Here are some useful links to support mental health and well-being:

https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters/

https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/coronavirus-and-your-wellbeing/

https://mhfaengland.org/my-whole-self/ - Mind video reducing isolation when working from home. 

https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/support-and-information/if-youre-having-difficult-time/if-youre-worried-about-your-mental-health-during-coronavirus-outbreak/

A new 24 hour mental health helpline has been launched, offering confidential help and advice, to anyone registered with a GP in Calderdale, Kirklees, Wakefield, Leeds and Barnsley.

Phone number: 0800 183 0558

The new service will support people who are:

·        At risk of developing mental health problems.

·        Diagnosed common mental health problems.

·        Known to mental health services.

·         Experiencing mental health distress.

·        Seeking information, advice and support.

The service will provide a listening ear, emotional support, advice and signposting to other local services for both individuals and their carers. The provider, NCHA will respond to urgent concerns and operate within a recovery model, ensuring callers’ benefit from an effective intervention, in line with local mental health support pathways. Details are attached.

The Wakefield Mental Health Alliance has commissioned Wakefield Star Bereavement service to support children and young people who are tragically grieving during this time.

Any child, young person or someone caring for them who feels they need help and support due to bereavement can contact the service on:

info@starbereavement.co.uk or on 07599640714.

They will aim to respond Monday to Friday 9am-5pm.

https://www.starwakefield.org.uk/

All of the following services are there to support children, young people and their families. They offer confidential support and advice, but if they are worried about the safety of someone who is under 18 years old, or an adult who is vulnerable in any way, then they may need to speak to other people, such as the police, social care or the NHS to try and make sure that everybody stays safe.

Some local services may be affected by the Coronovirus outbreak so please check their websites for upto date information about closures and availability.

Information about Mental health and Coronovirus-

https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/publications/looking-after-your-mental-health-during-coronavirus-outbreak

https://childmind.org/article/talking-to-kids-about-the-coronavirus/

NHS-

If you are worried that your child is at immediate risk because their mental health has deteriorated, then you can contact the NHS in an emergency on 999. Or for advice you can contact NHS direct on-08454647 or via their website- www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk.

If a child needs immediate medical attention then contact 999 or visit your local A&E. Here, health care professionals may contact the CAMHS team if they feel this is needed. https://www.camhs-resources.co.uk/

If you or your parents think you need some support from the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) then you can make an appointment with your GP to discuss a referral being made.

The National Autistic Society-

On their website you can find lots of information and support if your child has Autism. The website is-  https://www.autism.org.uk/ , They also have a social story on the website to help explain Coronovirus and easy read advice.

ADHD Foundation-

The ADHD Foundation has lots of advice and top tips for parents and young people who may be affected by ADHD. Their website is- https://www.adhdfoundation.org.uk/ They have resources and stories about ‘The Umbrella Gang’ to help understand ADHD,

BullyingUK-

BullyingUK offer online advice to support children, young people and their parents where they may be being affected by bullying. Their website is www.bullying.co.uk.

Beat-

Beat is a charity that works to support children and young people who have an eating disorder. Their website, www.b-eat.co.uk , provides some information about eating disorders, a webchat and information about where to seek support. Beat also have a helpline which is open 12-8pm Monday to Friday and 4pm-8pm on weekends.

The Helpline number is-

0808 801 0677

The Youthline number is-

 0808 801 0711.

Care For the Family-

Information, support and advice for parents/carers about everyday things which may impact on your child’s wellbeing. Their website is www.careforthefamily.org.uk

https://www.careforthefamily.org.uk/family-life/parent-support

Change Grow Live (CGL)-

CGL work with young people between the ages of 10-18 years. They can offer support with lots of different things, including:

• Drug and alcohol use
• Health and wellbeing
• Offending behaviour
• Mental health
• Family support
• Someone else’s drug or alcohol use (also known as ‘hidden harm’)
• Independent advocacy and visiting

They offer free and confidential advice to young people. Their website, www.changegrowlive.org , has lots of information about the help they can offer.

Childline-

Childline offer telephone advice or support to children, young people and their families. Their telephone line is open 24 hours a day. If you need to talk to somebody then you can ring 0800 1111.

Childline also have an online chat where young people can talk to a counsellor one to one. Visit www.childline.org.uk for more advice.

On their website you will find videos and activities for ideas of managing difficult feelings- look a section on the website called ‘The Calm Zone’.

Grandparents Plus-

Online support for people looking after children in a kinship placement. They also offer local support groups- but these could be affected by Coronovirus outbreak and may not be able to run.

For more information have a look at their website https://www.grandparentsplus.org.uk/ .

Grief Encounter-

A really good online resource for young people affected by bereavement. There is an online chat service, support and ideas of ways to remember someone important. All on their website- https://www.griefencounter.org.uk/

They also have a support line for young people affected by bereavement- the number is 0808 802 0111 and it runs Monday to Friday 9am-9pm.

Kids Health-

Kids Health have online advice for parents, children and teenagers about a number of different health issues and how to enhance positive wellbeing. Have a look at their website- https://kidshealth.org for more advice on how to look after your body in the best way possible.

Kooth Online-

Kooth offer confidential support and advice for children and young people,who are 11years plus who are struggling with their mental health or with managing their emotions. They have an online chat which can be accessed via-

https://kooth.com/

The online chat can be accessed for advice on the following days and times-

Monday – Friday 12pm – 10pm

Saturday – Sunday 6pm – 10pm

MindEd-

www.minded.org.uk offer online resources and advice for parents or carers whose children are experiencing challenges with their mental health. They offer step by step advice about what to do if you are worried or faced with a crisis.

The Mix-

The Mix is a nationwide support service for young people up to the age of 25 years. They offer advice about lots of different issues including mental health, relationships, your body, money, crime, study and lifestyle.

If you want to find out more you can visit their website on, www.themix.org.uk . They have lots of articles on lots of different issues which you might find useful.

They also have a free phone number which is open daily from 11am to 11pm. You can ring on; 08088084994.

National self-harm network-

The national self-harm network provides information and support to parents, carers, professionals and young people who are struggling with self-harm or wanting some more information about self-harm.

The website is www.nshn.co.uk . They have some really useful downloadable documents on their website. You can also access self-help resources specifically to help with managing self-harm.

The key documents that you might find useful are;

-First aid for self-harm

-Distractions that help

-Advice for parents and carers

-Advice for young people

-What is self-harm?

NSPCC-

The NSPCC is a national charity aiming to promote the protection of children and young people from any abuse. If you are a parent or carer and wanted to talk to somebody if you are worried about a child contact their helpline on 0808 800 5000. This is open 24 hours and is a free phone number.

Papyrus-

Papyrus is the National charity for prevention of young suicide. They have a hopeline  which is open 10am-10pm Weekdays and 2pm-10pm on weekends. The number is 0800 068 4141.

The Proud Trust-

Online resource for LGBT+ Youth. They have resources and information about local youth groups available on their website- https://www.theproudtrust.org/

Samaritans-

The Samaritans will listen to you and help you talk through your concerns, worries and troubles.

You can call them on 116 123. This number is free to call and can be sued 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

SHOUT-

This is a crisis text line which is open 24/7 and available to support people who are suicidal, struggling with self-harm, bullying, abuse or support. To get help text SHOUT to 85258.

Sleep Scotland website-

Good sleep is really important for our mental health. If you feel you are struggling with your sleep and want some advice about how to sleep well, then visit www.sleepscotland.org. They have lots of resources to help teach you and your family about sleeping well.

Key things to look at can be found under the Sound Sleep section of this website.

Wakefield District Domestic Abuse Service-

WADDAS offer advice and support on their helpline for people 16+ years who are affected by domestic abuse. The helpline number is- 0800 915 1561.

The Well Women Centre-

The Well Women Centre offer lots of different support to women aged 16 years plus to help them with their health and wellbeing.

They are based in Wakefield and offer a drop in support service. Their available drop in sessions are;

Every Monday, 5-7.30pm
and every Friday, from 10am-12.30pm. (except bank holidays)

Their office address is;

Well Women Centre, 24 Trinity Church Gate, Wakefield, WF1 1TX.

You can also ring them for support and advice on 01924 211 114.

Turning Point-

Turning point offer direct mental health support to anyone 16+years. They have an online therapy tool which you can self-refer to called ‘ My Turning Point’. That can be accessed on- https://talking.turning-point.co.uk/wakefield/my-turning-point/

Young minds-

Young minds do not operate a telephone for children or young people, but there is a list of different support services that are available if you need to talk to somebody but don’t know where to go. You can visit https://youngminds.org.uk/find-help/your-guide-to-support/need-to-talk/

If your parents or carers are worried about you and they want some advice, then they can ring the Parents helpline. The helpline number is 0808 802 5544. You can also contact Young minds online via https://youngminds.org.uk/contact-us/parents-helpline-enquiries/. They can take upto three days to reply to emails, so parents should not use this service if they are concerned that their child is at immediate risk of harm.

Wakefield Council Advice for Parents leaflet-

Self-help workbooks

Children-

Might Moe- An Anxiety Workbook for Children

Young people-

Moodjuice- Self Help workbooks exploring anxiety, low mood, stress, bereavement, sleep problems and anger.

Adults-

Northumberland and Tyne NHS Self-help workbooks available to download online for a wide range of mental health presentations.

Useful Apps

Calm- Mindfulness and meditation exercises.

Calm Harm- Help advice for managing self-harm.

Fabulous- App providing daily motivation and helping you learn positive self-care habits.

FearTools- App to help you understand anxiety.

FeelingGood- Guided imagery and listening tools to improve your mood.

HeadSpace- Mindfulness and meditation exercises for adults and children.

MeeTwo- Safe space for young people to talk and share problems and seek advice.

MoodTools- App to help you monitor mood, make safety plans and have useful contacts for support.

Stay Alive-Suicide prevention resource to help you stay safe in crisis.

Worrinots- For primary aged children to share what makes them anxious and learn how to look after their emotions.

WYSA- Happiness buddy and stress and anxiety Chatbot