NHS England’s top doctor for children and young people’s mental health has urged parents to be alert to signs that children could be experiencing anxiety, distress or low mood as some pupils begin to return to school.
Lockdown will have increased pressure on many families, with young people unable to see friends, Professor Prathiba Chitsabesan said.
However, the return to school may cause anxiety for some pupils heading back to the classroom after months away – and those who would like to return but remain stuck at home feeling left out or isolated.
Professor Prathiba Chitsabesan, NHS England Associate National Clinical Director for Children and Young People’s Mental Health, said: “Children and young people may be experiencing a variety of feelings in response to the coronavirus pandemic, including anxiety, distress and low mood, and it is important to understand that these are normal responses to an abnormal situation.”
“The NHS offers a large amount of mental health support for children and young people, and if a child needs urgent mental health support or advice, check nhs.uk for services in your area, including 24/7 crisis support.”
NHS England has issued advice on what parents should look out for and steps that they can take to look after their child’s mental health, based on advice from clinicians and first-hand experience from patients and parents.
Signs that parents should look out for include:
- You might find they are more upset or find it hard to manage their emotions
- They may appear anxious or distressed
- Increasing trouble with sleeping and eating
- Appearing low in mood, withdrawn or tearful
- Reporting worried or negative thoughts about themselves or their future
- For younger children, there may be more bed wetting
If a parent is worried about their child’s mental health, they can help by:
- Making time to talk to your child
- Allow your child to talk about their feelings
- Try to understand their problems and provide reassurance that you have heard them and are there to help
- Help your child do positive activities
- Try to keep a routine over the next few weeks
- Look after your own mental health
Parents should contact NHS 111 online or a GP immediately if they notice any physical injuries on a child, such as deep cuts or burns.
Advice is also available from Rise Above, a website created with young people, and from MindEd - a free educational resource for parents and professionals working with children.
Visit our Children and Young People’s Mental Health Services pages for information on the support we can provide.