Self-harm prevention in the community: Awareness and signposting for parents and carers

Workshops for parents and carers of children and young people to help support their child's mental health.

As a parent we often find ourselves ill-equipped when it comes to dealing with, or even being aware of, our child's or young person's mental wellbeing, but help is at hand. West Sussex Mind are running a series of friendly, confidential and relaxed workshops where

we will learn about the challenges to young people's mental health, gain confidence in having conversations about how they are feeling and thinking and explore ways to help your young person with any emotional difficulties.

See dates on Eventbrite at:

www.westsussexmind.eventbrite.com

West Sussex Mind are running these events on behalf of West Sussex County Council

New content and dates for 2022

Join other parents and carers in a free on-line Zoom workshop to support you and your family.

Facilitated by West Sussex Mind, YMCA Downslink Group and supported by Allsorts Youth Project, you will be able to talk with other parents and carers to hear what is working for them, discuss your support needs, hear from guest speakers and get updates on the latest initiatives, research, resources and policies.

The content will focus on supporting young people who self-harm, as well as supporting friends, siblings and ourselves, and begin to consider any additional learning needs.

This 1 ½hr session will provide you with the opportunity to learn from real life examples of young people’s experience of living with self-harm and what we can do to support their wellbeing, whilst also offering you valuable space and time to meet with other parents and carers in small facilitated groups

All parents and carers of children and young people are welcome to attend.

booking links and flyer can be found on the right hand side of the page

FREE recording of a previous online self-harm session for parents and carers of a young person engaged in or at risk of engaging in self-harming behaviour. Presented by the Charlie Waller Memorial Trust

The session covered:

• Introduction to the new self-harm learning network – Find out about a new programme of support for parents/carers of children who self-harm
• What is self-harm and why do young people adopt this as a coping strategy
• How to approach your child if you think they are self-harming
• How to respond if your child tells you they are self-harming
• Understanding the cycle of change and responding accordingly
• Resisting the ‘fix it urge’ – why just telling them to stop is unlikely to be effective
• Seeking help for your child and your family
• Awareness of medical risk and emergency first aid
• Harm minimisation techniques
• Tolerating the distress of setbacks

To access the recording click on the link below and entre the password - WestSussexCC1105!

Link: https://vimeo.com/555673554

Join us and other parents and carers across your area in a workshop to support you and your family. Facilitated by West Sussex Mind, YMCA Downslink Group and supported by Allsorts Youth Project, you will be able to talk with other parents to hear what is working for them, discuss your support needs, hear from guest speakers and get updates on the latest initiatives, research, resources and policies. You will be able to improve your understanding and skills to prevent and respond to self-harm and increase your confidence in having conversations with your child and school.

you can book your place here via the Eventbrite booking link

Self-care is about the things we can do to look after our own mental health

Anna Freud have drawn up a list of strategies young people use to help manage wellbeing, you can find the page here

Click here to access the young minds page specifically for parents titled Supporting your child who is self-harming