Providing effective support to children facing mental health challenges is crucial for their overall well-being and development. In the UK, mental health issues among children have become increasingly prevalent, with one in six children aged 5 to 16 now experiencing a probable mental health disorder. This is an increase of around 50% in three years. What this equates to is that around five children per class are possibly living with a mental health problem.
These challenges can have a profound impact on a child’s emotional, social and academic development and they often carry long-term consequences if not addressed appropriately. Recognising the importance of early and effective intervention—and given that many young people are referred to CAMHS and not accepted into treatment—this article offers practical strategies and insights to help parents, caregivers, educators and other stakeholders in their efforts to support children navigating mental health issues.
Building a Supportive Environment
A supportive and nurturing environment is fundamental to helping children with mental health challenges. A positive environment can significantly influence a child’s emotional well-being, helping to reduce feelings of anxiety, depression and isolation. At home, in school and within the community, it is essential to create spaces where children feel safe, valued and understood.
One of the key strategies for building a supportive environment is building positive relationships. Children need to know that they are not alone in their struggles and that there are trusted adults they can turn to for help.
Building trust requires consistency, patience and active listening. When children feel heard and understood, they are more likely to open up about their feelings and challenges.
It’s also important to create a sense of safety and belonging. This can be achieved by establishing routines, setting clear expectations and offering reassurance during times of uncertainty. In schools, teachers can play an important role by creating inclusive classrooms where every child feels they belong. This might involve implementing peer support programmes, encouraging collaborative activities and promoting a culture of kindness and respect.
Empathy and non-judgemental communication are also crucial for a supportive environment. Children with mental health challenges often struggle with feelings of shame or inadequacy. By approaching their concerns with empathy and without judgement, adults can help them feel more accepted and understood. Open, honest conversations about emotions and mental health should be encouraged, allowing children to express themselves without fear of being dismissed or criticised.
Thankfully, young people are becoming better at opening up and talking about their mental health. Although there’s still a long way to go, many people are better at talking about their mental health openly, and partly thanks to social media, there is much less stigma about ill mental health.
In summary, building a supportive environment requires intentional effort and a commitment to understanding the unique needs of each child. Whether at home, in school or in the broader community, creating a space where children feel safe, valued and supported is a vital step in promoting their mental well-being.
Promoting Emotional Regulation
Teaching children effective strategies for managing their emotions and coping with stress is essential for their mental health and overall well-being. Emotional regulation—the ability to understand, manage and respond to emotional experiences in a healthy way—is a crucial skill that can help children navigate the challenges of life with greater resilience and confidence.
One of the most effective ways to promote emotional regulation is through teaching specific techniques that children can use to calm themselves during moments of distress. Deep breathing exercises, for example, can help reduce feelings of anxiety by activating the body’s relaxation response. Simple practices like taking slow, deep breaths can be easily taught to children and can serve as a powerful tool for managing overwhelming emotions.
Mindfulness practices are another valuable technique for promoting emotional regulation. When children are taught to focus on the present moment, mindfulness helps them become more aware of their thoughts and feelings without becoming overwhelmed by them. Mindfulness exercises like paying attention to one’s breath or engaging in a guided body scan, can help children develop a greater sense of control over their emotional responses.
Another useful technique is guided imagery. This technique can help children manage their emotions. It involves using their imagination to visualise a peaceful scene or a situation where they feel safe and calm. By practising guided imagery, children can learn to shift their focus away from stressful thoughts and towards positive, soothing images. This can help reduce anxiety and promote emotional balance.
Besides teaching these specific techniques, it is important for adults to model healthy emotional expression and problem-solving skills. Children learn a great deal by observing the behaviour of those around them. When adults demonstrate how to handle stress, express emotions constructively and solve problems calmly, they provide children with a powerful example to follow.
Providing opportunities for children to practise these skills in real-life situations is also crucial. Whether it’s through role-playing scenarios, discussing emotions during story time or reflecting on how they handled a recent challenge, giving children the chance to apply what they’ve learned helps reinforce these skills and build their confidence in using them.
Collaborating with Mental Health Professionals
Often, a child’s mental health needs go beyond what parents and teachers can manage. Collaborating with mental health professionals is essential in providing comprehensive support to children facing mental health challenges. Therapists, counsellors and psychiatrists bring specialised expertise that can significantly aid in understanding and addressing a child’s unique mental health needs.
Collaborating effectively with these professionals means that children receive the most appropriate care and support—and that it is tailored to their individual circumstances.
The hardest part of all? Getting children to be accepted onto the waiting lists to be seen by a mental health professional. According to the Children’s Commissioner, in the year 2022 to 2023, almost one million children in England were referred to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), which is 8% of children. As shocking as this statistic is, it’s not as worrying as the fact that around 40,000 children wait over two years before they’re seen by a professional and as many as 39% of referrals are rejected too.
The Role of the Mental Health Professional
One of the key roles of mental health professionals is to conduct thorough assessments and diagnoses. These processes are critical in identifying the specific mental health issues a child may be experiencing, whether it’s anxiety, depression, ADHD, autism spectrum disorder or another condition. Unfortunately, the waiting lists for some of these assessments are incredibly long too.
Accurate assessment and diagnosis lay the groundwork for developing an effective treatment plan that addresses the child’s particular needs. This plan might include therapeutic interventions, such as cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), medication management or a combination of approaches, depending on the severity and nature of the condition.
Treatment planning is a collaborative process that should involve not only the mental health professional but also the child’s parents or caregivers and, when appropriate, the child themselves. Everyone involved must understand the goals of the treatment and the steps required to achieve them. Regular reviews and adjustments to the treatment plan ensure that it remains effective and responsive to the child’s evolving needs.
Mental health professionals potentially involved could include:
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatrists: These are medical doctors specialising in diagnosing and treating mental health disorders in young people. They can prescribe medication and offer psychotherapy.
- Clinical Psychologists: These are professionals with advanced training in psychological assessment, diagnosis and therapy. They may conduct psychological testing to assess cognitive, emotional and behavioural issues. They also provide therapy.
- Child Psychotherapists: These are therapists specialising in helping children understand and manage their emotions through talking therapies, play therapy or other therapeutic interventions.
- Counsellors: These are trained professionals who provide supportive therapy and help children manage specific issues like anxiety, depression or family problems through counselling sessions.
- Social Workers: Social workers in mental health often provide support to children and families and help them navigate the healthcare system, access resources and address any social factors that affect mental health.
- Educational Psychologists: These are professionals who work within educational settings to assess and support children with learning difficulties, emotional issues or behavioural problems that affect their education.
Multidisciplinary Collaboration
Multidisciplinary collaboration is another vital aspect of supporting children with mental health challenges. Effective care often requires input from various professionals and support systems, including teachers, school counsellors, healthcare providers and social workers.
Regular communication and coordination between these parties help create a cohesive support network around the child. For example, a school might work closely with a child’s therapist to implement classroom strategies that reinforce the therapeutic work being done outside of school. Similarly, healthcare providers and educators can share insights that help refine the overall approach to the child’s care.
The benefits of such multidisciplinary collaboration are significant. When everyone involved in a child’s life is aligned and informed as a Team Around the Family (TAF), it leads to a more holistic approach to their mental health care. This coordination helps ensure that the child’s emotional, social and educational needs are all addressed in a unified manner, reducing the likelihood of gaps in care and improving overall outcomes.
Providing Psychoeducation and Skill Building
Providing psychoeducation to children and their families is a critical component of supporting mental health and developing resilience. Psychoeducation involves teaching individuals about mental health challenges, their potential impact and the available treatment options. When children and their families have this knowledge, mental health issues are demystified and stigma is reduced.
One of the key benefits of psychoeducation is that it helps children and their families understand what they are experiencing. For a child struggling with anxiety, depression or another mental health issue, understanding that their feelings have a name and can be managed can be incredibly reassuring. It also enables families to make informed decisions about treatment options, from therapy to medication, and to set realistic expectations for the journey ahead.
In addition to providing information, it is important to teach children practical skills that they can use to deal with their challenges. Coping skills like deep breathing, journaling or engaging in physical activity, can help children manage stress and regulate their emotions. Problem-solving techniques, like breaking down a challenge into manageable steps or brainstorming possible solutions, can help children take control of situations that might otherwise feel overwhelming.
Social-emotional competencies, such as empathy, self-awareness and effective communication, are also crucial for helping children build resilience. These skills enable children to understand and manage their emotions, relate positively to others, and make responsible decisions. Teaching these competencies can be done through various activities, including role-playing, group discussions and interactive lessons. All of these can be integrated into both school curricula and community programmes.
How Schools Can Help
Schools can play a pivotal role in destigmatising mental health issues. By integrating mental health education into the curriculum, it means all students have access to the knowledge and skills they need to support their mental health—wherever they are in their mental health journey.
Community Programmes
Community programmes like workshops for parents or youth groups focused on mental health can extend mental health education beyond the classroom. Reaching families and children in their everyday environments can support the work done elsewhere. These programmes can also provide a valuable support network, connecting families with resources and professionals who can offer additional guidance and assistance.
Conclusion
Supporting children with mental health challenges requires a multifaceted approach. This requires several key strategies:
- Building a supportive environment is essential for fostering a sense of safety, trust and belonging, whether at home, in school or within the community.
- Promoting emotional regulation through techniques such as deep breathing, mindfulness and guided imagery helps children manage their emotions and cope with stress more effectively.
- Collaborating with mental health professionals ensures that children receive the tailored assessment, diagnosis and treatment they need, while multidisciplinary teamwork enhances the overall quality of care.
- Providing psychoeducation and skill-building opportunities equips children and their families with the knowledge and tools necessary to navigate mental health challenges and build resilience.
Ultimately, a holistic and collaborative approach to supporting children’s mental health is crucial. Parents, caregivers, educators, healthcare professionals and community members all have important roles to play in creating a network of support that addresses the diverse needs of each child. By working together, we can ensure that children not only receive the care they need but also feel valued, understood and empowered to thrive.
As a society, it is imperative to prioritise the mental well-being of our children. This means advocating for policies and programmes that promote mental health awareness, early intervention and comprehensive support services. By doing so, we can create a future where every child has the opportunity to flourish, free from the constraints of untreated mental health challenges.
