Wellbeing
Advice for parents during the corona virus outbreak
It is difficult for children and young people to understand what is going on and difficult for parents/carers to explain. There are a number of organisations who provide help for parents and carers on how to talk to children about the coronavirus.
- How to talk to your child about coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)
- Talking to your child about coronavirus
- Helping Children Cope With Stress During the 2019-nCoV Outbreak
- Self Care, Anxiety, Depression, Coping Strategies | On My Mind
- Managing the transition to home schooling | Institute of Education
- Tips for autistic people and families
- Mental Health Foundation - 'Make it Count' guide for parents
- Young Minds - find help for parents
NSPCC - children's mental health, depression and anxiety
 |
A Guide to Staying at Home (produced by Strengthening Minds) |
|
Looking after your feelings and your body (published by Public Health England) |
|
Advice for parents from TPC Therapy Ltd |
| Top Tips for Teens Covid-19 |
|
Looking after your mental health whilst isolating |
NHS INFORMATION ON COVID-19 TRANSLATED INTO 15 LANGUAGUES
'Doctors of the World' have produced Covid-19 guidance for patients in 15 languages. So far there is: English, Albanian, Dari, French, Pashto, Portuguese, Bengali, Vietnamese, Kurdish Sorani, Mandarin, Hindi, Urdu, Spanish, Turkish and Farsi. Please find them here. The guidance is based on the latest advice and health information from the NHS. Malayalam, Amharic, Tigrinya, Somali and Arabic coming soon!
Visit Childline's Calm Zone here and try breathing exercises, activities, games and videos designed to help let go of stress. The Body Coach TV (available on YouTube) offers PE with Jo here. New workout every day. You might also like to visit parentINFO, a site which provides help and advice for families in a digital world. Their article 'Six fun online activities to boost your child's digital resilience' can be found here.
Check out these well being resources from The Jack Petchey Foundation on staying motivated, staying active and staying connected.
LOOKING AFTER YOUR MENTAL HEALTH DURING TIMES OF INCREASED STRESS
Courtesy of the Southwark Diocesan Board of Education with special thanks to Early Help 4 Mental Health and the Devon Council for the use of '10-a-day'
What is mental health?
It is ‘a state of wellbeing in which an individual realises his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stress of life, can work productively and is able to make a contribution to his or her community’ World Health Organisation, April 2016
Who has mental health?
We all have it. Some of us find we need to pay more attention to it at certain times than others. Some people have periods of good as well as poor mental health.
How can I look after my mental health?
Firstly, if you are on medication, always follows your doctor’s advice. Secondly, seek professional help if low moods and anxiety continue for some time. Thirdly, there are also things we can all do to help ourselves during times of stress…like the '10-a-day’ choices challenge below!
- Communication
Talk to someone about how you’re feeling. Pick up the phone rather than emailing or messaging - Spend time doing things you enjoy
This might include reading, cooking, other hobbies or listening to the radio or watching TV programmes - Stay hydrated
Drink enough water, try to avoid alcohol and energy drinks - Diet
Try to eat healthy, freshly made, well-balanced meals - Exercise
Keep active in mind and body. If you are home-bound, look for ideas of exercises you can do at home on the NHS website. Otherwise, go for a walk in open space. - Take regular breaks from what you are doing
If you’re sitting in one position, ensure you stand, stretch and move around. Take a look at this NHS 10 minute workout - Stay connected
Schedule in regular catch-ups with people, even if you feel there is nothing new to talk about - Ask for help
If you’re feeling the impact of the situation or being on your own, take a look at these NHS recommended helplines - Be proud of your very being
You are worth taking care of. Ensure your environment reflects this. Have periods when you keep your windows open to let in fresh air, get some natural sunlight if you can, or go outside into the garden or an open space - Actively care for others
Who else around you has been affected by current circumstances? Might they need to connect with you? - And finally ...
Be strict on screen time, limit how often you look at newsfeeds, read, sing, laugh, sit in silence.