Campaign supports children’s mental health

A new campaign is being launched to help the mental wellbeing of children and young people.

The Public Health England (PHE) campaign ‘Better Health –Every Mind Matters’ is aiming to support children and their families following the upheaval caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

It comes following research into the impact of school closures, limited social contact with friends and family and no access to leisure activities during the lockdown.

A household survey found 51 per cent of children and young people were bored during lockdown with nearly one in five saying they were unhappy.

The Every Mind Matters website features advice which has been developed in partnership with leading children and young people’s mental health charities, including Young Minds, The Mix, The Place 2 Be and The Anna Freud Centre.

It is designed to help parents and carers spot the signs that children may be struggling with their mental health and gives advice.

Julie Dane shy ar, Health and Wellbeing Programme Manager at Public Health England, North East, said: “People of all ages have been affected in many ways by the pandemic here in the North East, including the very youngest.

“Local families have told us that the mental wellbeing of their children is a priority, both now and in the future.

"By bringing together a wealth of information, advice and ongoing support through ‘Better Health - Every Mind Matters’, we want to make a positive, lasting difference to the lives of thousands of local children, their families and carers.”

Visit www.nhs.uk/oneyou/ every-mind-matters/