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Self-Care for Mental Health

Self-Care for Mental Health

Let your child know that it’s OK not to be OK

Just like our physical fitness, we need to look after our mental health to feel good. When you’re not feeling OK, it’s OK to talk about this and ask for help. Visit our pages to get advice and support for any issues your child is having.

If you need help too, make sure you also ask for help. You are not alone.

Top tips to support your child’s mental health

  • Be there to listen
    Regularly ask how they’re doing so they get used to talking about their feelings and know there’s always someone to listen if they want it. Find out how to create a space where they will open up.
  • Support them through difficulties
    Pay attention to their emotions and behaviour, and try to help them work through difficulties. It’s not always easy when faced with challenging behaviour, but try to help them understand what they’re feeling and why.
  • Stay involved in their life
    Show interest in their life and the things that are important to them. It not only helps them value who they are but also makes it easier for you to spot problems and support them.
  • Encourage their interests
    Being active or creative, learning new things and being a part of a team help connect us with others and are important ways we can all help our mental health. Support and encourage them to explore their interests, whatever they are.
  • Take what they say seriously
    Listening to and valuing what they say, without judging their feelings, in turn makes them feel valued. Consider how to help them process and work through their emotions in a more constructive way.
  • Build positive routines
    We know it still may not be easy, but try to reintroduce structure around regular routines, healthy eating and exercise. A good night’s sleep is also really important – try to get them back into routines that fit with school or college.

Just like our physical fitness, we need to look after our mental health to feel good. When you’re not feeling OK, it’s OK to talk about this and ask for help.

Looking after your own mental health

  1. Connect with other people – spend time with your friends and family, don’t rely only on social media and texting to keep in touch.
  2. Get active – do regular physical activity. You don’t have to spend hours in the gym, unless you want to. Find a physical activity you enjoy doing and make it part of your daily life.
  3. Learn new skills – find something new to do and learn how to do it. Find something you enjoy that also challenges you.
  4. Be kind – find a way to help other people. This doesn’t have to be a really big thing and sometimes the small things can really make a difference. Take time to check in with a friend and ask them how they are, say thank you to someone who has helped you, get involved in volunteering in your local community.
  5. Pay attention – notice what is going on for you now, in the present moment. People often call this Mindfulness and you can find out more about it on the NHS website.

Take a look at our NottAlone booklet for ideas to help your child learn about their own self-care and mindfulness. You can print out a copy and work through the activities together.

There are also some helpful videos below to share with your child, from breathing techniques to understanding mindfulness and meditation:

 

 

Get Help Now!

Here are a list of services that can help. The icons below tell you the type of support available.

Shout - text 'Notts' to 85258

City & County
Online
The Sleep Charity

City & County
Online
The Sleep Charity - Sleep Service Bassetlaw

City & County
In person & Online
The Wolfpack Project: Groups and 1:1 Support

City & County
Online
Base 51

City & County
In person & Online
CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably)

City & County
Online
Young Minds - Parent's Helpline

City & County
Online
CASY Counselling

City & County
In Person
Childline

City & County
Online
Explore Family

City
In Person
Family Lives

City & County
Online
First Steps

City & County
Online
Harmless

City & County
In Person
The Tomorrow Project

County
Online
Healthy Family Teams

County
In person & Online
Juno Women's Aid

City & County
In person & Online
NHS Mental Health Hub of Hope

City & County
In person & Online
Nottingham City CAMHS

City
In Person
Nottingham City Social Care

City
In Person
Nottinghamshire County CAMHS

County
In Person
Nottinghamshire Mental Health Advice Helpline

City & County
Online
Nottinghamshire Women's Aid

City & County
In person & Online
Notts LGBT+ Network

City & County
Online
Parent Lifeline

City & County
In person & Online
Notts Help Yourself

County
Online
Ask Lion

City
Online
Social Emotional Mental Health Team

County
In Person
Tackling Emerging Threats to Children Team

County
In Person
The Virtual School for Children in Care and Previously in Care

County
In Person
Victim Support

City & County
In person & Online
Youth Groups in Nottinghamshire & Nottingham City

City & County
In Person
The Family Service

County
In Person
The LGBT+ Service Nottinghamshire

City & County
In person & Online
Mental Health Support Team (City)

City
In Person
Behavioural and Emotional Health Team

City
In Person
Be U Notts

City & County
In person & Online
Nottingham Crisis

City & County
In person & Online
Hope Support Services

City & County
Online

Which services can I access?

Some of the services available operate only within city or the wider county area. Pop your postcode in below to quickly check which services are available to you