Emotional Wellbeing

Three in four mental illnesses start before a child reaches their 18th birthday, while 50% of mental health problems in adult life take root before the age of 15. The most common types of mental health problems amongst young people include conduct disorder (5.8%); anxiety (3.3%), depression (0.9%) and hyperkinetic disorder (hyperactive, short attention span, impulsive) (1.5%). 1.3% had a less common disorder (0.9% with autism spectrum disorder, 0.3% with an eating disorder and 0.1% with mutism).

Healthy, happy children are attending, achieving children. Resilient children have better outcomes. Mental health and emotional wellbeing is a core theme of the government’s new statutory relationship education, relationship and sex education and health education. It also supports the 2019 OFSTED framework, Section 28 Personal Development: …help them know how to keep physically and mentally healthy.

National Guidance

Future in Mind report: Promoting, protecting and improving our children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing by Department of Health and NHS

Public Health England’s Promoting children and young people’s emotional health and wellbeing: A whole school and college approach

Transforming Children and Young People’s Mental Health Provision: a Green Paper by Department of Health and Social Care and the Department of Education

Five Year Forward View mental health report from the NHS independent taskforce

Mental Health and behaviour in schools guidance from the Department of Education

Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health Strategy for Children and Young People in Hampshire 2019-2024

Promoting and supporting mental health and wellbeing in schools and colleges guidance by DfE

Advice and Resources

Back to Basics is a local campaign that empowers parents and carers to support their child’s emotional wellbeing within the home by making small changes. The website has videos, posters, goal-setting cards, and assembly packs that can be shared with your children and families.

Department for Education Teaching about Mental Wellbeing Guidance

Mentally Healthy Schools from Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families provides information, advice and resources to help primary schools understand and promote children’s mental health and wellbeing

Mental Wellbeing Hampshire children and young people local signposting and support

Schools in Mind Resources for Schools from the Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families. It contains a teaching toolkit, parent booklet and advice for staff.

Young Minds resources for schools which can be filtered by age group

Emotional wellbeing and mental health resources by the Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities

NHS Every Mind Matters Looking after a child or young person's mental health

Better Health Every Mind Matters teaching resources, topics range from self-care to worry or online stress and FOMO

Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Portsmouth and Southampton (HIPS) safeguarding children self-harm pathway

Hampshire Safeguarding Children Partnership Managing Self-Harm Toolkit

Charlie Waller Memorial Trust resources for schools and parents on depression, emotional wellbeing and self-harm

Services to support children and young people experiencing bereavement and loss in Hampshire

Hampshire Primary Behaviour Service support primary schools with children who have social, emotional and mental health needs that result in challenging behaviour in school

Hampshire Educational Psychologists deliver the ELSA programme, and work with schools and pupils to support their needs

Hampshire Youth Access (HYA) provide advice, support and counselling for children and young people aged 5 - 17 across Hampshire. They are a partnership offering one to one, group and online support to children and young people, and advice and information to anyone concerned about a child or young person’s emotional wellbeing.

Hampshire Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (Camhs)

Incredible Years Child Training (Dinosaur School) is a group-based programme for children between the ages of 4 and 8 with behavioural difficulties. Learn more here.

Staff Mental Health in Education toolkit

Information for governors and trustees on supporting mental health and wellbeing in schools

ChatHealth free text messaging service to support parents and carers of children and young people aged 5-19 in Hampshire. The service is run by school nurses. Text the dedicated number 07507 332417.

Little Blue Book of Sunshine aims to help children and young people by sharing tips on how to deal with problems such as anxiety, body image, relationships and anger. It also includes where to get help when needed.

The Self Harm Hub provides training and resources for professionals in Hampshire and Isle of Wight who might come across self-harming behaviour. They also provide peer support for parents/carers of children who self-harm.

Amparo offers support for anyone affected by suicide in Southampton, Hampshire, Isle of Wight and Portsmouth.

SHOUT provides 24/7 mental health support by text for all ages in Hampshire and Isle of Wight. Text HANTS to 85258.

Free e-learning

Solihull Approach - free online courses offering advice and practical tips to boost confidence as a parent, help navigate family life and strengthen relationships. Courses are available for parents and caregivers, as well as teachers and professionals working with children and young people.