Guidance for a pre-adolescent may include: – Using a check in board where the child can move their name tag on a board to indicates if they are ‘fine’, ‘a little worried but ok to work through it alone’, or ‘need to talk now’. This should be checked regularly throughout the day – Creating a calming corner or box with the child and, if appropriate and possible, their parent(s)/carer(s). Invite the pre-adolescent to bring in something from home to add to the corner or box that helps them feel relaxed (102)
Information Ask before acting
Ask the young person if they would like information now or at another time, especially if they seem overwhelmed by distressing emotions. If they aren’t in the right place to take information in you should check back in with them at a later time. Provide information from trusted sources Helping the young person understand that poor mental health is common – and mental health conditions are real medical conditions – can reduce internalised stigma or barriers. Similarly, the rise of self-diagnosis in young people may affect how they perceive any mental health symptoms they experience. This may cause them to have strong but incorrect ideas about mental health conditions. Youth MHFAiders can help to dispel myths and provide accurate and well sourced information. Mental health content created and shared on social media by non-professionals can be regarded as championing undiagnosed
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