Parents, Carers and Family Members « Openminds in Calderdale

Do you have concerned or overwhelmed children because of the news around coronavirus (COVID-19), if so it is understandable, especially if they are struggling with their mental health or have a physical illness. You and your children could be feeling worried about your own health, or someone in your family, or what impact the virus will have on life. Please click through the links below for for top tips, advice and information.

Is your child feeling stressed, worried or uncertain…?

It’s important that parents/carers and children know that feelings of stress, worry or uncertainty are understandable in the current circumstances and that worry is a normal emotion. This page provides parents/carers with some top tips, useful resources and links to local support services here in Calderdale.

Open Minds (CAMHS)

If your child is aged under 18 years and is struggling with their mental health you can contact Open Minds (CAMHS) in Calderdale who provide specialist mental health support for children and young people. Phone: 01422 300 001.

Parents guide – Supporting EHWB of children returning to primary and secondary school

We encourage you to use the guides below to support the emotional health and wellbeing of your children when discussing the return to primary or secondary school. These documents were developed by a group of education and emotional health and wellbeing professionals.

Parents guide-Supporting EHWB of children returning to primary schoolDownload

Parents guide-Supporting EHWB of children returning to secondary schoolDownload

Worry Cards on Returning to Education – created by young people for young people

16 young people came together to create 14 worry cards for students returning to education. The purpose of these cards are to help decrease stress levels on any worries or queries that students might have, especially for those who haven’t been in an education setting since March 2020. We created these top worries that we believe were the most frequent worries that students will face when returning in September to their educational settings. Please click here to view the cards.

I’m Worried About the Covid-19 Vaccination

Young people from Calderdale Young Commissioners, Tough Times Reference Group and SEND Reference Group have helped Healthy Futures Calderdale create Covid vaccination ‘worry cards’. This resource has been produced to help decrease stress levels and any worries or questions that young people might have. These top worries have been selected as the most frequent worries that young people said they are facing.

COVID-19 back to school support for families (Healthy Futures Calderdale)

The Healthy Futures Calderdale school nursing team can support parents/carers and young people with any physical health or emotional wellbeing concerns they have around COVID-19 and the return to school. The school nursing team can be contacted by phone 030 33 309974.

You can text a question to Chat Health using the following numbers: 07480 635297 for young people and 07507 332157 for parents and carers.

Safespace: out of hours support for people in distress (Healthy Minds)

Safespace offers emotional support for people over 18 who are struggling emotionally. They are open 7 days a week, from 6.30pm every evening – with the latest available appointments at 10pm. Individuals who are struggling can have up to half an hour with a worker to talk through what’s happening and agree any next steps. You can contact Safespace on 01484 345154 or text 07388990227 to get through to a worker. You can also send a private message through Facebook messenger @safespace-Healthy Minds. A worker will contact you back and arrange an appointment for the same evening.

Parents Helpline (Young Minds)

Our Parents Helpline is available to offer advice to parents and carers worried about a child or young person under 25; open Mon-Fri from 9.30am to 4pm. Our trained advisers are here to give you help and advice, whatever the question.

Project #Silverlining (XenZone)

The current situation of isolating and social distancing is far from ideal for any of us. It’s clear that the next few months may be a struggle at times. At XenZone the creators of Kooth want to help spread your ideas and thoughts about keeping happy during these unprecedented times. Share your stories and tips through this page or read on how others are coping with the world-wide isolation.

Supporting your child during the coronavirus pandemic (YoungMinds)

Tips, advice and where to get support for your child’s mental health during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Coronavirus support for parents and carers (The Anna Freud Centre)

Families play a hugely important part in supporting each other at times of uncertainty or concern especially as they will probably be spending more time together because of home working, school closures, and other public health measures. This page contains resources specifically for parents and carers and families.

Supporting parents and carers through disruption (The Anna Freud Centre/YouTube)

This video provides guidance to parents and carers about how they can help children and young people manage their mental health and wellbeing during any disruption caused by the coronavirus.

Information pack for parents of children with SEND (Amaze)

Amaze has worked with the local authority and health services in Brighton and Hove to try and answer some pressing questions from parents about how the coronavirus outbreak may affect families.

Information about coronavirus – easy read (Mencap)

Coronavirus (COVID-19) is a new type of illness. There are now a number of people in the UK who have got it and it is spread easily. Because of this, Mencap has created some easy read information about Coronavirus for you to use.