If you are seriously concerned about your child’s mental wellbeing, we advise that you make an emergency appointment with your GP who will be able to assist you. In the most extreme circumstances, you should visit your nearest A&E department who will provide you and your child with the support you need.
We understand how unnerving and complex issues surrounding mental health can be, not only for our students but also for their families. Below you will find some useful documents and also a list of useful websites that provide information, guidance and support aimed at young people and their families about mental health and wellbeing. If you need hard copies of any of these documents, please email: enquiries@arrowsmith.wigan.sch.uk to request them.
Wellbeing Documents
www.youngminds.co.uk This service offers advice to anyone worried about a child or young person under the age of 25. Available Mon-Fri: 9:30am to 4pm (Freephone) 0808 802 5544 / Crisis messenger: Text YM to 85258 (24/7)
www.kooth.com: Kooth provide free, safe and anonymous online support for young people. Go to Kooth.com and students will be able to speak to an online counsellor Monday - Friday 12pm-10pm and Saturday and Sunday 6pm - 9pm.
www.childline.org.uk: A free, confidential helpline available 24hrs a day: 0800 1111
www.camhs-resources.co.uk: CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services) provide some excellent resources such as videos/ mobile telephone apps for parents and pupils to support with mental health and wellbeing
www.annafreud.org: The Anna Freud website provide lots of excellent information for young people, parents and schools about Children’s Mental Health.
www.winstonswish.org/: Winston’s Wish is a charity which specialises in supporting families, parents and children with bereavement.
www.anxietyuk.org.uk: Anxiety UK offers an extensive range of expert help designed to help control anxiety.
www.selfharm.co.uk/: Free online support for people who self-harm or are considering this.
The rise in awareness of mental health issues has given way to several easily accessible services to help with such problems – for example, wellbeing apps promising to serve as an assistive tool for anyone in need of support. While these can be useful to some, there are a few risks which are important to consider – especially if a child or young person is using an app.
Of course, it can be tricky to know exactly where the safety concerns lie with a service intended to help and support its users – and it can be harder still to safeguard younger users. This free guide breaks down the online safety risks of mental health and wellbeing apps, before letting you know how best to keep children and young people safe if they ever wish to use these services.
Sources: NHS England » Wellbeing apps Mobile Apps for Children’s Health and Wellbeing: Design Features and Future Opportunities - PMC
