Health & Wellbeing – Parents

Hi,

I’m Jane O’Thy and many of you will know me as one of the RMPS and Philosophy teachers at Boroughmuir. I also have the role of Health and Well-being coordinator at Boroughmuir. As part of this I am working with staff and pupils to improve the well-being of all members of the school community.

As a parent I know that there can be times when knowing how best to support your child. And my children are not even close to the teenage years yet. But having taught for several years I know that watching a young person grow and develop into an adult is one of the most rewarding things we can do.

This section of our website is designed to point parents in the right direction to find practical advice and suggestions for supporting your child.

The use of parent in this section does not only refer to biological parents, but to caregiver or guardian involved in the raising of children. Parenting is often not the work of one or two people, as it takes a village to raise a child, so anyone involved in the care of young people may find this information useful.

You will also find links to sites that support parents as well as so that if you find yourself struggling with an issue then there are people that you can turn to for help and support. One of the most important aspects of caring for others is ensuring that you can look after yourself as well, so you will also find advice and support for your own health and well-being.

This is by no means an exhaustive list, just a collection of sites that will hopefully help. 

Exam guidance for parents

Exams can be a difficult time for young people and knowing the right things to say and do can be difficult. Luckily there is a lot of advice and support available. The below websites offer guidance for parents and carers on how best to support your young people at this time.

Exam Time & Exam Stress | Parents Guide To Support

If you’re worried about how your child is coping with exams at school, here is our advice and information on where you can get help. Get advice and updates directly to your inbox Join our fight for children and young people’s mental health.

Parents’ Guide To Supporting Children At Exam Time

Helping your child to plan a realistic revision timetable, which breaks the days and subjects down into manageable chunks, will reduce their anxiety by increasing their sense of control and confidence. It will also help ensure everything is covered. Discuss different revision techniques and help your child to identify which suit them best.

Help your child beat exam stress

Tests and exams can be a challenging part of school life for children and young people and their parents or carers. But there are ways to ease the stress.

Exam stress and failure

Parents play a vital role in helping students to maintain a positive mental outlook in the run-up, during and after exams are over and the results are in. Here are some ways that you can help.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/zckydxs

Young Minds

a charity that operates to help young people to understand their mental health better and offer support and guidance. There are also sections to help parents better support their children as well as offering support for parents themselves through webchats and phone lines as well as advice.

They are not part of CAHMS but can help you understand the way that CAHMS works and guide you to help and support.

https://www.youngminds.org.uk/parent/

CAMHS

Children and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) is used as a term for all services that work with children and young people who have difficulties with their mental health or wellbeing. They are sometimes still known as CYPMHS. The links here will provide information on the services that they offer and guidance on what you could expect with a CAMHS referral.

NHS Lothian Information on CAMHS

Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services – Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services

What is CAMHS? CAMHS stands for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services. These services work with children and young people (from age 5 to their 18th birthday), and their parents or carers. NHS Lothian CAMHS provides specialist assessment/intervention as part of a tiered system, which can include consultation and advice prior to referral, and assessment appointment to establish clinical need and priority status.

NHS Overview

Children and young people’s mental health services (CYPMHS)

Children and young people’s mental health services (CYPMHS) is used as a term for all services that work with children and young people who have difficulties with their mental health or wellbeing. You may also see the term children and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) used.

Information for Parents and Carers

Children and young people’s mental health services (CYPMHS) information for parents and carers

If you’re worried about a child or need advice and support for coping with anything affecting your child’s mental health or wellbeing, there are different ways to seek help. Lots of general advice and support can be found online.

Young Minds guide to CAMHS

https://www.youngminds.org.uk/young-person/your-guide-to-support/guide-to-camhs/

Mind Guide to CAMHS

Information for young people on CAMHS – Mind

SAMH

There is advice on a wide variety of topics that can impact families and links to other areas that can offer support. There is also advice on how to start the conversation with your child.

Parents and carers | SAMH

As a parent or carer it can be really worrying to see a child or young person going through a difficult time, but it’s important to address your concerns and help them to get help as soon as possible.

Family Lives

Is a charity that provides advice on a wide range of topics that may be relevant to your child including body image, sleep and exercising

Teenage health and wellbeing | Family Lives

Find advice about peer pressure, self image, harming in our section about teenage health and wellbeing

UNICEF Parenting

This was launched by UNICEF to help parents give their child the best possible start in life. There are resources for every stage in a child’s life. They are also lobbying to help children and parents around the world. There is information on a vast variety of topics including social media, bullying, racism, conflict, and discipline

UNICEF Parenting

Helping parents give children the best start in life.

Four things that you can help your teen with their mental health, including the importance of looking after yourself

Four things you can do to support your teen’s mental health

Caregivers have a lot to deal with. You also need care and support for yourself. Showing self-care is also a good way of modelling the practice to your teen. Don’t wait to ask others for help if you are feeling overwhelmed. It is normal and okay to feel this way.

How to have a mental health conversation with your young person, divided into age categories

Mental health and well-being

Our mental health is a fundamental part to our overall health and well-being. As a parent, you play a huge role in supporting your child’s mental well-being. Nurturing and loving care build a strong foundation, helping your child to develop the social and emotional skills they need to lead a happy, healthy and fulfilled life.

Parent Club

Has advice on all levels of parenting and guides for conversations with your child on a variety of topics

Mental Health

Supporting your teen’s mental health

Knowing you’re there to help them work through any problems (rather than tell them what to do) helps them feel supported. If your teen is anxious about something, try working with them to figure it out. Ask them what they think they should do and what might happen.

Resilience

Helping teens build resilience

You can’t always stop your teen from facing problems. They are a fact of life. From everyday issues like falling out with friends or exam stress to more serious problems like family illness or bereavement, they’re bound to face some challenges in their teen years.

Health and Support for Parents

Getting help and support when you’re raising a teen

There’s lots of support available to help with parenting a teen. Find the help and advice you need to raise a teenager.

Resilience Framework

The Boing-Boing network has researched Resilience and have created the resilience framework and resilient therapy toolkit was created for parents by young people who have had some issues with their mental health.

Resources for Parents and Carers – Boingboing

On this page you will find articles and links to a variety of resources aimed at supporting our own mental health and that of children, young people, families, and adults. These resourses have been written, co-produced and shared by the Boingboing, Resilience Revolution and CRSJ community.

Additional Support

When we are supporting others or looking at mental health issues it can often bring up unresolved issues and impact our own mental health. If you are feeling in crisis please contact your GP.

Alternatively, there are links below that may offer some support:

Breathing Space: https://breathingspace.scot  a free, confidential phone and web based service for people in Scotland.  – Telephone: 0800 838587  

Shout: www.giveusashout.org – 24-hour text support, start your text with CONNECT 

Samaritans: www.samaritans.org – 24-hour telephone support 

LGBT Youth Scotland

Boroughmuir High School’s staff and Gender Sexuality Alliance has been working to complete the LGBT Youth Scotland Schools Charter.  We aim to promote positive attitudes across the school as well as an inclusive community to all students, staff and their families.  LGBT Youth Scotland provides quality youth work to LGBTI young people and works in partnership for LGBTI equality and human rights.  They provide support and advice for both pupils and parents.  Boroughmuir Gender Sexuality Alliance meets every Wednesday lunchtime in room 3.01.

LGBT Youth Scotland

You can make a difference… Get a full rundown of our digital services for young people during the pandemic Find out more There’s loads of ways you can help us make Scotland the best place to grow up for LGBTI young people Find out more

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