Mr Parr's Chimp TV
5 steps to wellbeing
Evidence suggests that a small improvement in wellbeing can help to decrease some mental health problems and also help people to flourish. A document, produced by the New Economics Foundation (NEF) used by the government (found here), sets out 5 actions to improve personal wellbeing:
- connect
- be active
- take notice
- keep learning
- give
For children, it is thought that a sixth way (play) helps to improve and maintain wellbeing.
Parents can work with the school to help provide opportunities for children to connect with people, stay active, practice mindfulness, learn new things, give to others and spend time engaged in creative play.
Where can you turn?
Support for your child
Your GP will be able to offer help and guidance. You could also ask school or ask for a referral for your child to the school nurse. The youth wellbeing directory is a list (12 pages!) of agencies that work with young people to provide mental health support and counselling.
CAMHS has provided this useful guide full of further helpful information.
Support for you
Bristol Crisis Service – a telephone triage and referral/signposting service for individuals in mental health crisis, their family and friends. 0300 555 03 34
The Samaritans – 24-7 support for anyone in emotional distress
www.samaritans.org – helpline - 116123
Bristol Mind – Local mental health charity
www.bristolmind.org.uk - helpline - 01179080370
Wellaware – a local information database for health, wellbeing and community services in Bristol.
www.wellaware.org.uk - 08008085252
Support for older children and young adults
Off The Record - mental health support and workshops for young people – www.otrbristol.org.uk
Kooth – the online counselling service: www.kooth.com
Big White Wall - online peer support forum (subscription) - https://www.bigwhitewall.com
Help with parenting
Being a parent is one of the toughest challenges we face in life, and we get so little training in how to do it. It is a challenge that constantly changes as your children get older. Fortunately, there are plenty of people who have been there before you, and there is absolutely no shame in admitting that you would like some advice or support.
The following links may be useful:
Reading
Shelf help is available from your local library (or a good book store!) Reading Well books are available on a range of mental health issues. Michael Rosen’s sad book is such an example. A powerful read.
Finding a therapist
Counsellors and psychotherapists are listed in the Yellow Pages. The following organisations have national lists of therapists:
The British Psychological Society – www.bps.org.uk
British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Therapy – www.babcp.com
British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy – www.bacp.co.uk
Websites and helplines
General wellbeing
- ChildLine – helpline – 0808 800 5000 (0800 1111 for children)
- NSPCC
- Bristol Mindline - helpline: 0808 808 0330
- YoungMinds – helpline – 08088 025 544
- Samaritans – helpline – 08457 90 90 90
- Mind – 0300 123 3393
- The Site
- Bristol Mindline Trans+ - helpline: 0300 330 5468
Depression
- Mindful
- Mind – helpline: 0300 123 3393
- YoungMinds
- Depression in Teenagers
- Students against depression
Self Harm
- Self harm.co.uk
- Bristol Crisis Service for Women – TEXT: 0780 047 2908
- Harmless
- National Self-Harm Network – helpline – 0800 622 6000 – email – support@nshn.co.uk
Eating disorders
- Anorexia and Bulimia Care (ABC)
- NHS Choices - anorexia
- Beat (beating eating disorders) – helpline – 0845 6341414
- Boy Anorexia
Anxiety
- Anxiety UK – helpline – 08444 775 774
- No Panic – helpline – 0808 138 8889
- OCD UK
Psychosis
Suicide
- CALM (Campaign Against Men Living Miserably) – helpline – 0800 585858
- HOPELineUK – 0800 068 41 41 – advice for parents of young people at risk of suicide.
- Stamp Out Suicide
- NHS Choices - Suicide
Bereavement
Bullying
Back to Work Space
General guidance for working at home.