It’s a shocking statistic that 1 in 6 children and young people in the UK are currently suffering from a diagnosable mental health condition. Mental health and wellbeing are an important part of life for everyone, but especially for young people who are still developing and finding their place in the world.
So, what can be done to ensure our children are coping with life, and the journey through to adulthood?
Mental health education is essential for children as it helps them to understand the importance of their mental wellbeing at an early age. It can also help to reduce the stigma associated with mental health issues and equip children with the knowledge and skills to identify and manage their own mental health. Mental health education can provide children with a greater understanding of how emotions can affect their behaviour, as well as how to build resilience to cope with challenging situations. By focusing on mental health education with children, we can ensure that they grow up in a mentally healthy environment which will benefit them throughout their lives.
Parental Awareness
It’s important for parents to be aware of the signs and symptoms of poor mental health in their children so that they can take the necessary steps to help them.
There are various signs and symptoms that parents should look out for to spot potential issues with their child’s mental health. These can include changes in behaviour, such as mood swings, difficulty concentrating, or withdrawal from activities they used to enjoy. Other physical signs may include changes in eating habits, sleeping patterns, and physical appearance.
It is important for parents to be aware of these signs and symptoms so that they can intervene early if necessary. By spotting any potential issues early on, parents can ensure that their child receives the appropriate help and support needed for a healthy mental state.
Self-Care
It is essential that parents and carers take the time to understand the various aspects of mental wellbeing such as self-care, positive thinking, resilience, communication skills, etc. It is also important to be aware of the signs of mental health issues so they can provide support early on if needed. With the right guidance from parents and teachers, children will have the tools they need to lead a healthy life both now and in the future.
For kids and teens, self-care is a great way to stay healthy and happy.
Self-care can be as simple as taking a break from screens or getting enough sleep. Kids and teens should also make sure to get enough physical activity each day, eat nutritious meals, connect with friends in safe ways, practice relaxation techniques such as deep breathing or yoga, and find time for activities that bring joy. With these tips in mind, kids and teens can ensure they are taking care of their mental health in a healthy way.
How the Wellbeing Crew Can Help
Anxiety underpins most mental health presentations, and the Wellbeing Crew are well equipped to assess and treat anxiety in children and adolescents. Self-harm is also something that can arise from mental health conditions, and it is important to assess whether a child needs more intensive help, such as being referred on for further support.
Depression is another common presentation of mental health, and our team is skilled in assessing and providing treatment options for this. We often use the Revised Child Anxiety Depression Scale (RCADS) and Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaires (SDQs) to assess the level of a child’s mental health issues.
Counselling children and adolescents involves helping them to develop a positive attitude to life, recognise their inner strengths, express themselves and learn how to cope with their emotions.
The Wellbeing Crew programs are designed to help children and adolescents feel more focused, positive and to express their emotions in a calm and nurturing environment.
Through activities, mindfulness exercises and creative therapies, we provide the support that helps young people develop better emotional regulation, communication skills, resilience, and self-esteem. We focus on building an understanding of mental health so that young people can become more self-aware, less judgemental, and better able to manage difficult situations.
We believe that with the right support, young people can take control of their mental wellbeing and build healthier futures for themselves.
