What to do if you are worried about your child’s wellbeing

It’s normal for children to sometimes feel low, angry or anxious. As a parent or carer, you’re likely to spot any significant or long-lasting changes in your child’s emotions or behaviour.

As parents and carers, there are ways you can support your children to give them the best chance to stay mentally healthy.

Encouraging and guiding a child to think about their own mental health and wellbeing are vital skills you can teach them from a young age.

Important advice:

Signs a child might be struggling

A large number of children and young people will experience behavioural or emotional problems at some stage. For some, these will resolve with time, while others will need professional support.

It might be difficult to know if there is something upsetting your child, but there are ways to spot when something’s wrong. Look out for:

  • significant changes in behaviour
  • ongoing difficulty sleeping
  • withdrawing from social situations
  • not wanting to do things they usually like
  • self-harm or neglecting themselves

If you’re worried or unsure, there is lots of support out there. Visit our young people and mental health webpage for more information.

Useful information

HCRG Care Group deliver a ‘Family Hub’ service in partnership with Barnardo’s across Essex. It is named locally as the Essex Child and Family Wellbeing Service (ECFWS) and it is commissioned by Essex County Council (ECC).

The Southend health visitors and school nurses service delivering support for children aged from birth to 19.

They encourage healthy lifestyles, support families with addressing concerns about physical and mental wellbeing, as well as readdressing health inequalities.

The Thurrock 0-19 Brighter Futures Healthy Families Service is an integrated service encompassing health visiting, school health, targeted support and a range of health interventions for children, young people and their families.

The Boloh Helpline offers free, confidential advice in multiple languages to help support Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic children, young people and their families.

Go to Barnardo’s helpline

or call 0800 151 2605