Looking after mental health
Advice to parents - how to support your child in many different ways
Well-being and mental health
Mental health support available for children and young people in England
Children and young people may be experiencing a variety of feelings in response to the COVID-19 outbreak such as anxiety, stress or low mood. It is important to understand that these are normal responses to an abnormal situation. There is a large amount of mental health support available for children and young people, detailed in the information below.
PHE’s (Public Health England) guidance on supporting children and young people's mental health and wellbeing
Virtual Oak National Academy for reception to Year 10 pupils, which offers daily online lessons, a weekly assembly with a pastoral focus and extra-curricular activities to help families maintain a routine at home (NB. This is intended to complement, not replace, existing our school’s online learning offers.
BBC Education online learning content, also for reception to Year 10 pupils, to support home learning, with weekly wellbeing tips provided via their social media pages.
The Think Ninja app has been made freely available to young people (aged 10-18 year olds) across the UK and updated with specific mental health and wellbeing content related to the pandemic.
MindEd, Anna Freud or Place 2 Be webpages and the Starline parent helpline are useful for home learning.
Rise Above is a website co-created and produced by young people to help build resilience and support good mental health in those aged 10 to 16. The content has been adapted to the pandemic and includes new mental health content based on insights from young people who are learning from home.
Every Mind Matters includes an online tool and email journey to support everyone to feel more confident in taking action to look after their mental health and wellbeing. It also includes a section for parents and carers on looking after children and young people during the pandemic.
Children and young people who are caring for someone with a mental illness can self-refer to the
NHS Volunteer Responders programme using this link if they are having issues shopping for food or picking up prescriptions.
Children and young people can access free confidential support anytime from voluntary and community sector organisations by texting SHOUT to 85258, calling Childline on 0800 1111 or the Mix on 0808 808 4994. Children and young people can also find online information on COVID-19 and mental health on the Young Minds website. For support with an eating disorder, children and young people can ring Beat’s Youth line on 0808 801 0711.
Local mental health crisis support lines (for all ages) can be found via a simple age and postcode search here.
Information, guidance and support is also available for parents/carers of children who are learning at home.
Are you or someone you know experiencing a crisis and need urgent mental health support?
The NHS 111 mental health triage service provides advice, support and guidance, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for anyone living in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. The mental health triage team has a wide range of skills, including on the phone brief psychological support and has access to key services and organisations that can offer mental health support to people in their time of need. NHS 111 has a team of mental health professionals ready and waiting to speak to you. And no matter what your concern or issue, whether it is low mood, anxiety, depression or an established mental health problem, NHS 111 is there to ensure that you get that
support.