Hi Parents
It’s been more than 2 years since the start of the first lockdown across the UK and most of the World.
To say we have witnessed strange and unprecedented times is an understatement and for many people has caused issues in terms of instability, stress, anxiety, worry, depression, addiction and many more throughout all age groups.
Mental health affects everyone and anyone either directly or indirectly and because of this, the Club are committed in wanting to provide a support mechanism for our coaches, players, and parents/guardians.
Ian has now arranged for Claire Sutton to join the Club as our Mental Health Awareness Officer. Claire is highly experienced within this field from her previous role (of 19 years) in the British Army and will work with our already ‘fantastic’ Welfare Committee in promoting awareness of mental health and safeguarding to help/support anybody that just needs to TALK whilst not being embarrassed to do so! Claire will be around at some training sessions and is helping to train the coaches and managers how to be aware of others mental health and how to signpost them to the best support.
Claire gave an inciteful presentation to our managers, coaches, helpers and committee around why ‘It’s OK to NOT be OK….This sparked a high level of engagement, interaction, and conversation amongst us all, which is fantastic as talking and awareness is what the meeting was all about, and everyone left with a better understanding of how we can support anyone by just asking ‘Are you okay?’
Please do speak to any of the coaches, managers, or welfare officers if you have any concerns over your child’s mental wellbeing or need any support in this area at all.
Below are some early warning signs to look out for if they are out of character for your child and some helpful external websites, self-help ideas and apps that you may find useful.
change in behaviours:
- poor concentration/being easily distracted
- worrying more
- finding it hard to make decisions
- low mood
- feeling overwhelmed by things
- tiredness and lack of energy
- talking less and avoiding social activities
- talking more or talking very fast, jumping between topics and ideas
- finding it difficult to control emotions
- irritability, short temper, aggression
helpful websites:
- Samaritans – samaritans.org.uk
- Youth in Romsey-yir.org
- Young Minds – youngminds.org.uk
- Mind – mind.org.uk
- Anna Freud Centre – annafreud.org/on-my-mind/ resources
- Childline – childline.org.uk
- Rise Above – riseabove.org.uk
- The Children’s Society – childrenssociety.org.uk
- Rethink – rethink.org
- Kooth – kooth.com
Self help:
- Connect with friends and family
- Disconnect with social media
- Undertake physical activity
- Eat well and Sleep well
- Start a new hobby, help others
- practice mindfulness
helpful apps:
- Headspace
- Calm
- White Wall
- Sanvello
- WYSA
- For Me – the Childline app
- MindShift
- Calm Harm
- Elefriends
- WellMind
- Daylio Journal
- Meditation app
- ClearFear
- 3 Minute Mindfulness
the take home message is ‘It’s OK to NOT be OK’ and you are not alone.
Best wishes
Melissa Doherty.