Parents & carers
OLOL · PARENTS & CARERS
Working together for your child
You know your child well. If something feels different, you can start a conversation and ask for support without needing a diagnosis.
Notice · listen · work together
01
Notice changes
Look for changes from what is usual for your child, including sleep, friendships, mood and willingness to attend school. Consider what else has changed in their life.
02
Make space to listen
Choose a calm moment. Try: “I’ve noticed things seem hard. Would you like to talk, draw or write about it?” Listen without rushing to solve everything.
03
Agree a next step
Speak to the class teacher, tutor, pastoral team or SENCo. Share what you and your child notice, agree support and set a time to review it.
RESEARCH · ANNA FREUD · 2026
Settling into secondary school
The first phase of Anna Freud’s programme draws on pupil focus groups about starting secondary school. It highlights the importance of listening to pupils and supporting belonging throughout Year 7, rather than treating transition as a single event.
Put it into practice: keep asking what feels settled, what still feels difficult and which adult the pupil can approach. This is a discussion prompt informed by the research, not a prescribed intervention.
Explore our resource library
Explore articles, videos, posters and practical tools below. Choose a topic to find the resources you need. Resources may appear in more than one audience section where relevant.
This collection includes material published in 2024–25. Dates on recorded sessions, campaigns and reports refer to the original publication; check the provider for current access and guidance. For urgent help, use the current NHS information on this page.
Finding help & understanding difficulties
Open resource: Common Difficulties →
Open resource: Parent Helpline →
Open resource: My Child needs URGENT help! →
Open resource: Suicidal Feelings →
Open resource: Getting support, for your child, from the GP →
Open resource: Parents guide to CAMHS →
Open resource: In crisis? Need Support? →
Open resource: Self Harm →
Primary, secondary & sixth-form resources
Open resource: Tips for have a conversation about mental health with Primary School Pupils →
Open resource: Transition to Secondary – Guidance for Parents/Carers →
Open resource: Pupil Wellbeing Poster (Primary) →
Open resource: Talking mental health with young people at secondary school →
Open resource: Early Years and Transition to school →
Open resource: You’re never too young to talk mental health – Tips for talking for parents and carers (primary) →
Open resource: Talking mental health with young people at secondary school – advice for parents and carers →
Open resource: Supporting children’s transition to secondary school →
Anxiety, feelings & resilience
Open resource: Feeling Stuck →
Open resource: Panic Attacks →
Open resource: Feeling Down and Unable to Cope →
Open resource: Alone and Misunderstood →
Open resource: My child is anxious →
Open resource: My Child is feeling sad or low – Advice →
Open resource: Mental Fitness →
Open resource: Feeling Good Enough →
Open resource: Rewire your mind →
Open resource: Building Resilience →
Open resource: Box breathing relaxation technique: how to calm feelings of stress or anxiety →
Open resource: Coping with distressing events in the news →
Open resource: Let’s talk about anxiety →
Sleep, relaxation & digital wellbeing
Open resource: My child has trouble going to sleep →
Open resource: Supporting healthy gaming habits for children →
Open resource: What Is Environmental Wellness? →
Open resource: Dr. Weil explains how to do his 4-7-8 breathing technique. Relaxing Breathing Exercise →
Open resource: Managing Social Media →
Open resource: How does sleep relate to mental health? →
Planning, guidance & supporting others
Open resource: Supporting young autistic people with their mental health →
Self-care & everyday wellbeing
Open resource: Apps to support with Mental Health →
Open resource: Stress Container – Self Help Tool →
Open resource: Self Care in Hard Times →
Open resource: Parents Guide to Looking After Yourself →
Open resource: Jump Back Up July →
Open resource: Parents A-Z Mental Health Guide →
Open resource: Be your own therapist →
Open resource: How to have a good day! →
Open resource: Helpful resources for young people’s mental health →
Open resource: 10 Keys to happier living →
Open resource: We all have mental health →
Open resource: What is Mental Health? →
STARTING A CONVERSATION
Talking about mental health
YoungMinds offers practical ways to open a conversation and respond when a child shares something difficult.
SCHOOL ANXIETY
Understand the barriers
Explore what feels difficult, including learning, relationships, sensory needs or feeling unsafe. Work with school on support suited to your child.
Before a meeting with school
Bring: your child’s views, examples of what is happening, what helps and any relevant professional advice.
Ask: who will coordinate support, what adjustments may help, how your child can seek help during the day and when you will review progress.
Keep in touch: let school know when difficulties change. Agree attendance arrangements with school; seek advice rather than changing the school day independently.
UNDERSTANDING DIFFERENT NEEDS
Find a topic guide
The YoungMinds A–Z includes information on a range of concerns. Use it to inform a conversation with school or a healthcare professional.
SUPPORT FOR YOU
You matter too
Explore YoungMinds’ parent and carer information, including ways to find advice and support.
When more help is needed
If worries or low mood are affecting everyday life, speak with a trusted adult, the school pastoral team or a GP. For urgent mental health support in England, call 111 and select the mental health option. If someone’s life is at risk or you cannot keep someone safe, call 999 or go to A&E.
Browse the existing family article collection →
Information and signposting, not diagnosis or treatment. This website is not monitored for requests for help. External organisations set their own age guidance, access arrangements and privacy terms. Links reviewed October 2026.