Five years on from the first COVID-19 lockdown in the UK, we wanted to contribute to the nationwide understanding of the lasting impact of such an extreme world event on mental health. To achieve this, we commissioned a mental health impact survey on young adults and their guardians. The surveys were completed by 1001 parents who have children aged...

With five years having now passed since the onset of COVID-19, we’re seeing emerging research into the long-term impact of such an extreme world event. This isn’t unusual, with a variety of extreme events being the subject of research but, when discussing COVID-19's impact, especially on mental health, we believe the focus shouldn&rsquo...

Distressing news is everywhere, from TV screens to social media, and children are not immune to its impact. While adults may have coping mechanisms to process difficult stories, children and young people may struggle to understand or manage their emotions when faced with unsettling events without support. As parents and caregivers, it’s cruci...

One of the key causes of anxiety in children is stress, which can stem from various things, including school pressure, exams, or changes in family circumstances. Children may also experience anxiety due to a lack of routine or underlying medical conditions such as ADHD or OCD. In this resource, we look at the causes of anxiety in children, the sign...

Going through periods of stress can unfortunately be a routine part of daily life brought on by circumstances like relationship difficulties, money worries, health troubles, or pressure at work. Anxiety is a little different though, so it’s helpful to understand the distinction and what signs to look out for. In this video, Dr Andrea Pickerin...

For a long time, people thought that autism was an exclusively male condition. Although studies have varied, experts believe the ratio of autistic males to autistic females is 3:1. This doesn’t necessarily mean that autism is less common in girls. In fact, it is much more likely that fewer girls are being diagnosed because their autistic trai...

While stress and anxiety share some common symptoms, there are some key differences. Stress is a short-term response to a challenging or threatening situation. Anxiety is a long-term set of feelings. These feelings can interfere with daily activities, even if there doesn’t seem to be a reason. Understanding these differences is important. By ...

Living in a world connected by social media can be a blessing but, as we experience large world events with constant access to live updates, you might feel overwhelmed. Feeling anxious about the things we see on the news that are outside of our control is not unusual, but how can we protect our mental health when we have fewer breaks from the news ...

Children with ADHD may find it difficult to concentrate on homework. This is because they often have difficulty maintaining attention and may feel restless. It’s important to ensure your child has the time to relax and can develop a relationship with homework that lets them thrive. There are many ways that parents can help their children to c...

Everyone feels low from time to time, so it’s not always easy to know when these feelings are part of daily life and when it’s time to seek help. In most cases, low mood is short-term and goes away on its own. If you find yourself asking, “How do I know if I have depression?” it’s important to know the signs that you m...

Social media has fast become a part of everyday life with many of us now seeing it entering our children’s routines. While it offers benefits, social media can also present challenges that we’re becoming more aware of to young people’s mental health and wellbeing. The National Parent Survey found that around 44% of parents are con...

The stress of a new school term for parents is something we understand, especially when you’re trying to help a child with ADHD focus in school. Having the right approach for your child’s needs can be the difference between a positive school experience, and one that’s a struggle. Academic success may be key to your child’s c...

ADHD affects behaviours such as hyperactivity, impulsiveness, and inattentiveness. This can lead to difficulties with everyday functioning and completing tasks. As someone working in education, there are lots of things you can do to help your students with ADHD get the most out of school life. With their natural curiosity, children and young people...

For many people, receiving an autism diagnosis helps explain lifelong experiences and patterns they've noticed in themselves. It can help them understand how they perceive and interact with the world. When you decide to tell family and friends about your diagnosis, they might have questions. Some may have outdated ideas about what autism is. This i...

If you identify with the characteristics of autism, you might be wondering if you should get an autism assessment. An autism diagnosis may allow those with the condition to better understand the feelings and behaviours they have. It may also lead to better support and assistance in the workplace or educational setting. In this article, we hear from...

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is generally treated through a combination of methods that can be tailored to suit each person. Treatment for ADHD can help with the challenges of the condition and make day-to-day life easier. In this article, we outline the most common treatments and how they can improve life for those with ADHD, es...

It's normal for a child to feel distressed or upset when separated from their parents or caregivers, so to an extent, separation anxiety is a normal part of development. However, in some cases, it can become a problem that requires professional help. This article looks at the causes of separation anxiety, the signs to look out for and when to seek ...

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, or OCD, is a mental health condition that affects people of all ages and backgrounds. It is a type of anxiety disorder that causes persistent, unwanted thoughts or compulsions that interfere with daily life. OCD can manifest in many ways, but some common symptoms can help identify it. Symptoms of OCD OCD symptoms can ...

Behavioural problems, such as stealing or aggressive behaviour, can often be a way a child or teenager communicates difficulties they are having in another area of their life – for instance, issues at school or with their self-esteem. All children develop differently, making it hard for parents to distinguish whether a child’s behaviour...

As a parent, it's natural to want to understand the reasons behind your child's behaviour and how to support them positively. Whether it's due to another condition or conduct disorder, it's normal for children and teenagers to experience behavioural challenges. It can be incredibly overwhelming to navigate the complexities of your child's behaviour...