Managing children’s stress and worries
It is common for children to experience times of worry in their life, especially in new situations or at times of sudden change.
As a parent you can help your child face new things without letting worry hold them back. Sometimes children can start to worry too much and it may affect their enjoyment of life. If this happens and their worry becomes overwhelming for you or your child a conversation with your GP may help.
For more information and find out about self-care tips for young people visit the Every Mind Matters website.
Top Tips
- Spend time with your child, do things together that you both enjoy like walking, cooking or playing. This keeps the bond between you strong and positive and gives your child time to open up naturally about their worries.
- Listen with patience and give your child your full attention if they raise a worry with you. Validate their feelings
- Help your child to think of ways to manage their worry. This will help them feel capable and boost their confidence in trying to tackle their problem.
- Offer lots of praise and encouragement.
Herefordshire’s child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) website provides mental health help to children, young people, and their families across Herefordshire. CAMHS is delivered by Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust, with services also provided in Worcestershire. The website breaks down all the services provided across both counties, and has many informative pages on friendships, feelings, and more for children aged 5+.
Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust provide a 24 hour helpline for anyone living in Herefordshire and Worcestershire (including children and young people), who experiences a mental health problem for the first time or a sudden deterioration of an existing problem. You can contact them on 0808 196 9127 (24 hours a day, 365 days a year).
Strong Young Minds support young people aged 10 to 26 years old to address any issues that affect their mental health and wellbeing, including anxiety, depression, low self-esteem and cyberbullying.
The CLD Trust is a registered charity based in Hereford city centre offering confidential counselling and wellbeing support to children and young people aged 9-21 across the county. The funded counselling service for 9 to 21 year olds can be accessed with a referral from a health professional or by self-referral/referral from a parent via the form available on the website, or by calling 01432 269245.
Childline is a free service available to children and young people, whenever they need support or advice. They also have a useful section on their website about managing stress and anxiety. You can get help via their 1 to 1 web chats with a counsellor, or you can call their free helpline on 0800 1111.
Samaritans are available to talk to, no matter how old you are. Call them free any time, from any phone, on 116 123.
The Mix is a support service for young people. They are here to help you take on any challenge you’re facing - from mental health to money, from homelessness to finding a job, from break-ups to drugs. Talk to The Mix via their online community, on social, through their free, confidential helpline on 0808 808 4994 or our counselling service.
YoungMinds are a charity who can help you with your mental health. Whether you want to understand more about how you're feeling and find ways to feel better, or you want to support someone who's struggling, their website is packed full of advice and information. You can also text YM to 85258 for free, 24/7 support.