Space to talk Northumberland

Walking today to raise awareness of the charity I work with, Grief Encounter. We support children bereaved of a parent or close relative. If you want to check out what we do or need support please look us up at

Home SUPPORTING BEREAVED CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE One child in every UK classroom will experience the death of someone close by the time they reach 16 years old. Grief Encounter is here to help with the confusion, fear, loneliness and pain, providing a lifeline to children and young people to cope with free, immediate, one-to-one support.

Not everyone knows that you don’t have to feel suicidal to talk to us. So, we’re just letting you know that we’re here for anyone who is having hard time 📱 116 123

The maths is very simple - you can't have a regulated child without a regulated adult. Putting your own oxygen mask on and taking care of your own regulation first isn't selfish, indulgent, or secondary. You being okay is a prerequisite for the young people in your life being okay.

This message was written by a young person to their local MP. They are one of thousands more young people who are being made to wait far too long for the support they urgently need.

The decision makers of this country must do all they can to fix this. That’s why we’re bringing a group of young people to Parliament to meet with MPs face to face at our event this Monday. These young people have first-hand experience of the mental health system – of mental health in schools, NHS support and of months-long waits for professional help. They want to share their stories with every MP in England. And they want change to happen, now.

This is a powerful piece, children demonstrate their inner workings through their behaviour. Thoughts?

SEMH video 'Why I am rude' Pupils from Swavesey Primary School and Swavesey Village College have put together a performance of the poem ‘Why I am Rude’, written by Sarah DillonNationa...

🥰

Powerful

What if I asked you?
You, The Adult.

To hold down a job where you are expected to take regular testing to ensure you're up for the job. Where your anxiety and fear breeds from the very thought of going there, so much so, you're vomiting, screaming and begging. Where you actually dont know whats expected of you or how to do that job but you must still go.

What if I asked you to go, even though you spent most of your days there alone, afraid, confused, distressed, panicked. You just know its not the job for you. But everyone is intent on making you the job for it.

What if I asked you to move past your panic attack and go there every single day even when you tell me your mental health is slipping away from you.

If I asked you to just try harder to mix with your colleagues, even though they've been freezing you out for 4 years and the cold just wont thaw.

Can I ask you, that when you cry, to explain to me why you are crying. Can I ask you to repeat that because it makes no sense to me.

And can I ask you, when it still makes no sense to me, and you're getting angry because I dont get it, that you go to a room alone. And think about how you've got angry.

What if I asked you, The Adult, that despite the way your boss talks to you with a patronising, dismissive attitude, you must still respect them, listen to them and be guided by them.

What if every attempt you had made to fit into that job, didnt work out because the colleagues, the boss, the work and the hours had exhausted every corner of your spirit. And what if I told you, you didnt try enough. And then I asked you to sit in front of a psychiatrist to be diagnosed with a mental disorder because you just wont go to work.

What if your next attempt to try at that job caused you so much distress, that you became suidicial.

And Still

The psychiatrist
The boss
The others

All convinced you that its because you need to work through your resistance to go to work.

I think I'd never ask that of you, though.

Love this reminder for us parents, therapists and educators, thanks Dr O ‘Kane 🌻

'Our kids need to know: brains can change. Every time you do something brave, or think strong brave thoughts, you're strengthening the part of the brain that helps with brave behaviour. Every time you take strong deep breaths, you're teaching your brain how to to help you feel calm.' Wise words to support Anxious Children From Karen Young.

For all the parents who have been in touch to say that they cannot attend an evening Webinar on Supporting Anxious Children, Canavan Byrne have now put in a daytime session. It takes place on Thesday 9th February from 10am-12noon. Full details at the link below, or PM me for info:

https://www.canavanbyrne.ie/training/detail/supporting-anxious-children/346

I’m interested in any thoughts about this statement

Yep 😉

SAVE THOSE BOXES, Grab some Legos, cars or farm critters, draw up a map of streets and BAM! Your kid has got a whole city in the palm of his or her hands!

via - https://picklebums.com/what-to-do-with-a-big-box-make-a-town/

A lovely reminder from about the importance of boundaries.

Lovely post from Coastal Connections OT!

Hello fb friends, some of you know I’ve been preparing to set up a charity to support bereaved children in the NE. The universe stepped in and the fantastic charity Grief Encounter now have a base here. Im delighted to report that as of Jan 2023 I will be working with them to provide grief support to children and families here in sunny Northumberland and throughout the NE. If you are aware of any child or family or might benefit from support please share with them freephone number 0808 802 0111

Home SUPPORTING BEREAVED CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE One child in every UK classroom will experience the death of someone close by the time they reach 16 years old. Grief Encounter is here to help with the confusion, fear, loneliness and pain, providing a lifeline to children and young people to cope with free, immediate, one-to-one support.

DON'T LET ME CRY MAMA😭
My lungs won't grow, I won't grow stronger, I won'T get wiser, your kisses won't spoil me, your chest won't make me depend, I'm not doing it to bother you. I can only rely on you,. I only know your voice, your smell, I only think of you since I left your womb. Do not spoil me when you attend my cry, I do not ask for comfort at night to bother you, I seek you because I need you, because I do not understand this world we live in, because I am only learning to love. ❤️❤️❤️

Source: Unknown

Be gentle with yourself. Struggling doesn’t mean you’re failing

Image: https://instagram.com/anxiety.positive

Teaching children and young people about how their brain works and how and why they respond to stress in the way they do can be both comforting and empowering.

"No, you're not being crazy or about to die of a heart attack. It's just that your amygdala thinks you're in danger and is trying to keep you safe."

I want young people to not just know about the amygdala, I want them to get to know their amygdala and befriend it! One way to do that is to personalize and externalize it into an image that can be worked with.

Different metaphors work well for different people and for different ages and this worksheet is designed to help children and young people find one that works for them.

download a pdf here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mSmhR-AWSuxUHv--nr56gi-1fPtg6vjX/view?usp=sharing