Mental health resources for children, students, parents, carers and school/college staff (2024)

This article was updated on 19 March 2024 to reflect the latest information.

We have put together some useful links and sources of mental health support so that children and young people,parents, carers, and school and college staff can get the advice and help they need.

The list below is not exhaustive, and many other useful organisations and services exist, but it is hoped that these will help children, young people and their parents and those who work with them to navigate the key resources and get the support they deserve.

The NHS has 24-hour urgent mental health helplines available in most parts of England for people of all ages. If you have urgent concerns about a child or young person, you can find your local helpline here to discuss these with a mental health professional.

Information relevant to mild anxiety in relation to school

These resources are designed to help childrenand young people if they are feeling worried about school.

• Local Offer explains exactly what Emotionally Based School Avoidance (EBSA) is for adults who work with children and young people.
• A guide by YoungMinds charity for parents on school anxiety and refusal.
• BBC parents’ toolkit on how parents can help their child get through tough times.
• A team of educational and child psychologists at EdPsychEd have developed 5 school wide strategies to support EBSA and improve attendance.
• A resource from Anna Freud charity- for school leaders, senior mental health leads and classroom teachers, about addressing EBSA (emotionally based school avoidance).
• Strategies and Toolkit for primary schools from Brighter Futures for Children.
• Helpful EBSA guidance for schools, settings and support agencies, written by Wakefield Council.
• EBSA guide for professionals from Solihull metropolitan borough council.
• Browse attendance training and toolkit resources at Bromley Education Matters.

General information relevant to children and young people’s wellbeing and mental health

These resources are dedicated to childrenand young people’s general mental health and wellbeing, with a particular focus on mindfulness and developing coping skills in young people.

• Place2Be has a host of mental health resourcesavailable.They organise Children's Mental Health Week every year.
• Anna Freud: self-care strategies for young people feeling low or anxious and self-care tips for parents and carers.

• SafeSpot is an iPhone and Android app that promotes positive mental wellbeing in children and young people and has been designed to help children and young people with their copingskills.
• BBC’s wellbeing resources for families.
• Young Minds: a letter about how I’m feeling: worksheet to help young people express their feelings and understand what may have triggered them. For use with young people in school or at home.

• NHS Every Mind Matters:Looking After Your Mental Health Resources aims to support everyone to feel more confident in taking action to look after their mental health and wellbeing by promoting a range of self-care actions.
• You can create a ‘Mind Plan’ which signposts to many useful resources.

• Young Minds: 10 Wellbeing Tips for School Staff
• Headspace:Headspace for Educators offers educators access to free mindfulness and meditation exercises and resources for every age group, and a free Headspace Meditation App.

• Togetherallis available for students at eligible universities and colleges who are feeling stressed, anxious, low or not coping. It provides an anonymous online community who share troubles and support each other. It is a safe space as it is moderated by trained professionals who are available 24/7.
• The Wellbeing Thesisis an online resource forpostgraduate research studentsto support your wellbeing, learning andresearch.
• Students Against Depressionis a website offering advice, information, guidance and resources to those affected by low mood and depression.

Seeking specialist support for children and young people

You can refer children and young people to local children and young people’s mental health services (CYPMH services). Children and young people or their parents or carers can contact their GP or speak to NHS 111 online to find out about the support available through CYPMH services.

Local CYPMH services will also have information on access on their websites, many offer self-referral or single points of access.NHS trusts have established 24-hour urgent mental health helplines in most parts of England for people of all ages. If you have urgent concerns about a child or young person, you can find your local helpline here to discuss these with a mental health professional.

And remember to refer to your local children’s services if you have any safeguarding concerns.

Issue and group specific children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing support

SEND

• Whole School SEND is a good source of information for professionals, containing resources on responding appropriately to children and young people with SEND with emotional wellbeingneeds.

Loneliness

• Resources from University of Bath and the ‘Tell Me about Loneliness’ projectprovide advice and tips about how to tackle loneliness and are thoroughly rooted in evidence of young people's experiences during loneliness.

 Bullying, harassment, and abuse 

• The governmenttool Respectful school communities: a tool to support school staff to combat bullying, harassment and abuse of any kind.
• Anti-Bullying Alliance provides expertise in relation to all forms of bullying between children and young people.

 Bereavement support 

• Childhood Bereavement Network has a range of resources to help schools to respond to a bereavement and to provide support to bereaved pupils and their families. It also includes signposting to local bereavement services.
• Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families provide support to children and young people dealing with loss and bereavement and signposts to bereavement organisations and local support. 

Self-harm 

• University of Oxford guide for parents and carers on supporting their child or young person in dealing with self-harm.

 Eating disorders 

• BEAT advice and support on eating problems and disorders,withgeneral downloads and resources*andadvice for school and college teachers and staff*:

• Helpline: 0808 801 0677
• Youthline: 0808 801 0711
• Studentline: 0808 801 0811

 Suicide prevention 

• Papyrus (Prevention of Young Suicide)provides confidential advice and support for young people who feel suicidalandhas published aguide for teachers and staff*
• HOPElineUK: 0800 068 41 41
• Text: 07786 209 697
• Email:pat@papyrus-uk.org
• TheZero Suicide Alliance collaboration of National Health Service trusts, charities, businesses and individuals offers free suicide prevention training.

• Samaritans is a national organisation for anyone in distress and in need of immediate support:
• Tel: 0116 123
• Email: jo@samaritans.org

Domestic abuse 

• Operation Encompass Teachers' Helpline staffed by educational psychologists, to support staff working with children and young people at risk of or experiencing domestic abuse (0204 513 9990, weekdays during term-time, 8-11am).

Drug and alcohol support

• Find confidential localdrug and alcohol support serviceshere or phone03001236600*for confidential support from Talk to Frank.

Helplines

• Children and young people can access free confidential support anytime from Government-backed voluntary and community sector organisations by:
• texting SHOUT to 85258
• calling Childline on 0800 1111
• calling the Mix on 0808 808 4994or texting THEMIX to 85258

 Workplace / organisational approaches to mental health and wellbeing

• Workplace Health Needs Assessment Tool: and resourceprovidespractical advice for employers on workplace health and a tool for carrying out workplace health needs assessments.
• Developing and Evaluating Workplace Health Interventionstoolkit provides guidance for employers to develop their offer of workplace health interventions.
• Public Health England x Business in the Community Toolkit:Public Health England in collaboration with Business in the Community has developed a suite of Interconnected toolkits that take a whole person, whole system approach and have mental health as a common theme throughout. These toolkits consolidate the very best evidence, with the very best employer practice to improve workplace health, aligned with freely available resources that are useful to all employers, wherever they are on their journey.
• Mental Health at Work:Resources, Toolkits and Case Studies. Supporting Staff Wellbeing in Schools with a rich repository of information and easily accessible resources including videos and posters.