Recognising the Signs

When children are feeling anxious and worried, it can be really hard for them to explain or understand how they’re feeling. You may notice that your child behaves a little differently and it can be really stressful as a parent/carer to understand what’s happening and how best to support your child through it.

Sometimes, what could easily be seen as being naughty, could be your child’s way of trying to show you that something is wrong and they aren’t feeling happy. One way to understand this is by knowing your child’s typical behaviours, and identify whether there is any change or behaviour out of character.

The first step is to recognise the signs that a child might be struggling with worry or anxiety, such as:

• become irritable, tearful, clingy or have angry outbursts
• have difficulty eating or sleeping
• feeling tense and fidgety, or using the toilet often
• complaining of tummy aches and feeling unwell
• wake in the night, have bad dreams and/or start wetting the bed
• lack confidence to try new things or seem unable to face simple, everyday challenges
• find it hard to concentrate, constantly worrying and have a lot of negative thoughts

More information regarding recognising signs of low mental wellbeing can be found on the CAMHS Doncaster Webpage or via the NSPCC.

If you are concerned about your child’s mental health, Young Minds provide a webchat, phone and email service to provide support to parents.

There is also a free online course that you can take, which will help with 'Understanding your teenagers brain' This course can be found here. please use the code STGEORGE

Practical Support and Ideas 

Life has been turned upside down for all of us over the last few years due to the coronavirus pandemic. Below is a list of practical support and ideas about how to help your child manage any worries or anxiety they might have during this difficult time.

It's important to keep in mind that changes in behaviour may also be a developmental change as opposed to worry and anxiety, and even though a child may be experiencing worry and anxiety, children can be resilient.

A lot of our anxiety’s and worries are healthy for our development; they allow us to become resilient, problem solve and cope with difficult situations in the future.

TIP 1 - Talk to your child about their worries

TIP 2 - Keep to a routine

TIP 3 - Look after yourself and your own needs

TIP 4 - Don’t be afraid to ask for some support

For resources on how to speak with your child regarding mental health you can visit the With Me in Mind webpage.

Advice and support for mental health concerns. 

Children and Young People’s Mental Health Services (CAMHS)

CAMHS services are provided by Rotherham Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust (RDaSH). Between 9am and 5pm you can contact the CAMHS team  or your care coordinator (if your child is already seeing someone in CAMHS) on 01302 796191. Please note the services are closed on public bank holidays but the out of hours service continues to operate.  Out of hours is after 5pm and at weekends – for a mental health crisis access to support is available at your local Emergency Department. You can also contact the Single Point of Access by freephone on 0800 804 8999.

Zone 5-19

Zone 5-19 is a health and wellbeing service for Doncaster children, young people and families.

Zone 5-19 can aid with:

• Keeping healthy (physical, emotionally and sexually)
• Emotional health (dealing with life’s ‘ups and downs’, including problems with relationships, friendships, bullying, self-harm and eating disorders)
• Sexual health
• Drugs and alcohol

With Me in Mind

With Me in Mind is a team of Mental Health Support Workers based in and near schools and colleges around Doncaster and Rotherham who help children and young people with their mental health. The team enhances support already in place from school counsellors, nurses, educational psychologists and the voluntary sector to treat those with mild to moderate mental health issues in school. The team can also help children and young people with more severe needs to access the right support and provide a link to specialist NHS services.

With Me in Mind can aid young people with:

• Anxiety
• Sleep
• Transitioning schools
• Well-being
• Self-esteem and low mood
• Eating disorders
• Self-help

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Early Help Services

If you and your family are struggling and finding it hard.  There is support available. Getting help early prevents problems from getting worse. Early Help -To access early help you can complete an Early Help enquiry form online or you can call ring from 8.30am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday, on 01302 734110. The right support will be identified for you and your family.

Child Bereavement

Winston's Wish is the UK's childhood bereavement charity; they provide support to children and their families after the death of a parent or sibling.

Local Solutions Group

Local Solutions Groups are meeting across Doncaster providing local solutions for local people for everyday issues.

The aim of Local Solutions is:

• To provide information, advice and guidance
• Connect families with the right support at the right time
• To support families at the earliest opportunity
• Ensure professionals are connected locally
• Build family strengths and resilience
• Support whole family needs
• Understand local issues

Worry Monster Resources

Make a Worry Monster with your little one! Why not try this at home activity with your child/children to start working on taming those worries.

We've pulled together a handy guide on how to make your very own Worry Monster to eat those fears away! All you will need is an empty tissue box, scissors, craft supplies, an adult and a little imagination! That way, your little one can write down their concerns and let the Worry Monster munch them away.

Super Sam:

Doncaster Council Young Advisors have developed this book as part of the national trailblazer pilot programme ‘With Me in Mind’ which is aimed at improving mental health support in schools. This book is a helpful resource to raise awareness of mental health issues and to encourage children and young people to talk about their feelings.

Read Super Sam

Special Educational Needs / Disabilities

The Local Offer provides information for children and young people with special educational needs (SEND) and their parents or carers in a single place. It shows families what they can expect from a range of local agencies including education, health and social care.

Aids for Parents Needing Mental Health Support 

Ieso Digital Health provides online CBT to people in Doncaster on behalf of the NHS. To be eligible for online CBT, you must be registered with a GP in Doncaster and be aged 18 or over.

New parents who may need mental health and wellbeing support can find advice and resources on the Doncaster Council webpage. Support networks such as Doncaster Family Hubs and Adults Mental Health Single Point of Access are available for adults across Doncaster.

Manna Community have lots of resources for Parent’s who may feel as though they need support with their mental health and wellbeing. Manna has online courses to help you manage your mental health and wellbeing.