COVID – 19 – Advice and support for young people, parents and carers.

If you’re worried about the impact of coronavirus on your mental health, you are not alone.

The COVID-19 pandemic is a new and uncertain time for all of us, so it is only natural that it will affect our mental health in different ways. However you are feeling right now is valid. With the right help and support, we can get through this.

Sam Mavin our Emotional Health Practitioner can be contacted to discuss your concerns about your child’s emotional health in relation to COVID-19. We have dedicated support in school to help with this. Email:[email protected]

Support for Young People

• Kooth Support service for young people
• YoungMinds has tips, advice and guidance on where you can get support for your mental health during the pandemic.
• Every Mind Matters (NHS and Public Health England) has information for young people on mental health and self-care.
• Anna Freud (National Centre for Children and Families) has advice and selfcare resources for young people to support their wellbeing.
• Childline has advice for children and young people if they’re feeling unwell, worried or upset.
• NHS England has a blog for young people about what to do if it is all getting too much.
• Rise above has inspiring and useful stories, videos, games and advice for young people.
• Student Space is a mental health programme to support students through the unique circumstances created by the coronavirus pandemic.
• Power of Youth has resources, information, activities and thoughts from young people and organisations from all over the UK.

Support for Parents and Carers

• Public Health England has guidance for parents and carers on supporting children’s mental health and wellbeing, including advice for families of children with physical health issues, learning disabilities and autism, plus those accessing mental health services and young carers.
• NHE England has a blog for parents and carers on how to help a child or young person who is struggling with their mental health, suicidal thoughts or self-harming behaviours
• Every Mind Matters (NHS and Public Health England) has information on looking after a child or young person’s mental health during this time.
• The World Health Organization has a factsheet on helping children to cope with stress (PDF) during this outbreak.
• Parent Club has advice on how to protect your family and how to cope with staying at home.
• The University of Reading and University of Oxford have developed advice for parents and carers to help support children and young people with worries about COVID-19.
• Q Well provides online counselling and wellbeing for adults who may need support during this period.
• NSPCC has information and advice for parents and carers on a range of subjects that help to keep children safe and support the wellbeing of families during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Explaining bereavement to children.

There are a number of signposts on our bereavement page that you could explore.

There are also the following resources:

• NHS has advice to use when a child has lost a loved one or a loved one is dying.
• The University of Oxford has produced guidance on how to tell children that someone has died, which you can download below.
• Similar advice is also available from Child Bereavement UK and Winston’s Wish.

Helplines

For everyone 

• NSPCC provide a Helpline that is staffed by trained professionals who can provide expert advice and support if you’re concerned about a child, if you’re a parent or carer looking for advice or if you’re a professional in need of information and guidance.
• Shout provides free, confidential support, 24/7 via text for anyone in crisis. You can text SHOUT to 85258 in the UK to text with a trained Crisis Volunteer
• The Samaritans have a free helpline that is available 24/7 for anyone who is having a difficult time or is worried about someone else. You can call 116 123 or email [email protected].

For children and young people

• ChildLine provides a helpline for any child who is worried or needs help. You can call 0800 1111 any time for free or have an online chat with a counsellor.
• The Mix provides a free confidential helpline, crisis text line and online service for under 25s that aims to find young people the best help, whatever the problem.

For parents and carers

• Young Minds has a Parents’ and Carers’ Helpline if you are worried about a child or young person’s behaviour or mental health.
• Contact run a free helpline for parents and carers in the UK with a disabled child aged from birth to 25 who want to talk through their issues with an expert adviser.