🧒 Children & Families
Support for children's emotional wellbeing — guidance for kids, and practical tools for parents and carers.
Gentle strategies, early support, and clear signposting to professional help when needed.
🌱 Understanding Children's Mental Health
Children's mental health affects how they feel, think, and behave. Early, compassionate support can make a big difference in development and long-term wellbeing.
Key Facts
- • Around 1 in 6 children aged 5-16 have a probable mental health disorder
- • Problems often begin in childhood or adolescence
- • Early intervention leads to better outcomes
- • Family support is crucial for recovery
🌟 Common Issues in Children
😟Anxiety
Excessive worry or fear that affects daily life — including separation anxiety, social anxiety, or specific phobias.
Often affects sleep and concentration
😢Low Mood & Depression
Persistent sadness, withdrawal, or irritability — sometimes harder to spot in children than adults.
Can be linked to loss, stress, or trauma
😠Behavioural Challenges
Difficulty managing behaviour or emotions — tantrums, defiance, or aggression that may signal underlying distress.
Often connected to anxiety or family stress
🛡️Trauma & PTSD
Reactions after frightening events — nightmares, flashbacks, avoidance, or strong reactivity.
May follow accidents, abuse, or significant loss
🎯 Gentle Strategies for Children
Emotion Check-Ins
Help children name feelings using simple words or visuals (e.g., feelings cards or a feelings thermometer).
Helps: Builds emotional awareness and communication
Calming Techniques
Teach deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, or grounding exercises in child-friendly ways.
Use when: Upset, anxious, or before sleep
Comfort Activities
Create a comfort box: toys, drawing materials, a cozy blanket, or a book to help regulate emotions.
Supports: Safety and self-soothing
Routine & Predictability
Consistent daily routines help children feel secure and reduce anxiety.
Helpful at home and at school
🤝 Support for Parents & Carers
Create a Supportive Environment
Maintain routines, validate feelings, and model calm problem-solving. Small supportive actions make a big difference.
Talk About Difficult Topics
Use age-appropriate language, be honest but reassuring, and use stories or play to explain complex emotions.
When to Seek Professional Help
If difficulties last, get worse, or affect school and relationships, contact your GP, school services, or local child mental health services (CAMHS).
🌐 UK Support Services
NHS & School Support
- CAMHS: Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services
- GP: Initial assessment and referrals
- School Nurse: Support through school health services
- YoungMinds: youngminds.org.uk - Parent helpline
Charities & Helplines
- Childline: childline.org.uk - 24/7 counselling for children
- Place2Be: place2be.org.uk - School-based counselling
- Mind: mind.org.uk - Information and local support
- Barnardo's: barnardos.org.uk - Support for vulnerable children
🌈 Building Resilience & Recovery
With the right support, many children recover and flourish. Small, consistent, caring actions make a big difference.
🎨 Play & Creative Activities
Play is healing! Children express feelings through play, art, and movement in ways words can't always capture.
- Drawing & Storytelling: Use prompts like "draw your safe place" or "tell a story where the hero feels brave"
- Movement & Yoga: Gentle stretches, animal walks, or short walks help regulate big emotions and improve sleep
- Music & Singing: Songs and rhythm can soothe and help express feelings joyfully
🏠 Structured Supports at Home
Routines and structure give children a sense of safety and predictability.
- ✓ Create simple, consistent routines for morning, meals, and bedtime
- ✓ Use visual schedules (pictures, drawings) for younger children to explain daily plans
- ✓ Offer age-appropriate choices to give children a sense of control (e.g., "Pick two snack options")
- ✓ Celebrate small wins and efforts—praise is powerful!
💚 Supporting Siblings & Family Relationships
When one child struggles, the whole family feels it. Here's how to support everyone:
- • Spend short, positive one-on-one time with each child—even 10 minutes matters
- • Explain changes in an age-appropriate, honest way (e.g., "Your sister's brain needs extra help right now")
- • Keep boundaries consistent and fair across all children
- • Praise cooperative behaviour and kindness between siblings
📚 School & Learning Support
Schools are partners in your child's wellbeing. Don't hesitate to speak up.
- • Talk to class teachers about any changes in behaviour, concentration, or friendships
- • Ask about school counselling, pastoral support, or peer buddy schemes
- • Request an Individual Education Plan (IEP) or reasonable adjustments if needed
- • Work together with the school to create a supportive learning environment
📖 Books, Tools & Online Resources
Helpful materials to explore feelings and build resilience together:
For Children:
Emotion books, social stories, relaxation storybooks, activity colouring books
For Parents:
YoungMinds guides, Mind resources, NHS advice, parenting podcasts
Printable Activities:
Feelings charts, breathing exercises, grounding games, worry boxes
🤲 When to Seek Professional Help
Reaching out for professional support is a sign of strength, not weakness. Consider contacting your GP, school nurse, or local CAMHS if:
- ✓ Difficulties last longer than a few weeks
- ✓ Worries get worse or spread to new areas of life
- ✓ Changes in sleep, appetite, or energy levels
- ✓ School attendance, friendships, or family relationships are affected
- ✓ You feel unsure or need expert guidance—that's what professionals are there for!
🆘 Crisis & Urgent Help
If a child is in immediate danger or expressing thoughts of self-harm:
Call emergency services (999) right away
Do not wait. Your child's safety is the priority.
UK Helplines (24/7):
- 📞 Childline: 0800 1111 (for children)
- 📞 NHS 111: For urgent medical or mental health advice
- 📞 Samaritans: 116 123 (for any distress)
- 📞 Local crisis team: Ask your GP for contact details