Health and wellbeing is important at all times of our lives. Children and young people thrive in situations where they feel safe, secure and respected. Family and friends have a strong influence on health and wellbeing and shape the habits and behaviours which can last a lifetime. The most effective way to support our young people is for home and school to work together in close partnership.
Health and Wellbeing is a core subject within the Curriculum for Excellence: the purpose of the health and wellbeing curriculum area is to help every child and young person to feel cared for and valued as an individual. Learning about their own health and wellbeing will help our children to cope with uncertainties in life, have confidence to try new and different things and make the most of opportunities that come along. In Calside, we deliver a proactive Health and Wellbeing programme that aims to build strategies and resilience ahead of any crisis as well as an intervention programme to support children should they need it: Calside Primary HWB Strategy
Below you will find some useful websites and organisations to help parents and families to support their child’s wellbeing, as well as ways for parents to look after their own wellbeing.
How to support your child with their wellbeing
Talking about Mental Health:a guide on how to discuss mental health with your child
Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS): mental health information and support for children and guidance for parents on how to support your child if they are struggling with their mental health.
Wee Minds Matter – Infant Mental Health – Dumfries & Galloway Health & Social Care : information on mental health for infants from 0-3 including guidance for parents
Im_Worried_About_my_child:The Scottish Association for Mental Health’s support guide
A-GUIDE-FOR-YOUNG-PEOPLE-A-creative-self-help-guide-to-staying-healthy-and-happy:A practical pack from the NHS to work on with your child
Place2Be: Parenting Smart: Articles:Place2Be focuses on mental health and wellbeing, and the Parenting section contains lots of practical advice and strategies to support a young person who may be struggling.
Home – HappyMaps: Help and Resources for Children’s Mental Health: advice and strategies for managing your child’s behaviour and mental health
Parental wellbeing
As a parent, we all want to give our children the best we can. It can be difficult to do this sometimes, with so many pressures on us. There is a reason that we are directed to put on our own oxygen masks in a plane before we are able to help others.
Place2Be: Parenting Smart: Healthy habits for parenting
A useful reminder to look after yourself as a parent, with tips for how to do this
Dumfries and Galloway’s website to support families during the cost of living crisis includes strategies and advice as well as practical support from local and national organisations.
