Mental Health Blog
Healthwatch Darlington Updates
Click the link below to find out the latest updates from Healthwatch
MHST Darlington Newsletter
See the document below for the latest updates from MHST Darlington.
Parent Carer Sessions
The sessions are aimed at parents of school aged children but parents of younger/older children are very welcome. The sessions will be led by a CAMHS trainer and will run on Microsoft TEAMS. If you have any additional needs, please mention this in the booking email.
Please download the document below for all of the session information and timings.
MHST Darlington Newsletter
See the document below for the latest updates from MHST Darlington.
Parent Carer Sessions
The sessions are aimed at parents of school aged children but parents of younger/older children are very welcome. The sessions will be led by a CAMHS trainer and will run on Microsoft TEAMS. If you have any
additional needs, please mention this in the booking email.
Please download the document below for all of the session information and timings.
Healthwatch Darlington Updates
Click the link below to find out the latest updates from Healthwatch
Building Connections
Kooth Newsletter
Welcome to your December 2022 ‘Christmas edition’ Kooth Newsletter!
This edition includes our festive resources, opening hours and our latest free event webinars for professionals.
Free resources for professionals working with young people
Don’t forget all external professionals have free access to Brandmaster which offers you direct access to a range of Kooth resources to compliment your social media and online platform communications.
If you’d like to order free posters, cards and flyers for your school, organisation or setting please email jaustin@kooth.com (County Durham) or apoinen@kooth.com (Tees Valley)
Christmas & New Year Counselling Opening Hours
Christmas is just around the corner however sadly for some young people & adults this can be a time when they struggle the most. Our friendly team of counsellors are available to talk to via our online live chat 365 days a year, 7 days a week (including Christmas day). Here’s this year’s festive opening hours.
Helpful Christmas wellbeing content for young people
We’ve put together a selection of helpful ‘Struggling at Christmas’ wellbeing content for young people. These can be printed and/or shared online via your setting providing young people and adults with tips, strategies and ideas. Attached to your email newsletter:
Struggling at Christmas – dealing with loss
Struggling at Christmas – family difficulties
Struggling at Christmad – loneliness
Struggling at Christmas – social anxiety
Social Media Campaigns
General Awareness | If you need to talk about what’s on your mind, your mental or emotional wellbeing, when it’s urgent but not an emergency.
Talk anonymously to a qualified professional online on [Kooth link] go.kooth.com/uKs or www.qwell.io Text SHOUT to 85258 Or Call Samaritans on 116 123 — Whatever is on your mind, help and support is available. Talk to a qualified professional or other people in the community on [Kooth link] go.kooth.com/uKs or www.qwell.io Find support through:
|
Christmas | You’re not alone this Christmas! For free, safe & anonymous mental health support visit www.Kooth.com or www.qwell.io
—- Struggling this festive season? Young people and/or adults can access safe online support for their mental health on Kooth.com or www.qwell.io |
Upcoming Events
GP Qwell Webinars | Male Mental Health | Discover Kooth
(For professionals) |
GP’s & healthcare professionals are invited to join one of our webinars which forms a series of events this winter as we ensure adult patients in your area can access earlier mental health support with the view to reduce pressure on frontline NHS services. | During November, there is significantly more attention given to male mental health, due to the Movember campaign. Whilst this is fantastic, at Kooth, we believe such conversations should be happening all year round. This webinar will explain how Kooth can support young men. | Are you a professional working with children or young people?
Would you like to learn more about Kooth and how we support CYP?
A 1 hour session introducing professionals to Kooth.com
|
Monday 5th, 11:00-12:00pm or Wednesday 14th December 2:00-3:00pm
Sign up HERE |
Wednesday 30th November, 3:30 – 4:30pm
Sign Up: HERE |
Tuesday 13th December, 12:30 – 1:30pm
Sign Up: HERE |
Additional Resources Attached:
Kooth promotional display for GP waiting rooms
Primary care/GP Kooth resources
Podcasts
Finally, don’t forget to check out our latest podcasts for Kooth over on Spotify or Apple:
Creative writing workshop: Let’s write imagery
Overthinkers anonymous – part 2
Cost of Living Crisis Series
Men & sexual abuse: supporting survivors
Dan tries: running
Take care, Andrew and Jemma
Wellness Wednesday
Daisy Chain – Family Support
If you live in the Tees Valley, the Family Support Service, delivered by Daisy Chain, is here for you.
The team supports young people aged 0-18 years and their families, no matter where they are on their autism, ADHD, sensory processing or Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) journey.
This means that your young person does not need to have a diagnosis or be on the neurodevelopmental pathway to access support from the service.
The Family Support team is here to listen to your concerns and offer support.
Useful Links
Guide for parents who are coping with their child’s self-harm
Self-harm is very common in young people, with 10-15% of young people in the UK reporting that they self-harm. It can leave families confused, anxious and feeling like there’s nowhere to turn. Now, based on in-depth research with parents, a team from Oxford University’s Department of Psychiatry are launching a guide to help parents and carers who are trying to cope with this difficult situation.
Papyrus
Beat Eating Disorders
The Sanctuary is an online chat group created specifically in response to coronavirus and the anxieties this could lead to for people with an eating disorder. It is a safe, online space for people with an eating disorder to share concerns and advice on how they are coping with the pandemic.
Eating disorders thrive in isolation, so it is important to stay connected and support each other through this.
Anna Freud
91 self-care strategies identified by young people with anxiety or depression to help other young people manage their mental health and wellbeing.
https://www.annafreud.org/on-my-mind/self-care/
Self-care for parents and carers
https://www.annafreud.org/parents-and-carers/self-care-for-parents-and-carers/
Every Mind Matters Self Care Tool
Now, at a time when you are busy supporting your pupils and their families through this challenging period, it’s important that you look after your own wellbeing.
Our mental health campaign Every Mind Matters offers a free online action plan, approved by the NHS, that offers simple steps we can all take to care for our mental health. The tool can help to deal with stress and anxiety, boost mood, improve sleep quality and take control of our wellbeing.
Whilst you care for others, why not also create your own self-care action plan?
https://campaignresources.phe.gov.uk/schools/resources/every-mind-matters-self-care-tool
Every Mind Matters
Having good mental health helps us relax more, achieve more and enjoy our lives more. We have expert advice and practical tips to help you look after your mental health and wellbeing. And remember, mind and body go hand in hand – visit Better Health for lots of free tools and support to help you kickstart your physical health too.
Coronavirus Bereavement & Grief
During the global coronavirus pandemic we are facing a tragic loss of life, often under very difficult circumstances. Being bereaved can be a lonely time, and isolation due to the current situation can make it more difficult. We are here to support you with information and advice.
https://www.cruse.org.uk/get-help/coronavirus-bereavement-and-grief
Parents’ Toolkit BBC Bitesize
MindEd for Families
Safe and reliable advice about young people’s mental health, created by experts and parents together.
https://mindedforfamilies.org.uk/young-people/
SafeSpot …is a helpful app and website that aims to provide young people with access to coping strategies and resources.
SafeSpot is designed to help you through tough spots
SafeSpot gives you your own personalized coping plan, useful strategies and tools to help and directions to local resources to help you — all at your fingertips.
SafeSpot has 3 aspects:
1. The Quirky and Cool SafeSpot App
2. SafeSpot website
3. SafeSpot Curriculum
Students Against Depression
Calm Harm
Calm Harm is an award-winning app developed for teenage mental health charity stem4 by Dr Nihara Krause, Consultant Clinical Psychologist, using the basic principles of an evidence-based therapy called Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT).
Calm Harm provides tasks to help you resist or manage the urge to self-harm. You can make it private by setting a password, and personalise the app if you so wish. You will be able to track your progress and notice change. You can download our guide to using the app during Covid-19 here.
Please note the app is an aid in treatment but does not replace it.
NHS Apps Library
Find apps and online tools to help you manage your health and wellbeing
https://www.nhs.uk/apps-library/
Student Space
Student Space has a range of information, advice, services and tools to support you from Friendships and Social Life to Lockdown and Self-Isolation, read more to see how it can help you.
How to access:
You can get 24/7 free, confidential and anonymous support from a trained volunteer. Whether you’re experiencing suicidal thoughts, depression, anxiety, loneliness or relationship issues, Student Space staff are there to listen and support through a variety of ways;
https://www.studentspace.org.uk
CAHMS
CAMHS (Crisis and Liaison team)
The crisis and liaison team provide mental health support to young people (up to the age of 18) who are experiencing a crisis with their mental health.
In a mental health emergency you can contact your local CAMHS crisis and liaison team using the number below.
Telephone: 0800 0516 171 (this number is free to call)
Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families
The Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families is a children’s mental health charity with over 60 years’ experience of caring for young minds. Our vision is a world in which children and their families are effectively supported to build on their own strengths to achieve their goals in life.
The Listening Post
The Listening Post was established in 2017 as a distinct project of DACYM (Darlington Area Churches Youth Ministry). The Listening Post is a listening and mentoring project that seeks to help young people with low level mental health and well-being issues in order to prevent them escalating into something more long-lasting.
Young Minds
Leading the fight for a future where all young minds are supported and empowered, whatever the challenges. The crisis in children and young people’s mental health is real and it is urgent. More children and young people than ever before are reaching out for help with their mental health. But for those who take that brave step, help is much too hard to find. Together, we are changing this. We’re fighting for young people’s mental health.
Mind
Young people can experience a range of mental health problems. Childhood and teenage years are a time when you are usually changing rapidly and developing all the time. You also often have to cope with many different situations and unfamiliar challenges like exams, relationships and the other pressures of growing up.
Childline
We’re here for you, whatever’s on your mind. We’ll support you. Guide you. Help you make decisions that are right for you. Our tips and techniques, ideas and inspirations, can help you feel more in control. You can access them in your own time, at your own pace! We have many useful ways to provide help and support including free 24 hour helpline, online 1:1 counselling support, information and advice board and toolbox kits
Something’s not right
Things have been very different this year. And it’s been difficult for everyone.
You might be worried about:
- things that have happened to you or someone else
- not knowing where to go when you’re scared
- being at school, your exams or the future
- coping with your mental health.
Whatever’s happening, you don’t have to cope alone.
https://www.childline.org.uk/info-advice/somethings-not-right
Kooth
XenZone is a provider of online mental health services for children, young people and adults. Kooth, from XenZone, is an online counselling and emotional well-being platform for children and young people, accessible through mobile, tablet and desktop and free at the point of use. This provides young people a counselling service online, it is available Monday – Friday: 12pm – 10pm and Saturday & Sunday: 6pm – 10pm.
The Mix
Online guide to life for 16-25 year olds. Straight-talking emotional support is available 24 hours a day. Chat about any issue on our moderated discussion boards and live chat room.
NSPCC
Mental illness and suicidal thoughts can affect anyone, of any age, of any background, at any time. Like with physical illnesses, people don’t choose to have a mental health problem. And they need the appropriate care to get better. Mental illness and suicidal thoughts are common issues for young people. It can be difficult to know if a child is suffering as they often keep it to themselves. But we’re here to help you spot the signs and know how to support them.
Youth Access
The Samaritans
DARLINGTON SAMARITANS
We offer a safe place for you to talk any time you like, in your own way – about whatever’s getting to you.
If something’s troubling you, get in touch:
Telephone our branch: 01325 465465 (local call charges apply) 01325 488679 (Recruitment Line Answer Phone)
National telephone: 116 123 (this number is free to call)
Email Samaritans: jo@samaritans.org
Visit our branch: Samaritans Darlington13 Woodland RoadDarlingtonCounty DurhamDL3 7BJ