Advice for
parents & carers
Resources to support your child’s mental health
It’s okay not to be okay
Everyone feels down every once in a while. We are here to help you talk about mental health with your children.
First things first, if you feel you are in crisis and need help right now, we are not the right service for you, you should click the button below to find the right number to call.
Parent Talk
Action for Children run a service called Parent Talk which parents and carers can use to:
Speak to a trained parent coach. Whether you need a listening ear or advice tailored to your situation.
Content to help your child with their mental health and emotional wellbeing.
Look for advice
If you don’t need help straight away, look through our articles below covering lots of issue which your child may be struggling with.
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Feeling sad is a normal emotion and everyone feels low or down at times. Click here to learn more about low mood and how to manage it.
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Feeling anxious is completely normal from time to time. Click here to learn more about anxiety and how to manage it.
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Anger can be a normal and useful emotion. But it can interfere with our emotions and behaviours. Click here to learn more about anger and how to cope.
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It is normal to be afraid of things sometimes. Phobias are strong fears which sometimes get in the way of us enjoying our lives. Click here to learn more about phobias and how to cope.
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A little bit of stress can be helpful, but too much can feel overwhelming. Click here to learn more about stress and how to manage it.
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This is when you hurt yourself on purpose to relieve distress. Click here to learn about self-harm and how to manage it.
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If your child is in danger right now, call 999. Follow this link to learn about managing suicidal thoughts.
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Self-esteem is what we think and feel about ourselves. If your child is struggling, click here to learn more about self-esteem and ways to boost it.
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Struggling with feelings and emotions can affect how we sleep. Here we have advice on how to improve your sleep.
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If your child has lost someone they may be struggling with their emotions. Click here to learn more about coming to terms with losing someone.
Support in Staffordshire
Staffordshire Connects offers a variety of support services in your area.
The Health Visiting and School Nursing service offers family health and wellbeing advice. They also run a text service for parents and carers on 07520 615722 from Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5pm.
Combined Wellbeing offers a range of advice on issues your child may struggle with.
An app for your child’s mental health
Silver Cloud is an online self-help programme to help you understand and support your child with their anxiety. You can sign up for free and work through in your own time.
What do you get?
Guided lessons to understand your child’s anxiety
Exercises to do with your child to help them manage their anxiety
Two options: Parenting Anxious Children and Parenting Anxious Teens
“My young man is coming back to me and is starting to shine again, having a laugh, and caring again, confidence is coming back too. Its amazing to have such a breakthrough”
Help with your own mental health
Being a parent is tough. It’s important that you look after your own mental health.
You can speak to a qualified parenting coach on Parent Talk about anything that’s worrying you.
Text SHOUT to 85258. This is a free mental health text service, available 24/7 for anyone who needs it. You will be able to have a conversation with a trained Shout Volunteer. Find out more.
If you are struggling to cope, call the Samaritans on 116 123 for free.
Talk to us
Do you want a bit more help? Someone you or your child can talk to more often?
Action for Children’s Staffordshire Emotional and Wellbeing Service offers a range of services for, including:
Support and training for parents and carers
Help for children and young people, including online therapy, information and advice, and individual or group support