Who needs support?

Most of the time, children and young people will cope with the normal challenges and stresses of growing up. Children and young people are best supported by those closest to them – e.g. by their parents, family members, friends, a key adult and school staff. They often learn coping strategies along the way that help them to manage difficult times in the future.

Some children and young people will experience times when they need additional or specialist support. This may be because of factors relating to the child’s development or health or it could be because of the impact of adverse experience childhood experiences such as loss, or as a result of suffering physical or emotional abuse. Children and young people who have experienced or are experiencing traumatic events are also more likely to need support for their mental wellbeing.

It is important 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 very debilitating. How adults and agencies respond and the support that is needed depends on where children and young people are on this continuum.