Content originally from Mid and South Essex Integrated Care System
Mental health is something we need to talk about more than ever, especially as we start to recognise the impact of COVID-19, on all of us. Children have missed out on so much over the last couple of years, including education and socialising with friends. Here are some of the ways families can support each other:
- Deep breathing can really help you relax and calm the body down. Find some more useful ways in achieving calmness through breathing techniques.
- Getting active helps strengthen the brain as the chemicals that are released help generate positive moods. Find an activity to suit you and your child.
- A ‘Worry Box’ helps to get rid of the worries. You can support your child with this by helping them to decorate it and talking them through off-loading their worries.
- A Positive jar can be a lovely thing to do with your child. Pop lots of happy thoughts and messages, ideas and statements in a jar. Speak about what makes you happy.
- Being together and spending time reading a book, cuddling up watching TV, going for a walk or simply just being with each other can boost your child’s mood. Remain a consistent and positive presence in their lives.
Young Minds has produced a useful guide for parents on how to talk to your child about mental health.
Look after YOU
As a parent or carer you must also look after yourself. Do not blame yourself, you are amazing and are doing all you can. Do seek support and help when you need it. The Young Minds Parents’ Guide to Looking After Yourself provides tips and advice on how to support your child whilst looking after yourself.
You can also sign up to our mental health email series, dedicated to giving you top tips and advice to support your mental wellbeing.
What is Infant Mental Health
Infant mental health describes the social and emotional wellbeing and development of children in the earliest years of life.
The first 1001 days are a period of rapid development; early experiences affect not only babies’ emotional wellbeing now but also influences how their bodies and brains develop.
As a parent or caregiver, giving babies a sense of security and belonging is an early sign of positive infant mental health. Loving, nurturing, responsive relationships provide young children with a sense of comfort, safety and confidence and lays a foundation for lifelong mental and physical health.
Good infant mental health promotes positive outcomes throughout a person’s life and influences how they parent their own children. Investing in infant mental health pays dividends for generations to come.
Children’s Mental Health Service
Kooth
Kooth is an online support community for young people aged 11-18 years (up to 19th birthday) with a free, safe and secure means of accessing support from a professional team of qualified counsellors.
Young people can access this service anonymously by signing onto the Kooth website. They can access:
- Online counselling
- Self-help materials
- Fully moderated peer-to-peer support forums
- Personal goal-based journal
The site provides unique, out of office hours’ provision and is open 7 days per week, 365 days a year (from noon until 10pm on weekdays and from 6pm until 10pm on weekends, with limited times on bank holidays).
SET CAMHS
The Southend, Essex and Thurrock Children’s and Adolescent’s Mental Health Service (SET CAMHS) provides advice and support to children, young people and families who are in need of support with their emotional wellbeing or mental health difficulties.
The service covers Southend, Essex and Thurrock and is open to young people between the ages of 0-18, or up to 25 for those with special educational needs.
Any child or young person experiencing mental health difficulties as well as any parent, guardian or professional can access the service for help and guidance.
SWF Health & Social Care Group 