With the easing of social restrictions in sight and free days ahead; for some this may mean fun and excitement, yet for others this may raise feelings of anxiety, apprehension or fear.
You'll find below links to self help, support services, websites and information, helping to keep you emotionally and mentally well during this summer and beyond.
Please print and share or add this help sheet for Parent's, Carers, families and Young People to your website
This help sheet offers a quick guide to self help resources and service support available during the summer holidays
Free, safe and anonymous support
Still available for support during the summer - check this link to see - Whats On in July pdf
Visit the Kooth website Here
Watch the Kooth video Here
You don’t have to give your name if you don’t want to: Text 07480 635516
Mindline is a confidential listening service which provides a safe place to talk if you, or someone you know, is in distress. When our lines are busy, or closed, our switchboard can connect you to our sister service, the Samaritans
Suicide is the biggest killer of under 35's in the UK
Home | Papyrus UK | Suicide Prevention Charity (papyrus-uk.org)
Somerset Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) webpages. We offer a variety of teams and services for young people aged 0–18 years old who are struggling with their mental health.
Somerset CAMHS - CAMHS - Somerset NHS Foundation Trust (somersetft.nhs.uk)
The distrACT app gives you easy, quick and discreet access to information and advice about self-harm and suicidal thoughts.
The content has been created by doctors and experts in self-harming and suicide prevention.
distrACT app - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
Calm Harm is an app designed to help people resist or manage the urge to self-harm. It's private and password protected.
Calm Harm app - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
BlueIce is an evidenced-based app to help young people manage their emotions and reduce urges to self-harm.
It includes a mood diary, a toolbox of evidence-based techniques to reduce distress and automatic routing to emergency numbers if urges to harm continue.
BlueIce app - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
Mental Health Toolkit This area of the Somerset Children and Young People's Health & Wellbeing website provides information and support about mental health and emotional health & wellbeing
Somerset children & young people : Mental Health Toolkit
Somerset Big Tent brings together local organisation that offer support to children and families Somerset Big Tent
They also run weekly virtual hubs for young people and parents: Virtual Hubs Archive - Somerset Big Tent
Young Somerset is the largest youth work charity in Somerset and our mission is to put young people first. Our aim is to work with young people, encouraging them to take responsibility for themselves and become actively involved in shaping the communities in which they live.
During this uncertain time it is even more important that we help support children and young people to understand their feelings and find ways to keep emotionally well.
Here is some useful information and advice to support parents and families
Somerset children & young people : Health & Wellbeing : Supporting Parents and Carers
Having good mental health helps us relax more, achieve more and enjoy our lives more. We have expert advice and practical tips to help you look after your mental health and wellbeing. Every Mind Matters - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
Remember, mind and body go hand in hand – visit Better Health for lots of free tools and support to help you kickstart your physical health too.
This resource offers ideas and guidance which can be of help when managing and living within a period of transition. This guide has been written with young people for young people and can be found Here
Action for Happiness: Jump Back up July CalendarThis month's theme is all about resilience and understanding how we can build skills that will help us to bounce back. We can't always predict or control what life throws at us, but we can build a range of skills and nurture our resources to help us respond flexibly, effectively deal with challenges, recover more quickly and even learn and grow as a result.
Psychological First Aid (PFA) to support Children & Young PeopleGet Psychological First Aid training to support children and young people’s mental health during emergencies and crisis situations.
The course is available for all frontline workers such as teachers, health and social care workers, charity and community volunteers and anyone who cares for or is regularly in contact with children and young people aged up to 25, including parents and caregivers.
It is free, takes about three hours to complete (split into three sessions that the learner can complete at their own pace) and no previous qualifications are required.
www.futurelearn.com/courses/psychological-first-aid-for-children-and-young-people
Are you a parent or carer who is concerned about the mental health of your child or teenager? Do you just want some hints and tips on parenting?MindEd for Families has advice and information from trusted experts and will help you to understand what problems occur, what you can do to best support your family, and how to take care of yourself. MindEd for Families is written by a team of specialists and parents, working together. You do not need to register to use these resources.
The Happy Healthy Holidays Somerset Programme Activity Finder is now live and parents/carers can use the finder to find fun local activities (with food) taking place from 26th July throughout the summer holidays.
To book an activity, you will need to have received your unique Booking Code from your child's school. You will not be able to make a booking without it, so please ensure you have done this first and contact your child's school in the first instance.
Somerset Activity & Sports Partnership - Happy Healthy Holidays Programme (sasp.co.uk)
Over the Summer Holidays we have lots of activities for young people aged 13-17 yrs.
Get involved with a range of workshops including mechanics, bushcraft, horse care, hair and beauty, music and wellbeing!
ALL EVENTS ARE FREE!
Find out more:
Sign up to our epic Summer Programme! | Young Somerset (Formerly Somerset Rural Youth Project)
Sign up here: https://somersetworks.vfairs.com/
From spending time with family and having fun with friends in the garden, to enjoying the scenery and embracing the weather on our rolling hills, we’re all about simple ways to get outside in Somerset.
Home Page - Get outside in Somerset
A to Z of mindfulness in natureExplores just some of the ways that our countryside and its wildlife can improve both your physical and mental health.
There are an increasing number of studies, backed by scientific research, that suggest that slowing down and being more present can help alleviate feelings of anxiety, depression and stress.
www.countryfile.com/how-to/a-to-z-of-mindfulness-in-nature/
Seven top safety tips to protect children in the sun:
