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

I am so glad you asked this, I think it would save a lot of money if especially graves patients had optimal vitamin levels and GPS were trained in it as there is so much conflicting information out there. One GP gave me 2 iron tablets a day for a Ferritin levels of 10 and another said they would not class that as deficient.

I really worry about social media presence as my child grows, as the early days already caused anxiety in me a teenager. What can we do to foster a healthy relationship with social media to try and prevent already anxious children have increasing issues? And what tools can we use to try and keep communication lines open with us as parents, especially if a child has started to withdraw into an online world due to mental health issues?

When Will the Bupa-sponsored celeb generalist GP be along to answer these highly-specialist CAMHS / Paed Psych questions which fall outside of their specialism?

Still waiting with interest.

My child's childhood is 100% different than mine - peers are different- there appears to be so much pressure to look 'good' have the latest fashion etc - how would you help navigate a 10 year old through this Instagram/Influencer/youTube world which has made such an impact on children's MH ?

Would you encourage, ignore or question an invisible friend my DD has ? Do you think she has created this for another reason ? How would you approach it

A CAHMS waiting list is soo long - if you cannot wait. -or afford private - how would you help a child with what you think is an eating disorder - body dysmorphia

What should we do to ensure NHS mental health services get better so that people aren't forced to go private?

Whats your best advice for supporting a child who is worrying about another lockdown / mask wearing / being kept at home - he still has not recovered from the pandemic - as I feel many others have not

Do you think there will be a whole generation of children with MH issues and it will become as the same levels as asthma and eczema - with the cuts in MH support what as parents can we do ??

Hi all, thanks to everyone who has submitted their questions for Zoe. Please note, we won't be taking any further questions from this point. Zoe will be back at the end of May to share her answers with you - thank you for your patience. MNHQ.

Hi everyone thanks so much for your great questions about supporting your child's mental health. I'm now going to share some videos which we've created with Bupa to answer some of them.

Dr Zoe

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