Mental Health Support for Parents and Carers
We know that being a parent or carer isn't always easy. Although it is often rewarding and amazing to watch your children grow up, it can be hard work. Things might feel especially difficult if your child is struggling with their mental health, or if their mood and behaviour seems different.
We have lots of practical advice and resources to help you support them - from encouraging them to open up, to supporting you in accessing mental health services and finding them the right help. Please see the Mental Health and Wellbeing Resources Link below for additional services.
I'm worried about my child
If their life is in immediate danger, call 999. If not, please contact your GP, speak to the class teacher or email the office FAO the Pastoral Team.
Mental Health and Wellbeing Resources
HELPLINES
Young Minds Parents Helpline
0808 802 5544
Monday-Friday 9.30am-4.00pm
https://youngminds.org.uk/contact-us/parents-helpline-enquiries/ (contact form)
Young Minds is the UK’s leading charity championing the wellbeing and mental health of young people. It has a free helpline for parents/carers worried about the behaviour or mental health of a child or young person up to the age of 25. Helpline advisors can refer you to specialists, who will arrange a consultation, normally within seven days of your call.
Childline 0800 1111
Childline offers free and confidential help and advice to children and young people. Please see the adjustments Childline has made to its services due to the COVID-19 outbreak here.
Barnet, Enfield and Haringey CAMHS Crisis Line 0800 151 0023
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services has introduced a 24-hour helpline providing help or advice in a crisis from trained mental health advisors and clinicians.
Shout Text SHOUT to 85258
Shout is a 24-hour crisis text service for people who feel they are struggling to cope and need immediate support. It is confidential, available to UK residents of any age and free to text from all major phone networks. Texting will put you in touch with a trained Shout Volunteer who will chat to you via text. The volunteers can signpost to further support.
Samaritans 116 123
Confidential emotional support 24 hours a day for people of all ages who are experiencing feelings of distress or despair, or struggling to cope, and need someone to talk to.
SPECIALIST HELPLINES
ANXIETY
Anxiety UK
03444 775 774
Text 07537 416 905
Email: support@anxietyuk.org.uk
Anxiety UK has a membership model but there are free resources available. The confidential helpline is not a Freephone number but you can have a Live Chat via the website or text.
BEREAVEMENT
Grief Encounter (a local charity supporting bereaved children and young people)
0808 802 0111
Email: grieftalk@griefencounter.org.uk
www.griefencounter.org.uk – web chat is available through the home page
Cruse Bereavement Care (for any bereaved person)
0808 808 1677
https://www.cruse.org.uk – web chat available
https://www.hopeagain.org.uk – Cruse’s website for young people
Child Bereavement UK (supporting children and parents)
0800 02 888 40
Email: support@childbereavementuk.org
https://www.childbereavementuk.org – web chat available
Winston’s Wish (supporting children and young people)
08088 020 021
Email: ask@winstonswish.org
https://www.winstonswish.org – online chat available
Crisis Messenger – text WW to 85258
Sudden
Sudden offers bereavement support for anyone who has lost a loved one unexpectedly.
0800 2600 400
Email: help@sudden.org
National Bereavement Service
The National Bereavement Service provides practical and emotional support.
0800 0246121
EATING DISORDERS
BEAT 0808 801 0677
Email: help@beateatingdisorders.org.uk
https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/
Beat is the UK’s eating disorder charity.
LOCAL SUPPORT
Markfield – Together for Inclusion
0208 8004134
Haringey Local Offer
https://www.haringey.gov.uk/children-and-families/local-offer
Barnet Local Offer
https://www.barnetlocaloffer.org.uk/
Connected Communities
020 8489 4431
connectedcommunities@haringey.gov.uk
Barnet Council Community Help Hub (for urgent non-medical support)
0808 281 3210
https://engage.barnet.gov.uk/communityhelphub
SUPPORT FOR CHILDREN
The Haringey Educational Psychology Service offers free 40-minute consultations for parents/carers worried about their child's development, learning, emotional wellbeing, or behaviour. There is also a range of resources for promoting and maintaining your family’s wellbeing and supporting your child’s learning. Scroll down to find the links.
Kooth (for Y6s and older children)
Kooth is a free online counselling and wellbeing platform for young people aged 11-18. It is safe, secure and anonymous. Signing up is easy, with no referral needed. The service is staffed by a professional team of qualified counsellors and offers one-to-one support as well as a range of therapeutic tools and activities.
CHOICES
020 8702 3405
CHOICES offers support to children and young people in Haringey who are worried about their emotional wellbeing. Parents/carers are welcome to contact the service if they are concerned about a child in their care. CHOICES is open to self-referrals and signposts to further support in Haringey. It is not a crisis service.
Waiting Room
A new online platform set up to support children and young people who are waiting to see an NHS therapist in north-central London.
https://www.nclwaitingroom.nhs.uk/
PRIVATE THERAPY
Some of our families have found the following organisations helpful:
Terapia is a charity offering counselling and a therapy training organisation.
Rephael House is a charity offering a range of counselling services and there are subsidies available.
The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy has a therapist directory, as does the Counselling Directory.
SUPPORT FOR ADULTS
Let’s Talk IAPT
Barnet: 020 8702 5309
Email: lets-talk-barnet@nhs.net
Enfield: 020 8342 3012
Email: lets-talk-enfield@nhs.net
Haringey: 020 3074 2280
Email: lets.talkharingey@nhs.net
Let’s Talk Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) is a free NHS evidence-based talking therapy service for people aged 16 or over. It offers a range of treatments for mild to moderate mental health issues. Anyone registered with a Haringey, Barnet or Enfield GP can self-refer – online is easiest. Due to COVID-19, all treatment is now by phone or online and wait times will be extended.
Haringey Wellbeing Network
07508 511128 or 020 8340 2474 for general enquiries
Email: haringeywellbeingnetwork@mih.org.uk
The Haringey Wellbeing Network (HWN) is a network of voluntary sector mental health services for adults. Its purpose is to empower people towards better mental and physical wellbeing and to alleviate issues such as stress, anxiety, low mood, and loneliness and isolation. HWN is accepting new referrals and will provide access to services including weekly welfare calls, brief interventions and time-limited advocacy, and wellbeing support. It is open to anyone who is a Haringey resident or is registered to a Haringey GP.
Nasfiyat Intercultural Therapy Centre/BAMEStream (over-18s)
Telephone referral: 020 7263 6947
The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy has a therapist directory, as does the Counselling Directory.
Better Health
Provides support/resources for mental health.
https://www.nhs.uk/every-mind-matters/
Good Thinking
The NHS-approved online resource Good Thinking provides safe, proactive and early intervention tools to adult Londoners who are experiencing the four most common mental health and wellbeing concerns: depression, stress, sleep, and anxiety. It has developed self-assessment tools to direct users to the resources and apps most appropriate to their needs.
ONLINE SAFETY RESOURCES
https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/online-safety/
https://www.saferinternet.org.uk/
https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/parents
https://www.internetmatters.org/
IF YOU ARE CONCERNED ABOUT A CHILD’S SAFETY
Please call the NSPCC on 0808 800 5000 or contact the safeguarding team at school.
Calming Techniques
Please visit the websites below to support your child in developing self-regulation techniques:
Turtle technique
https://heartmindonline.org/resources/turtle-time-a-calming-technique
Rainbow technique
https://www.hycscounselling.co.uk/self-help-hub/self-care-kit/calming-grounding-tips/
Finger breathing
https://www.family-action.org.uk/content/uploads/2023/06/Simple-Breathing-Strategies.pdf
