Mental Health & Emotional Wellbeing
It's okay not to be okay!
Mental health and emotional well-being is not simply the absence of mental illness. It is a state of well-being in which every individual achieves their potential, copes with the normal stresses of life, works productively, and is able to make a contribution to their community. It includes our emotional, physical and social wellbeing and affects how we think, feel and act.
NHS Digital mental health of children and young people survey 2017
50% of mental illness starts before the age of 14 and 75% before the age of 24.
1 in 8 children and young people 5 – 19 had a mental health condition
1 in 7 children and young people 11- 16 had a mental health condition
1 in 6 young people 17 – 19 had a mental health condition
Girls 17 – 19 were more than twice as likely as boys to have a condition
Let's Talk About Mental Health
You don’t have to be an expert to talk and to listen, and often it’s the little things that make a difference. Sometimes we stop talking because we don’t know what to say, but talking can be a helpful way for young people to manage their wellbeing as it helps them to make sense of and manage difficult experiences and feelings.
Anna Freud
You’re never to young to talk mental health – Tips for parents and carers
Kooth
Free, safe and anonymous online counselling and emotional wellbeing platform for children and young people, accessible through mobile, tablet and desktop
handy guide for parents and carers
Helping you to better understand and be aware of the warning signs of mental illness in young people as well as signposting you to organisations that can provide support
Service Directory
Mental health and emotional wellbeing services available for children and young people across East Berkshire
Reading Well
Recommending expert endorsed books about mental health for 13 to 18 year olds.
Mental Health in Schools
Schools are the ideal environment for children to learn about mental health and wellbeing. Lessons can support students to understand and manage their thoughts, feelings and behaviour, and build skills that help them to thrive, such as working as a team, persistence and self-awareness. It also supports to normalise conversations about mental health and can help to identify pupils who might need additional support. Additionally, school programmes which promote social and emotional skills, can improve the mental health and academic attainment of their students.
PPEP Care Training
PPEPCare has been designed to help staff in primary care, education and other professionals to recognise and understand mental health difficulties in children and young people and offer appropriate support and guidance to children, young people and their families.
Training is delivered FREE of charge by specially trained local CAMHS staff.
For more information, download an information leaflet here
Body Image
Young people are experiencing increasing pressures relating to their appearance. Through outlets such as television, film and social media, young people are repeatedly presented with images of their ‘ideal’ body. The ‘Somebody Like Me’ Report by Be Real found
Be Real
Supporting children and young people to have a body confident start to life. Free confidence campaign toolkit for schools.
Resources for Schools on Mental Health
Schools are the ideal environment for children to learn about mental health and wellbeing. Lessons can support students to understand and manage their thoughts, feelings and behaviour, and build skills that help them to thrive, such as working as a team, persistence and self-awareness. It also supports to normalise conversations about mental health
Young Minds
Resources and lesson plans for teachers and school staff on mental health and well-being
PHE Rise ABove
Lesson plans covering a variety of health topics such as body image, exam stress and FOMO
Time to Change
Assemblies, activities and campaigns to start the conversation about mental health in schools
Mental Health Stigma
Short videos by young people talking about mental health stigma
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