Help /
Young People /
Mental Health/Illness and Resilience
What Is Mental Health?
Mental health refers to our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. We all have mental health. Our mental health affects how we think, feel, and act. It also impacts on how we cope, interact and form relationships with others, as well as our daily functioning.
Our mental health can vary and be dependent on a number of factors which may include;
The number of demands and stressors we have
Our physical health
Significant life events
How much sleep we get
Relationships with other people
Our diet/ nutritional intake
Environmental, societal and cultural factors
How much we engage in leisure activities, hobbies and interests
What is Mental illness?
Mental health is different from mental illness (which can also be referred to as having a mental health disorder). Poor mental health and struggling to cope is also different from having a mental illness. A mental illness or mental health disorder is an illness that affects that way people think, feel, behave, or interact with others. There are many types of mental illnesses/ health disorders with different signs and symptoms.
Generally, the difference between poor mental health and a mental illness is the nature of and degree to which the difficulties someone is experiencing are having on their wellbeing and functioning (socially, occupationally and academically). Mental illness typically has more of a significant detrimental impact across many areas of an individual’s life than episodes of poor mental health which may be situation specific or time limited.
Anyone of any age, gender, geographical background, race, ethnicity, class, background, religion, ability, appearance, culture, caste, education, economic status, spirituality, sexual orientation can experience mental illness.
Factors that contribute towards good mental health and emotional wellbeing
It is important to have the basics of wellbeing consistently practised and in place. Young people may need help establishing and maintaining these wellbeing practices:
Having a routine; getting up and going to bed at similar times
Good sleep hygiene (click HERE to learn more about sleep hygiene)
Being organised and having a plan of what to do and how to do it
Eating and drinking regularly, this includes having breakfast everyday
Engaging in hobbies and interests regularly
Making sure there is a balance of activities; academic work, social time and rest as these are all equally important
Having limits as to how much they use technology, social media and online gaming
Having short and longer term goals and ambitions; things to look forward to, strive and work towards
How adult caregivers can support a young person struggling with their mental health
1
Ensure you have support for yourself; ask for help or let someone know if you are struggling either with your own emotional and mental health or if you are struggling with supporting a young person.
2
Role model that you are human too; normalise and validate that we all have thoughts and feelings and can experience difficulties and struggles with our emotional and mental health.
3
Share information; joined up working between adult caregivers (e.g., home and education) ensures consistency and containment for young people.
4
Be calm, consistent , clear and boundaried, as well as kind and compassionate.
5
Remember that your verbal and nonverbal communication and responses will have an impact on how a young person thinks, feels and behaves.
6
Work with a young person to help them better understand , express and communicate how they are thinking and feeling.
What we do, what we don’t do and what you can do if you are worried about your child
Below is a general guide to help you decide what may be helpful for your child.
Green
Coping/ Need for Support
Nature (type) of Difficulties
Common worries or difficulties that many young people experience
Difficulties are often situation specific (e.g., happened after a specific event) or last only for a short time
Limited impact on daily functioning (e.g., ability to go to or cope at school, play with friends, engage in hobbies or interests)
Limited impact on physical or emotional wellbeing
Difficulties in line with typical childhood or adolescence
What To Do
Self-help resources/ guided self-help (things a young person can look at themselves or together with the support of a parent/ carer or professional). Such as Hampshire CAMHS website.
Talking to family or friends
Support from school/ GP
Support from youth organisations
A referral to the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service should not be considered as a first response. Consider referring to other agencies in the first instance.
Amber
Need for Help
Nature (type) of Difficulties
Common worries or difficulties which may be causing more distress than would be expected.
Level of distress is out of context to the situation/ event/ incident.
Episodes of worry, sadness, anger or distress may be more frequent or last longer than anticipated or expected.
Some impact on functioning which has lasted at least a few weeks (e.g., ability to go to or cope at school, play with friends, engage in hobbies or interests).
What To Do
Follow the Green stage steps AND consider accessing help, advice and support from:
School nursing team/ ELSA/ pastoral support
Counselling services/ 1:1/ group support
Youth organisations
Emotional health/ mental health specific resources e.g. hampshirecamhs.nhs.uk
Helplines such as:
Young Minds Parents Helpline: 08088025544
Family Lives Helpline: 08088002222
Red
Need for Specialist Intervention/ Crisis management
Nature (type) of Difficulties
Difficulties are severe and enduring (difficulties have lasted longer than several weeks).
Significant distress to the young person and or the family/ network.
Significant disruption to daily life and functioning (e.g., ability to go to or cope at school, play with friends, engage in hobbies or interests).
Presenting as a risk to themselves or others.
Despite accessing and trying support in stages Green and Amber, difficulties persist.
Signs of physical compromise (becoming physically unwell).
What To Do
Follow the Green and Amber stages AND:
See your child’s GP.
Seek advice from helplines.
Access the Hampshire CAMHS website crisis support page HERE
