Mental health and wellbeing support available for children and young people in England

Children and young people may be experiencing a variety of feelings in response to the COVID-19 outbreak such as anxiety, stress or low mood. It is important to understand that these are normal responses to an abnormal situation.

Further resources to signpost to parents and carers:

  • PHE’s guidance on supporting children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing
  • Every Mind Matters includes an online tool and email journey which aims to support everyone to feel more confident in taking action to look after their mental health and wellbeing. It also includes a section for parents and carers on looking after children and young people during the outbreak.  
  • NHS England has published advice for children and young people who may be feeling overwhelmed, and advice for parents, guardians and carers on how to help and support a child or young person with mental ill health. 
  • The British Psychological Society’s advice for parents and carers on dealing with school closures and talking to children about COVID-19.
    • The Government’s online educational resources for home education with a section on mental wellbeing.
    • Virtual Oak National Academy for reception – Year 10 pupils, which offers daily online lessons, a weekly assembly with a pastoral focus and extra-curricular activities to help families maintain a routine at home (intended to complement, not replace, existing schools’ online learning offers).

 

  • BBC Education online learning content, for reception to Year 10 pupils, to support home learning, with weekly wellbeing tips provided via their social media pages.
  • The Starline parent helpline for home learning.

 

 

Another useful resource is:

NHS Apps library  

helps people find apps and online tools to help manage their health and wellbeing. We are working closely with NHSX to rapidly review apps for children and young people’s mental health and make them available via this apps library.

For example, Think Ninja is an app specifically designed to educate 10-18 year olds about mental health, emotional wellbeing and to provide skills young people can use to build resilience and stay well. It has been adapted to COVID-19 to bring self-help knowledge and skills to children and young people (10-18 years old) who may be experiencing increased anxiety and stress during the crisis.

Children and young people can access free confidential support anytime from Government-backed voluntary and community sector organisations by texting SHOUT to 85258, calling Childline on 0800 1111 or the Mix on 0808 808 4994. For support with an eating disorder, children and young people can ring Beat’s Youthline on 08088010711.

Children and young people can also find online information on COVID-19 and mental health on the Young Minds website.