Parental help
If they have a warm, open relationship with their parents, children will usually feel able to tell them if they are troubled. One of the most important ways parents can help is to listen to them and take their feelings seriously. They may want a hug, they may want you to help them change something or they may want practical help.
Children and young people’s negative feelings usually pass. However, it’s a good idea to get help if your child is distressed for a long time, if their negative feelings are stopping them from getting on with their lives, if their distress is disrupting family life or if they are repeatedly behaving in ways you would not expect at their age. Sometimes a child will find it easier to work through difficult, confusing feelings with a trusted, neutral outside person as they may not want to upset their parent/s feelings or try to protect their parents. This is very common with children, so don't feel like a failure if your child is not able to talk to you.
If they have a warm, open relationship with their parents, children will usually feel able to tell them if they are troubled. One of the most important ways parents can help is to listen to them and take their feelings seriously. They may want a hug, they may want you to help them change something or they may want practical help.
Children and young people’s negative feelings usually pass. However, it’s a good idea to get help if your child is distressed for a long time, if their negative feelings are stopping them from getting on with their lives, if their distress is disrupting family life or if they are repeatedly behaving in ways you would not expect at their age. Sometimes a child will find it easier to work through difficult, confusing feelings with a trusted, neutral outside person as they may not want to upset their parent/s feelings or try to protect their parents. This is very common with children, so don't feel like a failure if your child is not able to talk to you.
Professional help
If your child is having problems at school, a teacher, school nurse, school counsellor or educational psychologist may be able to help. Otherwise, go to your GP or speak to a health visitor. These professionals are able to refer a child to further help. Different professionals often work together in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS).
If your child is having problems at school, a teacher, school nurse, school counsellor or educational psychologist may be able to help. Otherwise, go to your GP or speak to a health visitor. These professionals are able to refer a child to further help. Different professionals often work together in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS).
'Talking' it through - COUNSELLING
Assessments and treatments for children and young people with mental health problems put a lot of emphasis on talking and on understanding the problem in order to work out the best way to tackle it. For young children this can be done through play as they often do not have the words to tell us how they are feeling. This kind of treatment is called a talking therapy, psychological therapy or counselling.
Assessments and treatments for children and young people with mental health problems put a lot of emphasis on talking and on understanding the problem in order to work out the best way to tackle it. For young children this can be done through play as they often do not have the words to tell us how they are feeling. This kind of treatment is called a talking therapy, psychological therapy or counselling.