Drawing It Out

We all experience times where our emotional health suffers. Here are some pointers to support our children (and ourselves) : 

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• Encourage regular contact with friends and relatives

• Slow down -- minimise pressure / busy after-school schedules and make time for relaxation where possible

• Encourage time outdoors to get fresh air and take notice of what's around -- bring the mind’s attention and interest to the world around us and appreciate the present moment

• Exercise (there is strong evidence that exercise can help in depression, anxiety, and stress)

• Look after your body: sleep, eat & drink nutritious food, wash

• Do things you enjoy: read, play, make art, write, bake, make or listen to music, watch films

• Limit time watching the news or on social media

• Meditate / reflect / pray

• Draw pictures about how you feel ("draw it out"), or write your feelings down

• Share worries and concerns with a trusted adult, or access online/phone support e.g. Childline or Kooth or text "SHOUT" to 85258 (this is a confidential, 24/7 text messaging mental health support service is run by a charity called Mental Health Innovations)

• Where there are serious concerns about a child's emotional / mental health, contact your GP / local CAMHS team for advice, or where there is imminent threat to life, call 999 or go to A&E