Supporting Your Child's Struggling MHWB

When Children Are Struggling With Their MHWB

Unfortunately, a growing number of children and young people are experiencing poor mental health and wellbeing - around 1 in 6 children according to NHS Digital.

When this happens, it can be difficult for them to make and keep friends, manage at school and feel good about themselves. It can be overwhelming for their families.

For some children and young people, these problems will pass over time, but others may need extra support to help them get back on track.

Recognising the signs that your child may be struggling with their mental health and then knowing how best to support them through their struggles can be really hard. On this page you will find a wealth of information and signposts for seeking support.

The most important thing to remember is that you are not alone – there is help out there.

Support and Information

Need urgent help? If you’re worried about a child’s safety, call NSPCC on 0808 800 5000. If you’re worried about a child’s health, call 999 (in an emergency) or 111

https://www.youngminds.org.uk/young-person/find-help/i-need-urgent-help/

Young Minds

Three different services are available to parents and carers who are concerned bout their child’s mental health, up to the age of 25 – a Parents’ Helpline, a webchat service, and an email service

There is also information available on what to do if you feel your child needs urgent help.

https://www.youngminds.org.uk/parent/parents-helpline-and-webchat/

Barnardo’s

‘Is your child struggling with difficult thoughts or feelings?

Whether you’re a parent, carer, or guardian, it's important that you're able to support the young person in your life – and we’re here to help.

Here you will find expert advice and tips, as well as a summary of the mental health support we offer.’

https://www.barnardos.org.uk/what-we-do/support-for-parents-and-carers/mental-health/supporting-your-child

Action For Children

Down-to-earth parenting advice you can trust. We’re here for you, when you need us. Find answers to parenting questions in our advice articles, or talk to a parenting coach about anything that’s worrying you.”

https://parents.actionforchildren.org.uk/?_ga=2.202343257.936648891.1678464078-837352433.1678464078

NHS- Every Mind Matters

Information on identifying signs that a child might be struggling as well as when to get professional help for a child or young person.

https://www.nhs.uk/every-mind-matters/supporting-others/childrens-mental-health/

NSPCC

Recognising the signs that a child may be struggling with their mental health can be really hard. We've got advice to help you support children who may be experiencing depression, anxiety, suicidal feelings or self-harm.

https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/childrens-mental-health/

Mental Health Foundation

Information on:

What can affect children and young people’s mental health?
Are some children and young people more likely to experience mental health problems?
What mental health problems commonly occur in children?
What help is available for a young person?
I’m worried about my child – what can I do?
What treatment might young people be offered?

https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/explore-mental-health/a-z-topics/children-and-young-people

BBC – A Mental Health First Aid Kit For Parents

A mental health first aid kit for parents: Who to ask and what to do. Advice to help you look after you and your child's mental health.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/zy3yf82?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=mental-health

Child in Mind

A series of expert podcasts, presented by BBC Radio 4 presenter Claudia Hammond, to help parents understand and manage child and family mental health problems. In each 20-minute episode, she discusses an important issue in child and family mental health with an expert and a young person or parent.

https://www.annafreud.org/childinmind/

CALM

“From advice on our website about issues you might be facing; through to free, confidential chats with our helpline staff, online or on the phone, we’re here for anyone who’s struggling, every single day of the year. No matter what.

Our helpline and webchat are open 365 days a year, offering practical suggestions for all of life’s problems - whether that’s anxiety, relationship concerns, health worries, money worries or suicidal thoughts.”

Call: 0800 58 58 58

https://www.thecalmzone.net/get-support

Royal College of Psychiatrists

This site contains information for children and young people, and parents and carers about mental health. It is written by psychiatrists and young people working together

https://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/mental-health/parents-and-young-people

NHS Hertfordshire and West Essex – Integrated Care Board

Find information on the local provision for West Essex by searching for ‘Children and Young People’s Mental Health’

https://hertsandwestessex.icb.nhs.uk/

NHS Children and Young People’s Mental Health Services (CYPMHS)

https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/mental-health-services/mental-health-services-for-young-people/children-young-people-mental-health-services-cypmhs/

NELFT NHS – SET CAMHS (Southend, Essex and Thurrock Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service)

Information about the service, sources of support and ways to make a referral (parents/carers or self-referral)

Referral Form for Support

SET-CAMHS-Referral-form

https://www.nelft.nhs.uk/set-camhs/

Information Leaflets for Parents and Carers

Should I Be Worried? – MindEd For Families

How to Help if Your Child is Experiencing...

7 Ways to Support CYP (Children and Young People) Who Are Worried

Anxiety – How It Presents in Children - leaflet

The Anxious Child – Information for Parents and Carers

CYP With Anxiety – A Guide for Parents and Carers

Social Anxiety – Children with ASD

A Parents’ Guide to Depression

Depression in Young People

Learning Disability, Mental Health and Challenging Behaviour

Child Friendly Support Material and Websites

Childline

We’re here for you, whatever’s on your mind. We’ll support you. Guide you. Help you make decisions that are right for you.

Our tips and techniques, ideas and inspiration, can help you feel more in control. And you can access them in your own time, at your own pace!

https://www.childline.org.uk/kids

BBC Bitesize

Thoughts and feelings getting you down? Find out when and how to get some help.

Who should I talk to?
What types of support are available?
How do I ask for help?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/z8n7qfr

MiLife

MiLife ; is an online help service designed by young people from Essex with useful information and links to other organisations that work with young people.

A national award winning programme exploring our mental health and wellbeing, how we support our friends and what to do if we need some help

https://www.milife.org.uk/

Young People Friendly (10+ years) Support Material and websites

“We all have good days and bad days, but when negative thoughts and feelings start to affect your daily life and stop you doing the things you enjoy, or your ability to feel ok, this means you probably need some support with your mental health. For example, nearly everyone gets anxious before an exam, a job interview or a first date. But if we feel anxious all the time, constantly worrying that the worst could happen, and this stops us sleeping well or meeting up with friends, we might benefit from some help.”

Young Minds

If you feel you need urgent help, click on this link:

https://www.youngminds.org.uk/young-person/find-help/i-need-urgent-help/

The Mix

The Mix is a service for young people providing support to help young people take on any challenges they are facing – from mental health to money, from homelessness to finding a job, from break-ups to drugs. They can be contacted via their online community, on social media, through a free, confidential helpline or through their counselling service.

https://www.themix.org.uk/

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