Children’s Mental Health Week focuses on expressing yourself

Thursday 04 February 2021

Lockdown has impacted not only the mental health of critical workers, people working from home and those out of work, it has also been felt by our children and ‘Children’s Mental Health Week’ is being viewed as a way to highlight this.

Since the beginning of this week, national charity ‘Place2Be’ has been asking us to shine a spotlight on the mental wellbeing of children.

The timing couldn’t be more fitting, with Guernsey in its second week of its second lockdown, and all children living and studying at home with their parents, unable to see friends, and in some cases, unable to understand what is going on.

“We are living in uncertain times and this is a real challenge for young people,” said CEO of the Youth Commission, Charlie Cox.

“We don’t always have the answers they seek around things like their education and when they’ll be able to see loved ones again, either in Guernsey or abroad.”

Pictured: Children were able to pose questions to the Civil Contingencies Authority during the latest media briefing.

The Youth Commission in Guernsey offers a wide range of support to young people in the island. "We offer a free, confidential support service, where young people can talk to us about anything and everything that is going on for them," said Miss Cox.

Health & Social Care President Deputy Al Brouard highlighted how important it is to be aware of long people's mental health during lockdown.

“It’s important to stress that it is you, parents, who are experts on how to support your children,” he said.

Pictured: “If your child comes to you when they’re upset, frightened or hurt, you already know what to do, you’ve been doing this for years,” reassured Deputy Brouard.

Deputy Brouard has shared advice from Guernsey’s mental health professionals on how parents can help themselves and their children through lockdown.

• If children see adults coping well, so will they;

• It is normal to be worried, but children are actually very low risk for Covid-19;

• Give honest, age appropriate information and be positive wherever possible;

• Try to keep to a routine and a structure, but don’t worry if this is not always possible, as parenting has never been about perfection.

The Guernsey Education Psychology Service has been working hard to support students as they’ve re-adapted to living through lockdown. 

“The service has a range of resources bespoke to our situation to help people,” said Deputy Brouard. You can find a list of these services online.

Finally, to celebrate and focus on children this week, youngsters are being asked to express ourselves. National Charity ‘Place2Be’ has suggested they share their  feelings and thoughts with their families in any way they can think of.

Young people who want support from the Youth Commission can text them 07781 122959, find them on social media @youthcommgsyald or email info@youthcommission.gg.