Find up to date information on the support and activities available for families across Edinburgh at www.edinburgh.gov.uk/supportforfamilies. If you need help finding support for you or your child, please email: supportingparentsandcarers@edinburgh.gov.uk
Visit HappyMaps, an online source of mental health and wellbeing information, providing reliable resources and information, recommended by parents and professionals.
Reaching Out
Childline
Chat to a Childline counsellor online or on the phone between 9am-midnight. 1-to-1 chats are available online via the website too. Email support is also available. Tel: 0800 1111
Cyrenians
Cyrenians provide a range of services including mediation and support for homelessness.
Breathing Space (over 16’s)
Confidential phone line where you can speak to someone from a mental health or counselling background. The number is Freephone and is available 24 hours at weekends (6pm Friday – 6am Monday) and 6pm to 2am on weekdays (Monday – Thursday). Tel: 0800 83 85 87
Children 1st ParentLine
Children 1st Parentline is here for you and your family. The helpline is available Mon-Fri, 9am – 9pm; Sat-Sun, 9am – noon. Tel: 08000 28 22 33,
Papyrus
Papyrus is the national charity dedicated to the prevention of young suicide. Papyrus provide confidential support and advice to young people struggling with thoughts of suicide, and anyone worried about a young person, through their helpline, HopeLineUK: 0800 068 414
Scottish Women’s Aid
Scottish Women’s Aid is the lead organisation in Scotland working towards the prevention of domestic abuse. Support is available 24/7 on the domestic abuse and forced marriage helpline : 0800 027 1234, *: helpline@sdafmh.org.uk, or www.sdafmh.org.uk/.
Shelter
Provides free confidential advice on housing problems and rights. Shelter’s Free Housing Advice Line (8am – 12midnight): 0808 800 4444, or chat online.
Samaritans
For anyone. If you are feeling distressed, in a state of despair, suicidal or need emotional support you can contact by email or phone. This is a freephone number and open 24/7: 116 123 or jo@samaritans.org
Spark – Making Relationships Work
The Spark provides counselling and mental health support for individuals, families, children and young people in Scotland. This includes a free and confidential helpline: 0808 802 2088.
Self-Help
Anger
Learn more about anger and skills to cope with it
Anxiety
Find ways to understand, manage or overcome your anxiety
Leaflet with Resources for Parents and Carers: Anxiety and Worry
Anxiety – NHS Lothian Parent Anxiety Workshops
The content of the workshops is based on cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), the recommended treatment for managing anxiety and worries. The bite sized information sessions will help parents learn more about what anxiety is and how you can support your child to overcome it.
| 1. What is anxiety and when does it become a problem: https://vimeo.com/943593737?share=copy |
| 2. The CBT model of anxiety – What keeps anxiety going: https://vimeo.com/943594679?share=copy |
| 3. Supporting your child with anxiety: https://vimeo.com/943596442/9ab61b8641?share=copy |
| 4. Managing anxiety – Body Tools: https://vimeo.com/943597579/079e3abff4?share=copy |
| 5. Managing anxiety – Thinking Tools: https://vimeo.com/943598450/0caa0e20f6?share=copy |
| 6. Managing anxiety – Changing Behaviour: https://vimeo.com/943599966?share=copy |
NHS Lothian CAMHS – Supporting your Child with Anxiety and Worries – Self-help Guide for Parents and Carers
NHS Lothian CAMHS has developed this self-help guide to support parents to support their child with anxiety and worries. It covers the following topics:
- Part 1: Understanding and Talking About Worries
- Part 2: Anxiety Traps
- Part 3: Overcoming Anxiety
- Part 4: Looking After Yourself
NHS Lothian CAMHS Relaxation Exercises
Relaxation exercises for children and young people, developed by NHS Lothian CAMHS.
Supporting Children / Teens With Anxiety: Computerised CBT
Computerised cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a free online intervention that you can work through flexibly at your own pace. CBT is the recommended treatment for managing anxiety. Access to the modules can be done anywhere and at any time on your computer, tablet or mobile phone. You work independently through these. There are two versions for parents; one for children and one for teens. Access is via the link below:
https://cyplothian.silvercloudhealth.com/signup/
Access Code: Lothian
Bereavement
Understand what grief is, what complicates it and what keeps it going
Chronic Pain
Techniques that can help you to manage your pain more effectively
Depression
Learn more about depression and skills to cope with it
Parent Low Mood & Depression Information Workshops – PILOT SLIDES
- Slides for Workshop 1: Understanding Low Mood/Depression https://services.nhslothian.scot/camhs/wp-content/uploads/sites/55/2024/03/PILOT-SLIDES-Understanding-Low-Mood-Depression.pdf
- Slides for Workshop 2: Supporting your Child with Low Mood/Depression https://services.nhslothian.scot/camhs/wp-content/uploads/sites/55/2024/03/PILOT-SLIDES-Supporting-Your-Child-with-Low-Mood-Depression.pdf
Panic
Find ways to overcome your panic and agoraphobia
Seasonal Self-Care
Booklet created to help those experiencing anxiety or depression over the festive period
Self-Care
Self-care is about the things we can do to look after our own mental health
Sleep
Recognise whether you may be experiencing problems with your sleep
Stress
Learn more about stress and skills to cope with it
Apps
Headspace Learn the basics of meditation and mindfulness to help you rest, sleep and move well using easy to follow resources.
Insight Timer Free app with thousands of free meditation tracks, relaxing music, body scans, tension release, emotion management, activities and much more. Download the app ‘Insight Timer’.
Daylight (an App for young people, aged 16+). Daylight is a confidential app that can help you take control of anxiety.
Happify Happify’s science-based activities and games can help overcome negative thoughts, stress, elevate happiness and deal with life’s challenges.
Calm is the #1 app from Sleep, Meditation and Relaxation. A mindfulness app for beginners and also has a section specifically suited for children and young people.
Moodnotes is a mood tracker and journaling app to capture your mood and help improve thinking habits. It is grounded in CBT and positive psychology, empowering you to track your mood over time and increase your wellbeing.
NHS App ‘Feeling Good‘ Free access to the app is given out usually by GP’s to help learn about and manage anxiety and low mood. Referral user name – coboost1, Referral password – positive
Attention Deficit Hyper-Activity Disorder (ADHD)
Scottish ADHD Coalition
Provides support to adults and children with ADHD and their families
University of Edinburgh – Edinburgh Psychoeducation Intervention for Children and Young People© (EPIC) The University of Edinburgh Edinburgh Psychoeducation Intervention for Children and Young People© also known as EPIC have developed the following resources, shared with permission:
Understanding the Strengths and Difficulties of ADHD: A guide for parents
Understanding the Strengths and Difficulties of ADHD: a guide for teachers
The EPIC Strategy Booklet: a guide for teachers
Anxiety
Anxiety UK
A national organisation offering a extensive range of advice designed to support those experiencing anxiety.
Mood Juice
Helps you think about emotional problems and work towards solving them
Young Minds
Champion in children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing
Anxiety Canada
Online, self-help, and evidence-based resources on anxiety
Things to try (previously Hands On)
Things to try is a collection of resources to help support children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing, put together by Fife CAMHS. Some are aimed at children and young people, some are more for parents and carers, and some are designed for professionals who work with children and young people. Have a look, try some out, and see if there’s something that helps you.
Anxiety Resources
Helpful “How To” documents for parents developed by Anxiety Canada.
Managing School Anxiety
Advice for Parents and Carers
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
National Autistic Society
UK’s leading charity for autistic people and their families
Scottish Autism – ‘Right Click’
Scottish Autism’s Right Click online training programme offers information and support for parents of young children and teenagers with autism. Right Click training runs several times throughout the year with each programme running for 5 weeks.
Autism Initiatives
Provides services tailored to people with autism, their families and carers
Number 6
Provides free social opportunities, advice and support (age 16+)
FAIR Advice
FAIR is an information and advice service for people with learning disabilities and carers.
Amazing Kids: in their own words
An animation brought to you from the people who created Amazing Things Happen. Features children and young people with autism talking about their experiences of being autistic.
Branch Out Together (formally the Lothian Autistic Society), Branch Out Together are a provider of social activities for children and young people with autism throughout Edinburgh and The Lothians.
Bereavement
Winston’s Wish
Charity for bereaved children and their families after death of parent or sibling.
Child Bereavement
Supports families when a child is facing bereavement.
Cruse Scotland
Information and support for children and families struggling with bereavement.
Richmond’s Hope
Edinburgh-based support for children affected by bereavement.
Hope Again
Supports children and young people who are experiencing bereavement.
Body Image
Body Image and Social Media Workbook
National Lottery Social Media and Body Image workbook – an interactive workshop on body image and social media for schools and youth groups.
Chronic Illness
BBC CBeebies
Information about procedures and how to talk about them (ages 6-12)
Centre for Effective Parenting
Leaflet about helping your child cope with chronic illness
Children’s Health Scotland
Resources to support families with ill children
DBA Foundation
Leaflet about helping your child cope with chronic illness
Hospichill App
App that helps prepare for hospital visits and provides relaxation exercises
Kid’s Health
Provides information to parents, children and teens about illness
Medicines for Children
Information about how to give different types of medication
NSPCC
Advice about how to talk about difficult topics
Taking Medication
Tips for helping children take their medication
What? Why? Children in Hospital
Provides activities and videos about preparing children for hospital treatments
Depression
Young Minds
Champion children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing
Mood Juice – Depression
Helps you think about emotional problems and work towards solving them
Depression in Teenagers
Helps to recognise the symptoms of depression and ways to combat them
Beating the Blues
Computerised Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (age 16+)
Living Life
Free phone service offering Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (age 16+)
Breathing Space
Free, confidential, phone service for anyone experiencing low mood, depression
Shout
Shout is the UK’s first 24/7 text service, free on all major mobile networks, for anyone in crisis anytime, anywhere. It’s a place to go if you’re struggling to cope and you need immediate help. Text 85258.
Domestic Abuse
Edinburgh Women’s Aid
Edinburgh Women’s Aid can offer confidential support and advice, provide help and support, give advice on how you and your children can stay safe and provide temporary accommodation if you’re unable to stay in your home. Drop in and Phone Support services are also available. Contact the service (: 0131 315 8110 or email duty@edinwomensaid.co.uk
West Lothian Women’s Aid
West Lothian Women’s Aid provide support, information and temporary accodomation to all women, children and young people who have experienced domestic abuse.For support please call (: 01506 413 721, or complete the form on the website.
East and Midlothian Women’s Aid
East and Midlothian Women’s Aid provide support, information and temporary accodomation to all women, children and young people who have experienced domestic abuse.To talk to someone in confidence, please call the East and Midlothian support line, Monday-Friday, 9am-4pm (: 0131 561 5800
Cedar Network
Works with children, young people and their mothers who have experienced domestic abuse.
Shakti Women’s Aid
Help and information for black minority ethnic (BME) women, children and young people who are experiencing, or who have experienced, domestic abuse and minority cultural issues e.g. F.G.M.
Dyspraxia/Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD)
University of Edinburgh – Edinburgh Psychoeducation Intervention for Children and Young People© (EPIC) booklets
The University of Edinburgh Edinburgh Psychoeducation Intervention for Children and Young People© also known as EPIC have developed the following resources, shared with permission:
Understanding the Strengths and Difficulties of Dyspraxia/DCD: a guide for parents
Understanding the Strengths and Difficulties of Dyspraxia/DCD: A guide for teachers
Early Years
Parenting Across Scotland
Provides a list of free parenting classes and courses
The Incredible Years
Series of evidence-based programs for parents, children, and teachers
Triple P Program
An effective evidence-based parenting program
Parentline Scotland
Helpline providing support and information
Things to try (previously HandsOn)
Things to try is a collection of resources to help support children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing, put together by Fife CAMHS. Some are aimed at children and young people, some are more for parents and carers, and some are designed for professionals who work with children and young people. Have a look, try some out, and see if there’s something that helps you.
Eating Disorders (EDs)
Beat
A UK charity that is a champion, guide and friend to anyone affected by EDs
Cared Scotland
For parents/carers of a young person with a recent diagnosis of an ED
NHS Lothian FBT for Eating Disorders information sheet
Information about Family Based Therapy, or FBT; a specific form of family therapy for the treatment of anorexia nervosa in young people.
NHS Lothian CBT for Eating Disorders information sheet
Information about Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy for Eating Disorders (or CBT-ED), an evidence based treatment for young people with eating disorders.
NHS Lothian Supporting a young people with restricted eating
Information for parents and carers – supporting a young person with a restricted eating disorder.
Enuresis and Encopresis
The Children’s Bowel & Bladder Charity
Support and information to deal with a continence difficulty
General Mental Health
MindEd
Free educational resource on children and young people’s mental health
RCPsych
Mental health information on the Royal College of Psychiatrists (RCPsych) site
BPS
Information on the British Psychological Society (BPS) website
Mind
Information and support regarding mental health problems
Mental Health Foundation
Raising awareness for mental health across Scotland
Taking CARE to Promote Mental Health in Schools and Colleges
The Anna Freud Centre has developed this short animation that recognises the importance of supporting children and young people’s mental health in schools and colleges.
Top Tips for Parents
Leaflet to help develop good mental health and emotional wellbeing
Top Tips for Young People
Leaflet of things to do to keep emotionally well
Top Tips for School
Leaflet of tips to help keep well in educational settings
Ask, Tell – Look After Your Mental Health
The animation explores what mental health is and that we all have mental health. Factors that can affect our mental health are explored, including how we can promote good mental health.
Mind Yer Time
Designed by children and young people from the Children’s Parliament and the Scottish Youth Parliament, Mind Yer Time has been created to support everyone who loves social media and screen time and provides guidance and information regarding use of digital technology and social media for children and young people.
NHS Fife CAMHS – Emotion Regulation
NHS Fife CAMHS has developed a helpful resource for parents which includes information and strategies on supporting your child with recognising and regulating their emotions.
Helping Someone Else
Anna Freud Website
Tips and advice for what to do when someone you care about is going through a rough patch
Help Someone Else
Booklet to help support friends with their mental health
Lingo
Booklet that provides insight into the experiences of young people when they talk about their mental health to adults and professionals
Ask, Tell – Have a Healthy Conversation
This animation gives practical tips about how and when to have compassionate conversations with people who may be feeling suicidal or experiencing mental distress.
LGBTQI+ Resources
LGBT Youth Scotland
Groups, support and advice for young people aged 13-25 years in the LGBT community. Live chat service will continue to run every Monday and Thursday from 6pm – 8pm. See the link below for the details. Tel: 0131 555 3940, *:info@lgbtyouth.org.uk
Learning Disability
The Challenging Behaviour Foundation
Information about positive ways of managing behaviour
Education Scotland – Understanding Behaviour
Information about positive ways of understanding and behaviour with Dr Helen Downie, Clinical Psychologist.
Mencap
Information about learning disability
Kindred Scotland
Support for parents of children with complex needs
Contact
For families with disabled children
Understanding Positive Behaviour Support
This eBook and interactive resource has been developed to introduce you to Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) and explain how you can use this to support people who may have behaviours that challenge people around them.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
OCD Youth
Increase awareness and access to support for those affected by OCD (under 25)
OCD-UK
National OCD charity, run by and for people with lived experience of OCD
Parent/Carer Self Help Guide
For helping your child with OCD
Pain
My Child is in Pain
Website developed by Pain Experts
Pain Toolkit
Provides information about pain, ideas for managing, an app, videos and links
Parenting
Solihull Approach for Parents and Carers
The Scottish Government has announced that all families in Scotland will have free access to the full Solihull Online resource for parents and carers. This initiative is being delivered in partnership with NES. Solihull Online is a universal resource for parents and carers from the antenatal period to 19 years. It offers a series of modules containing interactive activities, quizzes and video clips. To access these courses for free, please use the access code TARTAN. https://inourplace.heiapply.com/online-learning/
Parent Club – Family Support Directory
Parent Club have developed a new online directory which brings together a whole host of helpful organisations who provide advice & support to families in Scotland. So no matter what your family looks like or what you may be going through, you are not alone, there is support available for you and your family at every stage of your journey.
Child’s Behaviour
How to set limits on children’s behaviour … and stick to them
Child’s Worries
Help children deal with worries
Dishonesty
Dealing with dishonesty, lying, cheating and stealing
Encouraging Behaviour
Ways to encourage good behaviour
Fight and Argue
Helping children when they fight and argue
Hints and Tips
General tips on how to cope with the range of child behaviours
Importance of Play
Tips and hints on how to make the most of play
Mealtimes
A guide to help cope at mealtimes
Parent Separation
How to help children when parents separate
Praise and Rewards
Suggestions about how to use praise
Sleep Difficulties
Help with children’s sleep difficulties
Tantrums
Coping with children’s tantrums
Toilet Problems
Helping a child who has problems going to the toilet
Wetting the Bed
Helping a child who wets the bed
Tools and Strategies to Support Kids (TASSK)
This is a 3 session workshop delivered by Occupational Therapists that provides parents with information and practical strategies for supporting children and young people with everyday activities.
Session 1 Resources:
Beacon House – Relational Regulation Game
Behavioural to Relational Responses at School
Session 2 Resources:
Brushing My Teeth Social Story
Beacon House – Supporting Transitions
Session 3 Resources:
Information Sheet – Backward Chaining
Information Sheet – Fussy Eaters
Sensory and Life Skills Resource
Physical Health
Kindred Scotland
Provides support for parents of children with complex needs
Children’s Health Scotland
Promotes the healthcare rights and needs of children and young people
Alliance Scotland
Works to strengthen the voice of those who access health/social care services
Children in Hospital
Videos to help children and parents prepare for hospital
NeuroKid
Information for people and families living with non-epileptic attack disorder
Hospichill
Helps you prepare for your hospital appointment and practice relaxation
Mindshift
Helps teens and young adults cope with anxiety
What’s up
Provides daily tools that promote positive mental health and wellbeing
Stop, Breath, Think
Checks in with how you’re feeling, with short activities tuned to your emotions
Psychosis
What is psychosis?
This factsheet provides information about psychosis for young people.
Epic Friends
Helps you to support your friends who might be struggling to cope emotionally.
Rethink Mental Illness
Offers help to people with severe mental illness and their carers.
Talk to Frank
Helps you find out everything you might want to know about drugs.
Self-Harm
Young Minds
Champion children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing.
Breathing Space
Free, confidential, phone service for anyone experiencing low mood, depression or anxiety.
Self Harm UK
Dedicated to self-harm recovery, insight and support. Offers free online self-harm support for 11-19 year olds.
Shout
Shout is the UK’s first 24/7 text service, free on all major mobile networks, for anyone in crisis anytime, anywhere. It’s a place to go if you’re struggling to cope and you need immediate help. Text 85258.
Samaritans
Provides emotional support to anyone in emotional distress, struggling to cope, or at risk of suicide.
Self-Harm Leaflet
This leaflet looks at how to learn to cope with and stop self-harming.
Sleep
Capability Scotland
Leaflet for parents about causes and solutions of sleep problems in children
Family Lives
Sleep advice for parents with disabled children.
Sleep Action
Scotland-based charity promoting sleep hygiene.
Young Minds
UK charity providing information about sleep and emotional wellbeing.
Substance Abuse
Adfam
Support for family and friends of people with drug and alcohol problems
Edinburgh Alcohol and Drug Partnership
Help and support or young people using drugs/alcohol.
Trauma
Rape Crisis Scotland
Provides a national rape crisis helpline and email support for anyone affected by sexual violence, no matter when or how it happened
Scottish Government
Information and help after rape and sexual assault
Helps you think about emotional problems and work toward solving them
Anger – Mood Juice
Learn more about anger and skills to cope with it
Abuse – Mind
This page lists mainly national organisations
Get self-help
Provides self help and therapy resources, including information/worksheets and mp3s
Stop It Now!
This is an organisation to reduce child abuse and has useful resources about online safety and for parents who might be concerned about sexual behaviour.
Kidscape – Why my Child?
A guide for parents of children who have been sexually abused.
