This app uses a ‘Sesame Street’ style approach. Includes a parent section, with free resources such as tips and strategies including video clips to watch with your child. https://www.commonsensemedia.org/app-reviews/breathe-think-do-withsesame
Dreamy Kid A meditation app that can be used on waking or as they fall asleep https://dreamykid.com
Stop, Breathe and Think This app focuses on mindful breathing to create space between thoughts, emotions and reactions: https://my.life
Smiling Mind offers a unique web and app-based tool developed by psychologists and educators to help bring balance to people’s lives. https://www.smilingmind.com.au/smiling-mind-app
Calm An app focusing on meditation and mindfulness: https://www.calm.com
Aimed at supporting parents and carers
One You South Glos for adults
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/family/gender-violence/domestic-violence-and-abuse-getting-help/ A source of advice if you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence.
