The pandemic has been challenging especially on children and young people’s mental health. Periods of lockdown and easing can be difficult and as we start to come through the pandemic with the lifting of restrictions, we are seeing signs that some are struggling with adjusting to changes to routines and increased expectations. 

There have been a number of blogs (highlighted here in green) published to help and support children, young people, families and carers understand that increased stress and anxiety can be a perfectly normal response to the current situation, and signposting to help for those who are struggling. The most recent ones focus on eating disorders, and the easing of lockdown. 

Help for children and young people can come from several sources, including family, friends, schools and colleges.  Some resources for children, young people, families and carers are detailed below, you can access additional information by clicking the text in green below:

Togetherall

As part of Oldham's prevention and promotion for better mental health programme, the Togetherall is a safe online mental health service is now live and free for all residents of Oldham aged 16+.  This will give 24/7/365 access to an anonymised community that is moderated day and night by health care professionals.  Tgoetherall is an online community where people support each other anonymously to provide mental health and wellbeing.

Urgent help for Mental Health

You can call for:

• 24-hour advice and support – for you, your child, your parent or someone you care for
• help to speak to a mental health professional
• an assessment to help decide on the best course of care

Oldham CAMHS (child and adolescent mental health service), formerly Healthy Young Minds

Offer specialist services to children and young people who are experiencing mental health and emotional wellbeing difficulties.

Helping children and young people up to the age of 18 years and provide support to their families/carers.

Some of the problems that CAMHS can help with include:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Psychosis
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Self-harm
• ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder)
• ASD (Autistic Spectrum Disorder)
• More complex psychological difficulties

We also provide consultation, advice and training to other agencies.

Our clinicians come from a range of clinical and professional backgrounds, including psychiatrists, nurses, social workers, psychologists and many others.

Every Mind Matters

Every Mind Matters aims to help people take simple steps to look after their mental health, improve their mental wellbeing and support others.  This is support for you, your child or young person.

Young Minds Parent Helpline

Young Minds offer three different services to parents and carers who are concerned about their child’s mental health, up to the age of 25. Here, you can find out more about their Parents Helpline, Email Service and Webchat.

Young Minds Crisis Messenger 

Young Minds Crisis Messenger provides free support during a crisis – this is available every day of the week, at any time day or night. All that is required is to text YM to 85258. All texts are answered by trained volunteers, with support from experienced clinical supervisors. Texts are free from EE, O2, Vodafone, 3, Virgin Mobile, BT Mobile, GiffGaff, Tesco Mobile and Telecom Plus. 

Young Minds Website

Young Minds Website.  Find information here about Young Minds, training and resources and mental health support.

Hopeline

HOPELineUK – can be reached on 0800 068 41 41 or one can text them on 07786 209 687 (lines are open every day from 9am to midnight). 

Childline 

Offer support to CYP under 19, and they confidentially call, email, or chat online about any problem, big or small. Their freephone 24-hour helpline is 0800 1111. You can sign up for a Childline account on their website and you will then be able to message a counsellor anytime without using an email address. Or you can have a one-to-one chat with an online advisor.

Kooth

Kooth provides free, safe and anonymous online support and counselling for young people aged 10-25. The whole team are made up of friendly and experienced individuals who want to help you.

Just some of the things you'll find on Kooth:

• Magazine - Helpful articles, personal experiences and tips from young people and our Kooth team
• Discussion Boards - Start or join a conversation with our friendly Kooth community. Lots of topics to choose from!
• Chats with the team - Chat to our helpful team about anything that’s on your mind. Message us or have a live chat.
• Daily journal - Write in your own daily journal to track your feelings or emotions and reflect on how you’re doing.

Whether you are feeling sad, anxious or finding life hard, know that you are not alone.

Kooth - parents/carers FAQ

Kooth is commissioned by the NHS, Local Authorities, charities and businesses to provide anonymous and personalised mental health support for Children and Young People. They provide end to end support whatever the need.

The A-Z was co-designed by young people and mental health professionals and contains a range of information, hints and tips.

MyTutor - For Parents/Carers. Teen Mental Health

MyTutor is an online resource which provides useful tips and advice for parents/carers to help their teens overcome body image issues, academic anxiety, peer pressure and cyberbullying, including links to other important teen mental health resources - all of which can be helpful in these uncertain times. 

Self Care Checklist

Sometimes, when we are helping others, it can be easy to forget about ourselves. This self care checklist is a really useful for anyone to use.  It helps us to ‘check in’ with how well we are looking after ourselves.

Mental Health Foundation

The Mental Health Foundation has a range of content designed to give you more information about mental health and to help you to look after your mental health as well as a number of useful publications that you can view and order. 

Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership

Working across Greater Manchester to improve the mental health services, wellbeing of individuals and their families, supported by resilient communities, inclusive employers and services that maximise independence and choice.

Helpline for Oldham Residents

You can ring the Oldham helpline on : 0161 770 7007

Open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm

A text service is also available on: 07860 022876

 If there is a risk of danger to life then call 999.