Just like adults, children and young people feel worried and anxious at times. But if your child’s mental health is starting to affect their wellbeing, they may need some help to overcome it.

The School Nurse is available to see your child in school to offer support if required. If you would like to arrange this, you can let a teacher at your child’s school know and we will arrange an appointment to see them. We also offer a drop-in service which your child can access. School staff will be able to provide you with information about the days and times of drop-ins at your child’s school. To access this service, your child won’t need an appointment as they are able to call in and see the School Nurse without needing an appointment.

You can also contact us directly without your child’s school knowing, please see the how to contact us section.

Resources you might find helpful

WeHeartCBT is a collection of resources aimed at helping children and young people who are struggling with symptoms of anxiety, low mood, stress and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Resources are based on a Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) approach and are for mental health professionals, schools and parents/families. Visit https://weheartcbt.com/anxiety for more information.

If your child needs additional support and needs someone to talk to, they can attend the YoutherapY drop-in service which is held on Wednesdays 3-6pm at:

1st floor, 26 Talbot Road, Blackpool, FY1 1LF

The service can be contacted on 0800 121 7762 (option 3)

Blackpool CAMHS can be contacted on 01253 957160. CASHER (CASHER - Child & Adolescent Support & Help Enhanced Response) Support is available 7 days a week for children and young people Mon-Fri 5-10pm Sat/Sun 10am-8pm by texting or phoning 07810 696 565.

As a parent, it is important to be aware of services children and young people can access if they are experiencing mental health problems, as you are in an ideal position to offer this information to your child. Some useful organisations you may wish to make a note of are listed below:

• Kooth – online emotional and mental wellbeing supportwww.kooth.com for online chat

• PAPYRUS - Suicide Prevention for young people9am to midnight, every day07860 039 9670800 068 4141pat@papyrus-uk.org

• The Mix – Essential support service for under 25s.0808 808 4994themix.org.uk  for 1-2-1 chat or messengerSupport with any issue from health to money, homelife, relationships or drugs

• Samaritans HelplineOpen all hoursCall 116 123Email jo@samaritans.orgwww.samaritans.org

• Childline0800 1111Childline.org.uk/get-support for 1-2-1 counsellor chat or email service, or Ask SamSupport service for children and young people for any worries

• www.youngminds.org.uk
• www.annafreud.org

As a parent or guardian, it can be difficult to support children and young people who are experiencing poor mental health or wellbeing. For further advice and guidance please visit www.annafreud.org/parents-and-carers/

Young Minds also offer a parent helpline and webchat which can be accessed by visiting www.youngminds.org.uk/parent/