We all have both physical and mental health.

Mental health is about our feelings, our thinking, our emotions and our moods. We all have feelings that come and go every day. However, as with our physical health, each of us can have can problems with our mental health from time to time. These problems can stop us getting on with our lives and can change how well we feel, how we see the world, how we behave and how we get on with others. We are encouraging the idea of being kind to yourself and being kind to others and raising awareness that it can be difficult to know how a person might be feeling (they might feel upset but might not tell anyone or may not show it). Check out the activities on our grids – not just when your feelings are difficult but practise keeping mentally healthy when you are feeling good too. Most importantly, have fun!

If you are really concerned about mental health issues please contact school or your GP. If you are concerned about a child’s welfare you can call MASH (multi agency safeguarding hub) on 0300 500 80 80. If you require an urgent response outside of working hours (08:30-17:00), contact the Emergency Duty Team (EDT) on 0300 456 4546. In an emergency call 999.

Online resources to support positive mental health

There are lots of useful sites for supporting emotional health and well being online. Some of the services below are for parents / carers and some for children. Lots of the sites have information for both so it is really important you check what is on the site before letting your children have access. The sites often support a range of ages so whilst some of the support is very useful, not all will be age appropriate.

Nott Alone- Local mental health advice and help for young people in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire. | NottAlone

Health advice to help your children grow and flourish.

A good sleep routine is essential for keeping the mind healthy. Here is some advice from The Sleep Charity

Home – The Sleep Charity

The Mental Health Support Team have created this video of the presentation of their sleep workshop;

You tube Sleep Work Shop

Parenting advice from our child mental health experts

Practical tips to support children’s wellbeing and behaviour

https://parentingsmart.place2be.org.uk/

Place2Be is a children and young people’s mental health charity with almost 30 years’ experience working with pupils, families and staff in UK schools.

They provide mental health support in schools through one-to-one and group counselling using tried and tested methods backed by research. In addition, we also offer expert training and professional qualifications.

https://www.place2be.org.uk/

Childline

Childline offers someone to talk to and also lots of great games and ideas.

Childline | Childline

Young Minds

This is a site primarily with info for families and older children with mental health difficulties. There is also a parent’s help line;

Call the Parents Helpline: 0808 802 5544 (Monday to Friday 9.30am – 4pm, free for mobiles and landlines)

Headspace

This is a meditation app will lots of free support useful for both adults and children

https://www.headspace.com/headspace-meditation-app

Nottinghamshire County Council

The following link is for the county council page on mental health it also has links to lots of other supportive organisations.

https://www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/care/adult-social-care/mental-health-wellbeing

NHS

This is the link to NHS site and further information on the services it can offer.

https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/nhs-services/mental-health-services/ 

Nottinghamshire Help Yourself

This is where you can find services across Nottinghamshire for all kinds of needs.

https://www.nottshelpyourself.org.uk/kb5/nottinghamshire/directory/home.page

Anna Freud Centre

The Anna Freud centre is a national centre supporting young people’s mental health.

This page has lots of ideas for self-care. It is aimed at older children but will help with ideas to support positive things to do.

https://www.annafreud.org/on-my-mind/self-care/

They have also produced a series of expert podcasts to help parents understand and manage child and family mental health problems.

https://www.annafreud.org/childinmind/

MindEd

This site has lots of information for parents and families about supporting children and young people.

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

Mind UK

https://www.mind.org.uk/

https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/support-community-elefriends/

UK Mental Health Charity with information and an online mutual support community for adults

Family Action   

https://www.family-action.org.uk/what-we-do/children-families/familyline/

The Family Line service supports people who are dealing with family pressures in a new and innovative way by using a network of volunteers from across the country to support family members over the age of 18 through telephone calls, email, web chat and text message.

Telephone: 0808 802 6666 Text message: 07537 404 282

Family Lives (previously Parentline)

https://www.familylives.org.uk/how-we-can-help/confidential-helpline/

Family Lives offers a confidential and free helpline service for families in England and Wales (previously known as Parentline). for emotional support, information, advice and guidance on any aspect of parenting and family life. The helpline service is open 9am – 9pm, Monday to Friday and 10am – 3pm Saturday and Sunday.

Call: 0808 800 2222