Mental Health & Wellbeing Support

Sources of support

The following organisations offer information and support on mental health and wellbeing:

Young people can get free, confidential support at any time from government-backed voluntary and community sector organisations by:

  •        texting SHOUT to 85258
  •        calling Childline on 0800 1111
  •        calling the Mix on 0808 808 4994

General – for parents

Samaritans

Call 116 123

https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/

Mind UK

https://www.mind.org.uk/

https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/support-community-elefriends/

UK Mental Health Charity with information and an online mutual support community

 

General – for young people 

www.kooth.com

www.youngminds.org.uk

www.keep-your-head.com

 

Parenting pressures

Family Action

Telephone: 0808 802 6666

Text message: 07537 404 282

https://www.family-action.org.uk/what-we-do/children-families/familyline/

The FamilyLine service supports people who are dealing with family pressures in a new and innovative way by using a network of volunteers from across the country to support family members over the age of 18 through telephone calls, email, web chat and text message.

 

Family Lives (previously Parentline)

Call: 0808 800 2222

https://www.familylives.org.uk/how-we-can-help/confidential-helpline/

Family Lives offers a confidential and free helpline service for families in England and Wales (previously known as Parentline). for emotional support, information, advice and guidance on any aspect of parenting and family life. The helpline service is open 9am – 9pm, Monday to Friday and 10am – 3pm Saturday and Sunday.

 

Gingerbread

Single Parent Helpline: 0808 802 0925

gingerbread.org.uk

One Parent Families/Gingerbread is the leading national charity working to help lone parents and their children.

 

Grandparents Plus

Call: 0300 123 7015

grandparentsplus.org.uk

Grandparents Plus is the only national charity (England and Wales) dedicated to supporting kinship carers - grandparents and other relatives raising children who aren't able to live with their parents.

 

The following resources will support your child with aspects of mental health and wellbeing:

 
  • Anger
  • Anxiety
  • Bereavement & Sickness
  • Body Image
  • Bullying
  • Depression
  • Mindfulness
  • Trauma & Attachment
Please speak to school who may be able to loan you a copy of the resource. 
 
 
Anger
 

  • Starving the Anger Gremlin for Children aged 5-9

    A Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Workbook on Anger Management (Ages 5-9)

    The Anger Gremlin is a naughty creature who loves to feed on angry feelings, and the angrier you get, the bigger he gets! Packed with fun, simple activities and games, it will help children aged 5-9 understand why they get angry and how they can control their angry feelings to make the Anger Gremlin go away. ISBN: 978-1-84905-493-5

  • Starving the Anger Gremlin for young people aged 10+

    A Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Workbook on Anger Management (Ages 10+)

    The anger gremlin feeds off anger and gets bigger the angrier you get. The only way to stop him is to starve him of angry feelings, and this workbook teaches you how. Fun and simple activities help young people to understand and control their anger. Based on cognitive behavioural therapy principles. ISBN: 978-1-84905-286-3
Anxiety
 

  • All Birds Have Anxiety

    Ages 6 - adult

    All Birds Have Anxiety explores the symptoms of anxiety disorder and their impact on day-to-day life through colourful images of life as a bird. Its humorous yet gentle approach recognises the stress that anxiety can cause, helping people to better understand how it feels to have anxiety. ISBN 9781785921827

  • Starving the Anxiety Gremlin for Children aged 5-9

    A Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Workbook on Anxiety Management (Ages 5-9)

    The Anxiety Gremlin loves to eat anxious feelings, and the more anxious you feel, the more he eats and the bigger he gets! Learn how to get rid of the Anxiety Gremlin with this fun workbook for children aged 5-9. It's packed with puzzles, games, colouring and drawing activities to help children understand their anxiety and how to control it. ISBN: 978-1-84905-492-8

  • Help! I've Got an Alarm Bell Going Off in My Head!

    How Panic, Anxiety and Stress Affect Your Body (Ages 9-11)

    An illustrated book for KS2 pupils that explores the science behind our bodies' fight, flight or freeze reactions. With activities to help manage anxiety and keep the nervous system healthy, the book is an incomparable resource for anyone supporting children who are easily angered or anxious including parents and carers. ISBN: 978-1-84905-704-2

  • Starving the Anxiety Gremlin for young people aged 10+

    A Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Workbook on Anxiety Management (Ages 10+)

    This engaging workbook helps young people aged 10+ understand and manage anxiety. Based on cognitive behavioural therapy principles, the activities will help young people understand why they get anxious and how to use simple, practical techniques to manage and control their anxiety. ISBN: 978-1-84905-341-9
Bereavement & Sickness
 

  • Big Tree is Sick

    A Story to Help Children Cope with the Serious Illness of a Loved One (Ages 3-7)

    Big Tree falls sick with woodworm and his friend Snibbles is very upset and angry. Snibbles is unsure how to help and is struggling to express his emotions. Snibbles must learn to understand his emotions and support Big Tree through his illness and treatment. An endearing illustrated storybook which helps children to understand serious illness. ISBN: 9781785922268

  • A Sky of Diamonds

    A Story for Children about Loss, Grief and Hope (Ages 5-9)

    A storybook with built-in strategies to help children cope with the death of a loved one. Covering all stages of grief, it is perfect for reading with bereaved children aged 5-9 as a way to help them overcome their difficult feelings. It answers many questions that children have about death. ISBN: 978-1-84905-622-9

  • The Dragonfly Story

    Explaining the death of a loved one to children and families

    The Dragonfly Story is a retelling of the popular fable of the waterbugs and the dragonflies. This story is often used to help explain death and the concept of heaven to people of all ages. The Dragonfly Story is a tale of hope. It provides a view of death that captures something of what heaven might be like. It is also suitable for anyone with or without a particular faith. The story allows you to discuss death and what you might believe happens when we die. ISBN: 978-1723880193

  • The Dementia Diaries

    A Novel in Cartoons (Ages 7-14)

    A heartfelt, hopeful and humourous look at dementia through the eyes of young people. The book contains practical tips and activities for young people who have a relative with the illness. ISBN: 9781785920325

  • Badger's Parting Gifts

    35th Anniversary Edition of a picture book to help children deal with death

    This multi award-winning picture book about losing a loved one features a helpful reading guide from Child Bereavement UK that provides tips for reading Badger’s Parting Gifts with children and helping them better understand grief. ISBN: 978-1849395144

  • Luna's Red Hat

    An Illustrated Storybook to Help Children Cope with Loss and Suicide (Ages 6-9)

    A heart-breaking but ultimately uplifting storybook to help children aged 6+ come to terms with loss by suicide. The book also includes a guide for parents by grief expert, Dr Riet Fiddelaers-Jaspers. ISBN: 978-1-84905-629-8
Body Image
 

  • Minnie & Max are OK!

    A Story to Help Children Develop a Positive Body Image (Ages 3-7)

    Showing children how to be proud of their differences through humour, empathy and enthralling illustrations, this vibrant book includes questions to guide adults through helping their children feel confident and embrace diversity. ISBN: 9781785922336

  • Molly the Mole

    A Story to Help Children Build Self Esteem and Positive Body Image (Ages 4-8)

    Molly starts to worry when she realises that she doesn't look like her other animal friends, but soon recognises her own unique qualities as she helps out with a series of tasks that no one else can do. With the help of her friends, Molly learns that everyone is special in their own way. ISBN: 9781785924521

  • Your Body is Brilliant

    Body Respect for Children (Ages 4-11)

    The colourful illustrations in this picture book will help children learn to love their bodies from an early age and appreciate all the wonderful things their bodies do. The book promotes a healthy attitude which will help children understand that all bodies are different and encourage them to take good care of their bodies throughout their lives
Bullying
 

  • Mud Boy

    A Story about Bullying (Ages 5-11)

    This illustrated story is designed to be read with children aged 5+ who have experienced or seen bullying or teasing. Sam's story gently evokes how it feels to be bullied and shows how talking to other people helps. It is a great discussion starter for kids and adults and empowers children to see how they can change things for the better. ISBN: 9781785928703

  • The Giant from Nowhere

    (Ages 5-8)

    This fun and uplifting tale helps children aged 5-8 to think about inclusivity and difference. ISBN: 9781785925351

  • Emily is Being Bullied, What Can She Do?

    A Story and Anti-Bullying Guide for Children and Adults to Read Together (Ages 7-11)

    This guide for children ages 7-11 helps children, parents, teachers and other professionals discuss bullying together. It is based on the latest research and practice in anti-bullying interventions and portrays different perspectives - the child being bullied, the child doing the bullying and the bystanders. ISBN: 9781785925481
Depression
 

  • The Princess and the Frog

    A Story for Children with Depression (Ages 5-7)

    This vibrantly illustrated story is designed to be read with children aged 5-7 who are suffering from depression. Using metaphor and full of humour, it is a relatable, enjoyable and positive read for all. ISBN 978-1-84905-655-7

  • Not Today, Celeste!

    A Dog's Take about Her Human's Depression (Ages 3-7)

    Charmingly illustrated, this heart-warming story for children aged 3+ reflects some of the feelings and experiences that a child whose parent or carer has depression may face. ISBN: 9781785920080
Mindfulness
 

  • Striker, Slow Down!

    A calming book for children who are always on the go (Ages 3-6)

    This book is perfect for busy children, helping them to identify the differing feelings of chaos and calm and how to strike a balance. ISBN: 978-1-84819-327-7

  • Mindful Powers App

    All Ages

    Mindful Powers™ is a kid-first, holistic approach to building social-emotional learning through the power of play. Built on a skills-based methodology that helps children in early and middle childhood build a healthier relationship with life, stress, and anxiety, Mindful Powers™ empowers kids to bring calm to their lives at the touch of their fingertips. Download from the APP Store or https://mindfulpowersforkids.com
Trauma and Attachment
 

  • All About Ben

    Helping Children with Attachment Issues to Understand Their Feelings (Ages 5-9)

    8-year-old Ben has lots of different feelings, and sometimes he needs help choosing how to react to them. This reassuring picture book for children aged 5+ is designed to help children to understand feelings and how to respond to them - it also includes activities to help start conversations. ISBN: 9781785924996

  • Help! My Feelings Are Too Big!

    Making Sense of Yourself and the World After a Difficult Start in Life - for Children with Attachement Issues (Ages 7-11)

    Working through complex issues with respect and compassion, this illustrated children's book explores the emotional impact of anxiety, attachment disorders or early trauma. Age-appropriate language and activities help calm children, build trust and repair relationships. ISBN: 9781785925566
Further Support
 

Anxiety UK work to relieve and support those living with anxiety and anxiety-based depression by providing information, support and understanding via an extensive range of services, including 1:1 therapy. They can provide support and help if a person has been diagnosed with, or suspect they may have an anxiety condition and can also help them deal with specific phobias such as fear of spiders, blushing, vomiting, being alone, public speaking, heights – in fact, any fear that stops a person from getting on with their life. www.anxietyuk.org.uk/

Child Bereavement UK supports families and educates professionals when a baby or child of any age dies or is dying, or when a child is facing bereavement. Every year they train more than 8,000 professionals, helping them to better understand and meet the needs of grieving families. https://childbereavementuk.org/ 

Childline isa free, private and confidential service for children and young people available online, on the phone, anytime facilitated by trained counsellors. The website is easy to navigate and has many interactive resources, advice and sources of support for children and young people. www.childline.org.uk/

HeadMeds: about mental health medicines HeadMeds is a website for young people about mental health medication, launched in March 2014 and is owned and managed by the national charity YoungMinds. www.headmeds.org.uk/ 

Mental Health Access Pack is a compact, free resource which aims to: equip you with knowledge and advice, from medical, psychological and theological perspectives; help you support those in your community who are struggling with mental health issues; help you to discuss issues and share ideas surrounding mental health and the church. www.mentalhealthaccesspack.org/

Mind provides trusted advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem. They campaign to improve services, raise awareness and promote understanding. www.mind.org.uk/ 

NHS Live Well Youth Mental Health offers resources and signposting for support from external links www.nhs.uk/Livewell/youth-mental-health/Pages/Youth-mental-health-help.aspx

Reading Well for young people Reading Well promotes the benefits of reading for health and wellbeing. The programme has two strands: Books on Prescription and Mood-boosting Books. http://reading-well.org.uk/books

Rethink: living with mental illness provides expert, accredited advice and information to everyone affected by mental health problems. ‘When mental illness first hits you or your family, it can be hard to know who or what to trust.’ They give people clear, relevant information on everything from treatment and care to benefits and employment rights. We were the first mental health charity to gain the Information Standard for our trusted and relevant information. www.rethink.org/living- with-mental-illness/young-people/

The Children’s Society is a national charity that works with the country's most vulnerable children and young people. We listen. We support. We act. Because no child should feel alone. They work directly with children, develop resources and publications and lobby on behalf of children annually, surveying them as part of their Good Childhood reports. www.childrenssociety.org.uk/

Winston’s Wish provide specialist child bereavement support services across the UK, including in-depth therapeutic help in individual, group and residential settings. www.winstonswish.org/ 

YoungMinds is the UK’s leading charity championing the wellbeing and mental health of young people. They offer resources and bespoke training for schools and support for parents and young people. In addition they have a dedicated section on caring for the wellbeing of teachers and school staff. https://youngminds.org.uk/