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Understanding Children and Young People’s Mental Health

‘Nothing prepares you for your child being affected by a mental illness. There
is nothing in the parenting manuals that can help you to understand and cope
with the total change that comes over someone once they are in the grips
of such an illness. I can only describe it as truly shocking, terrifying...and
utterly bewildering.’

Jess’s mother – extract from an anonymous blog.

Source: Time to Change

Parents, carers and guardians may need support and advice to enable them to stay
emotionally strong so that they can support the child. Family and friends may not
understand and offer at best misguided advice, and at worst judgemental comments.

A further stress for parents and guardians can be the task of ensuring that siblings in
the family do not resent the extra time and attention given to the child with the mental
health problem.

It can be hard for parents to accept, but they may not always be the best people
to help the child and the key role for them may be to find someone who is more
experienced. Going to see a psychiatrist or other mental health professional about a
child or young person’s mental health difficulties, however, can in itself be a daunting
experience for the parents. They may worry about not understanding what’s being
said and may be unsure about how exactly the health professional or psychiatrist will
be able to help. Parents may not want to admit that their child has been referred to a
professional or psychiatrist and some may worry that they will be judged as parents or
even that their children will be taken away from them.

R Further Research: School attendance

This video explains to parents the importance of being honest
with the school about what is preventing the child from attending.
Otherwise, the support needed will not be made available and the
school may take inappropriate actions about the absence. Watch
the video by following the link below for more information on this
important issue and make notes in the space below.

https://youtu.be/wi5uIlYuAHI

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