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10 things to lighten the load for your teenager during this pandemic.

 


"Britain is sleepwalking into a mental health crisis as the government struggles to deal with the monumental effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.

 Health experts and charities have told the Observer the coming winter will devastate the mental wellbeing of the nation as lockdown uncertainty, fear, isolation and loneliness are exacerbated by the colder and darker months ahead"

That was the headline yesterday in the Guardian newspaper warning that 1.5 million children will need mental health support during this pandemic.

What are we to do with longer waiting times and higher thresholds for the children needing support? I have thought about launching a support forum facilitated by myself (a dedicated adolescent BACP therapist) through zoom. Would this work? I would like to know your thoughts.

Separate to this I wanted to suggest some small daily things that might be helpful for teenagers to stave off the low mood and anxiety, these are not therapy related but are small changes that could lighten the load.

 

  • Learn to do wet on wet watercolour painting.
  • Let your teenager do your makeup.
  • Watch My Octopus Teacher – A tale of awe and wonder that is beautifully filmed with a fantastic story – restores your faith in humankind and the natural world. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3s0LTDhqe5A
  • ASMR videos on YouTube for anxiety.
  • Buzzfeed unsolved network – Paranormal activity where they just have a laugh, it is funny and comforting. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKijjvu6bN1c-ZHVwR7-5WA
  • Play the A-Z game. A country, a boy’s name, a girl’s name, vegetable, car make beginning with A and then B and so on. The most obscure answer wins.
I hope these help, they are just a few from a bigger selection that I draw from. Please give some feedback if you wish. 

Comments

  1. Thank you because you have been willing to share information with us. Online therapist is showing a fantastic accomplishment in curing people. The cured persons have shown optimistic changes and are relaxed as their problems gradually disappeared through this process.

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