Mental Health Support
Useful Information for Parents
I am worried about my child’s or my own mental health and wellbeing
If you are worried about the mental health and wellbeing of you or your child, please get in touch with a member of the Inclusion Team. Our staff can help and possibly guide you to external services that may be able to support you.
Terri-Lea Gilbert Sarah Cattley Susie Horton
ELSA and Nurture Lead Family Liason Officer Play Therapist and Nurture Lead
Another option is Early Help, who can support families and guide individuals to more support. See the link below for more information:
https://www.kent.gov.uk/education-and-children/early-help-support-for-families
Kent Emotional Health and Wellbeing
From time to time, we all struggle with our emotional health and wellbeing. For some children and young people it can be difficult to manage and understand their feelings. Young people might experience a wide variety of difficulties including low mood, difficulty sleeping, loss of appetite, difficulty concentrating or might be avoiding school.
Call the Single Point of Access number on 0800 0113 474 between 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday and choose option one.
If a child or young person needs urgent help please call 0800 0113 474 or text the word KENT to 85258.
Resources for children and young people
Kent Youth Health provides health information and advice directly to young people
https://www.humanimprovement.org/the-happy-child-app The Happy Child – Parenting App grants you access to cutting-edge research and tips that will help you raise a happy, well-adjusted child. Years of ground-breaking research and findings in Psychology, Neuroscience and Paediatrics have been curated into one easy-to-use app… for free (no in-app-purchases)!
https://citymha.org.uk/Resources/Parents-Toolkit
https://parentingsmart.place2be.org.uk/
https://www.youngminds.org.uk/parent/
Additional Links and telephone numbers for support
www.refugeecouncil.org.uk Offering a wide range of support helping refugees rebuild their lives
CAMHS Resources – https://www.camhs-resources.co.uk/
This website contains some useful e-books that you can access for free. You may want to attend to the books around supporting anxiety in your child.
Childline – www.childline.org.uk
Childline is a counselling service for children and young people up to their 19th birthday
Families Under Pressure – https://maudsleycharity.org/familiesunderpressure-emotions/
A useful resource for parents with tips and tricks, formulated by researchers and NHS mental health experts, to help manage difficult emotions and behaviour.
Family Lives – https://www.familylives.org.uk
This service offers support to families on a wide range of issues affecting families. Please see their website for more details or contact the confidential parents helpline: 0808 800 2222.
Family Rights Group – Advise families whose children are involved with or need children’s services because of welfare needs or concerns.
Telephone: 0808 801 0366 Email Address: advice@frg.org.uk Website: http://www.frg.org.uk/
Family Matters – www.familymattersuk.org
Family Matters are there to support you if you have been subjected to rape or sexual abuse. Ashford, Maidstone, Tonbridge, Sittingbourne
admin@familymattersuk.org 01474 537382
Mental Health Direct – 0300 555 1000
24 hour service with a trained counsellor – confidential help and support around mental health concerns
MIND ED – www.minded.org.uk
This website has a wealth of information and advice for parents on a wide range of mental health issues affecting children and young people, including anxiety.
MIND SHIFT – https://anxietybc.com/resources/mindshift-app
An app that can help teenagers and young adults manage their anxiety. Gives useful advice and strategies.
Slide Away https://www.slideaway.org
Slide Away offers a bereavement support service to children and young people in West Kent. Slide Away offers support to children and young people in West Kent who have been bereaved
The Challenging Behaviour Foundation – www.challengingbehaviour.org.uk/
This organisation offers a range of resources providing information and support around challenging behaviour and associated issues for learning disability.
Trauma response network
https://www.traumaresponsenetwork.org/
This site is a gateway for access to free trauma support (EMDR) for people that have experienced events of mass trauma such as a terrorist attack or natural disaster.
UNIVERSAL SUPPORT SERVICES:- Available to all
CAB (Citizens Advice Bureau). www.citizensadvice.org Whole host of information and advice
Carers First. www.careersfirst.org.uk
Cygnet Parenting Support Programme. www.barnardos-parenting.org.uk A parenting programme for parents and carers of children and young people aged 5-18 with an autistic spectrum condition.
National Sleep Help Line. The Sleep Charity has launched a helpline to ensure everyone has access to high quality, evidence based advice. Call 03303 530 541 – Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday 7 – 9pm and Wednesday 9 – 11am.
This May Help. A new national initiative providing mental health advice to parents and carers being launched by Bradford District and Craven Health and Care Partnership. This May Help is aimed at parents and carers who may have concerns about their child’s mental health and is part funded by the Quality Improvement Taskforce for Children and Young People’s Mental Health, Learning Disability and Autism Inpatient Services.
Warm Space at St Phillip’s Church. St Philips is open every Wednesday from 9am – 1pm as a warm space. There’s free refreshments and a simple lunch on offer as well as space to work, read, board games, newspapers, space to socialise etc.