We know parenting isn’t always easy. Although it’s often amazing and rewarding to watch your children grow up, and to help them learn to be independent, it can also be really hard work. It can feel especially hard if your child's mood and behaviour seem different and you're not sure why, or what you can do to help. But you are not alone.
We have lots of practical advice and tips on supporting your child - from how to encourage your child to open up about their feelings to dealing with mental health services. No matter what you and your child are going through, things can get better.
We also have our Parents Helpline who can provide advice and support if you're worried about a child or young person.
Parenting isn’t always easy. Although it’s often amazing, it can be really hard work. Here are our tips for looking after your child while also looking after yourself.
Read advice on helping you and your child manage worries in the cost-of-living crisis, as well as advice on where to find practical and financial support for your family.
Parents Helpline
It's okay to reach out for help. Your situation is unique and no parent has all the answers. We all need a little extra support sometimes, and we hear from parents and carers just like you all the time.
So, if you're worried about the mental health and wellbeing of a child or young person up to the age of 25, you can chat to us by phone, email or webchat.
Our Parents Helpline is also accessible for those who are hard of hearing or speak English as an additional language. If English is not your first or preferred language, we can arrange for a language translator to support you on a call with one of our helpline advisers. Or if you would like to use our webchat or email service, we offer a digital translation service.
Thank you for the support when I didn’t know how to help my son. I have
followed your advice on how to manage the situation, and it helped so, so
much.
You helped me talk to my daughter and for that I will always be grateful.
Supporting young people in your community
Do you work with young people through sports, art, or music and feel under-equipped to support them and their mental health? We have tips and resources for when a young person in your community turns to you for support.
Our A-Z guide, written by our Parents Helpline experts, is full of practical advice and tried and tested tips to help you support your child with whatever they are struggling with. We also have lots of information on where you and your child can get the support you need. Remember, you are not alone, things really can get better, for you and for your child.
We’re sorry to hear that your child is struggling, and we know that this is tough to deal with. Our tips and advice can help you get through this. Use our helpfinder to find out what support is available to you and your child.
There are many ways you can support your child with their mental health. See our Parents' A-Z guide for advice and tips on helping your child, whatever they are going through.
Yes, we help parents and carers who are worried about their child’s mental health with tips, information and advice online and through our Parents Helpline service.
Use our helpfinder to find the right support for you.
We do not provide services such as counselling or therapy for young people.
No, we are a charity that provides information and advice to parents, carers and young people. You can find information about accessing Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) in our parent's guide to CAMHS. For information about other services take a look at our guide to getting support from mental health services or contact our Parents Helpline for more advice.
Our Parents Helpline provides parents and carers with advice and information on where to get help for a child or young person up to the age of 25. You can get in touch with our Parents Helpline by phone, email or webchat.
We provide a one-off Parents Helpline conversation with a trained helpline adviser. If needed, we can also provide you with a further 50-minute consultation with a mental health professional so that you can get more in-depth advice about your child’s situation and guidance on how to access ongoing support.
We do not provide long-term support, but you can find lots of information, advice and tips in our Parents A-Z guide.
Be kind to yourself. Keep reminding yourself that you are doing your best, even if you wish you might have handled something differently that day.