🧠 Mental Health & Emotional Wellbeing Resources for Families

At High Halden Church of England Primary School, we are committed to supporting the mental health and emotional wellbeing of our pupils and their families. Below is a curated selection of trusted resources to assist you and your child.

🌐 Online Support & Self-Help Tools

• CAMHS Resources: A comprehensive website offering downloadable self-help activities, information guides, videos, and more to support young people's mental health.
  🔗 Visit CAMHS Resources

• YoungMinds: Provides expert advice on talking to your child about challenging topics, including a blog with ten tips for discussing coronavirus.
  🔗 Read the blog

📘 Printable Activities & Stories

• 'Many Ways to Share a Hug' Social Story: A heartwarming story illustrating alternative ways to share affection during times when physical hugs aren't possible.
  📄 Download PDF

• 14-Day Mindfulness Activity Challenge: Engaging activities designed to promote mindfulness and emotional regulation in children.
  📄 Download PDF

• My 2020 Covid-19 Time Capsule: A creative activity for children to document their experiences during the pandemic.
  📄 Download PDF

• A Coronavirus Story: A child-friendly story explaining the coronavirus in an accessible way.
  📄 Download PDF

🎥 Videos & Breathing Exercises

• Just Breathe: A calming video aimed at helping children understand and practice mindfulness.
  ▶️ Watch on YouTube

• Childline Calm Zone: Offers a variety of tools including breathing exercises, activities, games, and videos to help children feel calm and in control.
  🔗 Visit Calm Zone

📱 Wellbeing & Mindfulness Apps

• Stop, Breathe & Think: An app that helps children and adults check in with their emotions and recommends short guided meditations.
  🔗 Explore the App

• Smiling Mind: Provides mindfulness programs tailored for different age groups, including a 'Thrive Inside' program for staying psychologically healthy during extended periods at home.
  🔗 Explore the App

• Cosmic Kids Yoga: Engages children with yoga, mindfulness, and relaxation through fun and interactive videos.
  🔗 Explore Cosmic Kids

📞 Helplines & Support Services

• Samaritans: Offers emotional support 24/7.
  📞 Call 116 123 or 📧 email jo@samaritans.org
  🔗 Visit Samaritans

• Childline: Provides free, confidential support for children and young people.
  📞 Call 0800 1111
  🔗 Visit Childline

• NSPCC Helpline: For adults concerned about a child.
  📞 Call 0808 800 5000 or 📧 email help@nspcc.org.uk
  🔗 Visit NSPCC

• CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably): Supports men facing mental health challenges.
  📞 Call 0800 58 58 58 (5pm–midnight)
  🔗 Visit CALM

• National Domestic Abuse Helpline: Provides support for those experiencing domestic abuse.
  📞 Call 0808 2000 247
  🔗 Visit Women's Aid

• Mosaic Family Support: Supports bereaved children and their families.
  📞 Call 01258 837071
  🔗 Visit Mosaic Family Support

• Winston's Wish: Offers support for grieving children and young people.
  📞 Call 08088 020021
  🔗 Visit Winston's Wish

📚 Recommended Children's Books on Mental Health

• "The Huge Bag of Worries" by Virginia Ironside: Helps children understand and talk about their worries.

• "Ruby's Worry" by Tom Percival: A story about a girl who discovers that sharing her worries makes them shrink.

• "What to Do When You Worry Too Much" by Dawn Huebner: A self-help guide for children dealing with anxiety.

• "The Invisible String" by Patrice Karst: Explores the unbreakable connections between loved ones.

• "Sitting Still Like a Frog" by Eline Snel: Introduces mindfulness to children in a fun and accessible way.

For further support or to discuss any concerns, please don't hesitate to contact our Inclusion Lead, Mrs. Butcher, who is specially trained in bereavement support.