Support for parents helping children and young people

Citywide

Parent Anxiety Workshops  

Recorded information sessions developed for parents and carers to support their child to overcome anxiety. In the sessions parents and carers will learn more about what anxiety is, as well as the tools and techniques available to manage it.

This resource was developed by NHS Lothian CAMHS and The City of Edinburgh Psychological Services and is based on cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), the recommended therapy for managing anxiety and worries. 
 
The webinars can be accessed at any time by following the links below:

Supporting Your Child with Fears and Worries Guide 

An NHS Lothian CAMHS self-help guide to help parents support their Child with anxiety and worries. The guide covers the following topics: 

  • Part 1: Understanding and Talking About Worries    

  • Part 2: Anxiety Traps    

  • Part 3: Overcoming Anxiety   

  • Part 4: Looking After Yourself 

Relaxation Exercises for Children and Young People 

Helpful Relaxation exercises for children and young people developed by NHS Lothian CAMHS.  

Supporting Children with Anxiety: Computerised CBT Course 

Parents can access these free module courses, one course is for parents of children and one for parents of teenagers. Parents can work through the modules flexibly at their own pace at any time on a computer, tablet or mobile phone. The courses are based on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and are most suitable for parents looking to support their young person with worry and anxiety while learning helpful strategies to manage their anxieties.  
  
These modules are available via the platform Silvercloud.  

Access Code: Lothian  

Conflict resolution sessions 

These free online sessions are for parents and carers who may be struggling with conflict at home. Session subjects include:  

  • Understanding anger  

  • Growing up is never easy 

  • Family conflict triggers 

  • Understanding Emotions: Being Anxious and afraid 

  • Conflict response styles 

  • Bouncing Back – Resilience 

  • How to have that difficult conversation 

  • Feeling Connected 

  • Cranial Cocktail: Mind & Body Connection 

For more information and to book online training sessions visit the events page of the Scottish Centre for Conflict Resolution website.   

For useful resources on conflict visit the Scottish Centre for Conflict Resolution website or email  

sccr@cyrenians.scot.  

New Ways for Families Course 

Shared Parenting Scotland is offering this online training course plus coaching for separated parents. The support is intended to reduce the impact of conflict on your children, reduce stress levels and aid communication. Free places are available for parents on benefits or low income.   

For more information visit the New Ways for Families Course website or email David McLean at  

dm@sharedparenting.scot  

VOCAL parent's peer support group 

This service offers a range of support to parents and carers of children with additional support needs. These in-person peer support groups run on the first Friday morning of the month at   

60 Leith Walk  
EH6 5HB  

For more information visit the VOCAL website or email Megan Copley at  

mcopley@vocal.org.uk

Sleep Action  

Sleep advisors are available to offer individual one-to-one advice and support for any child in Scotland, aged 18 months to 18 years. Advisors are available Monday to Thursday from 10am to 4pm. Parents, carers and young people can access support and arrange a callback by emailing their contact details to   

Sleep Action  
60 Ravenscroft Street  
EH17 8QW   

For more information visit the Sleep Action website or contact 

enquiries@sleepaction.org  

Supporting children and young people with loss, change and bereavement 

All children and young people process and respond to loss and bereavement in different ways according to their age and stage.   

Find information and recommended resources to support children and young people.  

Transparentsees 

This group was founded and is run by volunteer parents, providing information and support to parents with gender-questioning children. Monthly Zoom meetings are open to parents following a discussion with an admin/group leader. Initially, email  

transparentsees@gmail.com and then a follow-up call can be arranged from a parent volunteer.  

Gambling and young people - Fast forward 

This advice and information booklet is for parents and carers on gambling and young people. 

Building Resilience - back to school tips 

Parents and carers can use these videos and tips to support them and their children to become more resilient, develop the skills needed to cope with challenging times and feel safe and happy with attending nursery and school.  
  
For more information visit the City of Edinburgh Council's 'Building Resilience' website.  

Young Minds parent’s helpline, webchat, email and text service 

Young Minds provides information and support for parents and carers worried about a child or young person’s mental health via their helpline, webchat or email service. Support is available Monday to Friday between 9.30 am and 4 pm. 
 
To access the webchat or email service click on the chat icon on the bottom right of the Young Minds webpage

Use the Shout Textline for free, 24-hour mental health support.  

For more information visit the Young Minds website.  

To access the helpline, contact   

08088 025 544 

NHS Mental Health Information Station              

The information station provides information on a range of adult mental health supports. Drop-in is available on Thursdays from 10.30 am to 3 pm (no appointment required) at  

Walpole Hall   
Palmerston Place  
EH12 5 AW  

or you can speak with an NHS mental health professional by phone on Thursdays between 10.30am and 3pm  

For more information visit the NHS Lothian Mental Health Information Station webpage  

You can send enquiries and request a call by contacting  

MentalHealthInformation@nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk

01315 378 688 

Supporting parents and carers

We hope you can find the information you need, if you require help finding supports email us at

Thrive drop-ins

Thrive Welcome Team drop-ins are available to anyone from 16 years of age. Mental health practitioners can support with anxiety, depression, emotions, low confidence, carer’s mental health and wellbeing and more. For more information, visit

iThrive welcome team website

Support for mental health

The iThrive Edinburgh support directory can help you find support available for adults living and/or working in Edinburgh.

iThrive Edinburgh support directory webpage