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Just like adults, children and young people feel worried and anxious at times.
But if your child's anxiety is starting to affect their wellbeing, they may need some help.

What makes children anxious?

Children can feel anxious about different things at different ages. Many of these worries are a normal part of growing up.

From the age of around 6 months to 3 years it's very common for young children to have separation anxiety. They may become clingy and cry when separated from their parents or carers. This is a normal stage in a child's development and should stop at around age 2 to 3.

It's also common for preschool-age children to develop specific fears or phobias. Common fears in early childhood include animals, insects, storms, heights, water, blood and the dark. These fears usually go away gradually on their own.

There may also be other times in a child's life when they feel anxious. For example, many children feel anxious when going to a new school or before tests and exams. Some children feel shy in social situations and may need support with this.

When is anxiety a problem for children?

Anxiety becomes a problem for children when it starts to get in the way of their everyday life.

If you go into any school at exam time, all the children will be anxious, but some may be so anxious that they do not manage to get to school that morning.

Severe anxiety like this can harm children's mental and emotional wellbeing, affecting their self-esteem and confidence. They may become withdrawn and go to great lengths to avoid things or situations that make them feel anxious.

What are the signs of anxiety in children?

When young children feel anxious, they cannot always understand or express what they are feeling. You may notice that they:

become irritable, tearful or clingy

have difficulty sleeping

wake in the night

start wetting the bed

have bad dreams

In older children you may notice that they:

lack confidence to try new things or seem unable to face simple, everyday challenges

find it hard to concentrate

have problems with sleeping or eating

have angry outbursts

have a lot of negative thoughts, or keep thinking that bad things are going to happen

start avoiding everyday activities, such as seeing friends, going out in public or going to school

Find out more about the symptoms of anxiety on our page about anxiety disorders in children.

Why is my child anxious?

Some children are more likely to have worries and anxiety than others.

Children often find change difficult and may become anxious following a house move or when starting a new school.

Children who have had a distressing or traumatic experience, such as a car accident or house fire, may have anxiety afterwards.

Family arguments and conflict can also make children feel insecure and anxious.

Teenagers are more likely to have social anxiety than other age groups, avoiding social gatherings or making excuses to get out of them.

Find out more about social anxiety.

How to help an anxious child

If a child is experiencing anxiety, there are things that parents and carers can do to help.

First and foremost, it's important to talk to your child about their anxiety or worries. Reassure them and show them you understand how they feel.

If your child is old enough, it may help to explain what anxiety is and the physical effects it has on our bodies. It may be helpful to describe anxiety as being like a wave that builds up and then ebbs away again.

As well as talking to your child about their worries and anxiety, it's important to help them find solutions.

For example, if your child is worried about going to a sleepover, it is natural to want to tell them not to go. However, this could mean your child feels that their anxiety will stop them from doing things.

It's better to recognise their anxiety and suggest solutions to help them, so they can go to the sleepover with a plan in place.

Other ways to ease anxiety in children

teach your child to recognise signs of anxiety in themselves

encourage your child to manage their anxiety and ask for help when they need it

children of all ages find routines reassuring, so try to stick to regular daily routines where possible

if your child is anxious because of distressing events, such as a bereavement or separation, look for books or films that will help them to understand their feelings

if you know a change, such as a house move, is coming up, prepare your child by talking to them about what is going to happen and why

try not to become overprotective or anxious yourself

practise simple relaxation techniques with your child, such as taking 3 deep, slow breaths, breathing in for a count of 3 and out for 3.

distraction can be helpful for young children. For example, if they are anxious about going to nursery, play games on the way there, such as seeing who can spot the most red cars

turn an empty tissue box into a "worry" box. Get your child to write about or draw their worries and "post" them into the box. Then you can sort through the box together at the end of the day or week

Find out more

When should we get help?

If your child's anxiety is severe, persists and interferes with their everyday life, it's a good idea to get some help.

A visit to a GP is a good place to start. If your child's anxiety is affecting their school life, it's a good idea to talk to their school as well.

Parents and carers can get help and advice about children's mental health from Young Minds' free parent helpline on 0808 802 5544, from Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 4pm.

Find out more about treatments on our page about anxiety disorders in children.

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How to help your child deal with anxiety about things such as going to school or socialising with friends. Also, how to tell when it's time to get medical help.

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Depression does not only affect adults. Children and young people can get depressed too.
It's important to get help early if you think your child may be depressed. The longer it goes on, the more likely it is to disrupt your child's life and turn into a long-term problem.

Signs of depression in children

Symptoms of depression in children often include:

sadness, or a low mood that does not go away

being irritable or grumpy all the time

not being interested in things they used to enjoy

feeling tired and exhausted a lot of the time

Your child may also:

have trouble sleeping or sleep more than usual

not be able to concentrate

interact less with friends and family

be indecisive

not have much confidence

eat less than usual or overeat

have big changes in weight

seem unable to relax or be more lethargic than usual

talk about feeling guilty or worthless

feel empty or unable to feel emotions (numb)

have thoughts about suicide or self-harming

actually self-harm, for example, cutting their skin or taking an overdose

Some children have problems with anxiety as well as depression. Some also have physical symptoms, such as headaches and stomach aches.

Problems at school and problem behaviour can be a sign of depression in children and young people.

Older children who are depressed may misuse drugs or alcohol.

Why is my child depressed?

Things that increase the risk of depression in children include:

family difficulties

bullying

physical, emotional or sexual abuse

a family history of depression or other mental health problems

Sometimes depression is triggered by a difficult event, such as parents separating, a bereavement or problems with school or other children.

Often it's caused by a mixture of things. For example, your child may have a tendency to get depression and also have experienced some difficult life events.

If you think your child is depressed

If you think your child may be depressed, it's important to talk to them. Try to find out what's troubling them and how they're feeling.

See some tips on talking to younger children about their feelings and talking to teenagers.

Whatever is causing the problem, take it seriously. It may not seem like a big deal to you, but it could be a major problem for your child.

If your child does not want to talk to you, let them know you're concerned about them and you're there if they need you.

Encourage them to talk to someone else they trust, such as another family member, a friend or someone at school.

It may be helpful for you to talk to other people who know your child, including their other parent.

You could also contact their school to ask if the staff have any concerns.

When to get medical help

If you think your child is depressed, or you're concerned about their general wellbeing, make an appointment with them to see a GP.

If necessary, the GP can refer your child to a local children and young people's mental health services for specialist help.

CYPMHS is used as a term for all services that work with children and young people who have difficulties with their mental health or wellbeing.

You may also be able to refer your child without seeing a GP.

Read more about where to get mental health support.

Further support

If you need support during a mental health crisis or emergency, read about where to get urgent help for mental health.

If you're worried about any aspect of your child's mental health, you can call the charity YoungMinds' free parents' helpline for advice on 0808 802 5544 from Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 4pm.
The YoungMinds website also has mental health support and advice for your child

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Find out about the warning signs of depression in children and young people, and the help available if you suspect your child or teen is depressed.

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Young Minds - Guide to Mental Health Support & CAMHS

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Young Minds - Guide to Mental Health Support & CAMHS

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Your guide to CAMHS and mental health support, including information on inpatient care, talking to your GP about mental health and counselling and therapy.

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Wellbeing & Counselling -Building quality relationships to help young people thrive.

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Changing the odds in favour of young people

We are proud to be able to support so many young people across Devon, Plymouth and Torbay. We have been finding new and different ways to help young people thrive for over 70 years and are passionate about putting young people at the heart of Devon.

"I love Young Devon, they've always supported me"

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Changing the odds in favour of young people We are proud to be able to support so many young people across Devon, Plymouth and Torbay. We have been finding new and different ways to help young people thrive for over 70 years and are passionate about putting young people at the heart of Devon.

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The Clear Fear app by stem4 provides ways for children and young people to manage symptoms of anxiety

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The fear of threat, or anxiety, is like a strong gust of wind. It drags you in and makes you want to fight it or run away.

Instead, face your fear with the Clear Fear app and learn to reduce the physical responses to threat as well as changing thoughts and behaviours and releasing emotions.

Anxiety is a natural response to fear, threat and apprehension. However, when anxiety is extreme or goes on for a long time, or the response to a threat is disproportionately large and affects a person negatively, it may become an anxiety disorder.

Anxiety disorders are the most common form of emotional disorder and respond very well to a form of treatment called Cognitive Behavioural Therapy or CBT.
When you face your fear, you will reduce the threat and glide.

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Clear Fear is the latest app from award-winning teenage mental health charity stem4.

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App - Making sense of your moods

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Kooth is your online mental wellbeing community. Access free, safe and anonymous.

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Kooth is your online mental wellbeing community. Access free, safe and anonymous

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School Anxiety and Refusal- Parent Guide

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School Anxiety and Refusal- Parent Guide

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It's normal for children and young people to feel worried about something that's happening at school - for example, when starting a new school or during exams. Sometimes, however, school can become challenging, stressful or distressing over a much longer period of time.

If your child is feeling anxious about school, or not able to go, it can be exhausting for both of you. Mornings in particular can become really stressful for the whole family, as you try to juggle your child's feelings alongside the need to get them to school and get on with your other responsibilities such as work. Even if you manage to get your child to the school gate, you might know how difficult they're going to find the day - or know that you'll be facing the same problem tomorrow morning.

If you're in this situation, we've got advice to help you explore what's going on with your child, make changes at school that can help, and find the support you need if your child can't go to school.

Young people can feel anxious about school for lots of different reasons. They might be worried about making friends or fitting in, find schoolwork or lessons confusing, feel pressured to learn in a certain way or find their relationships with teachers difficult.

Sometimes, going through difficult experiences outside of school - such as bereavement, an illness in the family or being a young carer - can also make it harder for a child to feel settled at school.

For some young people, the school environment isn't right for them, and trying to fit into it can create a huge amount of stress. This might be the case if they are struggling with their mental health, or have a neurodiverse condition or Special Educational Need (SEN) such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia or dyspraxia. This can make the school environment anxiety-provoking and exhausting, especially if their condition or need is undiagnosed or not being well supported.

Young people might show they're feeling anxious about school by:

not wanting to get up and get ready

saying they can't go

worrying a lot about small issues, such as having the right equipment for a lesson

feeling sick, or having stomach aches or headaches

not sleeping well

not doing schoolwork, or their grades dropping

being angry or upset, or acting out - at school or at home

withdrawing - seeming low, quiet or depressed

It's often difficult for your child to articulate the problem. They may be in a heightened state of stress and not know why or feel able to explain. Your child probably wants to feel able to be in school, just as much as you want them to be there. In many cases it just doesn't feel possible.

Sometimes it can be difficult to work out what's making your child feel anxious, and the first step is often helping them to identify exactly what's worrying them. Once you understand the problem, you'll be in a much better position to make changes that can help.

Young people can find it hard to explain what's causing their feelings, and might not be able to answer direct questions like 'what's going on?' Using an anxiety iceberg can help to open up the conversation - giving you a more relaxed way of exploring together what's causing their anxiety.

Watch our video to find out how to make an anxiety iceberg with your child.

If you're making an anxiety iceberg with younger children, you might want to draw images on the iceberg, or encourage them to write simple words. With older children and teenagers, you can ask them to write key words and phrases on the iceberg, or do this as a mind map, with 'school' in the middle and all the things they're finding difficult around the outside.

Through this exercise, you might identify worries such as arriving at school, finding the environment noisy or overwhelming, finding lessons confusing, feeling lonely through the day, or feeling uncomfortable during specific subjects.

Once you understand what's going on for your child, you can use their anxiety iceberg or mind map to communicate with the school and ask for specific changes.

Follow these steps to start a conversation with the school:

Here are some examples of things you can ask the school for:

Remember that even though this situation can be really tough for you and your child, it's a good idea to maintain a positive relationship with the school. Recognise the support they're offering and any changes they're making. This will help you work together to make things better for your child.

Building a relationship with the attendance team at my son's school was hugely helpful, we were talking with them each day.

If your child isn't going to school at the moment, it might feel incredibly stressful and tiring. You might be worried about when they will be able to get back to school or the impact on their education. Or you might feel overwhelmed because you're juggling this alongside work and other family commitments. Things are probably feeling tough for your child too.

During this time, it's important to keep working with teachers and other staff to try strategies that can help your child get back to school. Keep encouraging them to take achievable steps towards attending too. When the right support is in place, it's often easier for a young person to get back into their usual routine if they can return to school as quickly as possible.

If your child's anxiety about school has built up to the point where they can't go, it's a good idea to get them some professional mental health or SEN support. Find out how to do this further down the page.

Alongside requesting professional help, try to:

The school's SEN and attendance policies should be on their website. Knowing what these are can support you during meetings with the school.

This can help if your child is unable to go to school for a longer period of time and you need to ask for more support, including provision of alternative full-time education.

Encourage your child to get up, do some studying and stop for lunch at the same times they would if they were in school. This will make adapting back to school easier. Explain to your child that if they cannot go to school, they will need to study at home - at least until alternative arrangements are put in place. Ask the school to help you facilitate tasks and activities your child can do and use online resources such as BBC Bitesize.

Not going to school could leave your child feeling really isolated. Make sure they stay connected to the outside world by seeing friends and family, doing activities they enjoy and getting outside for walks and exercise.

Speaking to friends online can be really important if your child is feeling isolated at home. Sometimes, however, you might notice that your child is spending lots of time gaming or on their phone, and that this is getting in the way of important daily activities like spending quality time with family, learning, or sleeping and eating well. If this is becoming a problem, have a look at our guide to gaming or guide to social media for more information and advice.

Local authorities must provide alternative education if a child of compulsory school age is unable to attend school over a longer period of time. If your child cannot attend school because of a mental or physical health issue, the local authority should provide an alternative as soon as it is clear that they will be away from school for more than 15 days (either consecutively or over time). Find out how to request alternative education.

Getting back to school after weeks or months may feel extremely difficult for your child, but you and the school can help make it more manageable. Here are some things you can do to help:

Set small, achievable targets, such as visiting the building outside school hours or attending one lesson.

Request a home visit from a school staff member so your child can check in while feeling safe, see that the school cares and discuss any strategies that might help them.

Ask for a reduced timetable, with regular reviews to discuss building back up at a manageable rate.

Discuss changing classes or sets if your child thinks this would help.

Focus on qualifications needed for what your child wants to do next, perhaps dropping a less relevant GCSE to reduce stress.

My son wasn't questioned about his absence when he did feel able to pop in for favourite lessons, helping to ease him back into full days of education.

If your child is struggling with anxiety and it's affecting their day-to-day life, learning or relationships, it's a good idea to find some professional support. Speaking to the GP and finding them a counsellor or therapist are two good places to start. You can find more information about GPs, counsellors and other mental health services in our guide to getting support from mental health services.

If there is no other obvious reason for your child's inability to attend school, they may have an undiagnosed Special Educational Need (SEN) such as dyslexia, autism or ADHD.

If you think this is the case:

Speak to the school's SENCO or your GP to ask for a referral for an assessment.

While you are waiting for an assessment, you can also ask the SENCO to refer your child for support from other professionals, such as an Educational Psychologist or Speech and Language Therapist. These professionals can identify specific needs and make recommendations for additional support the school can put in place - even if your child hasn't had a formal diagnosis yet.

SEN support at school
If your child is diagnosed with SEN, extra support and adjustments should be put in place at school to help them attend and learn. This is called SEN support, and should be available within the school's existing resources. Speak to the school's SENCO in the first instance about how the school will support your child.
Education, Health and Care (EHC) plans
If you do not think your child's needs can be met by the school's existing resources, you can ask the local authority to carry out an Education, Health and Care needs assessment (EHC needs assessment). If the local authority decides your child needs additional support, they will then make an Education, Health and Care plan (EHC plan). This outlines how the extra support they need will be provided. Find out more about EHC plans.
Your Local Offer
Your Local Offer is the information, support and services available for young people with SEN, and for their parents and families. You can find out what support is available in your area by going to your local authority's website and searching for their Local Offer.

While we take care to ensure that the organisations we signpost to provide high quality information and advice, we cannot take responsibility for any specific pieces of advice they may offer. We encourage parents and carers to always explore the website of a linked service or organisation to understand who they are and what support they offer before engaging with them.

We have more tips and advice on supporting your child with school, and information about how you can get in touch with our Parents Helpline.
This page was reviewed in December 2022. It was created with parents and carers with lived experience of supporting their child or young person with school anxiety. We will next review the page in 2025. YoungMinds is a proud member of PIF TICK - the UK's quality mark for trusted health information.
Whether you love the page or think something is missing, we appreciate your feedback. It all helps us to support more young people with their mental health.

Please be aware that this form isn't a mental health support service. If your child is in crisis right now and you want to talk to someone urgently, find out who to contact on our urgent help page.

At YoungMinds we take your privacy seriously. If you'd like to read more about how we keep the information we collect safe, take a look at our privacy policy.

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School Anxiety and Refusal | Parent Guide to Support

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If your child is anxious about school, or refusing to go to school at all, read our tips and advice on how you can support their mental health.

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Our dedicated sleep service is here to help.

Alongside our Sleep Tips booklet and relevant guides, we also offer one-to-one support. This involves completing an application form for your child and two weeks' worth of sleep diaries which we'll send out to you as long as you come under our criteria for support.

If you need one-to-one support and are a parent/carer or a professional referring a family with their consent to having sleep support, please click the button below to contact the sleep service.

If you have a question or query about our services please email us at [email protected].

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Sleep tips Our Sleep Tips booklet introduces and explains different techniques for you to try that may improve your child's sleep. It covers ten main topics including bedtime routines, daytime napping, comfort objects and moving bedtime backwards or forwards. It gives lots of illustrated hints and tips for putting the...

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NHS- Physical activity guidelines for children and young people

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NHS- Physical activity guidelines for children and young people

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How much physical activity should children and young people aged 5 to 18 do to keep healthy?
Children and young people need to do 2 types of physical activity each week:

aerobic exercise

exercises to strengthen their muscles and bones

Children and young people aged 5 to 18 should:

aim for an average of at least 60 minutes of moderate or vigorous intensity physical activity a day across the week

take part in a variety of types and intensities of physical activity across the week to develop movement skills, muscles and bones

reduce the time spent sitting or lying down and break up long periods of not moving with some activity. Aim to spread activity throughout the day

What counts as moderate activity?

Moderate intensity activities will raise your heart rate, and make you breathe faster and feel warmer.

One way to tell if you're working at a moderate intensity level is if you can still talk, but not sing.

Children and young people should do a range of different activities across the week.

Examples include:

walking to school or walking the dog

playground activities, including jumping, running and catching

physical education

sports, like football or tennis

swimming

skipping

dancing

skateboarding or rollerblading

cycling

What activities strengthen muscles and bones?

Examples include:

gymnastics

football

jumping

martial arts

sit-ups, press-ups and other similar exercises (for young people)

resistance exercises with exercise bands, weight machines or handheld weights (for young people)

Exercising safely

Children and young people should:

get medical advice about exercising if they have a health condition

do exercise that is suitable for their age, ability and experience

start any new exercise slowly and increase it bit by bit

use protective equipment, for example for cycling and skateboarding

Young people can use weights for resistance exercise if a qualified adult trains them to use weights correctly and supervises them.

Physical activity recommendation for other age groups:
GOV.UK has infographics on physical activity for children and young people

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Physical activity guidelines for children and young people

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Find out how much physical activity children and young people aged 5 to 18 need to do to keep healthy?

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Shout - UK's 24/7 Crisis Text Service for Mental Health Support

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Shout - UK's 24/7 Crisis Text Service for Mental Health Support

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24/7

You can text us any time, day or night.

Confidential

Your messages with us are confidential and anonymous.

Free

It is free to text Shout from all major mobile networks in the UK.

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Donations doubled in the Big Give Christmas Challenge

Simply support Shout's Big Give campaign by midday on 5 December, and your donation will be doubled!

Can you help us hit our match funding target of £50,000 and support a further 5,000 people this winter?

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Ways to cope with upsetting events in the news

If you're feeling overwhelmed, anxious or sad about what's going on in the news, know that you're definitely not alone. Here are some actions we can take to help us cope better through times like this.

Find out more

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Online resources and support

However you're feeling right now, you don't have to face it alone. We're here to support you with your mental health.

Take a look at our resources, information and support, find further help or reach out to one of our volunteers.

Resources for you

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Shout - UK's 24/7 Crisis Text Service for Mental Health Support

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Shout 85258 is the UK's first 24/7 text service for anyone in crisis. Get free, confidential mental health support anytime, anywhere. Text 'SHOUT' to 85258.

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It's natural to worry whether your child is getting enough food if they refuse to eat sometimes.
But it's perfectly normal for toddlers to refuse to eat or even taste new foods.

Do not worry about what your child eats in a day or if they do not eat everything at mealtimes. It's more helpful to think about what they eat over a week.

If your child is active and gaining weight, and they seem well, then they're getting enough to eat.

As long as your child eats some food from the 4 main food groups (fruit and vegetables; potatoes, bread, rice, pasta and other starchy carbohydrates; dairy or dairy alternatives; and beans, pulses, fish, eggs, meat and other proteins) you do not need to worry. Find out more about what to feed young children.

Gradually introduce other foods and keep going back to the foods your child did not like before. Children's tastes change. One day they'll hate something, but a month later they may love it.

Keep offering a variety of foods - it may take lots of attempts before your child accepts some foods.

Tips for parents of fussy eaters

Give your child the same food as the rest of the family, but remember not to add salt to your child's food. Check the label of any food product you use to make family meals.

The best way for your child to learn to eat and enjoy new foods is to copy you. Try to eat with them as often as you can.

Give small portions and praise your child for eating, even if they only eat a little.

If your child rejects the food, do not force them to eat it. Just take the food away without saying anything. Try to stay calm, even if it's very frustrating. Try the food again another time.

Do not leave meals until your child is too hungry or tired to eat.

Your child may be a slow eater, so be patient.

Do not give your child too many snacks between meals - 2 healthy snacks a day is plenty.

Do not to use food as a reward. Your child may start to think of sweets as nice and vegetables as nasty. Instead, reward them with a trip to the park or promise to play a game with them.

Make mealtimes enjoyable and not just about eating. Sit down and chat about other things.

If you know any other children of the same age who are good eaters, ask them round for tea. But do not talk too much about how good the other children are.

Ask an adult that your child likes and looks up to to eat with you. Sometimes a child will eat for someone else, such as a grandparent, without any fuss.

Changing how you serve a food may make it more appealing. For example, your child might refuse cooked carrots but enjoy raw grated carrot.

Further information

Video: How do I manage a fussy eater? (18 to 30 months)

This video explains how to manage a fussy eater.

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Read advice and tips for parents of fussy eaters or children who have problems with eating.

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Health For Teens | Everything you wanted to know about health

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Health For Teens | Everything you wanted to know about health

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Should you need urgent health advice please contact your GP or call NHS 111. In an emergency please visit A&E or call 999

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Health For Teens | Everything you wanted to know about health

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Health for Teens offers a great choice of content and quizzes across all areas of your health, from sexual health to your feelings, growing up, lifestyle and much more.

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Calm Harm is a free* app that

helps you manage or

resist the urge to self-harm.

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Calm Harm is an award-winning app funded by teenage mental health charity stem4, to help manage the urge to self-harm. It was developed by Clinical Psychologist Dr. Nihara Krause MBE, in collaboration with young people and uses principles from an evidence-based psychological treatment called Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT).

The urge to self-harm is like a wave. It feels the most powerful when you start wanting to do it.

Learn to ride the wave with the Calm Harm app by choosing activities from these categories:
, , Express Yourself , , and .

There is also a breathing exercise to help you be mindful and stay in the moment, regulate difficult emotions, and reduce tension.

When you ride the wave, the urge to self-harm will fade.

The Calm Harm app provides some immediate activities and techniques to help you break the cycle of self-harm behaviour and explore underlying trigger factors; the app supports you in building a 'safety net' of helpful thoughts, behaviours, and access to supportive people, as well as providing the opportunity to journal and self-reflect. The Calm Harm app also signposts to help.

The app is private, anonymous, and safe.

Please note that the Calm Harm app is not a substitute for the assessment and individualised treatment by a health or mental health professional.

Our app is for young people over the age of 13.

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Calm Harm is a free app to help teenagers manage the urge to self-harm. Available on Google Play & App Store.

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Chill Panda – Reducing anxiety and improving well being in Children through a fun gaming app

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Our team of Programmers and Clinical Psychologist have ensured ChillPanda is a fun and engaging game for children

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First Light is a charity for anyone who is experiencing or has experienced domestic abuse or sexual violence.

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First Light is a charity for anyone who is experiencing or has experienced domestic abuse or sexual violence. First Light is a charity for anyone who is experiencing or has experienced domestic abuse or sexual violence. If you're in Cornwall or Isles of Scilly and need advice on domestic abuse or support to recover from [...]

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Mindfulness and more

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An evidence-based approach to supporting the mental health and wellbeing of children in the classroom, school and home environments. Choose the implementation option to suit your school.

For a limited time, Australian primary schools can apply for a funded place and receive the Primary School Program at no direct cost to the school.

Smiling Mind is Australia's leading digital-led, prevention focussed mental health not-for-profit. Smiling Mind has been helping minds thrive for over 10 years and are the innovators behind Australia's most trusted mental wellbeing app. Our evidence-based tools support people to learn the skills to maintain their mental health in fun and interactive ways.

If you'd like to support our work, you can make a donation. Every contribution, however large or small makes a difference and we're so grateful for your support.

The Australian Mental Wellbeing Index provides a snapshot insight into the everyday mental wellbeing of Australia. It explores the factors that contribute to mental wellbeing and aims to generate a national conversation about how Australians can take a proactive approach to support mental wellbeing.

We've recently released the second annual report exploring the data collected across 2022-2023. The latest report shows young Australians aged 18-24, are experiencing poorer mental wellbeing than older age groups and poorer levels of focus and concentration may be a key driver of this.

A daily mindfulness and meditation guide at your fingertips

#1 Apple Health & Wellbeing App 2018 - Australia

Trusted by over 7.8M people

100% evidence based

FREE Programs for children and adults

We suggest 10 minutes a day

What are you waiting for?

DOWNLOAD THE APP NOW AND SEE FOR YOURSELF!

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Smiling Mind is a non-for-profit web and app-based meditation program developed by psychologists and educators to help bring mindfulness into your life.

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Plymouth Information Advice and Support for SEND.

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Plymouth Information Advice and Support for SEND.

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Plymouth Information Advice and Support for SEND.

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Supplying you with information, advice and support

Plymouth Information, Advice and Support for SEND (PIAS) provides information, advice and support relating to Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) for parents, carers, children and young people within the Plymouth Local Authority area.

PIAS provides parents, carers of children and young people with SEND and also the children and young people independently with:

support at meetings

support around education and training issues.

Information provided is impartial and confidential. For more information please see our:

Introduction to PIAS

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking "Accept All", you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent.

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Plymouth Information Advice and Support for SEND. - Supplying you with information, advice and support

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Plymouth Information Advice and Support for SEND., Supplying you with information, advice and support

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This guide can help if you or someone you care about is autistic or might have ADHD

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Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a condition that affects people's behaviour. People with ADHD can seem restless, may have trouble concentrating and may act on impulse.

Symptoms of ADHD tend to be noticed at an early age and may become more noticeable when a child's circumstances change, such as when they start school.

Most cases are diagnosed when children are under 12 years old, but sometimes it's diagnosed later in childhood.

Sometimes ADHD was not recognised when someone was a child, and they are diagnosed later as an adult.

The symptoms of ADHD may improve with age, but many adults who were diagnosed with the condition at a young age continue to experience problems.

People with ADHD may also have additional problems, such as sleep and anxiety disorders.

Getting help

Many children go through phases where they're restless or inattentive. This is often completely normal and does not necessarily mean they have ADHD.

But you should discuss your concerns with your child's teacher, their school's special educational needs co-ordinator (SENCO) or a GP if you think their behaviour may be different from most children their age.

It's also a good idea to speak to a GP if you're an adult and think you may have ADHD, but were not diagnosed with the condition as a child.

What causes attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)?

The exact cause of ADHD is unknown, but the condition has been shown to run in families.

Research has also identified a number of possible differences in the brains of people with ADHD when compared with those without the condition.

Other factors suggested as potentially having a role in ADHD include:

being born prematurely (before the 37th week of pregnancy)

having a low birthweight

smoking or alcohol or drug abuse during pregnancy

ADHD can occur in people of any intellectual ability, although it's more common in people with learning difficulties.

How attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is treated

For children with ADHD, although there's no cure, it can be managed with appropriate educational support, advice and support for parents and affected children, alongside medicine, if necessary.

For adults with ADHD, medicine is often the first treatment offered, although psychological therapies such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) may also help.

Living with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

Parents of children with ADHD

Looking after a child with ADHD can be challenging, but it's important to remember that they cannot help their behaviour.

Some day-to-day activities might be more difficult for you and your child, including:

getting your child to sleep at night

getting ready for school on time

listening to and carrying out instructions

being organised

social occasions

shopping

Adults with ADHD

Adults with ADHD may find they have problems with:

organisation and time management

following instructions

focusing and completing tasks

coping with stress

feeling restless or impatient

impulsiveness and risk taking

Some adults may also have issues with relationships or social interaction.

Page last reviewed: 24 December 2021
Next review due: 24 December 2024

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Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

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Read about attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), a condition that affects people's behaviour.

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This guide can help if you or someone you care about is autistic or might be autistic.

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NHS guide to autism. Find out what autism is and what the common signs are. Get help and advice if you or your child are autistic.

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Our services meet the need for social, emotional and mental health help arising from a wide range of issues, including depression and anxiety, early trauma and family breakdown.

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MAST Plymouth • Child & Family Support Services in Schools

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Discover MAST in Plymouth: Offering comprehensive psychological and therapeutic support for children and families in schools. Enhancing child wellbeing and staff development for a positive educational environment.

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Special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) can affect the way your child learns.

It may affect their:

ability to understand things

behaviour or ability to socialise (for example they struggle to make friends)

reading and writing (for example they may be dyslexic)

concentration levels (for example they may have ADHD)

physical ability

Talk to the teacher or the SEN Co-ordinator (SENCo) at your school, early years setting or college if you think your child needs:

a special learning programme

extra help from a teacher or assistant

to work in a smaller group

observation in class or at break

help taking part in class activities

extra encouragement in their learning, for example to ask questions or to try something they find difficult

help communicating with other children

support with physical or personal care difficulties, for example eating, getting around school safely

Special Provision Capital Fund
The following links are to the SEND special provision capital plan, which sets out proposals for the capital grant from 2018-2021.

Plymouth Online Directory

The Plymouth Online Directory (POD) is a directory of services that includes information for children and young people with special educational needs or disabilities, families and professionals.

More information and advice is available at:

Education, Health and Care Plans

If your child has an Education, Health and Care Plan we can provide advice and information about:

Education, Health and Care Plans

Arrangements for school admissions

Special schools or specialist educational provision

Email senadmin@plymouth.gov.uk or call 01752 307409 for more information.

Moving to Plymouth

If you're moving to Plymouth and your child has an Education, Health and Care Plan of special educational needs (or is currently undergoing assessment) email senadmin@plymouth.gov.uk or call 01752 307409 to discuss arrangements with us.

We'll need:

details of your child's Education, Health and Care Plan

the date you'll arrive in Plymouth

your new address

your family details

the name and contact details of your previous local authority

If your preference is a mainstream school you need to get in touch with school admissions to discuss your child's new school. You need to tell them that your child has special educational needs and give them details about the school your child was previously attending.

If your preference is a special school we can't guarantee your child will get an equivalent school in Plymouth and this type of admission would have to go through a panel. Email senadmin@plymouth.gov.uk or call 01752 307409 to discuss the panel procedure.

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Special educational needs | PLYMOUTH.GOV.UK

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Special educational needs, education, health and care plans

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The Plymouth and District branch is run by a group of volunteers who work together to provide autism support, information and signposting.

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Supporting autistic adults with weekly support meetings, time and space for people to chat, and social events.

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CAMHS Early Help Pathway | Livewell Southwest

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CAMHS Early Help Pathway | Livewell Southwest

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CAMHS Early Help Pathway | Livewell Southwest

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CAMHS Early Help Pathway supports children, young people and their families from 5-18 years old who are registered with a Plymouth GP and where there are concerns regarding emotional wellbeing & mental ill health.

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Provide your complements and Comments on your recent appointment

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Your opinion and experience of this service is very important

Please take just one minute to tell us what you thought

Your feedback is totally confidential and is collected and processed by iWantGreatCare, an independent organisation.

If you have been given a code, please enter it in the section to the right, alternatively you can locate the service you would like to leave feedback for using the search box or expandable sections below.

If you are under the age of 13, please seek parental/guardian guidance before using this website. If you respond to this feedback questionnaire, you agree to the Terms of Use. Those include permission for iWantGreatCare to publish any material and information you provide in response to this survey on Home - iWantGreatCare. Please read the Terms of Use carefully.

If you do not agree to the Terms of Use please do not respond to this survey.

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Please take just one minute to tell us what you thought Your feedback is totally confidential and is collected and processed by iWantGreatCare, an independent organisation. If you have been given a code, please enter it in the section to the right, alternatively you can locate the service you would like to leave feedback for using the search box or expandable sections below.

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Guide to CBT

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Children’s mental health - Every Mind Matters

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Children’s mental health - Every Mind Matters

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Children’s mental health - Every Mind Matters

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See tips and advice for parents and carers on how to support children and young people’s mental wellbeing, and give them the best chance to stay healthy.

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Guide to SilverCloud CBT

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Partnering with organizations to break down barriers to care and empower lives

Amwell® is the leading global provider of evidence-based wellbeing and behavioral health solutions, delivered digitally and at scale. With nearly two decades of clinical research on effective digital delivery of mental and behavioral health interventions, we've created, and provide, an easy-to-use, measurable and modern platform to improve access and outcomes for populations across Health Systems, Health Plans, Corporate Employers, and Education.

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On Demand Virtual Mental Health Platform | SilverCloud® by Amwell®

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Amwell® is the leading global provider of evidence-based wellbeing and behavioral health solutions, delivered digitally and at scale. With nearly two decades of clinical research on effective digital delivery of mental and behavioral health interventions, we've created, and provide, an easy-to-use, measurable and modern platform to improve access and outcomes for populations across Health Systems, Health Plans, Corporate Employers, and Education.

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NHS -How to deal with challenging behaviour in children

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NHS -How to deal with challenging behaviour in children

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A person's behaviour can be defined as "challenging" if it puts them or those around them (such as their carer) at risk, or leads to a poorer quality of life.

It can also impact their ability to join in everyday activities.

Challenging behaviour can include:

aggression

self-harm

destructiveness

disruptiveness

Challenging behaviour is often seen in people with health problems that affect communication and the brain, such as learning disabilities.

What can you do to help?

As a carer, try to understand why the person you look after is behaving in this way. For example, they might feel anxious or bored, or be in pain.

If you can recognise the early warning signs, you may be able to prevent behavioural outbursts.

For example, if being in a large group of people makes your child feel anxious and they become agitated, you could arrange for them to be in a smaller group or have 1-to-1 support.

Some people find a distraction can focus a person's energies elsewhere and prevent them displaying challenging behaviour.

Your child might behave in a challenging way to get your attention.

If this is the case, consider not responding directly to their behaviour - although you should not ignore them completely.

But if their behaviour puts them or someone else at risk, you'll need to intervene as calmly as possible.

Professional help

If you're finding it hard to cope with the behaviour of your child, ask a GP to refer you to a specialist.

The specialist will want to know what situations or people trigger the behaviour, what the early warning signs are, and what happens afterwards.

In extreme circumstances - for example, if your child's behaviour is harmful to themselves or others and all methods of calming them have been tried - a doctor may prescribe medicine.

If you're concerned about the side effects of medicine, speak to your child's GP.

Tips for carers

seek support - many organisations for children with learning disabilities have schemes to connect carers with others in a similar situation

share your experiences - contact your local carers support group or call the Carers Direct helpline on 0300 123 1053

get respite care for your child so you can take a break. Your local council can provide respite care after a care needs assessment, or a carer's assessment for you. Find your local council on GOV.UK

keep in touch with friends and family members - they can be an important source of practical and emotional support

do not be tempted to restrain the person you look after unless you believe their behaviour is putting them at risk and they do not have the mental ability or capacity to make a decision

Sexual behaviour in children

Sexual exploration and play is a natural part of childhood sexual development, and helps children develop physically and emotionally.
Read the NSPCC's information on sexual behaviour in children Read the NSPCC's information on the normal behaviours typical of each development stage
Sometimes children show sexual behaviour that's inappropriate or unexpected for their age. This can be because of:

curiosity

anxiety

a traumatic experience

a learning disability

a mental health problem

If a child acts inappropriately in public, try to distract them with another activity. This can be a useful way to defuse the situation.

If you think a child's behaviour is related to an illness, speak to the healthcare professionals involved in their care and ask for advice on how to manage their behaviour.

They can tell you about local or national organisations that could help.

If you're concerned about the safety or welfare of a child, contact the NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000.

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How to deal with challenging behaviour in children - Social care and support guide

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Read some tips on how to deal with challenging behaviour in children.

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Understanding Sexual Behaviour in Children | NSPCC

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Understanding Sexual Behaviour in Children | NSPCC

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Healthy sexual development in young people

It's important to understand what healthy sexual development looks like in children as they grow. Children's sexual development is shaped by their environment, experiences and what they see. Children now are more likely to see or come across sexual images and videos at a younger age than their parents would have done. This can be through films, music videos or online, including pornography.

Every child is different and may become interested in relationships, sex and sexuality at slightly different ages. But as children get older, the way they express their sexual feelings changes. It's natural for teenagers to show interest in sex and relationships for example, or for children to be curious about the changes that happen during puberty.

Many sexual behaviours children and teenagers show as they grow up are normal and healthy, so long as they're not causing harm to others or to the children themselves.

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It's important to understand what healthy sexual development looks like in children as they grow. Children's sexual development is shaped by their environment, experiences and what they see. Children now are more likely to see or come across sexual images and videos at a younger age than their parents would have done.

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Community Connections Youth Team work with young people in Plymouth who are aged between 11 and 19 (up to 25 years old where there is a specific additional need or disability). We make use of a wide range of learning opportunities that allow young people to feel safe, develop as individuals, take part and contribute, as valued members of our community.

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Social care information for children and families | PLYMOUTH.GOV.UK

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What to expect if you are involved with our social work teams

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Help & Advice

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We are a nationally recognised advice centre, endorsed by The Rt.Hon David Cameron, The Employment Tribunal Service, ACAS, Citizens Advice, OFSTED, The Samaritans, UK Employment Law Solicitors, GP surgeries UK wide, the NHS and other UK employers in the public and private sector - and you. Most of the above refer cases to us.

This helpline was founded in 2003 and was the very first UK helpline which provided assistance to individuals struggling with bullying issues, whatever the nature of the abuse. Today, the helpline is unique in that it is the only helpline of its kind, established by qualified employment law professionals, providing operational, timely, support to both adults and children - whether the bullying is in the home, the community, the playground, the workplace or on-line (ie: Cyberbullying).

Between 2007 and 2011 the helpline was launched as The National Bullying Helpline and became a registered Charity. In 2012 the National Bullying Helpline became a Voluntary Organisation and ceased to operate as a charity.

Whilst this helpline has so far been privately run and funded, it recognises the need for change. The helpline is currently looking for Volunteers, expertise and fundraisers in order to ensure stability and continuity moving forward. If you, or someone you know is able to Volunteer or can donate funds to our cause, we would like to hear from you.

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We are a nationally recognised advice centre, endorsed by The Rt.Hon David Cameron, The Employment Tribunal Service, ACAS, Citizens Advice, OFSTED, The Samaritans, UK Employment Law Solicitors, GP surgeries UK wide, the NHS and other UK employers in the public and private sector - and you. Most of the above refer cases to us.

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Get help and advice about a wide range of issues, call us on 0800 1111, talk to a counsellor online, send Childline an email or post on the message

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Find out why some people have low self-esteem and how it can affect your mental health. Plus, simple tips on how to give your confidence a boost.

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Friends and friendships are great when things are going well but life can feel pretty miserable and stressful when there are arguments and fallings out. For teenagers, friendships are especially important as young people spend move towards spending more time with friends than with family.

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Community Connections Youth Team work with young people in Plymouth who are aged between 11 and 19 (up to 25 years old where there is a specific additional need or disability). We make use of a wide range of learning opportunities that allow young people to feel safe, develop as individuals, take part and contribute, as valued members of our community. As well as delivering key programmers and activities, we support external and partnership projects to promote the same values and skills for young people.

Our staff support the young people of Plymouth in all aspects of their lives. These include:

Youth Workers who support generic and specialised work within area and targeted teams.

Personal Advisors who support young people over the age of 18 who are leaving care.

Workers from different professions (including Social Workers, Youth Offending Workers, Police and Probations Officers, Mental Health Practitioners and Education Welfare Officers) who work together to support young people under the age of 18, who have either been accused of committing, or have committed, a crime. This team also work with young people to prevent them from offending.

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Community Connections Youth Team work with young people in Plymouth who are aged between 11 and 19 (up to 25 years old where there is a specific additional need or disability). We make use of a wide range of learning opportunities that allow young people to feel safe, develop as individuals, take part and contribute, as valued members of our community.

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A letter from our founder

Dear Parent,

I see you; I know you're there; I know the despair, the hurt and upset you are feeling. I know the feeling of blame, the guilt and the constant searching for answers and reasons. I know the sleepless nights, the worry about keeping your family safe, the struggle of trying to hold down employment. I know the looks and comments you get from family, friends and professionals, the tug you feel in your heart. I know that horrific pain that is running through you. I know how you hate yourself when you have thoughts of asking services for help or even to have your child placed with them. I know the failing you feel and how you are trying to survive each day without incident or trauma. I know you feel so isolated and alone even if you do have support around you. I know you're doing the best you can in a situation where you have nowhere to turn. I know this is not your fault and that you are not to blame.

How do I know this? Because I was you. I was being abused by my child. I had all of those feelings and more. Accepting my child's behaviour was abusive was not easy or something I even wanted to consider, but this was the reality. Things will not always be this tough, things can improve and you as a family will find a safe way that works for you.

Right now, you may feel that nobody understands and that your situation is beyond help or support. I promise you it is not. You are not alone. I hear you. I will listen, help and act alongside you if needed.

PEGS was started to help those going through similar situations of extreme difficulty and worry.

PEGS is here for you, created out of trauma but going forward with love, passion and determination to see change.

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Child to parent abuse | Parental Education Growth Support (PEGS)

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PEGS has been set up to support both parents and professionals deal with the issues associated with child-to-parent abuse. Supporting parents and professionals with child to parent abuse. Learn More

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Family Therapy & Counselling

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Family Matters | Family therapy services based in Plymouth

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Please make a donation to help us continue our therapy work with families, your money is vital to our success and the continuation of our services.

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Many parents find their teenager's behaviour challenging.

Teenagers' behaviour can be baffling, stressful, hurtful and often worrying. But in most cases it does not mean there is anything more serious going on than the natural process of becoming an adult.

Many of the common behaviour issues that parents find hard are an essential part of puberty and growing up.

Surges of hormones, combined with body changes, struggling to find an identity, pressures from friends and a developing sense of independence, mean the teenage years are a confusing time for your child.

It can mean they, for example:

become aloof

want more time alone or with friends

feel misunderstood

reject your attempts to talk or show affection

appear sullen and moody

Read more about the possible signs of a problem in your teenager.

Your feelings about your teen's behaviour

Teenagers can challenge even the calmest of parents. When you have further pressures in your life, such as other children, work, relationships, family commitments or illness, it can feel as though your teenager is going to push you over the edge.

Try to step back from the situation, and remember your child or young person may have physiological reasons for behaving in ways that can be difficult to live with. They're probably not enjoying it either.

You're the adult and you will feel that it's your responsibility to guide them through the difficult times, but that is not always easy. Do not expect to enjoy your time with them all of the time, and remember to look after yourself.

How do I cope with the stress?

Parenting a teenager can be exhausting, so it's important to look after yourself, too.

Family Lives, a charity dedicated to helping families, offers the following advice:

make sure you set aside time for yourself

give yourself permission to relax or even treat yourself occasionally

talk about your concerns to your partner or friends, or join a support group or forum

learn techniques for coping with low mood, sadness and depression or anxiety. If you're concerned that you're depressed, anxious or stressed, talk to a GP

How should I act with my teenager?

Teenagers can be largely emotional rather than logical because of their hormones. It is not necessarily pleasant for them, and it can even feel frightening.

Although it might be hard for you, they need you to maintain a calm consistent presence.

Follow these tips:

decide what the boundaries are and stick to them - teenagers may object to these but know they're a sign that you care about them

listen to them when they do want to talk and try not to interrupt until they've finished speaking

allow them to learn from their own mistakes - as long as they are safe - and accept they might do things differently to you

do not bottle up your concerns - if you're worried your teenager may be having unprotected sex or using drugs, try talking calmly and direct them to useful information

allow them to have their own space and privacy

The Young Minds website has more information about parenting that covers many of these subjects.

Where can I find more information and support?

If you're concerned about the physical or mental health of your child or young person it may be a good idea to speak to a GP.

You can also read more about children and young people's mental health services (CYPMHS).

There are also several organisations that provide emotional support and practical advice. You could try:

Family Lives is a charity specialising in supporting families. You can call their confidential helpline on 0808 800 2222 (9am to 9pm Monday to Friday, 10am to 3pm Saturday to Sunday). You can also visit the Family Lives forum

Relate offers relationship advice and counselling. You can also use Live Chat to talk to a counsellor

Young Minds, the mental health charity, has a confidential parents' helpline. Call them on 0808 802 5544 (9.30am to 4pm Monday to Friday)

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Information and advice for parents on dealing with their teenager, including what changes children go through in their teenage years, and how to deal with challenging teenage behaviour.

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Advice & Support

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Parenting and Family Support - Family Lives (Parentline Plus) | Family Lives

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Parenting and family support from Family Lives (formerly Parentline Plus) through our website, helpline 0808 800 2222, email service at askus@familylives.org.uk, live chat and local services.

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A place for families, parents, carers and young people in Plymouth to find support and advice.

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Family Hubs will provide high-quality support for families with children aged 0 to 19. (Or up to age 25 for young people with special educational needs).

Your Family Hub is a welcoming, safe and secure space. Meet other families, people from your community and neighbourhood, volunteers and practitioners from a wide variety of backgrounds.

You can also find:

information about local support in your area

groups and activities for all your family:

antenatal classes

play sessions

parenting programmes

dads groups

child development groups such as language development and relationship building

practical help from professionals and peer supporters

breast feeding and infant feeding support

equipment on loan for example, breast pumps

face to face support, to talk through your needs and your family's needs and help you make a plan

access to extra help if things get difficult

Family Hubs aim to join up and enhance services, making sure all children, young people and families can access the support they need, where and when they need it, before problems get bigger.

Strong, supportive families make up stable communities, thriving children and young people and happier individuals. Investing in families and making sure they get the help they need with their children, from birth through to adulthood, improves children's educational attainment, safety, wellbeing and life chances, while also improving wider outcomes such as mental health and employment.

Find your local programmes of support through the Children's Centres on the Plymouth Online Directory

For more information or if you have any questions email familyhubs@plymouth.gov.uk

Find other information on Wellbeing Hubs on the Plymouth Online Directory

Parenting programmes for SEND

Find out about parenting programmes for families with children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) on the Plymouth Information, Advice and Support for SEND website.

Using Family Hubs

Anyone in a family can ask for help.

In Plymouth we have launched our Start for Life offer for families with children aged 0 to 5.

We are now working on the next phase of the project to provide for children aged 6 to 11.

Family Hubs will provide support for children from 0 to 19 years of age, and up to age 25 for those with SEND by March 2025.

Accessing Family Hubs

Accessing our services is easy. You can drop in to one of our hubs. There are currently 5 in Plymouth:

Nomony Family Hub, Cattedown, PL4 0PA

Whitleigh Family Hub, Four Greens Community Centre, Whitleigh PL5 4DD

The Barn Family Hub, Barne Barton, PL5 1EJ

Rees Family Hub, Plympton, PL7 2PS

Four Woods Family Hub, 415 Crownhill Road, PL5 2LN

We plan to open more Family Hubs over the next 2 years, building on the support offered through Children's Centres.

Family Hub sites also offer signposting information.

Find Children's Centres and Family Hubs on the Plymouth Online Directory.

Family Hubs online

If you can't drop into our services, you can access our online offer for help, advice and ideas.

If you need more information you can email familyhubs@plymouth.gov.uk

What to expect when you visit a Family Hub

You will be welcomed by our friendly team.

You will be able to meet other families, people from your community and neighbourhood, volunteers and practitioners from a wide variety of backgrounds.

The Family Hubs family is dedicated to providing a safe and supportive environment where you can feel comfortable asking for help and advice.

Get involved

There are lots of ways to get involved with Family Hubs. You can attend our sessions, or simply spread the word about our services.

To find out more about how you can get involved, email familyhubs@plymouth.gov.uk

Start for Life

Our Start for Life Offer is a part of the development of Family Hubs, bringing together families, communities, volunteers and staff across Plymouth.

Find out more about the Start for Life offer.

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Complete this form to request help from CAMHS Early Help Pathway.

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Complete this form to request help from CAMHS Early Help Pathway. If you are contacting CAMHS because you or a young person you know is in crisis, please call First Response on NHS 111 (select the mental health option) for 24/7 support.