Childhood and teenage mental health
While it is commonly believed that depression only effects adults, around 10% of children in Great Britain aged between 5 and 16 have a recognisable mental disorder; with about 4% of children suffering from an emotional disorder such as anxiety or depression.
The problem for many is that depression is difficult to spot and often regarded as teenage mood swings. However, if your child is appearing to have an extreme emotional response to a life event or has lost interest in activities which previously interested them they may be suffering from an emotional disorder.
If you are worried about your child’s mental health please visit your GP, who will be able to offer a range of support to help both you and your child. There are a range of talking therapies which are highly effective in dealing with both short term and long term depression, for more information on these therapies please view the NHS Talking Therapy Guide.
Websites
Barnardo’s Mental Health Support for children and adolescents
Mind- Mental Health Charity
Sane – Mental Health Support
Rethink Mental Illness
Kooth (11 – 18 year olds)Childhood immunisations
One of the most important things that a parent can do for their child is to make sure that they have all their routine childhood vaccinations. It’s the most effective way of keeping them protected against infectious diseases.
Ideally, children should have their jabs at the right age to protect them as early as possible and minimise the risk of infection.
Find out which jabs your child needs, when they need them, and what the benefits of each jab are.
Please call the surgery to make an appointment.
Websites
NHS – Vaccinations for you and your family
Childhood Immunisation Schedule
National Immunisation Schedule
Rashes in babies and children
Many things can cause a rash in babies and children, and they’re often nothing to worry about.
The NHS provide support for identifying some of the common rashes in babies and children.
Website
NHS: Rashes in babies and childrenStart for Life
Trusted NHS help and advice during pregnancy, birth and parenthood.
Website
Start for Life