Mental Health & Wellbeing

During this time, it’s normal to feel many things – bored, frustrated, lonely, worried, anxious, or be concerned about your health or that of those close to you. We will all have different reactions to these unprecedented events and it’s important that you know where to get further support if you need it, to take care of your mind as well as your body.

We know the current situation is very unsettling and no doubt there is a lot of worry and concern amongst children and young people. This has been very present in the news and social media, and all adults and children will have some degree of awareness of events so far, and some may have had their lives disrupted. It’s understandable that we would all feel anxious and upset by what is happening.

During this time, the important things are to continue ensuring that children and young people feel safe, and to allow them a safe space for them to discuss their feelings. At the same time, it is also vital to try to maintain, as much as possible, a sense of normality, routine and calm.

It is helpful to try and remember the following ideas:

• Keep to normal routines as much as possible – children and young people will find the routines reassuring.
• Show compassion for self and others – but don’t forget to take time to look after yourself too.
• Model gratitude to others – make a special show of being thankful to others, for opportunities, for safety, for the people who care for us.
• Comment on strengths used – take time to notice and comment on the strengths used by others, and to notice our own strengths.
• Notice acts of kindness in the community and more widely from examples around the world and highlight resilience in others.
• Look out for others. If you notice someone is struggling, whether an adult or child, just stop and ask ‘Are you okay?’ They may be fine, they may not, but asking makes sure we don’t miss a chance to help if we can.

We have included some links to guidance and resources (you may need Adobe PDF to view some of these files) that may be helpful for parents seeking to support their children and families during this time. We will continue to update this page with more links and resources as we receive them.

• BBC article: Coronavirus: Keep it simple, stick to facts – how parents should tell kids ›
• Dave Trickey (Consultant Clinical Psychologist, Trauma Specialist) has written this advice for talking to children ›
• Carol Gray, well known for her work on ‘Social Stories’ for young people with Autism Spectrum Disorder, has written a Social Story for Pandemics and the Coronavirus (PDF) ›
• Alex Haswell, our Bi-borough Educational & Child Psychologist has been highlighting the importance of sleep in boosting immune systems and regulating moods in the following sleep guidance  ›
• The Education Endowment Fund have published a series of resources for families to support home routines and valuable learning opportunities ›
• The Bi-Borough Educational Psychology Service, at the request of headteachers, has produced a booklet for children and young people to read through with a parent or adult following the death of a family member or someone close (with reference also to the coronavirus period) ›

PLEASE NOTE: Clicking on these links will take you to an external site. Although we make every effort to ensure these links are accurate, up to date and relevant, we cannot take responsibility for pages maintained by external providers. The inclusion of these links in no way constitutes a recommendation of the services or information provided. Please use your own judgement and be especially wary of any service which asks you to pay. 

Parent Gym are aware that the challenges facing many parents are greater than ever right now, and many are feeling overwhelmed. Even at its best, being a parent can be one of the hardest jobs in the world.

But in these extraordinary times, parents are under more pressure than ever as we try to keep the balance through lockdown. Trying to support our children in their school work, ensure our families stay physically and mentally healthy, stop arguments spiralling out of control, juggle work (if we are lucky enough to have it) and look after our own wellbeing somewhere in the mix can feel overwhelming.

In normal times, Parent Gym’s school-based interactive sessions help build the skills and confidence of parents to create a calm home environment and raise happy children. With schools closed, they are developing a brand-new set of short online modules, offering quick, practical techniques to help create a happier family during these tricky times.

These modules are free to parents and the first of these is called, ‘Keep Talking‘. Aimed at getting families communicating, the Keep Talking module consists of four short, stand-alone eWorkouts, each a few minutes long – perfect for watching on your phone or tablet as you make a cup of tea.

The e-workouts are interactive, and like the face-to-face sessions, focus on a practical parenting technique to try out with your children. They also link through to Parent Gym’s new lockdown Facebook page, Parenting Through Uncertainty, where parents can share their experiences of trying out parenting tips with other parents.

To access this module, click here to head through to the Mind Gym Storefront, add the Parent Gym Keep Talking module in your shopping basket and ‘purchase’ the eWorkouts (please note you will have to create an account with Parent Gym if you don’t already have one). NOTE: although you have to go through the checkout process, it won’t cost you anything.

PLEASE NOTE: Clicking on these links will take you to an external site. Although we make every effort to ensure these links are accurate, up to date and relevant, we cannot take responsibility for pages maintained by external providers. The inclusion of these links in no way constitutes a recommendation of the services or information provided. Please use your own judgement and be especially wary of any service which asks you to pay. 

We are not people of fear:
we are people of courage.
We are not people who protect our own safety:
we are people who protect our neighbours’ safety.
We are not people of greed:
we are people of generosity.

We are your people God,
giving and loving,
wherever we are,
whatever it costs,
for as long as it takes
wherever you call us.

Amen

If you have any safeguarding concerns, please contact the Children’s Services Team on:

• 020 7641 4000 (9am to 5pm weekdays)
• or outside of these times, the Emergency Duty Team on 020 7641 2388.

If you or your child feels ill and you want to know what to do next, please use NHS 111 online.

For the school’s safeguarding procedures during the Covid-19 crisis, please read our Safeguarding Addendum here ›