Information for family members and carers
This area of the website has been developed to help parents and carers support children and young people with their mental health. You will find lots of resources and information from local and national organisations focussed on the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people. You'll also find support for your own mental health, if you're worried about a young person's behaviour, you're not alone.
You may also find it useful to look through the pages designed for children and young people here either on your own or with a young person.
Over the coming weeks, your child may mention they have been made aware by school or a professional of a service called Kooth. It provides a safe, secure means of accessing online emotional health support from a professional team of qualified counsellors and emotional wellbeing practitioners for ages 10-18 in Lancashire.
For more information, please view the patient/carer letter here.
Interactive map of mental health services
Health organisations in Lancashire and South Cumbria have worked together to develop this interactive map of mental health services. The Google Maps based system lists all the organisations working locally, and allows you to search for your closest service or for specific types of support, to help you get appropriate care.
You can filter the map to just show services for children and young people. Explore the mental health services map here.
Mental Health Family Hour
Welcome to the Mental Health Family Hour. A collaboration between Sam Tyrer, Mental Health Nurse and founder of the school education initiative Change Talks and Dave Cottrell, Mental Health First Aider, Awareness Campaigner and Mindset Coach. Where each week we deliver an hour of PHSE style education around Mental Health, only instead of in school Live on the internet and for families and teachers as well as the kids.
Online sources to support you
Young Minds help for parents
Young Minds are a UK charity fighting for children and young people's mental health. There website is full of resources, information and support for children and young people as well as their parents and carers. You can visit the Young Minds website here (opens in new window). You may find the sections below useful.
Papyrus prevention of young suicide
PAPYRUS is a national charity dedicated to the prevention of young suicide. There website has support and information for anyone worried about a young person. You can visit the Papyrus website here (opens in new window). You may find the sections below useful.
For confidential suicide prevention advice contact HOPELINEUK. We are open 9am–12am (midnight) every day of the year, 0800 068 4141.
Children and young people's mental health services (CYPMHS) information for parents and carers
If you're worried about a child or need advice and support for coping with anything affecting your child's mental health or wellbeing, there are different ways to seek help.
Visit the NHS website (opens in new window) for online sources, understanding when to seek professional help and information about children and young people's mental health services (CYPMHS), also sometimes referred to as CAMHS.
You can find information about local CAMHS services on this page of our website.
MindEd for families
Safe and reliable advice about young people’s mental health, created by experts and parents together. Visit the MindEd for families website (opens in new window) for lots of support and information about children and young people's mental health including diagnosis, inpatient care and the transition from child to adult services. You may find the sections below useful.
Parent and carer guides
Make it Count: Mental Health Foundation guide for parents and carers
This guide is for parents and carers to help children understand, protect and sustain their mental health.
Download the Make it Count Guide for free (opens in new window).
Talking Mental Health with young people (secondary school)
Simple advice and guidance about how to make conversations about their child's feelings part of everyday conversation.
View the Talking Mental Health with young people leaflet free here (opens in new window).
Talking Mental Health with young people (primary school)
Simple advice and guidance about how to make conversations about their child's feelings part of everyday conversation.
View the Talking Mental Health with young people leaflet free here (opens in new window).
Videos
Talking Mental Health is an animation designed to help begin conversations about mental health in the classroom and beyond.
13 people, aged 18-25 talk about what it's like to live with a mental health problem, and what helps them cope.