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Mental health support and resources for parents and carers

Page last updated 17/06/2022 

We have listed the below organisations that offer telephone support if you would like to speak to someone about you or child/young person's mental health. We have also included links to some helpful resources , and information on other topics you may find supportive. 

If you need urgent mental health advice or support, you can contact West London NHS Trust's 24/7 Helpline. You can call this number to get help or advice in a crisis from trained mental health advisors and clinicians, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

If you are concerned about your child's mental health, you can call Speak CAMHS for support. Children and young people can also call the helpline if they are worried about their own mental health, as well as professionals who have concern's about a child/young person mental health. 

Outside these hours, crisis calls will be passed to an out of hours CAMHS professional. If they're not available to talk straight away, you can arrange a call back.

If you are struggling to find what you are looking for, or need help with a specific issue, you can also contact Ealing Family Information Service who can signpost you to help available. 

Tel: 020 8825 5588

Email: children@ealing.gov.uk  

Organisations offering support

For help in a mental health crisis or emergency - West London NHS Trust

24/7 Helpline if you need advice or support

For drop in support- Safe Space Ealing

The Safe Space is a local hub in Ealing offering a drop in service to adults who feel they are nearing crisis point, including carers. Safe Space will work with you to make you feel less anxious, offer support and strategies to cope through planned activities, and signpost you if you need further support. 

You can visit Safe Space during drop in times (6pm-8pm) at: Lido Centre, 63 Mattock Lane, London. Alternatively, you get in touch and make an appointment to visit during 8pm-11pm.

Safe Space also offer telephone support or video conferencing support (through Zoom or Microsoft Teams). 

Samaritans 

Samaritans provide a 24-hour service offering confidential emotional support to anyone who is in crisis.

Shout 

Shout is a 24/7 text service, free on all major mobile networks, for anyone in crisis anytime, anywhere. It’s a place to go if you’re struggling to cope and you need immediate help.

  • If you’re experiencing a personal crisis, are unable to cope and need support, text Shout to 85258.
  • Visit  www.giveusashout.org/

Family Lives 

Confidential helpline service for families. You can get in touch for emotional support, information, advice and guidance on any aspect of parenting and family life.

  • Call 0808 800 2222 (9am – 9pm, Monday to Friday and 10am – 3pm Saturday and Sunday. Calls are free from landlines and most mobiles)
  • Visit www.familylives.org.uk 

Family Lives also offer a befriending service in Ealing: Family Lives |  Ealing Directory (ealingfamiliesdirectory.org.uk)

Cruse

Cruse offer emotional support to anyone who is going through a bereavement. 

  • Call 0808 808 1677 (Mon & Fri 9.30am-5pm, Tues, Weds & Thurs 9.30am-8pm,Sat & Sun 10am-2pm. Calls are free)
  • You can also visit their website to access one to one chat online. Visit www.cruse.org.uk/get-help/crusechat 
  • If you prefer emailing, you can get in touch via helpline@cruse.org.uk

Further support for bereavement can be found in 'other support available' below.

If your child/ young person has special educational needs and/or a disability you may also find the below services useful:

Contact Ealing 

Offer various sessions and drop in's for parents/carers. Not only does this provide a chance to meet other parents (currently virtually), you can also get advice on certain topics e.g benefits and local support.

Ealing Mencap's Lifeline

Offers support, guidance and someone to talk to during these confusing difficult times.

Parents of Ealing Self-Help Training Scheme (P.E.S.T.S)

P.E.S.T.S not only run monthly parent support group sessions covering various topics such as anxiety and stress, they also offer various other groups you can join with your child.

National Autistic Society 

Various helplines available including a Parent to Parent Emotional Support Helpline so that you can speak to someone. 

Supporting your child/young person

Supporting your child/young person

The below organisations offer support to parents/carers who are worried about their child/young person's mental health. If you would like organisations that young people can contact directly for support- please visit Mental health support and resources for young people |  Ealing Directory (ealingfamiliesdirectory.org.uk) 

Speak CAMHS Helpline

If you are concerned about your child's mental health, you can call Speak CAMHS for support. Children and young people can also call the helpline if they are worried about their own mental health, as well as professionals who have concern's about a child/young person mental health. 

Outside these hours, crisis calls will be passed to an out of hours CAMHS professional. If they're not available to talk straight away, you can arrange a call back.

Papyrus 

Offer confidential help and advice to young people and anyone worried about a young person. 

    BEAT 

    Supports people who have or are worried they have an eating disorder, as well as others affected, such as friends and family members. 

    • Call their Helpline on 0808 801 0677 or Youthline (under 18’s) on 0808 801 0711 (9am–8pm Monday-Friday, 4pm–8pm on weekends and bank holidays)
    • You can also visit their website to access one to one chat online :www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk

    Young Minds 

    Mental health charity that help children and young people. Parents can contact their parent helpline for detailed advice, emotional support and signposting about a child or young person up to the age of 25.

    If your child/ young person has special educational needs and/or a disability you may also find the below services useful:

    Contact Ealing 

    Offer various sessions and drop in's for parents/carers. Not only does this provide a chance to meet other parents (currently virtually), you can also get advice on certain topics e.g benefits and local support.

    Ealing Mencap's Lifeline

    Offers support, guidance and someone to talk to during these confusing difficult times.

    Ealing Anchor Foundation 

    Ealing Anchor Foundation not only run monthly parent support group sessions covering various topics such as anxiety and stress, they also offer various other groups you can join with your child.

    Visit: Ealing Anchor Foundation ( formerly known as P.E.S.T.S-Parents of Ealing Self Help Training Scheme) |  Ealing Directory (ealingfamiliesdirectory.org.uk)

    National Autistic Society 

    Various helplines available including a Parent to Parent Emotional Support Helpline so that you can speak to someone. 

    Resources to support your child/young person can be found in our 'useful resources' below. You can also find support specifically for young people themselves : Mental health support and resources for young people |  Ealing Directory (ealingfamiliesdirectory.org.uk)

    Useful resources

    Looking after your mental health 

    These activities and resources are not a substitute for seeing a mental health professional but are here to help you. If you need to speak to someone, it is okay to ask for help. You can get in touch with the organisations listed above who are there to support you. 

    Guidance for the public on the mental health and wellbeing aspects of coronavirus (COVID-19) - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)- Provides advice on how to look after your mental health and wellbeing during the COVID-19 outbreak

    Every Mind Matters have produced tips if you are feeling anxious about the coronavirus outbreak 

    How to cope if you're feeling anxious- Coronavirus anxiety: how to cope if you’re feeling anxious about the outbreak by British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP)

    Mind Charity- Coronavirus and your wellbeing-  Includes practical advice on staying at home and taking care of your mental health and wellbeing

    OCD & Anxiety - OCD UK have produced a survival guide for those with OCD that are suffering with anxiety during the outbreak.

    Action for Children have some tips and guidance on what steps you can take if you are dealing with feelings of loneliness as a parent.

    Self care 

    NHS OneYou- Every Mind Matters-  Things you can do now to help you keep on top of your mental wellbeing and cope with how you may feel while staying at home. 

    Change4 Life have lots of healthy recipes you can try. You can also find exercise tips that you and your family can enjoy together.

    Supporting your child/young person's mental health 

    Coronavirus and protecting your mental health- The Central London Community Healthcare (CLCH) Trust have produced a guide for parents on looking after mental health, including talking to your children, staying connected and  managing stress. 

    Every Mind Matters have produced tips for parents on supporting their child’s mental wellbeing during coronavirus. 

    Action for Children have various resources and tips available covering how to emotionally support your child during coronavirus, dealing with homeschooling and more. 

    Supporting parents and carers through disruption (video)- Produced by Anna Freud National Centre For Children and Families. 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.

    How to help your teenager with staying home during lockdown | Barnardo's- Barnados have some useful tips on how you can help your teen during lockdown, whilst they may be missing friends and socialising

    Children's Mental Health Week (1st Feb-7th Feb Resources) Find activities you can try together at home to support your child's wellbeing, as well as tips to help you and your children express themselves. 

    Other support available

    If you need help with a specific issue you can visit the pages below which provide useful guidance and information on who you can get in touch with for support. 

    Ealing Together also provide a directory with lots of information on local services that are offering support, this includes help with food deliveries and supplies.

    Visit: Ealing Together | Community Support Directory 

    You can also visit our food banks page for information on accessing food banks: 

    Ealing's Family Information Service can help if you need support accessing a service to meet your needs :

    Tel: 020 8825 5588

    Email: children@ealing.gov.uk  

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