Mental Well-Being for Children during coronavirus

Mental wellbeing: primary

We have had many questions about how to best manage the situation, from preventing meltdowns, improving routine and getting enough exercise to managing mental health in our children so here are some resources that may help:

Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families

Website: https://www.annafreud.org/what-we-do/anna-freud-learning-network/coronavirus/

Key stages: early years foundation stage to key stage 2

Description: wellbeing advice for all those supporting children and young people.

BPS

Website: https://www.bps.org.uk/news-and-blogs

Key stages: early years foundation stage to key stage 2

Description: advice on dealing with school closures and talking to children about COVID-19.

Children’s Commissioner

Website: https://www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/publication/childrens-guide-to-coronavirus/

Key stages: early years foundation stage to key stage 2

Description: a downloadable guide for children about coronavirus.

MindEd

Website: https://www.minded.org.uk/

Key stages: early years foundation stage to key stage 2

Description: an educational resource for all adults on children and young people’s mental health.

The Child Bereavement Network

Website: http://www.childhoodbereavementnetwork.org.uk/covid-19.aspx

Key stages: early years foundation stage to key stage 2

Description: advice on supporting grieving children during the coronavirus outbreak.

GOV uk advice

Guidance for parents and carers on supporting children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak

Autism Parenting Magazine

Reducing Anxiety While Homebound with Children with Autism

Mental wellbeing: secondary

BPS

Website: https://www.bps.org.uk/news-and-blogs

Key stages: key stage 3 to key stage 5

Description: advice on dealing with school closures and talking to children about COVID-19.

Children’s Society

Website: https://www.childrenssociety.org.uk/coronavirus-information-and-support

Key stages: key stage 3 to key stage 5

Description: information and support on different aspects of mental health and wellbeing.

MindEd

Website: https://www.minded.org.uk/

Key stages: key stage 3 to key stage 5

Description: an educational resource for all adults on children and young people’s mental health.

Rise Above

Website: https://riseabove.org.uk/topic/my-mind/

Key stages: key stage 3 to key stage 5

Description: videos with tips on gaining confidence, dealing with anxiety and coping strategies from other young people.

The Child Bereavement Network

Website: http://www.childhoodbereavementnetwork.org.uk/covid-19.aspx

Key stages: key stage 3 to key stage 5

Description: advice on supporting grieving children during the coronavirus outbreak.

Talking to your child about coronavirus

Invite a discussion:for younger children simply discuss good hygiene and for older children use open ended questions such as “What have you heard about coronavirus?” Allow this to be led by them to avoid introducing information which could trigger anxiety.

Describe what is happening:Use facts at an appropriate level. Use props or videos if necessary.

Encourage questions and discussion: Talk about how it makes them feel and think. For older children discuss media coverage.

Offer reassurance:Explain that measures are in place to make people safe.

Reduce speculation (if age appropriate): Explain what speculation is and why it is unhelpful. Give examples of speculation and fact and how they are circulated.

Following up:Remind children and young people they can talk if they are worried. Monitor those at particular risk of developing high anxiety.

Further Resources:

Havant and East Hants Mind have launched a Freephone crisis line for children aged 11-17 living in Hampshire & IOW, providing immediate advice and support for young people experiencing difficulties with their mental health. More information can be found in these infographics: Crisis Line Infographic #1 Crisis Line Infographic #2

Hampshire Safeguarding Children Partnership: have produced a help and advice E-poster to support children and young people during lockdown.

Happy Kit! empowers young people take control of their mental wellbeing.

FactFindr brings together young people and experts to talk about things from knife crime to exam stress, from consent to gaming.

Ambitious about autism - The World Has Turned Upside Down

We would be interested to hear about what effect COVID-19 and isolation has had on your children and young people and how they are coping - information.advice@autismhampshire.org.uk