Professionals « Openminds in Calderdale

These resources have been created and approved by Calderdale’s Open Minds Partnership and young people. They have been created for professionals to use whilst supporting children, young people and their families.

Anxiety action plan: Here is an action plan to help children and young people recognise what may trigger their anxiety.

Anxiety action planDownload

Anxiety strategies: As a parent it is normal to be concerned when your child worries but we must remember that anxiety is a normal emotion and the reaction within the body is reassuring that things are working as they should be.

Anxiety strategiesDownload

This video describes using art as a vehicle to bridge cultural differences and work in a culturally sensitive way to enhance our practice.

This video explores the concept of ‘attachment’ and the role it plays in our relationships with children and young people.

Back to school: Some young people who worry find returning to school after a holiday difficult. This resource is to help both parents and carers and young people to minimise their feelings of anxiety on returning to school.

Back to schoolDownload

This “pilot” video explores supporting children and young people with bereavement and loss. Discussions with other professionals on this topic will be recorded soon.

Communication strategies: Here is a simple strategy for communicating with children or young people who may be feeling overwhelmed.

Communication strategiesDownload

Mental wellbeing PSHE curriculum topics (Every Mind Matters): Helping you teach PSHE curriculum topics to Upper KS2, KS3 and KS4 pupils, with flexible lesson plans and ready-to-use PowerPoints co-created with teachers, and video content developed with 10 to 16-year-olds.

Help when experiencing panic attacks: A panic attack can come on suddenly and a child or young person may feel as if there has been no warning but over time they may be able to identify emotions or situations which may trigger a panic attack. This will give you more information.

Help when experiencing panic attacksDownload

Joe is on the autism spectrum and Emma highlights some of the common feelings and behaviours that Joe shows.

Find out some ways in which Katy and her friends cope with difficult feelings after losing someone they love.

This discussion is called “Locked down in low mood”.

Mindfulness activities: Here are some useful mindfulness activities that parents/ carers can practice with their child.

Guided body scan for mindfulnessDownload

Guided mindfulness readingsDownload

Mindfulness activitiesDownload

This week we explore the topic of panic and how it relates to anxiety.

This video talks about supporting young people with identity issues, particularly LGBTQ+, with guests from the Open Minds Partnership in Calderdale including professionals from Barnardo’s Positive Identities Services.

Positivitree – Workforce Values, Behaviours and Skills: Young people from Calderdale’s Tough Times Reference Group attended a regional Stairways meeting. At the meeting a group of young people created a “Positivitree” sharing their thoughts and opinions about what they feel would contribute to a good work force in all mental health services. The Positivitree has been circulated to help form a consistent approach across mental health care services throughout the region.

Positive thought: There is evidence which proves that positive thinking has a beneficial effect on both mental health and physiological health. Here are some strategies to promote positive thinking, and some behaviours to promote positive thinking listed below.

Positive thoughtDownload

Self-help guides: Northumbria University has published 19 NHS developed Self Help Guides on a range of topics; including anxiety, stress, self-harm, depression and low mood and more.

In this video Andrea tells the story of Augustus and his Smile by Catherine Rayner.

Don’t let anyone squash your dreams. Reality is based on our dreams and visions.

This video explains what anxiety means and the various presentations it can take.

This video looks at the important role of play in our therapeutic work with children and young people.

Alosa describes the building blocks to good story telling, which helps with social and emotional development and helps build resilience for children.