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Advice for parents, guardians and carers on how to support a child or young person if you’re concerned about their mental health

Updated 3 February 2022.

Many parents, guardians and carers are concerned about how their children, whatever their age, are feeling at the moment. It hasn’t been easy living through the COVID-19 pandemic for families, with social restrictions, loss and uncertainty. This has had an impact on parents and carers as well as children and young people.

As restrictions have eased, some children have struggled with the increased expectations and demands placed on them, for example socially and academically. They may be worried about the safety of their school environment, managing school work, sustaining friendships or uncertainty about the impact of future restrictions, including on exams. Changes have occurred around academic settings including regular testing and vaccinations introduced for over 12s.

It is understandable that children and young people may be feeling anxious and upset. This worry is natural, and many children and young people will be able to cope with the support of their families and friends. But for children and young people who are experiencing persistent symptoms which are impacting on their day to day lives, please remember that the NHS is here for those who need more help.

What should I do if I am worried about my child’s mental health, or that of a child that I care for, and I think it’s getting serious?

  • Make time to listen to them: Create a calm safe space where they can communicate how they are feeling without judgement.
  • Try to understand the problems and provide reassurance that you have heard them and are there to help. The problems could be something you are not aware of or don’t notice at first, such as:
    • relationship problems with friends and family
    • being bullied
    • experience of traumatic events such as abuse
    • self-harm or suicide by someone close to them
    • low self-esteem.
  • Or it might be something more noticeable, such as:
    • a recent death of a friend or family member
    • worries about schoolwork, exams or exam results
    • worries about employment opportunities
    • coping with a chronic illness or disability
    • substance misuse problems
    • coping with pre-existing mental health problems such as anxiety, depression and eating disorders.
  • Take time to talk to the child or young person you care for: This is particularly key in relation to children and young people, who may feel overwhelmed by a changing situation which isn’t being clearly explained in a way they can understand. Some children and young people may find it easier to talk while doing something together such as playing in the park, going for a walk, painting or other activities.
  • Keep an eye on the child or young person you care for: Look out for symptoms that your child’s mental health may be deteriorating, including symptoms of anxiety and low mood or worrying changes in behaviour. Seek specialist health advice and support and increase vigilance, including checking if they are accessing websites about self-harm, suicide or pro-eating disorders.
  • Help the child or young person you care for do positive activities which means they aren’t isolating themselves: Positive activities including exercise and safe contact with family and friends can provide a distraction from negative thoughts and may help them open up about their feelings.
  • Provide structure and routine (including for sleep): Many children and young people may experience difficulties with their sleep. Providing structure through the development of daily and weekly timetables, including bedtime routines, can be helpful in providing some predictability for children and young people in this unsettled time.
  • Support children and young people with a disability: Children and young people with a disability, including people with a learning disability, autistic people and people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, may find the impact of coronavirus particularly difficult to manage. It is important to explain change and manage any anxiety and distress they may be experiencing. Seek immediate advice if they are already in contact with specialist health and social care services or contact your GP. The National Autistic Society have helpful advice on their website on how to deal with this uncertain time with the coronavirus.
  • Seek specialist advice and support quickly if you think the child or young person you care for is having suicidal thoughts or are self-harming: It is important that you do not ignore these symptoms and that you speak to a GP or crisis mental health helpline urgently to get the right help and support (more information is available below) – or contact some of the services detailed below. If there is a threat to life, call 999.
  • Finally, as a parent or carer, look after your own mental health too: This will help you to best support yourself and those you care about. Remember to talk to your family and friends about how you are feeling, and seek help for yourself from the NHS and other support services if it’s all getting too much. It’s okay not to feel okay.

What can I do if I am worried about my child right now?

If your child needs urgent mental health support or advice, you can contact your local 24-hour mental health helpline.  You can call the helpline for 24-hour advice and support for you and your child, to speak to a mental health professional or for an assessment to help decide on the best course of care

If your child has taken an overdose or need urgent medical help, then please call 999 or take them to the nearest A&E.

If you notice any physical injuries on your child, such as deep cuts or burns then you should contact NHS 111 online or your GP for advice.

If your child is currently being supported by a children and young people’s mental health service (CAMHS), paediatric services or children’s social care, you can also talk to them if you are worried about your child. ​

Where else can I get help and support?

It’s okay not to feel okay and looking after a child or young person who is unwell with their mental health can be very worrying. The NHS has online information on how to access help and support. Remember to look after yourself as well as your loved ones, and you matter too.

There are other support services available, too:

  • Better Health Every Mind Matters campaign provides helpful tips for yourself and children. There are designated pages to help parents and carers spot the signs that children may be struggling with their mental health and also provides advice that can help maintain good mental wellbeing.
  • SHOUT, the UK’s first 24/7 crisis text service, provides free, confidential, 24/7 text message support in the UK for anyone who is struggling to cope. Text SHOUT to 85258. This service is free on all major mobile networks, for anyone in crisis, anytime.
  • YoungMinds Parents Helpline is available for parents, guardians and carers and you can call them on 0808 802 5544; 9.30am to 4pm on weekdays.
  • Samaritans are an organisation you can ring, on 116 123, for free, at any time of the day or night. You can also email them: jo@samaritans.org
  • If you are struggling with feelings of anxiety or depression, NHS talking therapies can help. Speak to your GP, or you can refer yourself online at nhs.uk/talk.

For parents and carers worried about their child’s eating problems or disorder, as well as contacting your local children and young people’s community eating disorder team or asking your GP for a referral, you can refer your child to Beat Eating Disorders. You can get in touch with them for support via their helpline on 0808 801 0677.

The NHS has also produced advice for children and young people.

Dr Prathiba Chitsabesan

Professor Prathiba Chitsabesan is National Clinical Director for Children and Young People’s Mental Health, NHS England.

Prathiba is a Consultant in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry working in a large mental health and community trust (Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust). Lead consultant since 2005, she became Clinical Director in 2015 and continues to work clinically within a community child and adolescent mental health service in South Manchester. She graduated from Medicine (University of Manchester) before completing her MD, inspiring her interest in the needs of children and young people in contact with the criminal justice system.

Over the last 12 years she has published in journals and books and contributed to national reports and guidance for the Youth Justice Board and Office of the Children’s Commissioner.

She has contributed to the development of the Comprehensive Health Assessment Tool across the youth justice secure estate for the Department of Health and NHS England and continues to be research active as an Honorary Research Fellow and Lecturer for the Offender Health Research Network (University of Manchester).

As a clinical advisor (Greater Manchester and East Cheshire Strategic Clinical Networks), she has also promoted the development of regional clinical guidance across Greater Manchester.