Mental health workshops set up for parents and carers in Sussex
The online workshops are in response to a rising number of referrals for young people
A series of free online mental health workshops have been set up in Sussex to guide parents on how to support their children.
Today's events (May 16) are being run by the Sussex Partnership NHS Trust following a rising number of referrals for young people.
Kate Stammers, clinical lead at the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), said: “Children and young people seem to be experiencing more emotional distress and more mental health needs.
“We think it's linked to national things like COVID, pressures around things like climate change, political unrest, austerity.
“Young people really worry about this kind of stuff, and the news doesn't really sensor it for them.
“Then the explosion of social media combined with increased educational pressures - it's just a perfect storm, really, for young people at the moment.”
The 90-minute workshops will focus on five key areas: anxiety, sleep, managing self-harm and suicidal thoughts, Autistic Spectrum Conditions and challenging behaviour, and eating disorders.
The next events today are at 12.30pm and 7pm and can be booked here, although they will be accessible on the CAMHS Sussex website afterwards.
Kate added: "We recognise the impact of the pandemic on children's mental health and want to offer direct support to parents and carers to help them help their child.
"This workshop, open to all parents and carers in Sussex, gives people a chance to learn more about some of the most common mental health needs experienced by children and young people today.
“You can also submit any questions related to these workshop topics before the event and our clinicians will do their best to answer these in their presentations."