Mental Health and Wellbeing

Mental health is how we think, feel, and behave. We all have mental health, and learning how to look after it is just important as our physical health.

Growing up is never easy, and for some children, certain experiences can trigger mental health difficulties.
In the UK, 1 in 4 people will experience a mental health problem at some point, affecting daily life, relationships, or physical health. (NHS 2019)

What supports good mental health?
To help children stay mentally well, they need:

Good physical health, including a balanced diet and regular exercise.
Opportunities to explore and develop interests through play, learning, and social interaction.
A sense of belonging within a family, feeling loved, valued, and safe.
Support to learn, be optimistic, and feel that their opinions matter.
A sense of community, such as at school or nursery.
Guidance to cope when challenges arise and to develop problem-solving skills.

For help and advice on mental health, visit Every Mind Matters

Helpful Websites:

Mood Juice
Help you think about emotional problems and work towards solving them.
www.moodjuice.scot.nhs.uk

ChildLine
A private and confidential service for children and young people up to the age of nineteen. Contact a ChildLine counsellor for free about anything – no problem is too big or too small.
Tel: 0800 1111
www.childline.org.uk

Getselfhelp.co.uk
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) self-help and therapy resources, including worksheets, information sheets and self-help mp3s. CBT has been proven to help mental health problems such as anxiety, low mood, anger and low self-esteem.
www.getselfhelp.co.uk

Young Minds
Young Minds supports and keeps young minds empowered with whatever challenges they are facing. Offer different types of courses to look after your young minds. Information for parents, on how they could support their child during different situations.
Tel: 0808 802 5544
www.youngminds.org.uk

Heads Up Leicester, formerly the Centre for Fun and Families (CFF)
Heads Up Leicester supports parents/carers and young people over 8 with challenging behaviour, conflict and communication difficulties, and mental health (anxiety, worry, low mood and depression). CFF’s programmes vary throughout the year so call to discuss your situation.
Tel: 0116 223 4254
www.headsupleicester.org.uk

Tellmi
Tellmi is an peer support app, an inclusive digital community where young people can help themselves and each other, and is available for children and young people living in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.
https://www.tellmi.help/

VitaMinds
VitaMinds is a free and confidential talking therapy service to help get things back on track and aim to help improve the mental wellbeing of people suffering from: worry, low mood, depression, anxiety, OCD, traumatic event or a lack of motivation.
Self Refer via www.vitahealthgroup.co.uk/make-a-referral/self-referral/nhs-mental-health-self-referral
Or call on 0333 0153 496

Chat Health
Chat Health is a confidential text messaging service that enables children and young people (aged 11-19) to contact their local public health nursing (school nursing) team.
Leicester City residents only text: 07520 615 386
Response time: Within 24 hours, 9am to 5pm Mon to Fri (except bank holidays)
Accessed via www.healthforteens.co.uk/health/about-chathealth

Mind
Mind provides advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem
Tel: 0300 123 3393 or text 86463 (Mon – Fri, 9am – 6pm except bank holidays)
Email: info@mind.org.uk
www.mind.org.uk

Safeline Young People (SLYP)
SLYP offers information, advice and support about anything happening in your life including bullying, self-esteem, mental health, social media, relationships and drugs and alcohol.
Helpline: 0808 800 5007
Text: 07860 027 573

The Mix counselling service
The Mix is the UK’s leading support service for young people (under 25s) 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 us via our online community, on social media, through our free, confidential Helpline: or our counselling service.
Tel: 0808 8084994 or Text for free 85258
www.themix.org.uk

The Laura Centre
A professional bereavement service that believes in providing a safe, friendly and inclusive environment for all the family but also on an individual basis.
Advice point: 0116 254 4341
www.thelauracentre.org.uk

Winston’s Wish
Provides emotional and practical bereavement support to children, young people and carers. Offer one-off and on-going bereavement support, online resources, specialist publications and training for professionals.
Helpline: 08088 020 021
https://www.winstonswish.org/

The Children Sleep Charity
Supports parents by offering workshops, clinics and written material for children with sleeping issues. Children – The Sleep Charity

Headspace for kids
Learn to meditate and live mindfully with hundreds of themed sessions on everything from stress to sleep. Bite-sized meditations for busy schedules and SOS exercises in case of sudden meltdowns. Free trial then monthly or yearly subscription.
www.headspace.com

Dreamy Kid
Children showing signs of stress, technology-fatigue, and anxiety can be helped with only 10 minutes of meditation. “With DreamyKid, just play it as they fall asleep or awake”. £9.99/month or £69/year.
www.dreamykid.com

Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust Self Help Resources
Here you can find a range of support for your mental health and overall wellbeing. There’s information for parents, carers and professionals on the support that’s available for young people across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.
https://www.leicspart.nhs.uk/mental-health/resources/conditions/young-people/

Leicestershire County Council – Children and Family Wellbeing Service
Children and Family Wellbeing Service can provide early help services to a child, young person or family where they are experiencing difficulties that cannot be supported by universal services, such as schools or GPs alone.
Support can be given to those who experience domestic abuse or struggle with their mental health and wellbeing, or need extra help with SEND, parenting or supporting targeted young people, including those at risk of crime.
Call the Children and Family Wellbeing Service Triage Team on 0116 305 8727 for further details or visit the link for more information:
Children and Family Wellbeing Service | Leicestershire County Council