May is Mental Health Awareness Month in the United States – and it’s seventy years since it was first started in all the way back in 1949. Here in the UK, we are coming up to Mental Health Awareness Week, which starts on Monday 13th May – ironically, this is also SATs week for our Key Stage Two kids, when they are likely to be more stressed than usual!
As parents, we feel confident in picking up our children when they fall – putting plasters on grazed knees, soothing away nightmares, giving Calpol for a fever, but dealing with their mental health can be frightening and make us feel helpless.
Throughout May I’ll be sharing hints, tips and resources to help YOU help your child if they are becoming anxious or worrying about school, friendships, bullying, loneliness, body image, exams, the new school year and new classes/schools.
And remember – mild anxiety and worries are normal parts of life for all of us, adults and children alike. But if you think your child is at risk of harming themselves, or are constantly struggling with anxiety, low mood or depression, please reach out for help:
- Teacher, School welfare officer/support officer/SENCO
- Your GP
- Your local CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services)
- Young Minds – click here or call 020 7336 8445
- Mind – click here for the main website or here to find your Local Mind services
- Childline – 0800 1111
- Time To Change
- Mental Health UK
- Mental Health Foundation
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