Local campaigner co-authors children's mental health handbook

Thursday 31 March 2022

A local mental health campaigner has co-authored a children’s mental health and wellbeing handbook.

Trainee Counsellor Emily Nuttall drew on her personal experience of battling an eating disorder for her chapter of the book, which is aimed at parents, carers, and teachers.

“The book address different mental health topics to help adults understand a range of conditions, how to spot the signs and symptoms and start conversations with children and young people who may need help,” said Miss Nuttall.

“Some of the topics include grooming, self-harm, trauma and eating disorders. I have shared my experience of my 14 year battle with anorexia in the book to help navigate the disorder and to give readers hope.”

Pictured: Miss Nuttall has shared her own experiences in the book.

Miss Nuttall was diagnosed with anorexia at the age of 16 but had been suffering since she was 12 years old.

“Very often teachers, parents and professionals don’t know how to look for an eating disorder which, more often than not, is a coping mechanism for underlying emotional distress,” she said.

“I required medical intervention for my eating disorder, which might not have been needed if it had been diagnosed earlier. The hope for this book is that it will result in earlier intervention so children and young people receive help before needing medical intervention.

“It is so important to educate people to spot the signs and symptoms of eating disorders and to adapt how we communicate with children and young people about these issues.”

Pictured: Miss Nuttall said it is difficult to start conversations about mental health with children and young people. 

Miss Nuttall is a speaker and campaigner on the issues of eating disorders, mental health, abuse, families and homelessness.

In the handbook she comments: “in my work I am inspired, determined and motivated to see all those facing a mental health problem and eating disorder are supported and heard, openly sharing my mental health struggles".

Miss Nuttall said the handbook includes activities to start conversations between adults and young people.

“Eating disorders, and other mental health issues, are not easy to discuss on either side of the conversation,” she said.

Pictured: the topic of eating disorders is addressed in the handbook. 

Miss Nuttall continued: "the handbook gives suggestions on how to open the door to those conversations and to make the experience more comfortable and productive.

“The activity in my chapter was provided by Dave Chawner, who is an author and stand-up comedian who established 'comedy for coping' to address his own experience with anorexia."

Pictured: The handbook will launch on 11 April. 

Miss Nuttall said the idea for the book stemmed from social media.

“During the lockdown in 2020 I joined a Facebook group of 'inspirational women of the world' which allows women to share their ideas and supports female entrepreneurship.

“One of the members of the group posted about wanting to put something together for children’s mental health. I joined a Zoom call with a group of other people and we decided to put the handbook together, each taking a chapter.”

The book also signposts readers to relevant support services.

“Each co-author has provided links to other services and helpful materials, for example leaflets you can take to your GP to help start the conversation about needing help,” said Miss Nuttall.

Pictured: Eating disorders can result in hospitalisation. 

Miss Nuttall has been out of hospital for five years: “it is quite a scary thought to think that it has been five years since I was in hospital for my eating disorder,” she said.

“An important part of my journey has been recognising my triggers, which are getting overwhelmed and stressed.

“My mum and support team have put a list of warning signs in place and established an action place for if I am triggered; these are the kind of steps that are really effective in helping someone with an eating disorder.”

Miss Nuttall will be discussing her chapter of the book on Facebook Live on 31 March. You can watch her talk HERE.

The book will be launched on 11 April.