As a parent or carer, how can I help?
We’ve compiled a range of information that you and your child can explore together.
- The Coping with Common Issues page covers a variety of areas that can impact on a young person’s wellbeing and behaviour
- You can also find help on the advice for young people pages.
There’s also plenty you can do to help them. See below.
Talking and listening
Talking and keeping connected is vital when young people are struggling. Try our top tips on starting conversations.
Inform yourself
Discover resources and services across Swansea and Neath Port Talbot.
Finding support for your child
Find out about support services in Swansea, and in Neath Port Talbot. For specific difficulties, see our Coping with Common Issues page.
Looking after yourself
When a child is unhappy or not coping, it can be hard on everyone. Try our top tips for feeling good.
Does your child need extra support?
If your child has a special educational need or disability, click below.
Self-care
Self-care is for everyone – not just for those struggling with a mental illness. Making changes to look after ourselves, or practice self-care, can have a positive impact on our mental health, and can even prevent difficulties from getting worse.
You might want to share some of the resources below with your child to help them support themselves.
Self-care & mindfulness resources
Self-care
Our ‘Getting the Support you Need’ page provides some useful self-care resources.
Mindfulness
Learn how mindfulness can support your child’s emotional wellbeing.
Local groups & helplines
Mental Health Matters – self-harm
Online group Better Together: Caring for Someone that Harms.
Every Tuesday 4:30pm – 6pm on ZOOM.
Email: share@mhmwales.org
Mental Health Matters – eating disorders
Online group Better Together: Caring for Someone with an Eating Disorder.
Every Tuesday 4:30pm – 6pm on ZOOM.
Email: share@mhmwales.org
Platfform – Schools Wellbeing
Platfform provides counselling services and therapeutic interventions for children and young people of school age in Swansea.
Speak to a school staff member to access support or to make a referral complete the following forms or give us a call:
- Primary school aged referral School Based Counselling for Primary School – Referral Form (jotform.com)
- Secondary school aged referral School https://form.jotform.com/242563306724354Based Counselling for Secondary School – Referral Form (jotform.com)
Tel: 07436 090 813 / 01792 763350
Swansea Early Help Hubs
Working together to support children, young people and families to live happy, healthy, and safe lives by having access to the right help, at the right time if and when they need it.
Family Mediation – Llamau Neath Port Talbot
Experiencing difficulties in your relationship with your child at home? Call Family Mediation.
Tel: 01639 685219
Family Lives
Emotional support, information, advice and guidance on any aspect of parenting and family life.
Action for Children
Every parent needs a little support from time to time. From bonding with your baby to potty training, behaviour and mental health or housing-related issues for young parents – we’re here to help you navigate the everyday.
Visit Parent Talk our free webchat/WhatsApp service, or find other ways we can support you by visiting the link below.
Parenting: Give it Time
Welsh Government website providing free practical guidance and support from experts in Wales.
Useful resources
Black dog named Depression
A story about overcoming the ‘black dog of depression’.
BBC Teach – An Exploration of Mental Health Issues
A collection of short animated films that use powerful personal testimony to explore mental health issues from the perspective of young people.
Suitable for 7+
BBC Teach – My Troubled Mind – Stories about teenage mental health
A series of powerful animated short films exploring through personal testimony the experiences of teenagers dealing with mental health issues including eating disorders, anxiety, addiction and depression.
Suitable for 11+