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Information for Parents, Carers, Children and Young People

Supporting Children’s Mental Health

Mental health plays a vital role in a child’s overall well-being, influencing how they think, feel, and interact with the world around them. Early support can make a lasting difference—helping children build resilience, develop healthy coping strategies, and reach their full potential.

In this section, you’ll find resources, guidance, and practical tips to help parents and caregivers promote emotional well-being, and create positive spaces where children feel heard and valued.

Ways to support a child or young person


Be there to listen

Regularly ask your child how they're doing, to help them get used to talking about their feelings, and know there's always someone there to listen. You can get tips on Young Minds: How to talk to your child about mental health.


Support them through difficulties

Pay attention to how your child is feeling or behaving and try to help them work through difficulties. It may not be easy facing challenging behaviour, but try to help them understand what they're feeling and why. Learn more from the Maudsley Charity on difficult behaviour.


Stay involved in their life

Show interest in their life and what's 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

Support and encourage your child to explore their interests. Being active or creative, learning new things and being a part of a team helps connect us and boost our mental wellbeing.


Take what they say seriously

Listening to and valuing what they say makes them feel valued. Consider how to help them work through their emotions in constructive ways. Anna Freud Centre's guide on ways to support children and young people has more on this.


Build positive routines

Try to have structure around regular routines, especially around healthy eating and exercise. A good night's sleep is also important, so have a fixed time for going to bed and getting up. The Sleep Charity has relaxation sleep tips for children.

Directory of information, advice and support services

Under each of the following sections you will find information, advice and support services to support your own and your children's emotional health and wellbeing.

Emotional health and wellbeing - First steps
What makes children and young people vulnerable to poor mental health?
Below are some quick links to get you started:

 

Hampshire Back-to-Basics

As a parent or carer, you can take small steps to help your child's wellbeing as well as your own. You can do this by starting with the basics.

Using the back to basics approach can empower you to take control of the 5 Ways to Wellbeing.

Supporting your adolescent

Resources focusing on the importance of adolescent mental health. Each resource explains what each topic means and why it’s important for you to consider as parents and carers, as well as top tips and signposting to information that can help you and your adolescent child.

Healthier Together

NHS information and advice to support the health of Children and young people 

KOOTH

Your online mental wellbeing community offering anonymous, free emotional and mental health support for children and young people aged between 11 and 24.

Togetherness NHS

Follow a step-by-step learning journey to build emotional health, resilience and confidence in yourself and your children. 

Nip in the Bud

Self-harm videos and resources for parents and carers to help them understand and support their child who is self harming.

Hampshire CAMHS

A really useful website with a range of videos, podcasts and guides for parents and young people to help support mental health. Check out their events as well for opportunities for further learning and access to CAMHS clinicians. 

NHS - Every Mind Matters

A wealth of information on how to improve yours and your child's mental health and wellbeing. 

Anna Freud

A useful tool box for young people to use to manage their own mental health and improve wellbeing.

Young Minds

A website dedicated to the mental health of children and young people.

Emotional health and wellbeing - First steps
What makes children and young people vulnerable to poor mental health?
Below are some quick links to get you started:

 

Hampshire Back-to-Basics

As a parent or carer, you can take small steps to help your child's wellbeing as well as your own. You can do this by starting with the basics.

Using the back to basics approach can empower you to take control of the 5 Ways to Wellbeing.

Supporting your adolescent

Resources focusing on the importance of adolescent mental health. Each resource explains what each topic means and why it’s important for you to consider as parents and carers, as well as top tips and signposting to information that can help you and your adolescent child.

Healthier Together

NHS information and advice to support the health of Children and young people 

KOOTH

Your online mental wellbeing community offering anonymous, free emotional and mental health support for children and young people aged between 11 and 24.

Togetherness NHS

Follow a step-by-step learning journey to build emotional health, resilience and confidence in yourself and your children. 

Nip in the Bud

Self-harm videos and resources for parents and carers to help them understand and support their child who is self harming.

Hampshire CAMHS

A really useful website with a range of videos, podcasts and guides for parents and young people to help support mental health. Check out their events as well for opportunities for further learning and access to CAMHS clinicians. 

NHS - Every Mind Matters

A wealth of information on how to improve yours and your child's mental health and wellbeing. 

Anna Freud

A useful tool box for young people to use to manage their own mental health and improve wellbeing.

Young Minds

A website dedicated to the mental health of children and young people.

Emotional health and wellbeing - Professional help

This section contains information about how you and your child can get referred for further help.

Below are some quick links to get you started:

Hampshire Public Health Nursing Service – Chat health

Chat Health 0-5 years

07520 615720 text messaging service that supports parents, carers and families of under 5’s in Hampshire. The Health Visiting Team can support with questions from parents, carers and families relating to a wide range of health and wellbeing issues including crying babies, infant feeding, sleep and behaviour problems.

Chat Health 11-19 years

07507 332160 - The Chat Health text service is an easy way for young people in Hampshire aged 11-19 to confidentially ask for help with a range of issues. The service is manned by qualified school nurses who have a wealth of experience of working with young people and provide support with a range of health and wellbeing issues, including anxiety, relationships, self-harm and bullying. As well as giving advice, the team can signpost to appropriate services and other support. 

Chat Health for parents of children and young people in Hampshire aged 5-19

Chat Health offers a simple, convenient & confidential text messaging service for parents of children and young people in Hampshire aged 5-19. The Chat Health advisor team is made up of school nurses working within Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust. These nurses all have extensive experience of working with and supporting parents of children and young people. Chat Health allows parents in Hampshire to text messages to a dedicated number 07507 332417; the school nurse will respond to the text within one working day.

SHOUT (24hrs)

Shout 85258 is a free, confidential, anonymous text support service. You can text from wherever you are in the UK. If you are struggling to cope and need to talk, trained Shout Volunteers are there for you, day or night.

Alumina

Alumina is a free, online 7 week course for young people struggling with self-harm. Each course has up to 14 young people, all accessing the sessions from their own phones, tablets or laptops across the UK. The courses take place on different evenings of the week and are run by friendly, trained counsellors and volunteer youth workers. 

Childline

Children and young people can contact Childline about anything. Whatever their worry.

There are lots of different ways to speak to a Childline counsellor or get support from other young people. Children and young people can send an email, call for free on 0800 1111 or log-in to chat with a 1-2-1 counsellor.

The Mix

Counselling services, a helpline, webchat and community message boards for young people who are struggling

Harmless

Harmless is the national centre of excellence for self harm and suicide prevention. They save lives by providing support, information, training and consultancy about self harm to individuals who self harm, their friends, families and professionals.

Tellmi

An app that allows young people to talk about difficult things with people their age, while hiding their identity. All posts and responses are moderated for safety 

YoungMinds

Offer signposting and support through their Parents Helpline. Call on 0808 802 5544 or use their webchat service.

Calm Harm

Calm Harm is an award-winning app funded by teenage mental health charity stem4, to help manage the urge to self-harm. 

Sane

Provides care and emotional support for people aged 16 and over affected by mental illness, including families and carers 

Family Lives

A confidential and free helpline service for families in England and Wales. Provides emotional support, information, advice and guidance on any aspect of parenting and family life.

Family Action

For every family and any family issue.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, worried or upset about any aspect of your family life, Family Line is here for you. They offer free emotional support, information and guidance on family relationships – including siblings – conflict, parenting, caring, financial worries and more.

Emotional health and wellbeing - Professional help

This section contains information about how you and your child can get referred for further help.

Below are some quick links to get you started:

Hampshire Public Health Nursing Service – Chat health

Chat Health 0-5 years

07520 615720 text messaging service that supports parents, carers and families of under 5’s in Hampshire. The Health Visiting Team can support with questions from parents, carers and families relating to a wide range of health and wellbeing issues including crying babies, infant feeding, sleep and behaviour problems.

Chat Health 11-19 years

07507 332160 - The Chat Health text service is an easy way for young people in Hampshire aged 11-19 to confidentially ask for help with a range of issues. The service is manned by qualified school nurses who have a wealth of experience of working with young people and provide support with a range of health and wellbeing issues, including anxiety, relationships, self-harm and bullying. As well as giving advice, the team can signpost to appropriate services and other support. 

Chat Health for parents of children and young people in Hampshire aged 5-19

Chat Health offers a simple, convenient & confidential text messaging service for parents of children and young people in Hampshire aged 5-19. The Chat Health advisor team is made up of school nurses working within Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust. These nurses all have extensive experience of working with and supporting parents of children and young people. Chat Health allows parents in Hampshire to text messages to a dedicated number 07507 332417; the school nurse will respond to the text within one working day.

SHOUT (24hrs)

Shout 85258 is a free, confidential, anonymous text support service. You can text from wherever you are in the UK. If you are struggling to cope and need to talk, trained Shout Volunteers are there for you, day or night.

Alumina

Alumina is a free, online 7 week course for young people struggling with self-harm. Each course has up to 14 young people, all accessing the sessions from their own phones, tablets or laptops across the UK. The courses take place on different evenings of the week and are run by friendly, trained counsellors and volunteer youth workers. 

Childline

Children and young people can contact Childline about anything. Whatever their worry.

There are lots of different ways to speak to a Childline counsellor or get support from other young people. Children and young people can send an email, call for free on 0800 1111 or log-in to chat with a 1-2-1 counsellor.

The Mix

Counselling services, a helpline, webchat and community message boards for young people who are struggling

Harmless

Harmless is the national centre of excellence for self harm and suicide prevention. They save lives by providing support, information, training and consultancy about self harm to individuals who self harm, their friends, families and professionals.

Tellmi

An app that allows young people to talk about difficult things with people their age, while hiding their identity. All posts and responses are moderated for safety 

YoungMinds

Offer signposting and support through their Parents Helpline. Call on 0808 802 5544 or use their webchat service.

Calm Harm

Calm Harm is an award-winning app funded by teenage mental health charity stem4, to help manage the urge to self-harm. 

Sane

Provides care and emotional support for people aged 16 and over affected by mental illness, including families and carers 

Family Lives

A confidential and free helpline service for families in England and Wales. Provides emotional support, information, advice and guidance on any aspect of parenting and family life.

Family Action

For every family and any family issue.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, worried or upset about any aspect of your family life, Family Line is here for you. They offer free emotional support, information and guidance on family relationships – including siblings – conflict, parenting, caring, financial worries and more.

Emotional health and wellbeing - Support for you / your child

This section contains information to help you either self-refer or be referred for support for mental health.

Below are some quick links to get you started:

Hampshire County Council Wellbeing Support Service

This service supports children with Social, Emotional and Mental Health difficulties which might manifest in a range of different ways, such as school refusal or challenging behaviour at home or in school. Referrals need to come through a Health service such as the school nursing team or GP.  

CAMHS – Mental Health Schools Team’s (Referral by schools)

Schools/colleges have a wider range of pastoral support available – this could include emotional literacy assistants, counselling, peer mentoring, school nursing team, MHSTs.

If your school has an MHST. They deliver evidence-based interventions for mild to moderate mental health and emotional wellbeing needs within the education setting.

Hampshire Youth Access

Counselling, mental health and emotional wellbeing advice and support for children and young people. Contact them to self refer.

More information 

Hampshire Youth Offending Team (YOT) 

YOT work with any child aged 10 - 16 (inclusive), who is at risk of offending and anti-social behaviour. This may be due to their own behaviour at home, at school or in the community, the influence of friends, family, and associates or underlying risk factors that are likely to lead to offending or anti-social behaviour in the future. Referrals can be made by any professional working with the family.

The Frankie Service provide therapeutic counselling to Children and Young people aged 0-18 years, and play therapy for children who are victims of sexual abuse, sexual exploitation or female genital mutilation. The Frankie Service also provides support to families of children and young people referred by offering support and guidance. If you would like to refer a child / Young Person into the Frankie Service,  please complete a referral form, or send enquiries to frankie@hants.gov.uk or call 02380 636312.

CAMHS

Hampshire Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) is an NHS specialist service that aims to help young people aged 5 -18 years and their families who are finding it hard to manage their emotional and psychological health, and who are suffering with acute, chronic and severe mental health problems.

Professionals can refer to CAMHS or parents can self refer. 

Early Help / Supporting Families 

Provides parenting courses, signposting and support to co-ordinate services involved in your child's care. Self referral can be made through Children’s Reception Team or a professional can refer. 

Social Care / Intensive Support Service 

Children's Services will assess a family's need and offer support as appropriate. Self referral can be made through Children’s Reception Team or a professional can refer.

Educational Psychology Interventions

A dedicated team of professionally trained educational psychologists, with a wealth of experience working closely with Hampshire schools. Referral through your child's school.

Emotional health and wellbeing - Support for you / your child

This section contains information to help you either self-refer or be referred for support for mental health.

Below are some quick links to get you started:

Hampshire County Council Wellbeing Support Service

This service supports children with Social, Emotional and Mental Health difficulties which might manifest in a range of different ways, such as school refusal or challenging behaviour at home or in school. Referrals need to come through a Health service such as the school nursing team or GP.  

CAMHS – Mental Health Schools Team’s (Referral by schools)

Schools/colleges have a wider range of pastoral support available – this could include emotional literacy assistants, counselling, peer mentoring, school nursing team, MHSTs.

If your school has an MHST. They deliver evidence-based interventions for mild to moderate mental health and emotional wellbeing needs within the education setting.

Hampshire Youth Access

Counselling, mental health and emotional wellbeing advice and support for children and young people. Contact them to self refer.

More information 

Hampshire Youth Offending Team (YOT) 

YOT work with any child aged 10 - 16 (inclusive), who is at risk of offending and anti-social behaviour. This may be due to their own behaviour at home, at school or in the community, the influence of friends, family, and associates or underlying risk factors that are likely to lead to offending or anti-social behaviour in the future. Referrals can be made by any professional working with the family.

The Frankie Service provide therapeutic counselling to Children and Young people aged 0-18 years, and play therapy for children who are victims of sexual abuse, sexual exploitation or female genital mutilation. The Frankie Service also provides support to families of children and young people referred by offering support and guidance. If you would like to refer a child / Young Person into the Frankie Service,  please complete a referral form, or send enquiries to frankie@hants.gov.uk or call 02380 636312.

CAMHS

Hampshire Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) is an NHS specialist service that aims to help young people aged 5 -18 years and their families who are finding it hard to manage their emotional and psychological health, and who are suffering with acute, chronic and severe mental health problems.

Professionals can refer to CAMHS or parents can self refer. 

Early Help / Supporting Families 

Provides parenting courses, signposting and support to co-ordinate services involved in your child's care. Self referral can be made through Children’s Reception Team or a professional can refer. 

Social Care / Intensive Support Service 

Children's Services will assess a family's need and offer support as appropriate. Self referral can be made through Children’s Reception Team or a professional can refer.

Educational Psychology Interventions

A dedicated team of professionally trained educational psychologists, with a wealth of experience working closely with Hampshire schools. Referral through your child's school.

Emotional health and wellbeing - Help in crisis

This section contains signposting to organisations that can provide urgent help in a time of crisis.

If in immediate danger, call 999

Crisis support service in the Emergency Department - 111

The 111 Mental Health Triage Service in Hampshire support children and young people up to the age of 26 who contact NHS 111 in a mental health crisis and/or with emotional or mental health needs. This provision provides young people with short-term, practical support, as well as a longer-term pathway to help young people to connect with specialist services.

CAMHS

Hampshire Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) is an NHS specialist service that aims to help young people aged 5 -18 years. In a genuine crisis you can take your child to A&E to be seen by a CAMHS psychiatrist. 

Papyrus

If you're under 35 and feel that life is not worth living any more, Papyrus's HOPELINE247 is available 24 hours a day, every day of the year:

Samaritans

Whatever you're going through, you can contact the Samaritans for support. They are open all day and night to listen to anyone who just needs to be heard.

Emotional health and wellbeing - Help in crisis

This section contains signposting to organisations that can provide urgent help in a time of crisis.

If in immediate danger, call 999

Crisis support service in the Emergency Department - 111

The 111 Mental Health Triage Service in Hampshire support children and young people up to the age of 26 who contact NHS 111 in a mental health crisis and/or with emotional or mental health needs. This provision provides young people with short-term, practical support, as well as a longer-term pathway to help young people to connect with specialist services.

CAMHS

Hampshire Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) is an NHS specialist service that aims to help young people aged 5 -18 years. In a genuine crisis you can take your child to A&E to be seen by a CAMHS psychiatrist. 

Papyrus

If you're under 35 and feel that life is not worth living any more, Papyrus's HOPELINE247 is available 24 hours a day, every day of the year:

Samaritans

Whatever you're going through, you can contact the Samaritans for support. They are open all day and night to listen to anyone who just needs to be heard.

Downloadable Mental Health Guides

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