Top 10 tips for children and young people's mental health

The advice comes from clinicians at Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, which provides Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services across Sussex and Hampshire.

The 10 top tips include things like making sure you get a good night’s sleep, exercising where you can, and keeping in touch with positive news from friends and family.

Sophie Holmes, Clinical Psychologist at Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust explains: “We know the coronavirus outbreak is affecting us all psychologically. People have been worried about the impact of the disease on themselves, and their families and friends. It is more likely that people will suffer mental health problems because they may have lost things that normally keep us emotionally well. These include contact with friends and family, physical exercise and other routines that give us a sense of purpose. That’s why it is important that we can provide as much advice and guidance to support people where we can.”

World Mental Health Day is being marked across the globe on Saturday 10 October.

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Below are the top 10 tips, issued by CAMHS specialists, to help children and young people manage their mental health.

10 top tips for children and young people’s mental health wellbeing

1. Be kind to yourself and others. Smile at your friends at school. Always try and say something nice to them to brighten up their day too.
2. Try not to watch too much negative TV. Watch funny programmes instead to make you laugh. It will help make you feel happier.
3. Talk to your family and friends if you have any worries. Keep in touch with other relatives with phone calls, WhatsApp or texts.
4. It’s okay to feel sad, stressed and angry during a crisis. Allow time for a mental health break and try to take part in something you enjoy.
5. Eating regular meals is really important to help with your energy levels. Drink lots of water too to help keep the brain active.
6. Eat lots of fruit and vegetables throughout the day.
7. Get some fresh air. Walking to school is a really good way of exercising and meeting up with friends. If you can’t do that, maybe get off the bus a stop earlier.
8. Structure your day with things you can realistically achieve. Don’t be over ambitious.
9. Get into a good bedtime routine. Getting a good night’s sleep is a really positive thing.
10. If you’re feeling stressed, think back to a time you have overcome stress before. What helped then? Can you use those things again?