Mental Health and Wellbeing

Many children and young people often find it hard to cope with everyday life because of difficult feelings, behaviour, or relationships.

If you work with children and young people, you’ll know that they experience a wide range of feelings, emotions and challenges. Mental health problems can include depression, anxiety and behaviour disorder, and are often a direct response to what is happening in a child or young person’s life.

The emotional wellbeing of children and young people is just as important as their physical health as it enables them to develop into healthy adults who are able to deal with all of life’s challenges.

As a practitioner there are things you can do to help the child, as well as yourself:

1. Take your time and use resources to help you.

2. Talk about emotions and be prepared to listen.

3. Find local support for the child or young person.

4. Look after yourself. Talk to your manager or supervisor regularly .

Helpful guidance and resources:

The NHS website offers helpful guidance on how to start a conversation with a child or young person about their feelings.

Young Minds provides resources and information on everything to do with young people’s mental health including consultancy and training services for leaders and front line workers.