Improved Mental health

National evaluation shows that complex families have disproportionately high levels of health problems compared with the general population. Poor mental health is particularly pertinent, with over two fifths of families having a family member with a mental health problem. Health needs have a significant impact on the whole family and may require specialist support.

The following resources will provide guidance in relation to “Good Mental Health”:

• Parental mental health and its impact on family’s (external link) - Free course exploring the nature of parental mental health and its impact on families 
• Self-harm in children and teenagers’ (external link) - Free course exploring the background to self-harm in children and teenagers, common associated conditions and the optimal approach to managing it in the community 
• Mental health in young children aged 0 - 5 years (external link) - Free course exploring mental health in young children and how adults and soceity can support children's mental health and wellbeing
• Adolescent mental health (external link) - Free course aiming to provide the tools to explore the different approaches which will help you reflect on the different ways that you can identify a young person who is struggling and consider how they can access support 
• NHS Self Help Leaflets (external link) - Information on abuse, alcohol and you, anxiety, bereavement, controlling anger, depression and low mood, domestic abuse, eating disorders, food for thought and many more topics.

There are a number of organisations that can support families with improved mental health:

• Our Town Community Directory - Mental Health Support Organisations
• Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (external link)
• Mental Health Services for Young People
• Information and Resources for Mental Health
• Kooth (external link) - Online Mental Health Support
• Thrive (external link) - Online support for parents and carers
• Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide (external link)
• Papyrus - Prevention of Young Suicide (external link).