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Talking to your child about mental health

Talking to your child about mental health

Mental Health is about how we think, feel and behave and we all have mental health. Despite this there is a lot of misunderstanding which leads to stigma and people not wanting to talk about mental health.

For fun activity ideas, conversation starters and handy tips, advice and resources to make talking to your child about mental health easier visit Young Mind’s Parents Hub 

For simple advice and guidance on how to make conversations about your child’s feelings part of everyday conversation visit 

For tips on talking to your child about what is bothering them visit:

Helplines and online support

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Need to speak to someone in person?

  • GP-You can discuss your concerns with your GP. Before you book an appointment you might want to read about how to talk to your GP about Mental health How to talk to your GP about mental health
  • Health Visitor and early years setting- If your child hasn’t started school yet you can discuss your concerns with the early years setting they attend or your health visitor
  • School or College- Your child spends a lot of their time at school or college so chances are if something is worrying them staff members may have noticed a change in their mood or behaviour. Talk to your child’s school or college to discuss your concerns and what support they can offer

Support if you live in Halton

  • HeadzUp Halton mental health drop in-If you have any concerns about your child’s mental health and wellbeing and they are under 18 you can get advice from Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services weekly drop in sessions where you can speak to a mental health professional Headz Up Halton Drop in

Speak to a School Nurse or Health Visitor via Chat Health text service. The number will operate between 9am and 5pm and messages will receive a response within 24 hours

  • If your child is 5 and under you can text a health visitor on 07507 327025
  • If your child is 19 and under you can text a school nurse on 07480 635988

Parents guide to support A-Z

For advice and guidance on how to help your child with a specific mental health problem or life events which might affect their mental health such as bereavement, anxiety, self-harm and more  visit:

Helplines and online support

Need to speak to someone in person?

  • GP-You can discuss your concerns with your GP. Before you book an appointment you might want to read about how to talk to your GP about Mental health How to talk to your GP about mental health
  • Health Visitor and early years setting- If your child hasn’t started school yet you can discuss your concerns with the early years setting they attend or your health visitor
  • School or College- Your child spends a lot of their time at school or college so chances are if something is worrying them staff members may have noticed a change in their mood or behaviour. Talk to your child’s school or college to discuss your concerns and what support they can offer

Support if you live in Halton

  • HeadzUp Halton mental health drop in-If you have any concerns about your child’s mental health and wellbeing and they are under 18 you can get advice from Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services weekly drop in sessions where you can speak to a mental health professional Headz Up Halton Drop in

Speak to a School Nurse or Health Visitor via Chat Health text service. The number will operate between 9am and 5pm and messages will receive a response within 24 hours

  • If your child is 5 and under you can text a health visitor on 07507 327025
  • If your child is 19 and under you can text a school nurse on 07480 635988

Common issues and problems

For further information on common issues and problems such as: anger, aggression, sleep difficulties, flash back, trauma, bullying and more visit:

Helplines and online support

Need to speak to someone in person?

  • GP-You can discuss your concerns with your GP. Before you book an appointment you might want to read about how to talk to your GP about Mental health How to talk to your GP about mental health
  • Health Visitor and early years setting- If your child hasn’t started school yet you can discuss your concerns with the early years setting they attend or your health visitor
  • School or College- Your child spends a lot of their time at school or college so chances are if something is worrying them staff members may have noticed a change in their mood or behaviour. Talk to your child’s school or college to discuss your concerns and what support they can offer

Support if you live in Halton

  • HeadzUp Halton mental health drop in-If you have any concerns about your child’s mental health and wellbeing and they are under 18 you can get advice from Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services weekly drop in sessions where you can speak to a mental health professional Headz Up Halton Drop in

Speak to a School Nurse or Health Visitor via Chat Health text service. The number will operate between 9am and 5pm and messages will receive a response within 24 hours

  • If your child is 5 and under you can text a health visitor on 07507 327025
  • If your child is 19 and under you can text a school nurse on 07480 635988

Building Confidence and resilience

For info and advice on how to build confidence and increase resilience in your child, helping them to deal with difficult times visit

Helplines and online support

Need to speak to someone in person?

  • GP-You can discuss your concerns with your GP. Before you book an appointment you might want to read about how to talk to your GP about Mental health How to talk to your GP about mental health
  • Health Visitor and early years setting- If your child hasn’t started school yet you can discuss your concerns with the early years setting they attend or your health visitor
  • School or College- Your child spends a lot of their time at school or college so chances are if something is worrying them staff members may have noticed a change in their mood or behaviour. Talk to your child’s school or college to discuss your concerns and what support they can offer

Support if you live in Halton

  • HeadzUp Halton mental health drop in-If you have any concerns about your child’s mental health and wellbeing and they are under 18 you can get advice from Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services weekly drop in sessions where you can speak to a mental health professional Headz Up Halton Drop in

Speak to a School Nurse or Health Visitor via Chat Health text service. The number will operate between 9am and 5pm and messages will receive a response within 24 hours

  • If your child is 5 and under you can text a health visitor on 07507 327025
  • If your child is 19 and under you can text a school nurse on 07480 635988

Should I be concerned?

Concerned about your child’s behavior or emotional wellbeing? For guidance visit

Helplines and online support

Need to speak to someone in person?

  • GP-You can discuss your concerns with your GP. Before you book an appointment you might want to read about how to talk to your GP about Mental health How to talk to your GP about mental health
  • Health Visitor and early years setting- If your child hasn’t started school yet you can discuss your concerns with the early years setting they attend or your health visitor
  • School or College- Your child spends a lot of their time at school or college so chances are if something is worrying them staff members may have noticed a change in their mood or behaviour. Talk to your child’s school or college to discuss your concerns and what support they can offer

Support if you live in Halton

  • HeadzUp Halton mental health drop in-If you have any concerns about your child’s mental health and wellbeing and they are under 18 you can get advice from Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services weekly drop in sessions where you can speak to a mental health professional Headz Up Halton Drop in

Speak to a School Nurse or Health Visitor via Chat Health text service. The number will operate between 9am and 5pm and messages will receive a response within 24 hours

  • If your child is 5 and under you can text a health visitor on 07507 327025
  • If your child is 19 and under you can text a school nurse on 07480 635988

Mental Health Diagnosis: benefits and limits

If you are worried about your child being diagnosed with a mental health problem you might want to take a look at the benefits and limits of mental health diagnosis:

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Helplines and online support

Need to speak to someone in person?

  • GP-You can discuss your concerns with your GP. Before you book an appointment you might want to read about how to talk to your GP about Mental health How to talk to your GP about mental health
  • Health Visitor and early years setting- If your child hasn’t started school yet you can discuss your concerns with the early years setting they attend or your health visitor
  • School or College- Your child spends a lot of their time at school or college so chances are if something is worrying them staff members may have noticed a change in their mood or behaviour. Talk to your child’s school or college to discuss your concerns and what support they can offer

Support if you live in Halton

  • HeadzUp Halton mental health drop in-If you have any concerns about your child’s mental health and wellbeing and they are under 18 you can get advice from Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services weekly drop in sessions where you can speak to a mental health professional Headz Up Halton Drop in

Speak to a School Nurse or Health Visitor via Chat Health text service. The number will operate between 9am and 5pm and messages will receive a response within 24 hours

  • If your child is 5 and under you can text a health visitor on 07507 327025
  • If your child is 19 and under you can text a school nurse on 07480 635988

Supporting your child with exams

For advice on how to support your child during exams and information on where you can get help visit: 

Helplines and online support

Need to speak to someone in person?

  • School or College- Your child spends a lot of their time at school or college so chances are if something is worrying them staff members may have noticed a change in their mood or behaviour. Talk to your child’s school or college to discuss your concerns and what support they can offer

Support if you live in Halton

  • HeadzUp Halton mental health drop in-If you have any concerns about your child’s mental health and wellbeing and they are under 18 you can get advice from Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services weekly drop in sessions where you can speak to a mental health professional Headz Up Halton Drop in

Speak to a School Nurse or Health Visitor via Chat Health text service. The number will operate between 9am and 5pm and messages will receive a response within 24 hours

  • If your child is 5 and under you can text a health visitor on 07507 327025
  • If your child is 19 and under you can text a school nurse on 07480 635988

Help Available

If you are concerned about your child’s mental health there are a variety of services you can speak to for advice. Before you seek help you might want to think about whether your child is getting everything they need to be healthy such as; a healthy balanced diet including plenty of water, enough sleep, plenty of physical activity, a home they feel safe in, friends, hobbies and interests. Is there something in particular that is bothering them that they need help resolving?

Helplines and online support

Need to speak to someone in person?

  • GP-You can discuss your concerns with your GP. Before you book an appointment you might want to read about how to talk to your GP about Mental health How to talk to your GP about mental health
  • Health Visitor and early years setting- If your child hasn’t started school yet you can discuss your concerns with the early years setting they attend or your health visitor
  • School or College- Your child spends a lot of their time at school or college so chances are if something is worrying them staff members may have noticed a change in their mood or behaviour. Talk to your child’s school or college to discuss your concerns and what support they can offer

Support if you live in Halton

  • HeadzUp Halton mental health drop in-If you have any concerns about your child’s mental health and wellbeing and they are under 18 you can get advice from Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services weekly drop in sessions where you can speak to a mental health professional Headz Up Halton Drop in

Speak to a School Nurse or Health Visitor via Chat Health text service. The number will operate between 9am and 5pm and messages will receive a response within 24 hours

  • If your child is 5 and under you can text a health visitor on 07507 327025
  • If your child is 19 and under you can text a school nurse on 07480 635988
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