It can be helpful to think of mental wellbeing as a continuum that ranges from feeling happy and content to experiencing chronic and enduring mental health difficulties that can be extremely difficult to manage. How you should respond and the support that your child needs depends on where they are on this continuum.

It is normal to go through times when we are leaning towards the negative end of this continuum. Our experience of what is happening or has happened in our lives will influence our mental wellbeing. Sometimes, when we experience thoughts, feelings and behaviours that are challenging or distressing, it can be difficult to move back to the positive end of this continuum. There will be lots of factors which influence how you or your child cope and show resilience at times like these.