Mental Health & Wellbeing

Welcome to our Mental Health & Wellbeing section. Here you will see updates, links and various up-to-date resources which may be helpful when supporting your child with their mental health.

Below are some useful contact details of various support agencies.

Useful Links & Resources:

Mind – This information is for parents, carers, family members and guardians supporting a young person with their mental health and wellbeing.  https://www.mind.org.uk/for-young-people/information-for-parents/

Online Harm Groups – Information about Online Harm Groups, what they are and how to support.  https://www.ceopeducation.co.uk/parents/articles/online-harm-groups/

Artificial Intelligence – a useful guide for parents on AI and Child sexual abuse material generated by artificial intelligence.    https://www.gryphon.dorset.sch.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/ai-guidance-parents.pdf

Teen Tips – a useful website for parents with help/support across a range of topics including health, sleep, gaming, wellbeing, academic, careers and much more.  To sign up, parents should use this link:  https://club.teentips.co.uk/register/parents/?ca=f8ceacc366eec8dda807535cf443b99d

Supporting your child in transition from primary to secondary school
https://www.annafreud.org/schools-and-colleges/resources/supporting-childrens-transition-to-secondary-school-guidance-for-parents-and-carers/

Transition advice for parents – booklet to aid transition from primary to secondary.

Looking out for children and young people – Good Thinking’s quick guide to help parents and carers support their child if they are struggling with their mental health.  Click here to access the guide.

Cost of living / mental health
Please find below a link to an interesting article outlining the issues surrounding cost of living and possible links to mental health:
Money, the cost-of-living crisis and mental health | YoungMinds

Sleep
Some useful information about sleep can be found here at the NHD/Every Mind Matter web page:  https://www.nhs.uk/every-mind-matters/mental-health-issues/sleep/#sleep-ecrm

Other websites:

• How to Ensure Your Children Stay Safe While Playing Online Games | NSPCC
• What is social media? | NSPCC
• Internet connected devices | NSPCC
• Livestreaming and online video apps | NSPCC
• Content promoting self-harm, suicide and eating disorders | NSPCC

My Troubled Mind – Stories about teenage mental health

This link contains useful videos and resources to help you talk to your child about various topics including:

• Mental, emotional and physical health
• Self-esteem and self-confidence
• Negative relationships and peer pressure
• Drugs and alcohol
• Prejudice and discrimination

Anxiety

Anxiety is often a normal part of childhood and adolescence, but there’s a difference between everyday worry and chronic anxiety. By understanding the distinctions, you can help your child manage their symptoms effectively.

This guide may help you to navigate your way through this complex issues.

Anxiety in Children and Teens – HelpGuide.org

The A-Z guide for Anxiety is also helpful:  click here to view this web-page.

Helpline for parents – 01258 474036

This helpline has been set-up to support those who are worried about their child or teenager during the lockdown. It is run by Dorset Council’s Educational Psychologists and is completely free.
The helpline is open from Monday to Friday from 9am to 4.45pm. Callers need to ring and make an appointment for a 30 minute phone consultation.

Supporting a child with anxiety – tips and advice

Connections – 24/7 Mental Health Helpline

A useful guide by MindEd for parents in talking about mental/emotional health issues. Page 7 has some useful links to MindEd that some of you may find helpful.

Talking to My Child

Let’s talk about life online: advice for parents & carers – Childnet Practical advice and guidance to help parents discuss the online world with their child; including simple conversation starters and advice on tackling difficult topics that may come up.

Parents’ and Carers’ Guide: Let’s talk about life online | Childnet

Social media guide for parents – YoungMinds 10 tips for parents for talking to young people about their use of social media and the internet, and the impact it may be having on their mental health

Social Media & Mental Health | Guide For Parents | YoungMinds

Guides for parents/carers on online games, apps and social networks – NSPCC Information for parents and carers on the most popular apps, games and social media platforms that children use, providing useful information and advice on how appropriate they are and any potential risks to be aware of

Keeping children safe online | NSPCC

Coping while caring for someone else – Mind

The Wave – A guide to staying emotionally well during isolation:

Wellbeing Pack

Mental Health Leaflet:

Parent leaflet

Managing Stress:

How to Manage Stress

Talking about Relationships:

https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/parents/ask-the-awkward/

Sources of advice for Self-Harm

Websites and Apps for Self Harm

Kooth: Supporting Adults