Supporting a Young Person
It is essential that you are able to talk to someone and get support when you need it as well. It is easy to put your own feelings to one side as you prioritise a young person experiencing distress.
There’s a number of resources here that will be able to offer support during this time.
Silvercloud support modules
Parents / carers across greater Manchester can access support for themselves through Silvercloud – an online series of modules based on CBT practices that explore a range of topics, including supporting a child experiencing mental health difficulties.
Read more about Silvercloud >>
Young Minds ParentsLine
This offers free, confidential online and telephone support, including information and advice, to any adult worried about the emotional problems, behaviour or mental health of a child or young person up to the age of 25.
The YoungMinds Parents Helpline is open from 9.30 to 4.00pm, Mon- Fri, 0808 802 5544 (free for mobiles and landlines)
Alternatively, you can chat online between 9:30 and 4pm or send them an e-mail message at other times.
MindEd for families
This resource for parents and carers is provided by the MindEd Consortium of professionals, funded by the Department of Education, in partnership with Health Education England. It is accredited by the NHS Information Standard.
A fantastic resource, it:
- provides information, advice and guidance about children’s mental health and wellbeing to parents and carers in England.
- improves parents and carers’ knowledge and awareness of children and young people’s emotional health and wellbeing.
- improves parents and carers’ ability to intervene early in mental health issues, working closely with teachers and other professionals to support their child.
- helps reduce stigma around mental health and demystify mental health and psychology.
- supports and enhance national mental health awareness and resilience.
Anna Freud Centre Podcasts
Developed by The Anna Freud Centre and focusing on a range of mental health and wellbeing themes. For further details click here.
The ‘Anxiety’ podcast is available via iTunes or SoundCloud.
Supporting someone who self-harms
Approximately 1 in 12 young people will manage difficult emotions using self-harm at some point. It is a signal of distress for the young person, but can be equally distressing for you as a parent or carer for whom self-harm might be a previously unknown coping strategy.
42nd Street is recognised as a leader in the field of supporting young people who self-harm. Young people at 42nd Street have created a film, ‘Who’s Helping Alex?’ back in 2012 which explains the "dos and don’ts" of how best to support someone struggling with self-harm.
YoungMinds have also created the following film, which takes the perspective of a parent, as part of their ‘No Harm Done’ project which you can read more about and watch more videos at their site.
Free data scheme
We're aware that accessing services often requires data and that this can put additional strains on finances to maintain.
If yourself or anyone in your family is finding getting online difficult, we've partnered with the Good Things Foundation to offer free data and sim cards to those who need it.
You can read more here and reach out to us at theteam@42ndstreet.org.uk if you'd like to access this scheme.
You can also find the contact info for a number of services available 24/7 through the button below.
