World Mental Health Day 2023: Resources to support your child

World Mental Health Day takes place on 10^th October.

This year’s theme is 'Make mental health and wellbeing for all a global priority'.

With 1 in 6 children aged 6 – 16 in England having a probable mental health problem, making this a priority is vital.

But children can often find it difficult to put into words how they’re feeling, and parents and carers can find it hard to know when to be worried and what to do about that worry.

Here we share some valuable resources where you can find practical advice. Plus, we share some of our own tips to help you support your child’s mental health and wellbeing.

Where can you find information, advice and guidance to support your child?

Young Minds

Young Minds are the UK’s leading charity fighting for children and young people's mental health.

Explore their blogs, guides, information and advice. 

Place2Be

Place2Be believe that no child or young person should have to face mental health problems alone and it is their mission to improve children's and young people’s mental health.

You’ll find lots of useful advice and guidance over on their resources page.

MindED for Families

Experts and parents have come together to create MindED for Families. Find out more and explore their resources. 

NHS

The NHS provides lots of advice to help you support your child or teenager if they have mental health problems. You can find this support here. 

World Mental Health Day

The Mental Health Foundation has put together a library of resources that are free to download. The resources offer high-quality and evidence-based information on a range of mental health topics. You can download these resources here. 

Our tips for supporting your child’s mental health and wellbeing

Listen and talk

Keeping thoughts and feelings locked up can give them greater power. They can seem scarier because they go unchallenged.

Have regular check-ins with your child. You can start the conversation if they don’t; approach casually, be patient and listen with care.

By encouraging your child to talk about what it is they are experiencing and listening to them, you can help them navigate any overwhelming thoughts and feelings.

Create a healthy routine

Without a routine, mornings can mean rushing. A panicked morning can mean a panicked day, never fully feeling ready for what’s next. A routine can ensure you have the time to get ready, enjoy breakfast and have a chat, setting you and your child up for the day.

Similarly, an evening routine can be calming as consistency can help your child feel secure. A bedtime routine encourages good sleeping habits, so children can get the right amount of sleep needed to recharge, which leads us to our next point…

Sleep

Each family is different and sleep routines definitely change as children get older, but if you can, the following ideas can help children get a better night’s sleep:

• Create a quiet, dark and cool environment for your child to sleep
• Limit screen time in the hour before bed
• Stick to a regular bedtime

Being well rested helps to reduce stress and can help us face daily challenges more easily.

Eat well

When we’re stressed, it’s common to experience changes in appetite. Having nutritious meals and snacks ready for when hunger strikes will mean that whether your child is eating a lot or not very much, the food they do consume will be doing their body good.

If your child seems to have lost their appetite, putting pressure on them to eat may make matters worse. Remember that not all snacking is bad, and small, regular meals are good for maintaining energy levels, while decreasing tiredness and irritability.

If you have the opposite problem and your child keeps saying they’re hungry despite having just eaten, then distraction is your friend! Boredom can be another cause of overeating so find something else to do that will keep them busy and their mind off asking for another snack.

Movement

Moving the body helps to release excess energy. Exercise reduces stress hormones and stimulates production of endorphins, which together help you relax.

Exercise, especially for children, looks a lot like play. All of the following count:

• Visiting the playground
• Bike riding or scootering
• Kicking a ball around the park
• Dancing to some favourite music
• Climbing trees and balancing along logs

It doesn’t always have to be a full-body workout. The aim is to simply get moving, preferably out in the fresh air and in nature.

Look after yourself too

It’s also important for you to look after your own mental health and wellbeing. All the above apply to you as well, and remember, it’s okay to ask for help.

Note: If you are concerned about your child’s mental health, it is important that you seek help from a medical professional.