Supporting emotional and mental wellbeing

A child who feels emotionally supported is more likely to thrive academically, socially, and personally.

Supporting the emotional well-being of children and young people is essential to their overall development, resilience, and long-term mental health.

That’s why we offer guidance and services tailored to children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), helping them grow emotionally and socially. Whether your child wants to manage their feelings or you’re looking for extra support, we have the resources to help.

What is emotional wellbeing?

Emotional wellbeing is about more than just feeling happy - it’s the ability to manage emotions, build positive relationships, and cope with life’s challenges. For children and young people, good emotional well-being lays the foundation for healthy development and lifelong resilience.

Key aspects of emotional well-being include:

feeling safe, secure, and confident in oneself
being able to express and regulate emotions appropriately
building and maintaining supportive relationships
adapting to changes and overcoming setbacks
feeling connected, purposeful, and valued

For children with SEND, achieving emotional well-being may come with additional challenges—but with the right support, they can thrive at home, in school, and in the community.

Watch this useful video on Emotional Well Being for Children and young people

Recognising when something may be wrong

With growing pressures from school, social media, and relationships, it’s more important than ever to recognise when a child may be struggling.

Stress

Stress happens when a child feels overwhelmed, anxious, or under pressure. It can be triggered by school, friendships, family changes, or feeling misunderstood.

Children often show stress in different ways, including:

Physical signs: headaches, stomach aches, tiredness
Emotional signs: sadness, anger, anxiety
Behavioural signs: trouble sleeping, avoiding school, acting out
Thinking signs: difficulty focusing, forgetfulness

Younger children may worry about things like starting school, while older children might feel stressed about exams or social pressures.

How you can help

Talk with your child and reassure them it’s okay to feel stressed. Support them with simple coping strategies—like relaxing, doing hobbies, and spending time with loved ones. Keeping routines calm and limiting screen time can also help.

Watch this helpful video about managing stress

Anxiety

Anxiety is a feeling of worry or fear about something that might happen. It’s a normal response to stress—like before an exam or a big change—and can help us stay alert.

But when anxiety becomes constant, overwhelming, or starts to affect daily life, it may be a sign of an anxiety disorder.

Common signs of anxiety include:

constant worrying or nervousness
trouble concentrating
rapid heartbeat or breathing
avoiding people, places, or situations
feeling restless, tense, or panicked

Anxiety is common and treatable. Talking therapies, calming techniques, and sometimes medication can help. If your child’s anxiety is getting in the way of school, friendships, or daily life, don’t wait to ask for support - we’re here to help.

Watch this helpful video about anxiety

Mental illness

Mental illness affects how a child thinks, feels, and behaves. It can make it harder for them to manage emotions, cope with stress, or connect with others.

Mental health conditions can be short-term or long-lasting. They vary in type and severity but are treatable with the right help.

Some common mental health conditions include:

Anxiety disorders
Depression
OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder)
Bipolar disorder
Psychosis or schizophrenia (less common in younger children)

Signs to look out for may include:

ongoing low mood or mood swings
withdrawing from friends or usual activities
trouble focusing or making decisions
changes in eating or sleeping
talking about hopelessness or feeling worthless

Mental illness can feel scary, but help is available. With support - from therapy, medication, school resources, or peer groups - children and young people can manage their condition and thrive.

Watch this helpful video about what mental illness is

If you need help or advice, visit the Mental Wellbeing Directory to find organisations and services that support children and young people with SEND.

Why good mental health matters

Good mental health is the foundation for a child’s overall wellbeing. It plays a vital role in shaping their thoughts, feelings, and actions, influencing how they:

handle stress and challenges
build relationships with family and friends
make decisions and navigate life

Fostering positive mental wellbeing allows children and young people to lead fulfilling lives, recover more quickly from illness, and reduce the likelihood of risky behaviours.

If you're wondering how best to support your child’s mental health, there are resources that can help.

Find out what support is available

Last updated 15/10/25