Parents
The Mental Emotional Landscape
Post covid has shown us that children and young people’s mental health has suffered dramatically. The prevalence of mental health issues among children has undoubtedly increased due to the pandemic, with factors such as lockdowns, school closures, and social isolation contributing to heightened levels of stress and anxiety. We know that finding new ways of supporting children and young people is top on the agenda for many parents and carers and finding the right person, the right intervention at the right price is no picnic in the park – it is actually the complete opposite.
Facts and Figures
The facts are shocking, and the increase in poor mental health has significantly risen in the last few years (post pandemic). The number of young people that are now experiencing a mental health disorder has risen from one in six children aged 5 – 16 identified in 2020 as having a probable mental health disorder compared to one in nine in 2017.
The Reality
Times have changed, schools are struggling to meet the rising numbers of young people who are presenting with mental health issues. The NHS provision, CAMHS cannot meet the epic number of rising referrals and so many children and young people are left without any kind of support or intervention, even when parents and carers are trying so hard to find the right course of action.
In 2021, Mind conducted a research survey called ‘Not making the Grade” which surveyed 1271 young people across England. A snapshot of some of the findings speak for themselves and show how our secondary schools are struggling to meet the complex needs of our young people today:
96% of young people reported that their mental health had affected their schoolwork at some point.
78% of young people said that school had made their mental health worse.
56% of school staff identified that young people who didn't receive support self-harmed.
48% of young people told us they had been punished at school for behaviour that was caused by their mental health problems.
25% of school staff said they were aware of a young person being excluded from school because of their mental health.
No Blame
This is not about shame or blame, it is about recognising the facts and figures that tell us that all is not well, and what we need to do is act fast and take an informed approach that is about focussing on finding ways to secure prevention rather than finding no other option but the absolute need for intervention.
Amazing Minds
We can’t say is that one size fits all, or that Amazing Minds is the ‘go to intervention’ for all children and young people. What we can say is that Amazing Minds can help some young people to build happy, healthy headspaces and we have a fantastic track record of securing outstanding results using both SDQ’s (DFE recommend tool that measures impact) and online surveys to support this statement.
Tried and Tested
Our results show (see Results page) that children and young people love to do the Amazing Minds programme and our programmes have provided us with some super cool stats on learners feeling happier, more confident and more resilient. This results in young people being more equipped and prepared to cope with difficulty and adversity. We can aim to educate, equip, empower and focus on prevention rather than intervention as a possible way forward when trying to find a resolve around this challenging and worrying landscape of children’s mental health and wellbeing.
Mindfulness
You might be wondering how mindfulness can more specifically help children and young people, here are some key areas that mindfulness has shown to have some positive outcomes:
Improved Focus and Attention: Mindfulness helps children enhance their concentration and attention span, which can be beneficial in academic and daily activities.
Emotional Regulation: By practicing mindfulness, children can learn to recognise and manage their emotions better, leading to reduced stress, anxiety, and emotional outbursts.
Enhanced Self-Awareness: Mindfulness encourages children to develop a better understanding of themselves, their thoughts, and their feelings, fostering greater self-awareness and empathy.
Better Stress Management: Teaching children mindfulness techniques can provide them with tools to cope with stress and challenging situations more effectively.
Improved Behaviour: Mindfulness practices can lead to more positive behaviour by helping children develop patience, impulse control, and the ability to respond thoughtfully rather than react impulsively.
Greater Academic Performance: With improved focus, attention, and emotional regulation, children may perform better academically, showing better retention of information and higher engagement in learning.
Health Benefits: Mindfulness has been linked to various physical health benefits, including better sleep, reduced symptoms of conditions like ADHD, and overall well-being.
Social Skills: Mindfulness can enhance children's social interactions by promoting empathy, active listening, and understanding, leading to healthier relationships with peers and adults.
Resilience and Adaptability: By practicing mindfulness, children can build resilience, helping them adapt to changes and bounce back from setbacks more effectively.
Promotes Kindness and Compassion: Mindfulness often includes practices that foster kindness and compassion, encouraging children to be more considerate and caring towards others.
What Parents Say...
Here are some comments from some of our parents and carers that share their thoughts and experiences about the Amazing Minds programme:
"My 11 year old daughter was struggling with anxiety after a traumatic illness, she was finding it hard to switch off and sleep and the tiredness was beginning to affect her ability to focus, as well as her overall self confidence particularly as she was approaching the transition to secondary school. Amazing Minds was able to help my daughter understand her mind and how it works at a relatable level for her. The sessions equipped her with techniques to help her manage difficulty. As the sessions progressed her sleep and concentration improved. Her spark returned! My daughter is fully engaged with all aspects of secondary school and regularly dips into her Amazing Minds tool kit." Jane
"Our daughter was having a difficult time at school and was offered the opportunity to work with one of the Amazing Minds Coaches to help her regulate her emotions. We were pleasantly surprised to see a change in her in a short space of time. She still uses her Amazing Minds tool kit well beyond the sessions and is often heard chatting to her friends about mindfulness when things get a little tough for them. I think she will be forever grateful for the support she received from her Coach. Thank you so much." Pavan
"My daughter participated in the Amazing Minds programme at the UKAT Sixth Form. This experience played a pivotal role in boosting her self-esteem and confidence. The program empowered her to embrace challenges, voice her opinions, and approach problem-solving with newfound assurance. As a parent, witnessing the positive transformation in my daughter's confidence and self-esteem has been immensely gratifying. The Amazing Minds programme undoubtedly equipped her with the tools and mindset needed to navigate the challenges of life beyond Sixth Form. The impact on my daughter's life has been profound, and I am confident that this program has the potential to empower and inspire many more young minds." Aniyah
"My daughter has struggled with her nerves in different situations but especially in exam conditions, this was hindering her and so I searched for some help. Jo came highly recommended and from our first meeting I was completely inspired and knew the Amazing Minds programme would help my daughter. Charlie was in the middle of her mocks when Jo and Charlie started their sessions, and I can honestly say that we noticed a different child week on week. My daughter is now away skiing and having some issues, but I could say to her use your methods Jo has given you and you will be fine by day three she’s stopped calling me telling me she was worried and is now enjoying her holiday." Ava
“My daughter looked forward to each session with her coach and I could see she got a lot out of it. She is using some of the techniques that she was shown and has found these very useful at school and home. She liked the programme so much she has started promoting it to all her friends!" Louisa
*all names have been changed to ensure anonymity of all the parents and carers that kindly gave us feedback.
If you would like to find an Amazing Minds Coach please contact us