Mental Health in Children & Young People

• By Monica Kim & Danny Kwon
• ISBN 9781645075516

For Church leaders, an information sheet to help understanding and support.

A 3 session course for teens in schools or youth group settings, aimed at preventing eating issues, while allowing individuals to explore their own relationship with food.

Taste Life offer recovery courses, online webinars for parents and other resources. The charity came out of a family’s experience. You can learn more in the video below.

• by Emma Scrivener a short book from lived experience.
• ISBN 9781846255236

Resources for families as they help their young people navigate exams.

YouthScape offer a range of 1 minute videos for young people, a 45 minute webinar as well as ways for youthworkers to support them.

• By Martin Cole & Andrew Roycroft
• ISBN 9781905564552

From Action for Happiness, “50 Ways to be Happy” is a book with activities and projects for 7-11 year olds, that promote well-being, self-confidence, resilience and emotional stability.

From Muddy Church, Activities and resources to support mental mindsets, build resilience and self awareness.

5 simple activities to help younger children explore their mental health.

YouthScape’s “Be Head Strong” is an online resource through which young people can explore issues, ideas to try and mental health hacks and Brave.

The Children society offer a free course for church youth groups with 7 sessions on issues such as identity, depression and anxiety and fears for the future, with biblical input and activities.

A course for 11-15 year olds discussing questions young people ask about mental health.

Young Minds have guides for both young people and parents, including signposting to other support. There’s also professional resources, for those who work with young people struggling with their mental health.

“Alumina” is a free, online 7 week course for young people aged 10 to 17 struggling with self-harm. They can self-refer and will access via a chatbox, so won’t be seen or heard in the sessions.

The website also has a number of articles about self-harm.

“Alumina is a well thought through support service for young people; it is professional, caring and accessible to all. Signposting a young person to Alumina will help them begin their recovery journey.”

Dr Kate Middleton

A free download, SelfharmUK have a set of 4 posters about mental health issues, including self harm, with coping strategies and distraction techniques.

Young Minds have information for young people to find out what self-harm means and what to do if they think they’re affected by it.

“Brave” is a series of 4 podcasts exploring tough stuff, identity, control, and failure. It seeks to empower youth leaders and young people to recognise and release inner strength and capability, build confidence and resilience.

“Emotional 1st Aid Course” seeks to help you spot the signs of emotional distress in children and adults, and know how to respond to them effectively. From TLG, the course offers a biblical perspective.

“Emotional Rollercoaster Training” from TLG is free training for churches and individuals working with 8-14 year olds who have emotional and relational challenges sharing therapeutic responses, approaches and resources. It covers all of the Emotional 1st Aid training, too.

Updated for 2025, the “Youth Mental Health 1st Aid” helps you to know how to identify a young person experiencing poor mental health, how to approach them, and sign post to appropriate support.

For you as a CYF minister, “Living Well” from Wonderful Me, is support for your well-being and mental health, including resources, a 6 session course, retreats and a podcast.