Emotional wellbeing

If you are a parent or carer who has noticed changes in your child’s emotional wellbeing, we understand that this may be an unsettling and worrying time for you and your family.

During this time, there are national and local services which can support the whole family.

Good Mental Health Matters –https://www.goodmentalhealthmatters.com/for-parents

provides 5 steps to support good mental health within the family.

Minded – https://mindedforfamilies.org.uk/young-people/

provides tips on talking to your child about mental health, and parenting advice.

Relate – https://www.relate.org.uk/relationship-help/help-family-life-and-parenting

provides family, and parenting support

Small steps – https://www.family-action.org.uk/what-we-do/children-families/medway-small-steps-service/

provides support for families with children pre and post ADHD/Autism diagnosis

Medway Gender and Sexual Diversity Centre – https://mgsd-centre.org/

provides a parents and carers group to provide advice and support.

As well as supporting your children’s wellbeing, there are also services which provide support for parent’s wellbeing too.

Family Lives – https://www.familylives.org.uk/

provides advice and support for any aspect of parenting

Gingerbread – https://www.gingerbread.org.uk/

support for single parents

Medway talking therapies – https://www.everyturn.org/talking-therapies/locations/medway/

provide a range of free counselling and therapy sessions.

Release the pressure – https://www.kent.gov.uk/social-care-and-health/health/release-the-pressure

a free text service which connects you with trained counsellors to talk about any mental health concern.

Campaign against living miserably (Calm) – https://www.thecalmzone.net/

national service with men and boys facing mental health challenges, and any feeling the effects of suicide.

Relate – https://www.relate.org.uk/relationship-help

offer counselling and advice about relationships, and identities

Medway Library – https://medway.overdrive.com/collection/1157961   https://www.medway.gov.uk/info/200181/libraries/65/ebooks_and_eaudiobooks

free ebooks/audiobooks provided by Medway council, some specifically chosen for mental wellbeing

When your child is going through a period of low wellbeing, we understand that if can leave you wondering if there is anything you can do to support your child.

Below is a list of activities you are in corporate into your daily routine to support your child’s wellbeing:

1. 1. Mental Health Foundation

They highlight the importance the research/evidence-based practice of ‘the five ways to wellbeing’. This is guide is not only beneficial for children but also for adults. For parents it’s important to encourage these areas in their children. The five ways include:

1. 1. Being connected- talking, listening and being there for the person
   2. Give- giving time, words and presence to the person
   3. Take notice- remembering the simple things that give you joy
   4. Keep learning-Embracing new experiences and opportunities
   5. Be active- enjoy what you do, and do what you can.

Find a copy of the full report at https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/publications/make-it-count-guide-for-parents-and-carers

2. 2. Being open and honest about mental health. Highlight that mental health is a spectrum. Some days you can feel low, and others you can feel happy. This is all dependent on things that are going on if our lives. It’s important to understand that it’s okay to feel down sometimes, but it’s just as important to encourage your child in developing strategies which improve their mood. This can be done through modelling these behaviours yourself, for example not going on electronics an hour before bed, being active, eating healthy, or dedicating some time for self care.
   3. Learning your child’s behaviours. Child often communicate how they are feeling through their behaviours. Learning that is usual behaviour for your child can be important in noticing if something is wrong. If you do notice a change in your child behaviours, communicate this with them to make they feel connected with you.