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
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
Covid-19 Looking after your feelings and body.pdf Coping with COVID Isolation.pdf
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