Introduction
What is childhood mental health?
Mental health is as important to a child’s safety and wellbeing as their physical health. It can impact on all aspects of their life, including their educational attainment, relationships and physical wellbeing. Mental health can also change over time, to varying degrees of seriousness, and for different reasons.
And we know it’s an important issue for children. Over half of all Childline counselling sessions in 2022/23 related to mental or emotional health and wellbeing. (https://learning.nspcc.org.uk/ child-health-development/child-mental-health)
What is the purpose of this workshop?
The purpose of this workshop is to understand how to talk to your child about mental health and feel better equipped to support your child with mental health concerns.
It is important to recognise when children may be struggling with their mental health and wellbeing, this workshop will equip you with skills to better support your child’s mental health.
Who is this workshop for?
For anyone wanting to improve their understanding of a child’s mental health, talk to them about it and learn strategies to help. There is suggested wider reading and wider watching for those wanting to learn more and an e-learning session that replicates the workshop to remind you of what you have learned about.
What impacts mood and wellbeing?
Wellbeing and mood can be influenced by a variety of factors every day. These influences can be either positive or negative and may affect each child differently. Some of these factors include situations related to school, home, and friends, such as:
Bullying, moving to secondary school, academic pressures, friendship fall outs, detentions, school avoidance, arguments at home, bereavement, moving home, parent’s separation, illness.