Tag: Child mental health

Learning to find joy in pain

June 1, 2020by moodcoachLeave a comment

I get this and I have experienced this myself – granted, not as painful as some people have had it. In this podcast, Meehan Krist eloquently describes living with uncertainty and her difficulty in deciding whether to bring a child into a world that is both “more terrible and more wonderful”.

Its a great listen that celebrates being human and a capacity to survive through learning, creativity, and embracing diversity.

For my part, my resilience lies in my love of learning and the joy and pain of helping young people who feel lost and anxious. More than this, I am currently helping others to help others through my teachings and supervision or by just sharing information including signposting uplifting podcasts that help us think differently.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000jp1y

What’s catching my eye: January 7th, 2019

January 7, 2019January 7, 2019by moodcoachLeave a comment

person showing white mug in focus photography — Photo by Bianca Gonçalves on Pexels.com

1 Andrew Marr this week (7th January, 2019) is covering depression in “Start the Week” radio programme and will offer some interesting perspectives including ditching material aspirations, ditching the computer and getting out in the daylight.
2 Looking forward to the new NHS Plan to be launched today (7th January, 2019) and how it might emphasise prevention of mental ill health and more resources for children with poor mental health. And not before time, money on young people and children and their mental health is money well spent.

What is catching my eye: 21st September, 2018

September 24, 2018September 24, 2018by moodcoachLeave a comment

1 Excellent workshop organised by Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust on #PTSD and children. I am certainly going to buy the book that provided the model covered: “Post Traumatic Stress Disorder: CBT with Children and Adolescents” by Smith et al…. despite its date.

2 Panorama tonight should be interesting as its all about CAMHS and its importance:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0blqkd0

3 As someone working with young minds, this has caught my eye – looks like they are providing a range of support for young children and their parents:

https://youngminds.org.uk/
4 Let’s hope they find some answers – research into #depression and what might work for those who don’t respond to #anti-depressants:

http://www.itv.com/news/2018-09-17/could-saliva-unlock-the-reasons-why-suffer-from-depression-and-anxiety/
5 Restarted my #mindfulness practice now that I have re-enrolled on a course, I had forgotten how important the process is and found a good website for free guided meditation:

http://franticworld.com/free-meditations-from-mindfulness/

What’s catching my eye: 8.9.2018

September 8, 2018September 8, 2018by moodcoachLeave a comment

1 A piece in the “Conversation” on teaching skills to young people to help them stay mentally well. Couldn’t agree more. As someone now working with children and adolescents, it has confirmed my beliefs that we need to do our best to respond to early signs of poor mental health and equip our young people with the skills to manage low moods and anxiety:

https://theconversation.com/schools-need-to-teach-pupils-skills-to-maintain-good-mental-health-heres-how-95885

2 Transitions for children / young people are often triggers for negative thoughts and stress. Starting university is one of these, so agree with the need to help people cope with it:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-45426843?intlink_from_url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/topics/cwlw3xz04egt/mental-health&link_location=live-reporting-correspondent

3 Similarly, this website is a resource aiming to help students with their mental well being:

https://www.studentsagainstdepression.org/

4 A generous student on placement in the NHS department I work introduced me to this resource for those helping children in distress:
https://www.minded.org.uk/

What is catching my eye 30th July

July 30, 2018July 30, 2018by moodcoachLeave a comment

1 Okay college has just broken up, but some students will be focused on how they will cope with a new college environment or maybe want to feel better next term. A great website is students against depression, full of useful exercises and ideas:
https://www.studentsagainstdepression.org/

2 This App. looks potentially useful in that it explores self harm and alternatives for young people:
https://www.theguardian.com/advertiser-content/axa-health-tech-and-you/heroes-of-health-tech-calm-harm-by-dr-nihara-krause

3 This organisation looks like it does some potentially valuable work with children and adolescence:
https://www.worthit.org.uk/evidence-base/

4 Charities in Bury have been receiving some good support of late, from Bury Council and this Directory is full of good contacts:

https://www.theburydirectory.co.uk/kb5/bury/directory/results.page?qt=mental+health&term=&sorttype=relevance

5 I like BIG in Mental Health (a charity in Bury) especially their programme of speakers:
Recovery Group

What’s catching my eye 5th July 2018

July 5, 2018July 5, 2018by moodcoachLeave a comment

Now I am working in a Child and Adolescent Service I am drawn, more than ever, to aspects of prevention of mental health illness.

Perhaps, more than any other area, child and adolescent mental health should be protected and resourced with a special focus on prevention. To do so makes sense. The more we can prevent mental ill health developing the less likely are we to create life long suffering and dependence on much stretched services.

There is plenty of interesting research out there but recently I received articles on folic acid and sever mental ill health:
https://www.mqmentalhealth.org/news-blog/post/prenatal-folic-acid-psychosis?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Roffman%20folic%20acid%20-%20new%20and%20existing%20supporters&utm_content=Roffman%20folic%20acid%20-%20new%20and%20existing%20supporters+Version+A+CID_3e62110a67fdf7ffff625fc034522064&utm_source=campaign%20monitor&utm_term=Find%20out%20more%20in%20our%20blog

My interest with social media and facilitating mental health drew me to this research. I am working on a package that is bang in line with the Draft NICE Guidelines on Depression:
https://www.nationalelfservice.net/mental-health/depression/moderated-online-social-therapy-relapse-prevention-for-youth-depression/