Let's all Talk Mental Health

According to the NHS, 2.6% of 11-16 year olds and 12.5% of 17-18 year olds in England are living with an eating disorder. And the numbers only seem to be rising. Like with all mental health conditions, we know that early intervention is key. But how do you know if your teen is struggling with an eating disorder? And what can parents and carers say or do to help? Earlier this year we were joined by Dr Bryony Bamford and Cliona Brennan from The London Centre for Eating Disorders and Body Image, who shared some early signs to look out for and practical strategies to help. 🔗 Read more on our blog: https://lnkd.in/eSYXTybV 💻 Plus access the full session on our hub, where you’ll also discover 60+ talks covering a range of teen mental health topics. Log in or register now: https://lnkd.in/e3RfRFYt #TeenMentalHealth #MentalHealthSupport

Knowing how to deal with challenging teen behaviour can be hard, with the fear of saying or doing the wrong thing resulting in an even more stressful situation for parents and other siblings. In our session ‘Why does my teen hate me so much’, Clinical Psychologist, Dr Sarah-Jane Knight, shared practical strategies for handling emotional behavioural changes: Don’t Take It Personally: Teenagers often direct their frustrations and difficult emotions towards their parents, who are their safe and trusted figures. Viewing these outbursts neutrally can help in managing them better. Be Less Reactive: In the heat of the moment, staying neutral and non-reactive can prevent the situation from escalating. Consequences for inappropriate behaviour can be addressed later when emotions have settled. Break the Cycle: If a pattern of escalating arguments is emerging, it's essential to break the cycle by responding differently and not falling into familiar, unproductive patterns. Focus on Repair: After conflicts, prioritise repairing the relationship rather than proving a point or being right. For more help, watch the full session by logging into the hub or registering now: https://lnkd.in/e3RfRFYt. #TeenMentalHealth #MentalHealthSupport #SupportForParents

Teenagers today are growing up in a world where technology is deeply embedded in their daily lives. According to Ofcom, by the age of 12, 97% of children already have their own mobile phone. Reports show that use of smartphones in school can lead to classroom disruption and an increase in online bullying. In response, Norway and Italy are the first to instil a ban on smartphones in classrooms and, this week, Eton announced that they’ll be issuing first years with ‘brick phones’ in place of their own smartphones. But will it work? As The Times reports, the Norwegian school at the centre of the conversation says there are promising signs of progress, with teachers reporting less disturbances in class and easier communication with students. Whilst cyberbullying is still an issue, the removal of smartphones means there’s no place for online taunting during the school day. In our session ‘Is Technology Harming Our Teens?’, Graham Lowe, Lead Consultant and online safety subject-specialist for South West Grid for Learning, emphasised the importance of understanding what teenagers are consuming online and what impact that content might be having on life outside of their devices, saying “this isn’t actually about the technology. This is about the behaviour around the technology”. Whilst the UK government favours an important focus on the regulation of digital content over the removal of devices in schools, it’s great to see real discussion around the impact technology is having on teenagers and their well-being. Tell us what you think ⬇️ https://lnkd.in/dRBkxy3z #TeenMentalHealth

Summer is a time of freedom and fun for teens, but it's also a period where they might encounter risky situations - especially when it comes to alcohol and substances. It's crucial to stay proactive in ensuring their safety, but it's not always easy for parents and carers to know how to have those all-important conversations with young people. In our session with the brilliant Fiona Spargo-Mabbs OBE, Founder of The Daniel Spargo Mabbs Foundation, Fiona shared some strategies for keeping teens safe this summer. You can watch Fiona's session on the Let's all Talk Mental Health hub now. Find out more here: https://lnkd.in/e3RfRFYt For additional support, take a look at the resources available on the DSM Foundation's website: https://lnkd.in/eyQRvVcq #TeenMentalHealth #MentalHealthResources

Read our round-up of the teen mental health topics our live sessions covered in June and find out how Let's all Talk Mental Health could help you and your community. #TeenMentalHealth #MentalHealthResources #MentalHealthSupport

As the summer holidays approach and we take a break from our weekly live sessions, we wanted to remind you that the Let's all Talk Mental Health hub, with 60+ talks covering a huge range of teen mental health topics, is always accessible, whenever you need it. With 1 in 6 young people suffering with mental health issues, it’s crucial that parents, carers and educators have the support needed to effectively help young people. We can help you to help them. Access the hub here: https://lnkd.in/eB8B8atr Or subscribe here: https://lnkd.in/e_Xj9inb #TeenMentalHealth #MentalHealthSupport #MentalHealthResources

The summer holidays may be fast approaching, but we know that many families will already be thinking about what the new term might bring; especially for those who are moving to a new school setting. Read more about this week's session with Dr Sarah-Jane Knight who shared practical strategies for supporting teens during school transitions. #TeenMentalHealth #SchoolTransitions #ParentSupport

Whether moving up to secondary school, into sixth form or off to college, school transitions can be a difficult period for teenagers and their families, often bringing a mixture of excitement and anxiety. In this week’s session, we talked to Clinical Psychologist. Dr Sarah-Jane Knight, about the common challenges teens face and what practical strategies parents and carers can put into practice to support them over the upcoming summer break and into the new school year. Watch the full session by logging into the hub or registering now: https://lnkd.in/e3RfRFYt If you work in education and want to find out more about how Let's all Talk Mental Health could support your school, get in touch for a chat. #TeenMentalHealth #TeenMentalHealthResources #SchoolTransitions

Read more from our important conversation with Fiona Spargo-Mabbs OBE about teen substance abuse and how to help keep your teen safe this summer. #MentalHealthResources #TeenMentalHealth #ParentSupport

If you found this week’s conversation with Fiona Spargo-Mabbs OBE helpful and want to find out more about how to keep your teens safe over the summer season, take a look at the DSM Foundation’s webinar to help parents and caregivers support their children to make safer choices about alcohol and other drugs. This event will arm attendees with up to date, evidence-based and relevant information about festivals, parties and gatherings that many teenagers may be at this summer. The interactive session will look at topics as wide-ranging as hosting a party, drug testing at festivals, and factors that influence decision making during adolescence, as well as provide advice that adults can pass on to try and help their children make more informed – and safer – choices. Find out more and register here: https://lnkd.in/e2C4qBE9