Thames Valley Alerts: Mental Health Awareness Week - Support For Children and Young People

Thames Valley Alerts: Mental Health Awareness Week - Support For Children and Young People

While staying at home has been difficult for all of us, losing a sense of routine can be particularly challenging for young people.

This Mental Health Awareness Week, we’re here to remind you of some of the support available to parents who are helping children deal with the uncertainty of our current situation.

The Mental Health Foundation has some useful tips for talking to children about coronavirus: https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/coronavirus/talking-to-children

Their top tips:

1. Acknowledge that it’s OK to be concerned

2. Find the balance in consuming news

3. Let them know the facts and offer safety

4. Talk about vulnerability and responsibility

The charity Mind also have advice for looking after the wellbeing of older children: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/for-children-and-young-people/coronavirus/supporting-your-teens-wellbeing-during-coronavirus/

The NHS Berkshire West Clinical Commissioning Group have produced three short #Coping guides full of information and advice aimed at children and their parents. These are:

#Coping: Family life during the lockdown

#Coping: Five ways to wellbeing (primary and secondary)

#Coping: Young People’s Guide

The guides can be accessed here: https://www.berkshirewestccg.nhs.uk/coping

You could also point young people towards these resources which offer tips on how to look after their physical and mental health:

Mind - https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/for-children-and-young-people/coronavirus/coronavirus-and-your-wellbeing/

Childline - https://www.childline.org.uk/info-advice/your-feelings/anxiety-stress-panic/worries-about-the-world/coronavirus/

You can find out more about how we’re supporting Mental Health Awareness Week on our social media channels and join in the conversation using #KindnessMatters and #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek.