Support and Guidance for Parents and Carers
NHS- recommended Mental Health Helplines
If you are worried about your child, or think that you need advice from professionals, there are a range of local and national services across the UK and Wiltshire including:
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Your local GP
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Barnado’s Healthy Minds Wiltshire 0800157 7015
If you need urgent help: 9am – 11pm 01865 903330 or 5pm-11pm 01865 901000 If you have concerns from 11pm-9am please call NHS 111
https://www.onyourmind.org.uk/Mental Health helpline for children, young people and parents/carers.
Advice for parents and carers: https://www.onyourmind.org.uk/parents-and-carers/
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Parents A-Z Mental Health Guide – https://youngminds.org.uk/find-help/for-parents/parents-guide-to-support-a-z/#grief-and-loss
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Young Minds – 0808 802 5544 – www.youngminds.org.uk/about-us
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Anna Freud – National Centre for Children and Families https://www.mentallyhealthyschools.org.uk/mental-health-needs/
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CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services) – 01722 336262 ext 2779 https://www.oxfordhealth.nhs.uk/camhs/wiltshire/services/salisbury/
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Family Counselling Trust-https://familycounsellingtrust.org/
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Mind – 01225 706532 https://www.wiltshiremind.co.uk/
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Samaritans – 116 123 – www.samaritans.org
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ChildLine – 0800 1111 – www.childline.org
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Place2Be – https://www.childrensmentalhealthweek.org.uk/parents-and-carers/
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The Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership- 24 hour helpline: 0300 303 Trust headquarters: 01225 731731 http://www.awp.nhs.uk/
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Happy Maps- https://www.happymaps.co.uk/age-group/primaryschool
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Action for children: https://www.actionforchildren.org.uk/our-work-and-impact/children-and-families/good-mental-health/
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MindEd for families- https://mindedforfamilies.org.uk/
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Self-harm advice and support: https://youngminds.org.uk/find-help/for-parents/parents-guide-to-support-a-z/parents-guide-to-support-self-harm/ including a video suggesting what to do. NSHN Advice for parents leaflet on self-harm
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The Ollie Foundation (“One life lost is enough”) – 07715 311 891 – www.theolliefoundation.org
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Winston’s Wish – UK childhood bereavement charity. www.winstonswish.org/
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Emergency numbers available/ Crisis support https://www.happymaps.co.uk/help-directory/help-in-a-crisis/emergency-help-and-helplines
Health and wellbeing printable document
Help with specific mental health concerns:
An anger management story for children written by Lori Lite. Children relate to the angry octopus in this story as the sea child shows him how to take a deep breath, calm down, and manage his anger. It focuses on the ownership of feelings and emotions and taking command of the situation.
Anxiety
Supporting a child with anxiety: Parents and Carers Guide
Anxiety in children NHS guidance
Cerebral Guide for Parents: Anxiety
Understanding anxiety – colourful guide from the Priory Group
What is Anxiety?– leaflet from Dragonfly Impact Education
Ideas to help manage your anxiety– from NHS Every Mind Matters
A free app for sleep, anxiety and stress– from Insight Timer
Helping your child with anxiety link– Young Minds
Children and Anxiety Leaflet– Anxiety UK
The Anxious Child booklet for parents– The Mental Health Foundation
How to support your child if they are anxious about Coronavirus– Young Minds
Children’s Guide to Coronavirus– The Children’s Commissioner
Separation Anxiety– ELSA chat/support
Reducing separation anxiety tips for parents– Anna Freud
BOOKS TO HELP WITH CHILDREN’S ANXIETIES
“What to Do When You Worry Too Much” ( A kids guide to overcoming anxiety) by Dawn Huebner is an interactive self-help book designed to guide 6-12 year olds and their parents through the cognitive-behavioral techniques most often used in the treatment of generalised anxiety. Engaging, encouraging, and easy to follow, this book educates, motivates, and empowers children to work towards change.
“Starving the Anxiety Gremlin” by Kate Collins-Donnelly, suitable for 5-9 year olds.
“The Unworry Book” from Usborne- an activity book most suitable for children aged 7 and over; they could enjoy completing it alone as a way of self-soothing. It includes doodling pages, joke pages, rip it and breathing exercises.
“The Invisible String’“ by Patrice Karst- a therapeutic story that can be used for separation anxiety:
Dealing with bereavement and other experiences of loss
Children and bereavement NHS guidance
Winston’s Wish – UK childhood bereavement charity. www.winstonswish.org/
MindEd Loss and Bereavement Bite Size Advice
Depression
Depression: Guide for parents and carers
Depression in children and young people NHS guidance
Self-harm
Coping with self-harm: Guide for parents and carers
General Tips and Guidance
How to support your child’s wellbeing– The Children’s society
Positive Parenting guide– NSPCC
Promoting growth, wellbeing and achievement– Flying colours
Children with Additional Needs and Miscellaneous re. Covid
e-learning self-sooth strategies – from Pooky Knightsmith
Tailored Support for EYFS Parents and Carers: Resources from the Anna Freud Trust
Care for the Family has specific information for parents and carers of children with additional needs as well as general parenting info.
Also a Facebook page.
Supporting Neurodiverse Children In Challenging Times Such As During Self-Isolation – video from NHS East London
A pictorial explanation of the coronavirus (designed primarily for children on the autistic spectrum)
Covid-19 support and advice for parents – from Wiltshire Council
WPCC COVID-19 web pages – from Wiltshire Parent Carer Council
Wiltshire Council’s Coronavirus page including details of the new Wiltshire Wellbeing Hub
Coronavirus guidance for carers – from Carers UK
Guidance on Supporting Children and Young People’s Mental Health and Wellbeing During the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Outbreak– from the DfE
Parenting during COVID-19 – pdf from Triple P
Triple P website and Facebook page – for parenting support
Building Self-Esteem