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Parents' Wellbeing
Please see our newsletter for updates on what Mrs Piddock – Deputy Mental Health Lead is running each term for parents to get involved with.
Please also feel free to email any suggestions to enquiry@harborneacademy.co.uk
10 mental health tips for parents:
Trying new or different coping strategies can help support your mental health and lower stress in a positive and interactive way.
If you have coping strategies that work well for you, keep doing them – whether that's mindfulness, walking or as simple as taking 5 minutes for yourself.
- Being physically active might help your mental health. It also helps boost your immune system and can help to encourage your children to exercise too.
- Maintain a regular sleeping pattern if possible. The NHS have tips and advice to help.
- Keep in touch with family and friends on the phone or try a video call.
- It's important to be healthy and eat well. We know it's not easy for everyone, and if you need help with getting essentials you can contact your local food bank.
- Keep a journal. Writing down your feelings can help you reflect, understand, and let go of emotions.
- Join a support group or network online. Talking to others in a similar situation can help. netmums.com offers forums for both mums and dads.
- Create mini zones in the home where possible, allowing everyone to have space. If this isn't possible, try spending set amounts of time in different rooms if you can.
- Try to have some time for yourself, whether that's within your home or by going for a walk.
- Managing how you keep on top of the latest news can help reduce anxiety. You could create limits on how much time you spend on social media and set 1 or 2 specific times of the day you check the news.
- Making a plan of things to do by yourself or with your child can help create structure and a routine for the day. Try starting your day with a short list of 4 small, achievable things you'd like to do.
Where to find help:
Other organisations providing support to children and families include:
- Mind
information and support as well as helplines for people (and their friends/families) experiencing mental health problems. - Rethink Mental Illness
Advice as well as services and support for people (and their friends/families) affected by mental illness. - Samaritans
Round-the-clock confidential support to people going through a tough time. - SANE
Emotional support to people (and their friends/families) affected by mental health problems. - The Waiting Room
A one stop directory for health and well-being services across Birmingham and Solihull.
Mental health and parenting | NSPCC
Helplines for Parents:
For detailed advice, emotional support and signposting about a child or young person up to the age of 25.
You can call Parents Helpline on 0808 802 5544, Monday - Friday 9:30am - 4:00pm.
Alternatively, you can contact via webchat by clicking the chat icon in the bottom right corner of your screen.
- You’ll get through to a trained adviser who will listen and talk through your concerns in complete confidence.
- Your adviser will help you to understand your child’s behaviour and give you practical advice on what to do next.
- If you need further help, they’ll arrange for one of our independent, experienced professionals to call you for a 50-minute telephone consultation within seven days.
Parents Helpline | Mental Health Help for Your Child | YoungMinds
Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Trust:
Adult community services provide care and rehabilitation for people with mental health conditions within their home or at a community clinic throughout Birmingham and Solihull. Adult community services we provide include:
Guidance on how to talk to your child about mental health:
Sometimes when you seek help or mental health support you may come across terminology you haven’t heard before. The link below is a glossary explaining what they mean;
Guide To Mental Health Support Glossary | YoungMinds
Free courses:
Our Place:
FREE online courses available to everyone in Birmingham to help to support with parenting.
There are 24 different online courses in a variety of languages. The courses include:
- Understanding your child: from toddler to teenager
- Understanding your child with additional needs
- Understanding your child’s mental health and well being
- Understanding your relationships
Just enter the word COMMUNITY in the access code box to get started - Online Learning (heiapply.com) for queries or further information please contact the Family Hubs team at familyhubs@birmingham.gov.uk
We Find Any Learner:
Whether you’re looking to upskill your workforce, improve or develop new skills, we can help you or your organisation achieve nationally recognised qualifications for FREE.
Benefits Of Distance Learning:
- Gain a nationally recognised qualification
- Takes approximately 6 to 12 weeks to complete
- Lots of flexibility
- No commuting
- Learn in your own time
- Large selection of courses
- Digital or paper-based learning
Course List | We Find Any Learner