We all know how important it is to look after our children's physical health, but sometimes we forget that emotional and mental health are just as important. There are lots of ways you can help your child and support their wellbeing:
- Dorset Youth’s 0 to 25 knowledge hub includes information on a wide range of mental health and wellbeing support. It is a comprehensive guide to mental health concerns and local sources of support. This is the one-stop guide to all local services that support young people in Dorset and BCP
- RUOK? also provides mental health support for children and young people across Dorset
- Connection is a helpline for people of all ages, anywhere in Dorset. It is open 24 hours a day. It is for people who are experiencing mental health problems and need support. You can also phone for support and advice about a friend or family member experiencing poor mental health. You can also access Connection via NHS 111
- you can text SHOUT to 85258 24 hours a day. The messages are confidential and anonymous. It is free to text Shout 85258 from all major mobile networks in the UK
- Kooth has online wellbeing support for children and young people aged 11 to 18, including a live chat
- the Dorset Youth website has a dedicated page for parents and carers with lots of information about support for families and children of all ages from birth to age 25
- ParentLine is a confidential text messaging service for parents and carers of 5 to 19 year olds in Dorset. It is a way to get advice from the school nursing team about your child's health and development
- Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) is for young people up to the age of 18 experiencing problems with their mental health
- the NCDS have some good information for parents about emotional health and wellbeing. There is also help on their pages for children and young people too
- the SIGNHEALTH website is an extensive resource for deaf young people, their families, and professionals. It offers information, guidance, and links to other organisations. This website is fully inclusive with British Sign Language (BSL) videos and information in written English