There’s never been a more important time to take care of your emotional wellbeing. There’s a lot going on out there and it’s easy to get lost in the day-to-day and forget to look after yourself.
These resources may help you, or someone you know, stay well during the pandemic.
General support for staying well
South West London and St George’s Mental Health NHS Trust has published their top tips for teens, including advice for staying well and activity suggestions.
South West London and St George’s Mental Health NHS Trust also has videos that talk you through some common worries and feelings that children and young people may experience during lock down and how you can support them.
Managing your child’s emotions during lockdown
Supporting your teenager with lockdown
Good Thinking has published their top tips for staying well, as well as an FAQ on COVID-19 for children and young people.
Off the Record has created an online hub – called Coping with COVID-19 – to help 11-25s stay well in Croydon, Merton and Sutton. You can also sign up for their online workshops.
Self care and mindfulness
South West London Health and Care Partnership has published a set of guides for children and young people about staying mindful, managing anxiety, self care and staying connected with others.
Sleep problems
Achieving for Children has published a guide for children and parents about tackling sleep problems during the pandemic.
Counselling
Good Thinking answers questions you may have if you already receive counselling or other types of wellbeing support.
Eating disorders
Beat eating disorders has plenty of advice and an online chat room to help you manage your eating disorder and stay well during the coronavirus pandemic.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
Good Thinking has advice for children and young people with ADHD to help you cope with the daily changes to life caused by coronavirus.
General support for staying well
South West London and St George’s Mental Health NHS Trust has published an activity guide to help parents keep children occupied during lockdown.
Public Health England has published detailed guidance for parents and carers on supporting children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing.
Mental Health Foundation has published a guide for looking after your family’s mental health.
Good Thinking has published general advice for parents and carers.
The World Health Organization has published six one page tips for parents themed ‘parenting in the time of COVID-19’.
Anna Freud has produced a film to help parents and carers support children and young people during the pandemic.
South West London and St George’s Mental Health NHS Trust has published a wide range of advice for keeping safe and well, particularly for parents and carers.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
Good Thinking has advice for parents of children with ADHD to help and your child cope with the new challenges created by coronavirus.
Sleep problems
Achieving for Children has published a guide for children and parents on sleep problems during the pandemic.
Autism toolkit
Easterseals, based in the US, has published a helpful toolkit for parents and carers for use at home with autistic children, to help decrease anxiety and increase independence.
Think U Know has published a set of home activity packs to help you take care of your child’s online safety.
Eating disorders
Beat eating disorders has advice if you are supporting someone who has an eating disorder and you are concerned about their illness or treatment.
Neurodiverse children
South West London and St George’s Mental Health NHS Trust has published its top tips for parents of children with neurodevelopmental needs.
East London NHS Foundation Trust and Homerton University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust have published a film about supporting neurodiverse children during self isolation.
Sensory Integration has published a handwashing guide which may be useful for parents supporting children with sensory difficulties.
Maintaining emotional connections
Trauma Informed Schools has produced a guide which teachers can use to help children maintain their emotional connection with others during isolation.
General support for staying well
Anna Freud Centre has published a guide to support the mental health and wellbeing of pupils and students.
Managing the pressures of work
Achieving for Children has produced a guide to support teachers manage their workload during the pandemic.
Maintaining emotional connections
Trauma Informed Schools has produced a guide which parents and carers can use to help children maintain their emotional connection with others during isolation.
Neurodiverse children
East London NHS Foundation Trust and Homerton University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust have published a film about supporting neurodiverse children during self isolation.
Sensory Integration has published a handwashing guide which may be useful for teachers supporting children with sensory difficulties.
Keeping children safe
NSPCC has published advice to help people working with children look after them during the pandemic, and what to do if you are worried about the safety of a child.
Visit nhs.uk for more information and advice about looking after your emotional wellbeing.
Teachers, parents and carers may be interested in our archive of emotional wellbeing webinars, which contain practical advice and support from local organisations.
In South West London, there are many other organisations offering advice support to children, young people and their families. Visit:
- Amaze – coronavirus hub for young people with SEND.
- Coping with coronavirus – various self help guides.
- Croydon local services – list of local services compiled by SWLCCG and Croydon Council.
- Croydon vulnerable groups – list of local services for vulnerable groups compiled by SWLCCG and Croydon Council.
- Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust – a series of self help guides on different topics.
- Good Thinking – list of helpful wellbeing resources, categorised by group, and guides on how to manage your mental health.
- Kingston emotional wellbeing – list of local services compiled by SWLCCG.
- No Panic – various resources for staying well, including self help.
- Richmond emotional wellbeing – list of local services compiled by SWLCCG.
- Scottish Centre for Conflict Resolution – help for young people managing conflict at home.
- Stay Sane – a free to download e-book written by psychotherapist Keeley Taverner.
- Wakelet – various resources for supporting children during social distancing.
- Wandsworth crisis support – list of services compiled by SWLCCG.
- Youth Access – COVID-19 resource hub with lots of advice on how to look after yourself.
- Zero to Three – helpful guides for talking to your little one about coronavirus and grief.