We are pleased to announce that we have achieved the School Mental Health Bronze Award!
Everyone has issues to deal with at different times, and we all deal with them in different ways.
Mrs Rowett and Mrs Laird both support children, parents and families.
Mrs Rowett Mrs Laird
The Covid-19 pandemic has particularly highlighted and heightened the severity of these issues.
These affect both adults and children and help is available to both, some of these links may be useful to you.
The Mental Health Foundation – (adults and children)
Homepage – WF-I-Can -The online resource for children and young people in Wakefield
https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/a-z-mental-health/ – A-Z of Mental Health Mind provides advice and support to empower people experiencing a mental health problem. They have a fantastic A-Z of Mental Health and free, downloadable guides to many mental health issues, including a guide to seeking help which contains some useful advice on how to support someone else with their emotional and mental health
https://kooth.com/ – Free, safe and anonymous online support for young people
https://www.childline.org.uk/ – Childline Service provided by the NSPCC for various information, support and advice for young people
https://youngminds.org.uk – YoungMinds is the UK’s leading charity committed to improving the emotional wellbeing and mental health of young people. Parents will find a wealth of information on their Parents Page, including details of a free and confidential helpline.
https://www.nhs.uk/ – NHS Choices This is a reliable source of information about anxiety disorders in children and teenagers.
https://www.anxietyuk.org.uk/ – AnxietyUK Contains a page specifically for Family, Friends and Carers.
https://keltymentalhealth.ca/blog/2013/06/mindshift-new-app-youth-anxiety – MindShift™ will help you learn how to relax, develop more helpful ways of thinking, and identify active steps that will help you take charge of your anxiety. This app includes strategies to deal with everyday anxiety.
https://www.hopeagain.org.uk/ – HopeAgain is the youth website of Cruse Bereavement Care, a national charity providing support, advice and information to children, young people and adults when someone close to them dies.
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/self-harm/ – The National Self-Harm Network provides a 24/7, closely monitored online forum which aims to reduce the emotional stress and improve the quality of life for people who self-harm. The forum provides crisis-support, information, resources, advice, discussion and distraction.
http://www.lifesigns.org.uk/ – LifeSIGNS is an online, user-led organisation providing information and support to people of all ages who are affected by self-harm, including guidance for family and friends.
https://www.escayp.org.uk/ – ESCAYP offer counselling & therapeutic play for children & young people aged 3-21 years.
COVID-19 Emotional Wellbeing Support
Emotional Well-Being
During this time, many of us may be experiencing a range of emotions. To support young people with this, Young Minds have released this information:
https://youngminds.org.uk/blog/what-to-do-if-you-re-anxious-about-coronavirus/
As adults, it is also important for us to take care of ourselves. This website may be useful:
https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/coronavirus-and-your-wellbeing/
You may also find information on the following website particularly useful. The Young Minds A-Z covers a wide-range of areas including anxiety, anger, gender identity, divorce, self-esteem and much more. It is available on our website or via the direct link below:
https://youngminds.org.uk/find-help/for-parents/parents-guide-to-support-a-z/
Please note there is also a Parent Contact section that includes a telephone number as well as contact form:
https://youngminds.org.uk/contact-us/
Corona virus social stories
Elsa Support Corona stories
https://www.elsa-support.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Story-about-Coronavirus.pdf
Helping children understand coronavirus
Adult wellbeing
Coronavirus, how to protect your mental health –
Wakefield CAMHS-approved apps
and websites
Apps
- BlueIce – an evidenced-based app to help young people manage their emotions and reduce urges to self-harm. It includes a mood diary, a toolbox of evidence-based techniques to reduce distress and automatic routing to emergency numbers if urges to harm continue
- Calm Harm – an app designed to help people resist or manage the urge to self-harm. It’s private and password protected
- Clear Fear – an app developed for teenage mental health charity stem4. It uses CBT to focus on learning to reduce the physical responses to threat by learning to breathe, relax and be mindful as well as changing thoughts and behaviours and releasing emotions
- Cove: music for mental health – instead of words, create music to reflect emotions like joy, sadness, calm and anger. You can store your music in a personal journal, or send them to someone and let the music do the talking.
- distrACT – gives you easy, quick and discreet access to information and advice about self-harm and suicidal thoughts. The content has been created by doctors and experts in self-harming and suicide prevention
- MeeTwo – provides a safe and secure forum for teenagers wanting to discuss any issue affecting their lives. You can anonymously get advice from experts or other teenagers going through similar experiences in areas such as mental health, self-harming, relationships and friendships
- Self Help for Trauma – from the Peaceful Heart Network this app uses the Trauma Tapping Technique (TTT) which is a self-help method developed with trauma experts, psychologists, psychiatrists and survivors of stress and trauma. It is a First Aid technique that everybody can use
- Sleepio – an online sleep improvement programme. It’s been clinically proven to help you fall asleep faster, stay asleep through the night, and give you more energy during the day if you follow the programme correctly
- Stay Alive – the Stay Alive app is a pocket suicide prevention resource for the UK, packed full of useful information to help you stay safe. You can use it if you are having thoughts of suicide or if you are concerned about someone else who may be considering suicide
- The Worrinots – children can off-load their worries with The Worrinots app. The app provides children with a safe and secure place to share their worries, fears and concerns; providing them with practice fun coping mechanisms for their fears
More clinically approved and useful apps can be found at: https://swyt.orcha.co.uk
Local organisations in Wakefield
Connexions Wakefield – a confidential information and support service for young people aged 13-19 in the district. Web advisers are trained to support a range of issues including education/training choices, employment, money, health and relationships
Website: https://connexionswakefield.co.uk/YoungPeople
Kooth – provides a free, safe and anonymous place for young people (between the ages of 11 – 25) to find online support and counselling. Kooth also has a magazine where young people can share their personal stories and experiences, alongside discussion boards and personal journals
Website: www.kooth.com
Night OWLS – overnight crisis support service for children, young people, parents and carers living in Bradford, Leeds, Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield. Open 8pm – 8am every day.
Telephone: 0300 2003900 (freephone)
Text: 07984 392700
Website (chat online): www.wynightowls.org.uk
Star Bereavement – supporting local children and young people who have been bereaved and need support
Website: www.starwakefield.org.uk
Telephone: 01924 787384
Stripes – a youth group open to all lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and questioning young people between 13-17 years old.
Website: www.mesmac.co.uk/our-services/wakefield/support-social-groups/the-fruitbowl-youth-group
Email: christopheryates@wakefield.gov.uk
Turning Point Talking Therapies – talking therapy services, sometimes known as IAPT, in Wakefield. Available for young people aged 16 and above who are registered with a GP practice in the district. Young people can self-refer for support around; anxiety, low mood and depression, stress, sleep and low self-esteem.
Website: https://talking.turning-point.co.uk/wakefield
Telephone: 01924 234860
Email: Wakefield.talking@turning-point.co.uk
Well Women Centre – online support for young women aged 16 years or older
Website: www.wellwomenwakefield.org.uk
WESAIL – Wakefield Early Support Advice Information Liaison (WESAIL) is available to parents and carers of a child or a young person, who has, or may have special educational needs and/or disabilities aged 0-25 years who are living within the Wakefield District. This service is also available to young people themselves and those working with families.
WF-I-CAN – a place to find information and advice as well as self-help tips that can increase confidence and resilience. The site also has a ‘drop in and chat’ message service where you can speak to someone between set times
Website: https://wf-i-can.co.uk
WFYouth – advice, guidance and activities from the Wakefield youth work team
Website: www.wfyouth.co.uk
Email: youthwork@wakefield.gov.uk
Telephone: 01924 302665
National organisations
Anti-Bullying Alliance – support and advice around bullying
Website: www.anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk
Centre for Clinical Interventions – self-help workbooks and resources for several mental health and emotional wellbeing issues including anxiety, depression, body image issues, assertiveness, perfectionism
Website: www.cci.health.wa.gov.au/Resources/Looking-After-Yourself
Child Bereavement UK – helping children and young people (up to age 25), parents, and families to rebuild their lives when a child grieves or when a child dies
Website: www.childbereavementuk.org
ChildLine – free, anytime, day or night for help with any worry (under 19’s)
Website: www.childline.org.uk (online 1-2-1 counsellor chat available)
Telephone: 0800 1111
Cruse Bereavement Care – support to those needing help after the death of someone close
Website: www.cruse.org.uk
MindEd for Families – Safe and reliable advice about young people’s mental health, created by experts and parents together
Website: https://mindedforfamilies.org.uk/young-people
Papyrus – online text or phone support to young people struggling with thoughts of suicide and anyone worried about a young person
Website: https://papyrus-uk.org
Telephone: 0800 0684141 or text 07860039967
Email: pat@papyrus-uk.org
Samaritans – free, anytime support, providing a listening ear and emotional support
Telephone: 116 123
Email: jo@samaritans.org
The Mix – The UK’s leading support service for young people under 25. Here to help with any challenges – from mental health to money, from homelessness to finding a job, from break-ups to drugs. Support through an online community, on social media, free, confidential helpline or counselling service
Website: www.themix.org.uk
Thinkuknow – advice about staying safe when you’re on a phone, tablet or computer
Website: www.thinkuknow.co.uk
Young Minds – UK’s leading charity committed to improving the emotional wellbeing and mental health of children and young people. They have a range of resources for children, young people and parents/carers, alongside a ‘parent’s helpline’.
Website: https://youngminds.org.uk
KIDS Charity and services/projects in Wakefield
Free To Be Me
Who’s it for?
Any child, young person, parent/carers living in the Wakefield district.
When does it run?
Frogs Group – Tuesday evenings – 3 times a month; and Tadpoles Group – Thursday evenings online – twice a month; and In Person groups – once a month
How much does it cost?
Free
How to access the service
We work with young people who may be at different stages of understanding their identity. Our offer is hybrid and we follow a structured joining process that keeps the groups as safe as possible. We accept self-referrals (we do involve parents/carers in the process), parents/carers and professionals
How does the service work
Free To Be Me is run by experienced youth workers who specialise in LGBTQIA+ affirming youth work and have lived experience of disability, neurodivergence and being part of the LGBTQIA+ community.
The Youth Groups provide a safe, fact driven, non-judgmental space where young people can explore who they are and understand their own place in the world.
The FTBM offer has several groups to support inclusivity and the differing needs of the young people/families. Each group has a distinct identity and includes:
- 2 x youth groups separated by age (hybrid offer of online and in person)
- 1:1 support
- Mentorship scheme/peer support networks
- Monthly parent/carer support group
- Opportunities to socialise with family friendly events
- Monthly outreach aiming to improve allyship and acceptance within the district
Phone: 01924 683 890
Email: freetobeme@kids.org.uk
WASP
Who’s it for?
Children and young people aged 5 – 18 with an identified need.
When does it run?
At times agreed with individual families
How much does it cost?
Free
How to access the service
WASP is a targeted service and referrals need to come from a professional involved with the family
About this service
WASP is open to those facing challenges related to social interactions, communication, and other neuro-developmental disorders – even if there’s no official diagnosis. It’s all about providing the right kind of support.
After gathering initial information, our Participation Coordinator steps in to have a chat about individual needs and preferences. Based on this, they tweak the support to fit just right.
For parents, this could mean a range of things – from regular phone calls to Expert Parent experience training and online courses. We’re all about nurturing peer-to-peer support, allowing parents who’ve been through similar experiences to lend a helping hand. Our aim is to build resilience and confidence, empowering parents to support their young ones in seeking appropriate help in the future.
For children and young people our support includes things like Lego Therapy sessions or activities centred around The Big Life journal. All things that can boost resilience, help with transitioning, or support self-esteem.
We work closely with parents and young people to set clear goals and outcomes for the family. We’re here to understand, support, and help everyone thrive.
Phone: 01924 683 890
Email: Enquiries.yorkshire@kids.org.uk
Changing our Direction
Who’s it for?
Families of young people aged 11 – 16 who are at risk of self-harm
When does it run?
Course dates vary
How much does it cost?
Free
How to access the service
Contact us using the form https://www.kids.org.uk/services/changing-our-direction/
About this service
Kids Changing Our Direction offer a variety of supportive courses that help families in the Wakefield area whose young people present with self-harm behaviours. We work with families of young people aged 11-16 years, including those with mild/moderate learning disabilities, additional needs, Autism and ADHD/ADD.
Our courses are available to any adult who has responsibility for bringing up the child. That could include parents, step-parents, grandparents or childminders.
Families Learning About Self Harm
The Families Learning About Self Harm programme (FLASH) aims to enhance communication and personal relationships between parent/carers and young people. It includes:
Exploring what self-harm is, what the risks are and the function of self-harm.
Listening and self-esteem enabling skills.
Managing self-harm within the family environment.
How self-harm impacts on parenting and ways to manage under stressful circumstances.
Coping strategies for parents and carers.
The FLASH programme is delivered over ten 2-hour workshops in a small group-setting.
Self-Harm Information Project
For families who cannot commit to attending every workshop we also deliver the Self-Harm Information Project (SHIP). This is a half-day workshop covering self-harm risks and functions, the teen brain and impact on behaviour, self-esteem boosting strategies and coping strategies.
We also deliver the Self-Harm Information Project as a series of video recordings for families to access at an individually convenient time alongside regular support calls.
Phone: 01924 683 890
Email: Changing.ourdirection@kids.org.uk