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Hi, this is a community board that is full of links to resources to support young people and adults regarding anxiety and phobias.

Please feel free to contribute to this project by adding links of your own to the board and sharing it with other Scouters.

any feedback please direct it to inclusion@kentscouts.org.uk

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Many of us experience phobias. Our introduction to phobias tells you what they are, when a fear becomes a phobia and when you might seek treatment.

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Anxiety is a feeling of stress, panic or fear that can affect your everyday life physically and psychologically.

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What is a phobia?

A phobia is an extreme fear of an object, person, animal, activity, place, feeling or situation. Having a phobia is more than just being afraid of something; it is a type of anxiety disorder.

When we are afraid of something, it is normal natural to want to avoid that thing where we can, but we generally don't think about it much (unless the thing that makes us scared is right in front of us) when we aren't confronted with it and it doesn't change how we live our lives. But someone with a phobia may feel anxious just thinking or talking about their fear. This can have a real impact on their day-to-day life, and they may make decisions based on avoiding the object of their phobia.

I wish people knew that having a phobia is more than just being scared or afraid of something.

Symptoms of a phobia

Symptoms of a phobia can include:

feeling overwhelmed

increased heart rate

panic attacks

sweating

shortness of breath

shaking

feeling dizzy or unsteady

nausea

upset stomach

These symptoms can be really distressing, but the important thing to remember is that help is available. With the right support, you can overcome a phobia.

Common types of phobias

People can develop phobias about a wide range of things, but they generally fall into two categories:

specific phobias

complex phobias

Specific phobias
Specific phobias are phobias about a specific item, object or situation. Examples of specific phobias include:

animal phobias - e.g. spiders, snakes, dogs

bodily phobias - e.g. being sick, choking, having injections

situational phobias - e.g. small spaces, going to the doctor, flying

environmental phobias - e.g. heights, germs, water

These are just a few examples; there are many more things you can have a phobia about. You may feel embarrassed about your phobia, or feel like you are the only one who feels this way. But whatever your phobia is about, help is available and you are not alone.
Complex phobias
Complex phobias are phobias about a severe fear or anxiety of certain situations, circumstances or feelings. They tend to affect people's lives even more negatively than specific phobias, but these phobias are still treatable with the right help.

The two most common examples of complex phobias are:

My treatment for emetophobia was one of the scariest things I've done, but it was all worth it. Me and my therapist compiled a list of things related to sick that would scare me, and we numbered them based on how scared I would be. I then had to work up the list, looking at pictures and listening to sounds, and learning to cope with the feeling of absolute fear and discomfort that they created. With each week, we worked up a level. After six weeks, I was obviously not cured, but I was loads better than when I started.

Aimee and Becca's stories: Coping with emetophobia

Aimee, 16

Agoraphobia

Agoraphobia is a fear of being in situations that it would be difficult to get out of - or where it would be difficult to get help in - if things go wrong. Sometimes agoraphobia can develop as the result of struggling with a specific phobia, for example if you are anxious about seeing something you have a phobia about when you are outside.

Someone with agoraphobia may find it difficult to do everyday things, such as:

go to school, college, university or work

use public transport

do things on their own

When anxiety is extreme, they may find it difficult to leave home at all.

Social phobia

Social phobia, also known as social anxiety disorder, is an extreme fear of social situations.

It's normal for us all to feel shy or anxious about social situations sometimes, but social phobia is more severe and long-term. Someone with social phobia may:

find social situations extremely anxiety-provoking

worry about doing something embarrassing in front of others

worry about interacting with others in everyday situations, such as when shopping, studying or working, or making a phone call

This can be really hard to deal with and make life very challenging, but with the right support things can get better.

In the end, what worked best for me was actually exposing myself to my phobia in a process called 'flooding'.

Rebecca

Why do I have a phobia?

People develop phobias for all sorts of reasons, but there are a few factors which may make you more likely to develop a phobia, such as:

experiencing a traumatic incident

having panic disorder, or struggling with anxiety

having negative experiences in the past with the object of your phobia

How having a phobia can affect your mental health

Having a phobia might impact your mental health by making you feel:

These feelings may be worse if you have a phobia of something that is difficult to avoid in daily life.

However your phobia is affecting you, know that there are people who can help you. With the right support in place, you can feel better and learn to better manage your fears or overcome them.

How to cope with phobias

Whatever your phobia is, and however much or little it affects your daily life, you do not have to live with it.

Here are some things you can do that might help:

Learn some breathing techniques and grounding techniques you can use to help manage your anxiety in the moment.

Speak to someone you trust about how you're feeling.

Talk to your doctor if your phobia is seriously impacting your life. They can let you know what support is available and discuss next steps with you.

Talk to someone you trust about your phobia. Try not to get put off if you don't get the response that you wanted - it's important to remember that most people are not experts in phobias.

It can be really scary to seek help for a phobia, especially if arranging an appointment with a doctor may involve you being exposed to your fear. If this is the case, there are things you can do to make it easier:

Treatment for phobias

There are different treatment options available which your GP can talk to you about. What works for you will depend on you as an individual.

The main treatment for phobias is therapy, but your doctor might also offer you medication to help you manage with any symptoms of anxiety. See below for more information.

The most common type of therapy used to treat phobias is cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) - in particular, a process called exposure therapy. Exposure therapy involves slowly and gradually exposing yourself to the subject of your phobia, with the support of a therapist.

For example, if you have a phobia of bugs, you may begin by reading an article about a bug, then look at an image of a bug, then be in the same room as a bug and slowly work up to the point where you hold a bug. This is just an example and the process will look different for different people; your therapist will guide you through this and won't force you to do anything you don't feel able to do.

The idea is that your anxiety about your phobia will decrease the more you expose yourself to it.

Medication isn't normally used in the treatment of phobias, but your doctor may prescribe antidepressants (e.g. fluoxetine, sertraline, citalopram etc.) a type of tranquiliser called a benzodiazepine (e.g. diazepam), or beta-blockers (e.g. propranolol).

These will normally be used alongside therapy and can make it easier for you to manage your symptoms while you focus on the work you are doing with your therapist.

Find out more about the different types of medication used to treat mental health issues.

How can I support a friend or family member who has a phobia?

If you have a friend or loved one that is struggling with a phobia, your support can make a big difference. Struggling with a phobia can be really isolating, especially if the phobia is around something that doesn't tend to cause anxiety in most people. Having a friend, family member or someone you trust on your side can make you feel more confident to face your challenges and overcome your phobia.

Here are some ways you can support a friend or loved one who has a phobia:

More information and support

Get help now

If a phobia or any type of anxiety is making life difficult you are not alone. Here are some services that can support you.

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Phobias | How To Get Support For a Phobia

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What is a phobia? A phobia is an extreme fear of an object, person, animal, activity, place, feeling or situation. Having a phobia is more than just being afraid of something; it is a type of anxiety disorder.

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What is anxiety?

Anxiety is when you feel scared, worried or panicked about something. It's a normal, human feeling and your body's natural response to stress or danger. Anyone can experience anxiety, regardless of age, gender, race, culture or faith.

We all feel anxious from time to time. Day-to-day things like friendship, money, exams or work can cause anxiety. Or certain situations, such as travelling home at night, starting a new school or giving a presentation. But the feeling usually passes once we feel safe or solve the problem we had. Generally the worries stop and we're able to carry on with our lives.

As humans evolved, our brains developed an inbuilt alarm system. It warns us when something isn't right and we need to keep ourselves safe. This alarm triggers what is known as the 'fight or flight' response - this is when your body prepares to either run away, fight, or freeze.

Think about what happens in your body when you feel anxious. You might feel a churning feeling in your stomach, dizzy or light-headed or hot and sweaty. These symptoms are all part of the fight or flight response.

This can make us feel like we're in physical danger, but it's important to remember that feeling this way doesn't necessarily mean you are in danger.

What happens to our body in fight-or-flight mode?

When our brains are in fight-or-flight mode, our thinking brain - the part that helps you think clearly, learn and solve problems - switches off. This makes it hard to stay calm and control your emotions and behaviour. We evolved to have this response to help us react to dangerous situations our ancestors faced, like being chased by a predator.

But in modern life, we don't tend to face dangers like this anymore. Instead, our anxiety can be triggered by more complicated situations or feelings where it might not help us to run away, fight or freeze. Yet we still experience the fight-or-flight response.

There are things you can do to help when you feel this way. You can use activities that soothe or distract you and bring your attention back to your body and senses. This calms the fight-or-flight response and switches the thinking brain back on so you can start to feel better.

When does anxiety become a problem?

Anxiety becomes a problem when it is more long term and you feel stuck in your worries or fears. They may last for a long time, even after a stressful situation has passed. You might feel upset and overwhelmed, as if your worries are too big to manage. Or they may stop you from doing everyday things.

When anxiety becomes a problem, it is sometimes called an anxiety disorder. There are different types of anxiety disorders and they can affect your life in different ways. Speaking to your GP, or someone else you trust, can help you find out what the problem is and how you can take care of yourself.

For more advice on reaching out for help, take a look at our guide.

Young people have told us that their anxiety has sometimes been dismissed as perfectionism or the normal ups and downs of being a teenager. But if it's impacting your life, it's important to get the help you need. Remember, however you're feeling is valid, even if you're not sure why you feel the way you do.

Anxiety can feel lonely and impact your self-esteem, but you are not alone. Things can improve and get better. Our section on looking after yourself if you have anxiety has lots of information to help you find what works for you.

We asked young people what it's like to live with anxiety. Here's what they said:

Just remember that if you're struggling with anxiety or panic attacks, you are not alone.

What causes anxiety?

There are lots of things that can cause anxiety. It could be how you feel in specific situations, however big or small, or life events that are out of your control. It might be because of something that happened in the past, worries about the future or things that you know could happen.

We all experience stressful situations in different ways. What makes you feel anxious might not make someone else feel anxious at all. That doesn't make your feelings wrong. We all have different things that we find difficult and that's okay.

Sometimes it's really clear what's making us anxious, but sometimes it's not. You might feel like your anxiety comes out of nowhere and this can be upsetting and confusing. But how you feel is valid. There's no right or wrong thing to feel anxious about.

Some common things that can cause anxiety include:

Discrimination and anxiety

Experiencing discrimination against your identity can also be a big source of anxiety. This could be because of your race, religion, abilities, sexuality, gender identity or something else. You might experience abuse, injustice or be scared to be yourself. Discrimination is never okay, and you deserve to feel proud of who you are.

We know that if you're experiencing discrimination, talking to someone you trust can really help. But it can help to talk to someone who understands you and your background. See the bottom of this page for a list of organisations that work with specific groups of young people to offer tailored support.

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Illustration by @fiorenza_art. A sitting fox has a thinking bubble with a heart inside and text on their tail reads, 'at this very moment, someone somewhere feels the same way you do. And that makes me feel a bit less alone.'

Real stories from young people about what caused their anxiety

Symptoms and signs of anxiety

Anxiety looks and feels different for everyone. We might notice anxiety in:

stomach problems, such as pains, feeling sick or diarrhoea

heart beating really fast

fast, shallow breathing

feeling light-headed, dizzy or faint

grinding your teeth

shaking or trembling

sweating more than usual

nervous, on edge and unable to relax

overwhelmed

like something bad is going to happen

out of control

tired and grumpy

needing reassurance or worrying you've upset someone

self-conscious

Anxiety is a healthy human emotion that we all feel sometimes. That means most of us will have felt some of these feelings at some point. So if some of these symptoms feel familiar, that doesn't mean you have a problem.

But if any of them are affecting your everyday life or causing you distress, it's a good idea to tell someone you trust or speak to your GP. We have lots of advice and information in our guide on how to talk to your GP.

These physical symptoms can be so frustrating and a huge discomfort. And when we don't know how common they are, it can leave us feeling all alone.

Types of anxiety disorders

Understanding different types of anxiety disorders can help you understand your own experience better and explain it to people you trust. As there are many ways to experience anxiety, you might recognise your experience in more than one anxiety disorder, or you might not recognise your experience here at all. That doesn't mean that your experience isn't valid.

The important thing is that you speak to your GP if you are struggling with anxiety, however that looks. They can help you find the support that's right for you, whatever you're going through.

If you have GAD you might find it difficult to control your worries. You can feel symptoms of anxiety often or all the time. This might be completely out of the blue or triggered by a range of situations. This can include situations where you might not expect to feel anxious.

Symptoms of GAD can include:

feeling restless, irritable or on edge

being unable to control worries

having difficulty concentrating

getting tired easily

sleep problems

pain such as headaches, muscle aches and stomach aches

It's normal to experiences nerves, worry or stress when you're studying. Especially when you have exams or assignments coming up. But if your anxiety feels too overwhelming and you're finding it hard to cope, it's time to reach out for help. Speaking to someone you trust is the first step towards getting support. This could be someone at school or university, your GP or someone close to you.

Our bloggers share their experiences of anxiety

Treating anxiety disorders

Illustration by Emily @21andsensory. Black text in the centre of a white background reads, 'believe in yourself and magic will happen.'

Feeling constant anxiety can be a sign that something isn't right, and you may need some help figuring out what that is. Your GP can suggest different types of treatment that can help if they think you're suffering from anxiety. They can also offer regular check-ups to see how you're doing.

There are a few different ways of treating anxiety disorders. Your treatment will depend on your age and the cause of your anxiety. You might try one, or end up using a combination of treatment options. The important thing is to find what works best for you.

Take a look below at the different types of treatment you may be offered.

Talking therapy can help you get to the root of what is causing your anxiety. One of the most common types of talking therapy used to treat anxiety is cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). With CBT, you work with a therapist who helps you understand your thoughts and feelings. They then help you explore ways to change how they affect you. You also learn practical techniques to help you relax and cope better in everyday life.

Have a look at our counselling and therapy guide to find out more about different types of talking therapies and what happens in a therapy session.

Applied relaxation can help you manage the physical symptoms of anxiety. The focus is to learn how to relax your muscles in a particular way. You can then use this technique when you're in situations that usually cause anxiety.

Take a look at Eve's blog on how Progressive Muscle Relaxation helps her when she feels anxious or panicked.

If anxiety is stopping you from going to the doctor

It can be difficult if making appointments and going to the doctor gives you anxiety. If your anxiety is stopping you from getting treatment, let your GP know. They will be able to make arrangements to help.

For example, they could arrange phone calls or home visits. You could take someone with you to appointments or ask someone to call the GP for you. It's okay to tell your GP if you are struggling and need to make adjustments.

You may have heard that waiting times for mental health support can be quite long. The reality is that this will vary on the type of support that your GP thinks you need and where you are in the country. The waiting times vary in different areas. If you would like to know more about this, it's okay to ask your GP when they refer you. They may not know exactly, but they might be able to give you a rough timeframe.

This can feel really frustrating. But it's important to remember that how you're feeling is valid, however long you have to wait for support. Also, there are lots of things you can do to help yourself while you're waiting. Take a look at some tips that young people have told us helped them.

I noticed behaviours, mindsets and thought patterns that were having a negative effect on my mental health, and I still use the techniques I learnt in CBT to cope with these.

To this day, I still use these methods if I feel a wave of anxiety coming on, and they have truly helped me become stronger and more able to cope with difficulties in life.

Ways to look after yourself if you have anxiety

If you're struggling with anxiety, there are things you can do and support available to help you feel better. Different techniques will work for different people, and there might be one or two activities that you know you can use at different times.

For example, breathing and mindfulness. This could help you feel calm before doing something that you know makes you anxious. But this might not help in an anxious moment. Instead, you might move or stretch your body, play a game, or focus your attention on your senses and what's around you.

Below are some coping technique ideas that you can try.

Self-help techniques for anxiety aren't a replacement for getting help or a way for you to fix anxiety on your own. They are ways of looking after your mental health, like we would our physical health. Take a look at some ideas below.

Keeping a diary of your thoughts, worries and about times when you feel anxious can help you recognise signs or patterns in your anxiety. This empowers you to know when you need to ask for help or do something to help yourself.

Playing games with your friends or on your own is a great way to take time out from daily life. This could be sports, jigsaws, card games or video games. There are also lots of apps to help us relax and feel calmer, such as puzzles, classic arcade games or playing with patterns and colours.

Express yourself in creative ways. This could be anything from drawing and painting to photography or baking. Keeping ourselves busy and making something can help us manage our worries and feel present.

Relax by listening to a playlist of songs or a podcast that you find soothing. Or rewatch your favourite TV show or movie that feels familiar to you.

How to make a self-soothe box

Our Activists explain what a self-soothe box is, how it can help you when you're feeling anxious or panicky, and what they have in theirs. Have a look at Eve's blog for more ideas on what you could put in your self-soothe box.

What is a self-soothe box?

In its simplest form, self-care is just the little things we do to look after our mental health. Alongside relaxing activities, self-care can also be showing ourselves compassion, setting boundaries or not comparing ourselves to others. Self-care will look different for everyone.

Take a look at our guides for more advice on finding out what self-care means for you.

Our bloggers share their coping techniques for anxiety

How to support a friend with anxiety

It can be difficult to know what to do if your friend or someone close to you is struggling with anxiety. It's normal to feel worried, confused or scared of saying or doing the wrong thing. But remember that it's not your responsibility to fix anything. Sometimes just listening to how they're feeling can be a really big help.

If a friend opens up to you about struggling with anxiety, here are some things you can do to support them.

It's important to remember to look after your own mental health too and only support them in ways that feel manageable for you. It's not all on you to support your friend with anxiety. For more information and advice, have a look at our guide on supporting a friend with their mental health.

We never really spoke of my troubles explicitly; he just knew that I was struggling and was always on hand to suggest fun activities and encourage me to do them with him.

Where to get help

If anxiety is taking over, you are not alone. Here are some services that can help you get through this.

This page was reviewed in June 2023. It was co-created by young people with lived experience of anxiety. We will next review the page in 2026. YoungMinds is a proud member of PIF TICK - the UK's quality mark for trusted health information.

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Anxiety and Anxiety Disorders | Signs and symptoms

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Anxiety is a feeling of fear or panic that many young people experience. Find out about the causes and symptoms of anxiety and where to get help.

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Being well prepared for your exams is the best way to overcome stress and anxiety, and gives you the best chance of getting good grades.

Make a realistic revision schedule. Work out how much you have to do and the time you have to do it in, then break it down into manageable chunks. Aim to do a few hours of revision each day, and mix up your subjects so you do not get bored.

Find a revision style that suits you. Studying alone in a quiet room suits some people, but not everyone likes working in silence. Try playing music quietly in the background, or revising with a friend (but do not let them distract you!).

Customise your notes to make them more personal. Experiment with colour coding, notes on postcards, diagrams or whatever helps you learn your topic.

Make sure you understand everything. If you come across something you do not understand, try to find a new source of information that will help you understand it. Just memorising it will not help you in your exam. Do not be afraid to ask your teacher or a friend for help if you need it.

Look at past exam papers. It means you can familiarise yourself with the layout and type of questions you'll be asked. Practise completing exam papers in the set time limit to improve your exam technique.

Take regular short breaks. Studying for hours and hours will only make you tired and ruin your concentration, which may make you even more anxious. A break every 45 to 60 minutes is about right.

Reward yourself. For example, you could take a long bath or watch a good movie once you have finished your revision session.

Do something physical. When you're not revising, use your spare time to get away from your books and do something active. Exercise is good for taking your mind off stress and keeping you positive, and it will help you sleep better.

Ask for help. If you're feeling stressed, it's important to talk to someone you trust, such as a family member, teacher or a friend. Lots of people find exams difficult to deal with, so do not be embarrassed to ask for support.

Be prepared. Start the day with a good breakfast, and give yourself plenty of time to get to the exam hall. Remember to take everything you need, including pencils, pens and a calculator. A bottle of water and some tissues are also useful.

Take a few minutes to read the instructions and questions. Then you'll know exactly what's expected of you. Ask an exam supervisor if anything is unclear - they're there to help you.

Plan how much time you'll need for each question. Do not panic if you get stuck on a question, but try to leave yourself enough time at the end to come back to it.

Once the exam is finished, forget about it. Do not spend too much time going over it in your head or comparing answers with your friends. Just focus on the next exam instead.

Get more advice about dealing with exam stress from Young Minds.

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Being well prepared for your exams is the best way to overcome stress and anxiety, and gives you the best chance of getting good grades. Make a realistic revision schedule. Work out how much you have to do and the time you have to do it in, then break it down into manageable chunks.

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Most people feel anxious or scared sometimes, but if it's affecting your life there are things you can try that may help.
Support is also available if you're finding it hard to cope with anxiety, fear or panic.

Anxiety can cause many different symptoms. It might affect how you feel physically, mentally and how you behave.

It's not always easy to recognise when anxiety is the reason you're feeling or acting differently.

If you experience sudden, intense anxiety and fear, it might be the symptoms of a panic attack. Other symptoms may include:

a racing heartbeat

feeling faint, dizzy or lightheaded

feeling that you're losing control

sweating, trembling or shaking

shortness of breath or breathing very quickly

a tingling in your fingers or lips

feeling sick (nausea)

A panic attack usually lasts 5 to 30 minutes. They can be very frightening, but they're not dangerous and should not harm you.

If you're not sure how you feel, try our mood self-assessment.

Don't

do not try to do everything at once - set small targets that you can easily achieve

do not focus on the things you cannot change - focus your time and energy into helping yourself feel better

do not avoid situations that make you anxious - try slowly building up time spent in worrying situations to gradually reduce anxiety

try not to tell yourself that you're alone; most people experience anxiety or fear at some point in their life

try not to use alcohol, cigarettes, gambling or drugs to relieve anxiety as these can all contribute to poor mental health

Further information and support

The mental health charity Mind offer more information on:

Your Mind Plan on the Every Mind Matters website sends personalised tips and advice to your email inbox.

Referring yourself for therapy

If you need more support, you can get free psychological therapies like cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) on the NHS.

You can refer yourself directly to an NHS psychological therapies service (IAPT) without a referral from a GP.
Find an NHS psychological therapies service (IAPT)
See a GP if:

you're struggling to cope with anxiety, fear or panic

things you're trying yourself are not helping

you would prefer to get a referral from a GP

Ask for an urgent GP appointment or call 111 if:

you need help urgently, but it's not an emergency

111 can tell you the right place to get help if you need to see someone. Go to 111.nhs.uk or call: 111.

Call 999 or go to A&E now if:

you or someone you know needs immediate help

you have seriously harmed yourself - for example, by taking a drug overdose

A mental health emergency should be taken as seriously as a medical emergency.
Find your nearest A&E
There are many different causes of anxiety, fear or panic and it's different for everyone.

When you're feeling anxious or scared, your body releases stress hormones, such as adrenaline and cortisol.

This can be helpful in some situations, but it might also cause physical symptoms such as an increased heart rate and increased sweating. In some people, it might cause a panic attack.

Regular anxiety, fear or panic can also be the main symptom of several health conditions. Do not self-diagnose - speak to a GP if you're worried about how you're feeling.

Identifying the cause

If you know what's causing anxiety, fear or panic, it might be easier to find ways to manage it.

Some examples of possible causes include:

work - feeling pressure at work, unemployment or retirement

family - relationship difficulties, divorce or caring for someone

financial problems - unexpected bills or borrowing money

health - illness, injury or losing someone (bereavement)

difficult past experiences - bullying, abuse or neglect

Even significant life events such as buying a house, having a baby or planning a wedding could lead to feelings of stress and anxiety.

You might find it hard to explain to people why you feel this way, but talking to someone could help you find a solution.

Find out more about the 5 steps to mental wellbeing.

Conditions related to anxiety, fear and panic

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Most people feel anxious or scared sometimes, but if it's affecting your life there are things you can try that may help. Support is also available if you're finding it hard to cope with anxiety, fear or panic. Anxiety can cause many different symptoms. It might affect how you feel physically, mentally and how you behave.

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Children and young people presenting with social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) difficulties often struggle to manage their emotions and behaviour. They also find it difficult to make and keep relationships with adults and other children and young adults.

These difficulties may show as them becoming withdrawn or isolated as well as through challenging, disruptive or other concerning behaviour. Children and young people with SEMH often struggle to engage in a learning environment, often showing inappropriate behaviour and may benefit from additional support to reach their full potential.

Voice of children and young people with SEMH

We spoke to children and young people in Kent who have SEMH and asked them how they feel:

"I can't manage my emotions when I'm worried"

"Everyone is horrible, why will you be different to me?"

"I need to stay in control"

"I may not remember what happened when I was unsure"

"I feel chaos so it's easier if there's chaos everywhere"

"I don't know what to say and can't use the right words"

"I have felt hopeless before and I don't want to feel like that again"

Children and young people in Kent's voice as told to professionals

Support from your education setting

As well as ADHD and autism, your child or young person may experience one of the SEHM needs described below.

If you have any worries about your child or young person, you should talk to their teacher or the special educational needs co-ordinator (SENCO).

If they feel that your child or young person has SEN, extra learning support will be put in place. Over time they will learn more about your child or young person, and will go through a 4 part process called the 'assess, plan, do, review cycle' ( the graduated approach).

All of the descriptions provided below represent how behaviours or presentation can be perceived by others. It is important to see these behaviours in the context of anxiety and possible language and or learning needs.

For additional support and guidance read the mainstream core standards which sets out how education settings should be supporting your family.

Support from the NHS

The NHS Mental Wellbeing and Information Hub provides advice for you and your family, including:

anxiety

eating disorders

mental wellbeing (Children and Young People Mental Health Services - CYPMHS)

low self esteem

stress

Visit NHS Mental Wellbeing and Information Hub.

If you are concerned about a young person's mental health and are not sure what extra help is needed you can call the Single Point of Access (SPA) on 0800 783 9111. The SPA is there to help you explore the difficulties and find the most appropriate response.

Urgent support from the NHS

If a child or young person is in any immediate danger, or poses potential harm to others, call 999 or take them to A&E if possible.

National charities

In addition to the help provided by the education setting and the NHS, we recommend to reach out to a mental health charity:

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social and emotional mental health needs

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Social and emotional mental health needs

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Children and young people presenting with social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) difficulties often struggle to manage their emotions and behaviour. They also find it difficult to make and keep relationships with adults and other children and young adults. These difficulties may show as them becoming withdrawn or isolated as well as through challenging, disruptive or other concerning behaviour.