Everton in the Community has come together with mental health organisations and charities to produce a guide to helping children and young people with their mental and physical wellbeing during these difficult times of the coronavirus pandemic.
The following guide has been created by mental health coordinators at Everton in the Community and uses the ‘five ways to wellbeing’, a framework produced by the New Economics Foundation and Endorsed by Public Health England.
What Are The Five Ways To Wellbeing?
Connect
Be Active
Take Notice
Learn
Give
The following messages are aimed at improving your mental health and wellbeing and provide helpful steps for children and young people to feel happier and healthier, particularly during these restricted times.
Why Is Looking After Your Wellbeing Important?
Taking care of your mind as well as your body is really important whilst staying at home. You may feel low, worried, anxious, or concerned about your health or those close to you. There may be feelings of boredom, frustration and loneliness that you’re restricted to your household, and this also may create confusion, such as what is coronavirus? And why is it forcing me to stay at home?
Our friends at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital have created this video to help you understand more about COVID-19 and why we’re all staying at home.
It's important to remember it is normal to feel this way and that everyone reacts differently. Remember, this situation is temporary and, for most of us, these difficult feelings will pass. Staying at home may be difficult, but you are helping to protect yourself and others by doing it.The tips and advice featured throughout this guide can help you keep on top of your mental wellbeing and cope with how you may feel whilst staying at home. Make sure you get further support if you feel you need it. Young Person’s Advisory Service (YPAS) Liverpool have produced an information sheet with services and support available during this time, and a guide to looking after your family's emotional wellbeing at home.
Click here for their information sheet
Click here to their guide to emotional wellbeing with families.
Connect
Why is it important to connect?
Feeling close to and valued by other people is important for everyone. It is what we need to function well in the world. Positive social relationships with our friends and family is essential for promoting good wellbeing which can protect us from developing poor mental health.
What can you do?
• Connect with people around you - We all live busy lives, and often we don’t get the opportunity to spend some quality time with our family. You can watch a movie, play a game or just have a chat. These simple activities are enjoyable for everyone and will make you feel more connected.
• Connect with friends – Although you may not see your friends every day like you normally would if you were in school, keeping in contact with them is important. There are now many ways that we can do this through digital services such as social media, Skype and Face Time to name a few.
Useful links:
Unicef’s guide to stop cyberbullying
Keeping children happy and safe online
Digital advice to staying in touch
Be Active
Why is it important?
Regular physical activity can help to improve our physical and mental health which can help us to feel more relaxed and less anxious.
What can you do?
• Keep moving – As we are confined to our homes, we are naturally less active, and we might often sit down for long periods of time throughout the day. Try to keep on the move by standing up when you can - this might include taking a standing up break for 10 minutes every hour whilst you are doing your schoolwork or standing up whilst watching television or when you are playing on video games.
• Exercise is key – Children and young people should be getting at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous intensity physical activity each day. There are plenty of online exercise videos that you can watch and do from the comfort of your own home!
Take Notice
Why is it important?
Taking notice and being present in the moment can strengthen and broaden awareness of the things around you. Being aware of what is taking place in the present can directly improve your wellbeing and how you feel.
What can you do?
• Be aware – Whether you are out on a walk or having a moments peace in the garden, take notice of your surroundings and enjoy the moment. Why not try closing your eyes and listen to the birds, or take a deep breath, taking in the smell of the fresh air around you.
• Reflect – Take notice of how you are feeling each day. Try writing this down using a diary or draw pictures if you prefer. You can also create an online blog which can help you to express yourself.
Useful links:
NSPC’S resources to helping children with depression, anxiety and mental health.
Unicef’s guide on how teenagers can protect their mental health during COVID 19.
Learn
Why is it important?
Continuing to learn can improve your self-esteem and confidence. It’s also a great way to keep your brain active whilst you are at home.
What can you do?
• Try something new – Now is the perfect time to discover a new hobby or to master a new skill. Why not try to play an instrument, learn a new language, a new sport or a new dance routine? … TikTok can help with that!
• Challenge yourself and set goals – It is important that you continue with a routine. Although schoolwork is not always easy, challenge yourself and keep at it! You can also set goals at the beginning of the week or each day, noting down the tasks or work that you want to complete.
Give
Why is it important?
People who have a greater interest in helping others are more likely to rate themselves as happy. Committing to an act of kindness once a week over a six-week period can potentially improve your wellbeing.
What can you do?
• Be kind – Do something nice for a family member or a friend. This might include a thoughtful gesture such as creating a card or ringing up a friend or a relative to check how they are. A friendly voice and a chat always helps!
• Share your positivity – Being positive and sharing your optimism can be a big help to some people. Why not take the time out to create a poster? Display a positive message on it like ‘keep smiling’ or ‘be happy’.
The following guide is designed specifically to help children and young people during the coronavirus pandemic, however there is also lots of other resources available online. See the NHS website for staying at home, and tips and advice to mental health at work and taking care of yourself.
Guidance And Support For Parents/Carers Legal Guardians
Six way parents can support their kids through coronavirus
Unicef's parenting tips during COVID-19
Think UK Now parents' guide
