Do you have questions about supporting your child’s mental health?

[BellaMumsnet]

Mental health can be a significant concern for parents when it comes to their child's wellbeing. Whether it's dealing with anxiety, depression, behavioural issues, or developmental disorders, it's important to address these concerns early on. Bupa's expert GP Zoe Williams, is here to answer any questions you might have about supporting your child's mental health and ensuring their happiness and overall wellbeing.

• Everyone who shares a question on the thread below will be entered into a prize draw.
• One Mumsnet user will win a £200 voucher.
• Zoe will be back online in a few weeks to answer a selection of your questions.

About the expert: DR Zoe Williams MBBS, DRCOG, MRCGP graduated from medical school in 2007. She has gained experience in many specialist fields within medicine and currently practices as an NHS General Practitioner in London and outside of the surgery is a National Advisor of Office for Health Improvement and Disparities and has served as a clinical advisor to the RCGP. Zoe is one of the resident Doctors on ITV’s This Morning, and has featured as an expert on the BBC’s The One Show, Horizon and Trust Me I’m a Doctor.

Here’s what Bupa has to say:
"Bupa's purpose is helping people live longer, healthier, happier lives and making a better world. We do this by providing a broad range of healthcare services, support and advice to people throughout their lives. In the UK Bupa are leading healthcare specialists. People are at the heart of everything we do. Together, we make health happen."

Thanks and good luck with the prize draw!
MNHQ

Mumsnet Insight T&Cs apply

Do you think enough is done to look at the links between physical health and mental health (eg thyroid function / deficiencies in vitamins and minerals)? In my experience a GP is more likely to look at these things in an adult than in a child.

What are should I look out for as an indicator that my child has on onset of mental illness ?

My older son has anxiety and issues with food and going out (heightened since covid) he can go a long time without food, and when he eats it's just really controlled (by him) portions. He has a packed lunch and i have asked staff at school to monitor but not watch over him as I feel that it is too much pressure to eat. My HV's advice is to let him be and to allow him to eat when he wants, and it will pass. He has lost some weight - but he is within his BMI. What advice would you give me ?

Should mumsnet really be providing a platform for private healthcare whilst our NHS is being fucking ravaged. ???

My DD who is 14 and has ADHD and ASD is currently experiencing a lot of anxiety regarding going to school.

Do you find that as young teens get older their anxiety levels lower or do these issues tend to continue for the rest of their lives?

Since being pregnant my mental health has deteriorated, I have been suffering from pre-natal depression and anxiety.

Much of this comes from my concerns that I won't be able to cope when the baby arrives, as I have always struggled with anxiety.

Are there any therapies that can help?

What advice would you give to supporting a teen through puberty - and mood changes around periods

Hello Zoe, how can I best support my DC age 11 whose personality has changed since lockdown, she wants to keep wearing a mask, and it almost OCD about handwashing, germs and Covid (she had Covid in 2021, but only mild symptoms) I want to try to get to the new normal and lessen her anxiety

How much do you think a parent’s poor mental health affects a child? I have had depression/ anxiety/ panic from a young age, medicated but always there, sometimes better sometimes crisis point. My eldest had anxiety before and youngest also showing it now. Is it inevitable they will suffer too? (My Dad and one of my brothers also suffer) thanks

Is physical presentation of anxiety common in small children? My primary aged child suffers terrible anxiety after a few years of poor health and has suffered a tummy ache for the past year, cause unknown and waiting for assessment via referral. I wonder if it is a manifestation of the mental health issues

What are your qualifications in paediatric psychiatry?

Is banging their head repeatedly on the floor/wall (until they are rugby tackled/bear hugged to make them stop), shouting, throwing things and saying they are rubbish and should be thrown away (behaviour carrying on for hours) normal behaviour for an 8 year old? GP says this is age appropriate and just sent me a leaflet!

I just came to ask similar - what is Dr William's experience in this beyond GP level?

Exactly. If GP’s were specialists in MH I’d be out of a job. I work with and am related to a lot of highly-skilled GP’s but not one of them would field questions of this sort, purporting in an advertorial to be an expert in paeds psych!

Professionally dubious and potentially harmful.

patient.info/authors/dr-zoe-williams

This is her?

How can I support my DC when they don't want to go to school?

So, no psychiatry or paeds specialisms. Specialist interests in Public Health & General Practice, however impressive and accomplished, don’t equip someone to offer specialist advice on paediatric mental health. Even for a wage packet from Bupa and a publicity bump.

How much experience do Bupa have with diagnosing and supporting children with PANS/PANDAS?

This is just wrong mumsnet

What daily things can we do as a family to help keep everyone in good mental health? Particularly in the winter time when it’s dark, wet and cold and no one wants to go outside.

I suffered from depression during lockdown. My dh explained this to my kids
I still have periods where I am
Stuck in freeze mode doom
Scrolling on the sofa .
How do I model
Good mental health for them?

My DS does not have many friends at school and seems reluctant to go most mornings, I worry about his reluctance and poor social skills (mostly due to not socialising during lockdown) and his mental health in the long term- schools seem to only focus on SEN and the ones who are loud in terms of 'being noticed' school - I worry so much about him as he seems so sad - any advice ?

Why do you think there is an epidemic of mental health issues - when I was at school (1990's) there were no incidents of self harm, eating disorders, and bullying was always nipped dealt with swiftly and I never heard of a sui$ide - it now feels very common, and I worry so much about the next generation - I really feel our system is broken - any advice to help our next generation deal with 'life'

Is there a learning resource available to roll play with your child to help with their mental health - and give me the 'right questions' to ask if I feel my child will not open up to me about how they are feeling (hiding bullying at school/ body insecurity)

What tips do you have to get a boy age 13 to talk ? Take him out of his surroundings to somewhere neutral ? ask a 3rd party or family member ? I know he is struggling - but do not know why - there is a crisis with MH in this country - no jobs, no money, no future - how do I paint a picture of a happy world to him ?