Quick guide to mental health for 5-10 year olds

• The Anna Freud Centre for Children and Families and Young Minds provide a range of different types of support for children, young people, parents and their families.
• The Little Blue Book of Sunshine has tips on how to deal with problems such as anxiety, stress, body image, relationships and anger. It is available for free from Google Play Store  and Apple Books

The impact on a young person

• Anxiety that is short-term, noticeable but non-problematic.
• Nervousness, irritability, impatience, sadness, feeling overwhelmed.
• Avoidance of school, seeing friends or doing activities.
• Tired, low energy, muscle tension, headaches.

Pathway

• Young person or parent speaks with teacher, youth worker, peer, GP etc
• Share ‘Things that could help’
• Speak to school’s pastoral support such as an Emotional Literacy Support Assistant
• If young person improves support them to continue to Thrive with ‘Things that could help’
• If young person continues to struggle or is getting worse see support options in ‘Getting Help’ pathway

The impact on the young person

• Anxiety that is becoming problematic, appears out of context or disproportionate to the reason why they might be worrying.
• Some episodes of panicking such as getting distressed, racing heart rate, quicker breathing, feeling dizzy or faint, vomiting, shaking.
• Anger, withdrawal, pervasive sadness, hopelessness, poor concentration, increased fatigue, aches/ pains.

Pathway

• Young person or parent speaks with teacher, youth worker, peer, GP etc
• Speak to school’s pastoral support such as an Emotional Literacy Support Assistant
• School consult with MHST and refer if appropriate
• GP, CAMHS or MHST can refer to HYA for play-based counselling.
• If young person improves support them to continue to Thrive with ‘Things that could help’
• If young person continues to struggle or is getting worse see ‘Getting More Help’ pathway

The impact on the young person

• These anxieties or episodes of low mood/depression are severe and enduring. These cause significant distress to a young person and significantly disrupts daily coping such as school/college, socialising and self-care activities (e.g. sleeping, bathing, eating).
• Regular episodes of panicking such as getting distressed, racing heart rate, quicker breathing, feeling dizzy or faint, vomiting, shaking.
• Isolating self from friends and family, feeling hopeless about future.

Pathway

• Young person or parent speaks with teacher, youth worker, peer, GP etc
• School to consult with MHST and refer if appropriate
• Referral to Specialist CAMHS
• If young person improves, support them with a robust maintenance plan and signpost ‘Things that could help’
• If young person is in crisis see ‘Getting Crisis Support’ pathway

The impact on the young person

Intense emotional distress with a high risk to self and others – for example, the young person is verbalising a plan to harm themselves or others and the family or network is not able to contain or manage the issue without urgent intervention.

Pathway

• Any urgent concerns about a mental health problem use the NHS 111 online service at 111.nhs.uk or call 111.
• If the young person has injured themselves or taken an overdose or are in an emergency and their life is at risk, dial 999 or go to the nearest emergency department.
• Identify lead professional, step across to ‘Getting More Help’, support discharge plan.

Schools Pastoral Support

All primary schools have a named Mental Health Lead and within schools there is a range of pastoral support available.  Schools also work with other professionals in order to gain advice and guidance on how best to support children’s social and emotional needs. These services may include the Portsmouth Educational Psychology Team, the Multi-Agency Behaviour Support Team and the Inclusion Outreach team.  Within many schools, pastoral support may be provided by Emotional Literacy Support Assistants  (ELSAs). ELSAs are teaching assistants in schools who have been trained by Educational Psychologists. ELSAs work with children who are showing a wide range of emotional or social needs. For example; anxiety, low self-esteem, problems with anger etc. Through individual (and small group) support programmes ELSAs help children to develop their social and emotional skills.

Mental Health Support Teams (MHST’s)

MHST deliver evidence based early interventions for children and young people with mild to moderate mental health problems. This includes 1:1 high/low intensity CBT work with parents and group work. MHST are available in all primary schools across Portsmouth. Young people/parents can speak to their school about making a referral to MHST.

Hampshire Youth Access (HYA) counselling service

Hampshire Youth Access (HYA) offer counselling, mental health and emotional wellbeing support to people aged 5-17 (or up to age 24 for care leavers or those with SEND).

Sessions will be delivered by No Limits in schools, in the community and, for older children, the sessions may be online via Zoom.

Children aged 5-10 will need a referral from a GP, CAMHS, or the MHSTs. Children aged 11-17 (or up to 24 with SEND/care leavers can refer themselves or be referred by a parent/carer or any professional. To refer a young person: call 023 8214 7755, email enquiries@hampshireyouthaccess.org.uk or refer online at Hampshire Youth Access.

Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS)

Specialist CAMHS deliver evidenced based treatment for mental health disorders. Can include medication and talking therapies on a 1-2-1, group or family basis.

Available Monday to Friday, 9am – 5pm.

Contact: 0300 123 6632.

Listening Ear

Listening Ear offers a specialist counselling service for children and young people bereaved by suicide. Any parent, guardian or professional can make a referral by visiting the Listening Ear website.