Take a look below for lots of ideas to support your family using health and wellbeing activities and techniques. Taking breaks and spending time together is so important for your mental health, especially when you’re feeling stressed or anxious. Read a story, play a board game or enjoy a meal together.
1. Build a Den: Find somewhere calm and quiet to build it and fill with your favourite teddies, blankets and books. Have a snuggle and share a story in the den.
2. Paint a Pebble: Paint a pebble with a positive message, take a photo and send to a relative or friend to let them know you’re thinking of them.
3. Play with Puppets: Puppets are a great way to help children express their emotions in a fun way! Use the puppets to talk to one another about how you are feeling.
4. Create a Journal: Talk about and write down all the positive things you enjoy each day, for example.. “I am grateful for…” or “The BEST part of today was…”
5. Take a BIG Belly Breath: Place a cuddly toy on your child’s belly. Teach them to breath in and out deeply to move the teddy up and down. This is a great way to help them calm anxiety and you can enjoy a deep breath too!
A research network, aiming to reduce the prevalence of mental health problems experienced by children and young people. See some useful links below.
Young Minds exist to support children and their familes with mental health problems. They offer resources and guidance, empowering young minds to become strong and resilient. At this difficult and stressful time, Young Minds have created ‘Ten Tips’ for their Parent’s Helpline, so that you can talk to your child about the Coronavirus and support them with any questions they may have… For more information CLICK HERE to visit the YOUNG MINDS WEBSITE.
Ten tips from our Parents Helpline
Try not to shield your child from the news, as it’s likely they will find out somehow from school, being online or from friends.
Talk to your child about what is going on. you could start by asking them what they have heard.
Try to answer their questions and reassure them in an age appropriate manner. You do not need to know all the answers, but talking can help them feel calm.
Reassure your child that it is unlikely they will get seriously ill, and if they do you feel ill you will look after them. Your child might be concerned about who will look after you if you catch the virus. Let them know the kind of support you have as an adult so that they don’t feel they need to worry about you.
Give some practical tips to your child about how they can look after themselves. For example, show them how to wash their hands properly, and remind them when they should be doing it.
Keep as many regular routines as possible, so that your child feels safe and stable.
Spend time doing a positive activity with your child (e.g. reading, playing, painting, cooking) to help reassure them and reduce their anxiety. This is also a great way of providing a space for them to talk through their concerns, without having a ‘big chat’. For activities ideas, visit our starting a conversation with your child guide.
Encourage your child to think about the things they can do to make them feel safer and less worried.
Be aware that your child may want more close contact with you at this time and feel anxious about separation. Try to provide this support whenever possible.
Remember to look after yourself too. If you yourself are feeling worried, or anxious about coronavirus, talk to someone you trust who can listen and support you.
How to look after yourself and others when you’re self-isolating
Stay Connected
Stay calm
How to deal with stressful situations at home
Contact Helplines and resources
YoungMinds Crisis Messenger service: Save our Messenger number on your phone. Text YM to 85258 for free 24/7 mental health support if you are having a crisis.
Emergency services (999): If you or someone you live with is seriously injured, call 999.
www.childline.org.uk: If you're under 19 you can confidentially call, email or chat online about any problem big or small freephone 24/7 helpline: 0800 1111
Sign up for a childline account on the website to be able to message a counsellor anytime without using your email address chat 1:1 with an online advisor
www.samaritans.org: If you're in distress and need support, you can ring Samaritans for free at any time of the day or night. freephone (UK and RI): 116 123 (24 hours) or email: jo@samaritans.org
www.themix.org.uk: If you're under 25 you can talk to The Mix for free on the phone, by email or on their webchat. You can also use their phone counselling service, or get more information on support services you might need. Freephone: 0808 808 4994 (1pm - 11pm)
www.womensaid.org.uk: If you think you may be experiencing domestic abuse and you identify as a woman, you can talk to Women's Aid for free and confidential support email: helpline@womensaid.org.uk. You can also chat to a support worker using their free instant messenger service, Mon-Fri (10am-12pm)
www.citizensadvice.org.uk: If you have money or work worries, Citizen's Advice can help freephone: 03444 111 444 (Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm) or text service: 03444 111 445. You can talk to a debt adviser online for free Mon-Fri, 8am-7pm. For advice on anything else, you can chat to an adviser online for free Mon-Fri, 10am-4pm.
