COVID-19 and lockdown can be very hard for families. We are spending a lot more time in the house with our family members and experiencing new emotions due to what is going on in the world, which can be difficult to explain or process.
These resources are to help you to and your family get through the COVID-19 pandemic and look after your mental health and wellbeing.
Jump to resources for:
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Cruse – Coping with Trauma and Loss
Someone close to you may have died in sudden and/or traumatic circumstances. You may have witnessed the death, or the deaths and injury of others. This leaflet explains some common reactions and sources of help.
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Cruse - Restoring Hope
This leaflet is about what you can do to help yourself, how others can help you, how you can help other people who may be struggling to cope after the death of someone close and where you can get more advice and support.
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Cruse – Grief Within the Family
Our way of grieving is as unique to each of us as our fingerprint and this can cause particular problems when a family is affected by grief.
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Cruse – Corona Virus Grief and Trauma
- If someone dies of coronavirus or complications resulting from the virus, a number of things may be particularly hard for family and friends to deal with.
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Cruse – A Child's Understanding of Death
A childs understanding is different at different stages of development. Helpline: 0808 808 1677.
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Child Bereavement UK
We help children and young people (up to age 25), parents, and families, to rebuild their lives when a child grieves or when a child dies. We also provide training to professionals, equipping them to provide the best possible care to bereaved families.
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When a Child Dies
A guide for parents & carers
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What to do if a child or baby dies
Information on the steps you need to take if a child or baby dies
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Supporting bereaved children and young people
Having to be apart from loved ones when they are so seriously ill that they might die is one of the very worst aspects of the Covid-19 outbreak. The Child bereavement network's guide for families has ways for children and adults to keep in touch and feel connected, even at a distance.
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Good Mental Health Matters
Developed by the NHS in Kent, Good Mental Health Matters is a free resource for Primary and Secondary school teachers, parents and young people.
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Rise Above
For young people, which includes RSHE lesson plans for schools; and guidance on mental health and wellbeing during the pandemic for adults and on supporting children and young people.
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Live Well Kent
We can help you improve your mental and physical health and wellbeing. It is a free service for anyone aged 17 and over.
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Mental Health Matters
We help people achieve good mental and physical wellbeing and live life to the full
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Samaritans
Whatever you're going through, a Samaritan will face it with you. We're here 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
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SANE
In these difficult times SANE is continuing to offer help through our team of professionals and trained volunteers
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Kent and Medway NHS and Social Care Partnership Trust (KMPT)
The emphasis is on reducing immediate distress and support people to access services and opportunities available in the wider community.
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Every Mind Matters
Having good mental health helps us relax more, achieve more and enjoy our lives more. We have expert advice and practical tips to help you look after your mental health and wellbeing.
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Safe Havens
Safe Havens can offer support to reduce immediate distress and support people to access relevant services.
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Minded
A free educational resource on children and young people's mental health for all adults
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Early help & Preventative Services
Supporting Children, Young People and Families in Kent. Information for Families
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Internet Matters
A one-stop shop resource featuring guides and apps to help you support others.
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Covid-19: Online Safeguarding Resources for Educational Settings and Parents
With the closure of many schools and settings in response to COVID-19 (Coronavirus), children and young people are accessing much of their learning virtually, as well as spending more time playing and socialising online.
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Let's Talk About It...
An initiative designed to provide practical help and guidance to the public in order to stop people becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism
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Educate Against Hate
Free resources and advice to assist in building resilience against messages of hate crime.
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Action for Children
We all have ups and downs in life. But as a parent, you can help your child feel ready to cope with life’s challenges when they arise.
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SEND Support
Iask provide free, impartial and confidential information, advice and support about special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) for children, young people up to age 25, parents and carers
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Stressed?
Learn to reframe stressful situations with this short meditation.
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Prevention of young suicide
We provide confidential support and advice to young people struggling with thoughts of suicide, and anyone worried about a young person
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Young Minds
Information, resources and a helpline for parents
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Action for Children
A resource that helps parents/carers support children in managing life's ups and downs.
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Moving from child to adult mental health services
A guide on what to expect when moving from child to adult mental health services and what do do if things don't go the way they should.
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Progressive Muscle Relaxation
Sometimes we can be so tense that we don't even remember what being relaxed feels like. This exercise teaches you to recognise when you are starting to get tense and how to relax
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Family Lives
If you’re finding it hard at home with your child and struggling to cope, free confidential advice is available.
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NSPCC
If you’re concerned about the safety of a child in our community call 0808 800 500.
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Fegans
Contains articles and ideas for parents on how to manage family life during lockdown.
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Family Fund
Helping families across the UK who are raising a disabled or seriously ill child or young person aged 17 or under.
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Partnership for Children
A worksheet to help your child understand and cope with change
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ASC Guide for coping with lockdown
An information pack which aims to support parents of children with an ASD or LD during this tricky time and will hopefully make things a little more manageable.
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Find a foodbank
Search for a foodbank near to you by postcode
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Home essentials in a crisis
We may be able to help if you are having serious difficulties managing your income due to a crisis or if you are facing exceptional pressures because of an emergency.
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Kent together
This supports vulnerable people in Kent who need urgent help, supplies or medication. KCC, NHS, emergency Services and Partners provide a single point of contact for anyone in need of help during Covid-19.
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Big White Wall
Online support for 16-25 year olds.
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One You Kent
One You Kent information and guidance for healthy lifestyle choices with a selection of free apps and support offered via telephone.
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School Public Health Service
The School Public Health Service has produced a frequently asked questions resource for parents, including guidance on supporting children and young peoples’ understanding of corona virus.
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NSPCC: Coronavirus, mental health and wellbeing
Coronavirus has changed lots of things about family life. Some parents and carers might be worried about how to manage stress and changes to their daily routines. It's important to remember that everyone copes with change and stress in different ways. NSPCC have got some hints and tips you might find helpful.
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Guidance for parents and carers on supporting children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic
This advice is to help adults with caring responsibilities look after the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people, including those with additional needs and disabilities, during the COVID-19 pandemic
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Barnardos: The See, Hear, Respond Support Hub
Here you will find a range of resources, tools, videos and more focused on supporting your family during the pandemic.
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Looking after your mental health and wellbeing
Here you'll find suggestions that can help your wellbeing as well as children and young people's wellbeing. There are local activities, inspiration and a handy list of resources and services to get you started.
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Free Mental Health E-Learning
With a continued rise in incidents of mental ill health and disorders in the UK, Mental Health Awareness has become an extremely important issue
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Youth Mental Health First Aid via ZOOM.
A two-hour Mental Health Awareness session which looks at what mental health is, and what some of the common mental health problems are.
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Child in Mind
A series of expert podcasts to help parents understand and manage child and family mental health problems.
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Witherslack Group
Offering a series of webinars to support parents/carers of children with special educational needs
