Supporting a Child's Mental Health

Right First Time UK • Children & Young People

A UK Guide for Parents, Carers, Families, Schools & Trusted Adults

Children's mental health matters.

A child may struggle with their mental health because of school pressure, bullying, family problems, trauma, bereavement, separation, poverty, abuse, online harms, disability, neurodiversity, illness, social isolation, exam stress, identity worries, or changes at home.

Mental health difficulties can affect any child, in any family, from any background.

Supporting a child's mental health does not mean having all the answers. It means noticing changes, listening carefully, creating safety, seeking help early, and making sure the child is not left to cope alone.

This page provides general information and signposting only. It is not a substitute for professional medical, safeguarding or emergency support.

Common Signs A Child May Be Struggling

A child may need support if they are:

• Often sad, tearful, angry or withdrawn
• Very anxious or worried
• Having panic attacks
• Avoiding school
• Sleeping much more or much less
• Eating much more or much less
• Losing interest in things they enjoyed
• Self-harming
• Talking about death or not wanting to be here
• Becoming unusually aggressive
• Isolating themselves
• Struggling with friendships
• Experiencing bullying
• Using alcohol or drugs
• Showing sudden behaviour changes

How To Talk To A Child About Mental Health

Choose a calm time and use simple, age-appropriate language.

Avoid:

• Dismissing feelings
• Shaming
• Blaming
• Overreacting
• Forcing them to talk immediately
• Telling them others have it worse

Listening is often more helpful than lecturing.

What Children Need From Adults

• Safety
• Routine
• Reassurance
• Patience
• Warmth
• Clear boundaries
• Predictability
• Someone who believes them
• Someone who notices changes
• Help accessing support

Start Here — NHS & Parent Support

Find Children's Mental Health Help Across the UK

Speak To A GP

A GP can help by:

• Listening to concerns
• Checking physical health
• Discussing mental health symptoms
• Referring to appropriate services
• Providing advice about sleep, eating, anxiety or mood
• Supporting safeguarding concerns
• Helping identify the next appropriate service

CAMHS & Specialist Services

CAMHS usually refers to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services. Service names and referral routes vary across the UK and by local area.

Specialist services may support children and young people with:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Self-harm
• Eating disorders
• Trauma
• Severe emotional distress
• Behaviour linked to mental health needs
• Complex mental health needs

Access may be through a GP, school, social worker, health professional or self-referral, depending on the service.

School Support

Schools and colleges can often help identify difficulties early and put practical support in place.

• Pastoral support
• SENCO / additional needs support
• Designated safeguarding lead
• School nurse
• Counselling
• Mental Health Support Teams where available
• Attendance support
• Anti-bullying support
• Reasonable adjustments

If school is part of the problem, ask for a meeting and request that agreed support is recorded in writing.

Useful people to contact:

• Class teacher
• Form tutor
• Head of year
• SENCO / additional support lead
• Safeguarding lead
• Headteacher
• School nurse

SEND, Autism, ADHD & Additional Needs

Children with SEND, autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, communication needs, sensory needs or health conditions may experience distress when their needs are not understood or supported.

Bullying & Online Harm

Bullying can seriously affect a child's mental health. It may happen at school, online, through friendship groups, messages, social media, exclusion or humiliation.

Where safe and appropriate, keep screenshots or other evidence and report concerns to the relevant school, platform or safeguarding service.

Self-Harm

Self-harm should always be taken seriously.

• Stay calm
• Ask if they are safe
• Seek medical help for injuries
• Contact appropriate health or mental health services
• Do not punish or shame the child
• Work with professionals on a safety plan where appropriate

Suicidal Thoughts

If a child says they do not want to live, wants to disappear, or intends to harm themselves, take it seriously.

If immediate risk is present, do not leave them unsupported while urgent help is being arranged.

Eating Difficulties

Seek professional help if a child is restricting food, binge eating, making themselves sick, exercising excessively, losing weight rapidly, becoming preoccupied with weight or body shape, or avoiding meals.

Trauma, Abuse & Safeguarding

Mental health difficulties may be linked to trauma, abuse, neglect, exploitation, domestic abuse, sexual abuse, violence, bullying or unsafe home situations.

Safeguarding concerns should always be taken seriously.

Family Stress, Separation & Conflict

Children may be affected by parental separation, domestic abuse, financial stress, housing problems, bereavement, conflict between adults, court proceedings or caring responsibilities.

Try to protect children from adult conflict where possible and give them reassurance that adult problems are not their responsibility to solve.

Practical Ways To Support A Child Daily

• Keep routines predictable
• Encourage healthy sleep
• Encourage movement and outdoor time
• Support regular meals where possible
• Reduce unnecessary pressure where needed
• Make time to talk
• Notice small improvements
• Limit harmful online exposure
• Encourage trusted friendships
• Ask what helps them feel safe
• Praise effort, not perfection

Supporting Teenagers

Teenagers may need:

• Privacy
• Respect
• Choice
• Clear boundaries
• Non-judgemental listening
• Help accessing support
• Safe adults outside the family
• Support with school, identity, friendships and pressure

Try not to take withdrawal personally, but do not ignore serious or sudden changes.

Reasonable Adjustments & Support In Education

A child with disability, mental health needs, neurodiversity or a long-term health condition may need adjustments or additional support.

• Quiet spaces
• Extra time where appropriate
• Flexible communication
• Sensory breaks
• Support with transitions
• Adjusted homework
• Attendance support based on need
• Written instructions
• A safe person at school

When To Seek Professional Help

Seek professional help if:

• Problems continue or are getting worse
• The child is self-harming
• The child talks about suicide
• Eating or sleeping changes significantly
• School attendance is affected
• Behaviour changes suddenly
• Anxiety stops normal daily life
• Trauma symptoms are present
• You feel unable to keep them safe

Keeping Records

Good records can help families explain what has been happening and what support has already been tried.

• Dates of concerns
• School emails
• GP appointments
• Mental health referrals
• Safeguarding contacts
• Behaviour changes
• Attendance records
• Screenshots of bullying where appropriate
• Support plans
• SEND / additional-needs documents
• Medication notes where relevant

Keep records securely and share sensitive information only with people or services who genuinely need it.

Useful UK Support Directory

Supporting A Child's Mental Health Checklist