Mental health support for school age children- Part 2
Welcome back to another blog. If you visited the blog yesterday, then you would have noticed that this week I’m discussing Mental Health support for school age children. So if you’d like to learn about some more of the resources available, then keep reading.
Firstly, as I mentioned within Part 1, if you find yourself grappling for self-help resources when it comes to your child’s mental health, it’s important to know that you’re not alone.
With Mental Health teams stretched to full capacity, it can be difficult to reach out for support from a GP or school, but I want to reassure you that there are many help resources available if you know where to look.
Shipwrecked SOS: Sink or Swim
As already mentioned, Shipwrecked SOS is my newest book, it is a Mental Health, self-help survival guide for school age children and a complete toolkit for parents, teachers and children and young people. To pre-order your copy visit the website: www.ifheavenhadapostcode.com
Further Amazon recommendations
If Shipwrecked isn’t right for you, here are some further books I’ve located on Amazon that might offer some support.
Get Talking
As already touched upon within my blog, when it comes to helping children and young adults navigate the challenging emotions that come with growing up, communication is always the key. Making yourself approachable and always being there to listen is crucial.
‘Get talking’ by Amanda Ashman-Wymbs is a box of talking point / conversation-starter cards to use with your children. These have 5-star reviews from parents and offer 52 conversation starters to assist your child to express their feelings.
My feelings Journal- Kraven Publishing
Another book that puts your child in the driving seat is ‘The Feelings Journal’ by Kraven Publishing. With the emphasis on ‘self-help’ this offers your child a place to document their feelings and keep a track of their emotions. Perfectly placed if your child struggles to open up about their feelings, this could also be a perfect conversation starter when it comes to managing their mood and mental health.
The Education Hub at the GOV.UK website
In 2023, the ‘Education Hub’ wrote a blog announcing that they were giving grants to schools towards supporting child mental health.
If you navigate to the Education Hub on the GOV UK website, you will find numerous up-to-date resources, including information on how schools are being supported to help children and support mental health.
Most recently updated in March 2024, there are a number of hyperlinks which will take you to information on the following:
Safe spot - A mobile app that promotes positive mental health and wellbeing in young children.
Togetherall - A resource open to young people that provides an anonymous online community where like-minded students are encouraged to support each other.
Eating Disorder support and help
Suicide prevention support and help
SHOUT- A talking point helpline for young people who need to speak to someone for support
Bereavement Support – see also: www.ifheavenhadapostcode.com for details on the release of the new Junior Edit of my flagship book ‘If Heaven had a Postcode’.
NHS ‘Every Mind Matters’ – a downloadable toolkit all of its own
A Guide by Young Minds Charity for Parents
Here is a direct link to all of the above information: Mental health resources for children, students, parents, carers and school/college staff – The Education Hub
I hope that helps to give you some further suggestions on where you can seek some ‘self-help support’ when it comes to mental health help and support for school age children.
Keep in touch with the blog for more information on resources that you might find useful.
It’s important to always reach out for professional support if you are really struggling, the direct link above should signpost you to professionals that can support you.
Thank you again for reading and have a good week.
Sabrina x