- Advice for mental health professionals
- Emerging evidence
- Coronavirus research bites
- Coronavirus blogs
- Mentally Healthy Schools
- Additional support
Advice for mental health professionals
It’s too early to say what the full impact of coronavirus will be on children and young people’s mental health, but the signs are that it will be significant.
We want to work together to support children and young people and their families to minimise this impact and to help them to cope. On this page we are sharing resources that we’ve developed for professionals working in mental health.
Emerging evidence
Coronavirus and children and young people’s mental health
In our new Emerging Evidence series, we searched for evidence published during the pandemic from around the world, to help us begin to answer three questions:
- What are the key mental health challenges for children and young people during the coronavirus pandemic?
- What are the key mental health challenges for disproportionately affected groups?
- What might help children and young people to manage these challenges
This series is a collaboration between the Evidence Based Practice Unit (EBPU) and the Child Outcomes Research Consortium (CORC).
For a video introduction and further research, please visit our Research page.
Download & share Coronavirus Emerging Evidence 1
Issue 1, 22nd May 2020
Coronavirus research bites
We’re aware that parents, carers and professionals might have questions about how to support children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing during the coronavirus pandemic. Researchers at the Evidence Based Practice Unit, a collaboration between the Anna Freud Centre and UCL, are launching a new series of ‘mental health and the coronavirus research bites’. While these are not thorough or extensive reviews, they aim to offer concise and timely insights on some topical issues, to help us think about how we might best support children and young people.
For video introductions for each research bite, please visit our Research page.
Self-management strategies for young people experiencing anxiety
Coronavirus blogs
In a new series of expert blogs, the Anna Freud Centre shines a spotlight on those children who are particularly vulnerable during the coronavirus crisis. As leading specialists in their fields, they call on colleagues and wider society to keep in mind these children and young people - and to act on the opportunities which exist to support them in these uncertain times.
Dr Eia Asen explores the impact of coronavirus on children and young people receiving psychological treatment and therapeutic interventions. Even from the distance forced upon us by lockdown, he sets out ways in which the profession can continue to support those most in need. Read Maintaining the lifeline for children receiving treatment.
Dr Anoushka Khan considers the impact of the current crisis on children and young people in care, who in most cases have already faced significant losses in their lives. She looks to the experiences of foster carers since the crisis started and how we can take some encouragement from what they have found. Read Reflecting on the child in care.
Dr Emma Morris urges professionals to keep in mind the children of separated parents during the coronavirus lockdown. While the challenges are many, this should not lead to a loss of support. We can play a huge part in helping parents mediate, mobilising networks and checking in with the child. Read Keeping in mind the children of high conflict parents separated parents.
Mentally Healthy Schools
Teacher Toolkit
Mentally Healthy Schools features a range of quality-assured mental health and wellbeing resources for primary school staff, parents, carers and children.
To support school staff, parents and carers during these uncertain times the Mentally Healthy Schools team are producing fortnightly, curated toolkits of useful, practical resources.
The toolkits have covered many different topics including how to talk to children about coronavirus, managing anxiety and improving wellbeing during this time and supporting vulnerable children and children with SEND.
Access and download the toolkits on the Mentally Healthy Schools website.
Additional support
Discover more about the advice and support we're providing to young people, parents and carers, schools and colleges, those working in early years settings, and researchers.
To keep informed of the latest coronavirus research, resources and learning opportunities from the Centre, please join the free Anna Freud Learning Network.