If your child has been referred to their local Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), you may be waiting several weeks or months before they have their appointment date.
We spoke to school counsellor Catherine Mantack to get some advice on what you can do to support your child whilst you鈥檙e trying to access help for them.
Catherine Mantack (school counsellor): Here are 5 things you can do to support your child while you try to access help for them鈥
Create a supportive environmentTry to make sure your child feels that they鈥檙e in a supportive and nurturing environment. To create this, I would advise encouraging your child to share how they鈥檙e feeling whilst you listen, avoid giving advice, and let them know that you want to understand what they鈥檙e going through.
Stick to a healthy routineHelp your child maintain a consistent routine that involves a good sleeping pattern, physical activity, healthy meals and participation in hobbies. Routine can really help provide a sense of stability.
Talk to professionalsKeep key professionals, such as your GP, school SENCO, and pastoral team, updated on your child's progress and any concerns you may have. Open communication with these key professionals ensures a collaborative approach to supporting your child's well-being.
Look into local servicesThere are lots of organisations that can provide information and services for children and young people to help them manage their thoughts and emotions.You can visit 大象传媒 Action Line, which lists many mental health charities that can offer advice.
Take care of yourselfPlease try to take care of your own mental health. Make sure you have a support system in place for yourself and seek professional help if required.
Here are five things you can do to support your child whilst they wait for CAMHS:
1. Create a supportive environment
Try and make sure your child feels they鈥檙e in a supportive and nurturing environment. Encourage your child to share how they鈥檙e feeling whilst you listen. Avoid giving advice, and let them know that you want to understand what they鈥檙e going through.
Roman Kemp: The Fight for Young Lives - mental health tips for parents
2. Stick to a healthy routine
Help your child maintain a consistent routine that involves a good sleeping pattern, physical activity, healthy meals and participation in hobbies. Routine can help provide a sense of stability.
3. Talk to professionals
Keep key professionals such as your GP, Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO) and school pastoral team updated on your child鈥檚 progress, and any concerns you may have. Open communication with these key professionals ensures a collaborative approach to supporting your child鈥檚 wellbeing.
4. Look into local services
There are lots of organisations that provide information and services for children and young people to help them manage their thoughts and emotions. Search online or ask your council or GP for local services or visit 大象传媒 Action Line for details of nationwide mental health charities that can offer advice.
5. Take care of yourself
It鈥檚 also important to try and take care of your own mental health. Make sure you have a support system in place for yourself and seek professional help if you need it.
Further resources:
Read our Parents鈥 Toolkit Mental Health First Aid Kit if you鈥檙e concerned about what to do if your child鈥檚 mental health worsens.
Try these seven simple relaxation and mindfulness activities together, and help your child learn to calm down when they feel stressed or anxious.
Check out our Parents鈥 Toolkit wellbeing section for more tips and advice.
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