Mental Health
Mental Health
As parents and carers, you play a vital role in supporting your child’s mental health and giving them the best chance to thrive emotionally and mentally.
It’s important to encourage and guide your child or teenager to think about their own mental wellbeing and help them feel comfortable discussing how they feel.
As children grow older, they may face increased stress due to various pressures, such as:
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Peer pressure
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Navigating friendships and romantic relationships
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Pressure to experiment with substances
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An increase in schoolwork and upcoming exams
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The drive to perform well academically
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The challenge of maintaining friendships
These experiences are a normal part of growing up, but they can affect a young person's mental health.
Knowing how to talk to your child about their mental health — and being able to recognise when they might be struggling — is key. Creating a safe, non-judgemental space for them to open up helps them feel supported and understood.
Here are some links to more information and support:
Signs That a Child Is Suffering From Mental Health Issues | NSPCC
Children's mental health - Every Mind Matters - NHS
Help your child beat exam stress - NHS
parentkind.org.uk/assets/resources/Parent-Exam-Guide-2025.pdf
Page created: 22 May 2025
