Emotional Health and Wellbeing

Our mental health significantly impacts our overall health and wellbeing. Understanding and nurturing mental health is beneficial because good mental health supports:

• Reduced anxiety
• Improved moods
• Increased self-esteem
• Reduced risks of long-term mental health issues such as clinical depression

Supporting children from a young age to understand, develop, and look after their emotional health and wellbeing is essential for their growth and success into adulthood. Therefore, it is crucial to support children in developing their emotional health and wellbeing skills.

Children are not born with the ability to self-regulate, but this skill can be developed through early childhood experiences. Developing self-regulation is vital for creating positive lifelong emotional wellbeing. To foster self-regulation, children need responsive, sensitive care from adults around them. Adults who notice and understand children's emotions and needs, and respond appropriately, can form stronger relationships with children.

Experience trauma in the early years can significantly impact a child's development and wellbeing. Young children who experience trauma, such as abuse, neglect, or the loss of a caregiver, often struggle with emotional regulation, trust, and forming healthy relationships.

These children may exhibit a range of behaviours, from aggression and withdrawal to regressive actions like bed-wetting or thumb-sucking. A trauma-informed approach in early years settings is essential to create a safe, supportive environment where children can begin to heal.

By understanding the effects of trauma and responding with sensitivity and care, educators can help children build resilience, develop coping skills, and foster a sense of security and trust. This approach not only supports the child's immediate emotional needs but also lays the foundation for healthier development and better long-term outcomes.

Trauma-informed practice helps practitioners increase their awareness of how trauma can negatively impact children and their ability to develop trusting relationships with professionals and others. This approach ensures that services are delivered in ways that prevent further harm or re-traumatisation for those who have experienced psychological trauma.

For more information on Trauma Informed Practice and the work taking place locally to strengthen our systems response to childhood trauma and adversity in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, please click on the Violence Reduction Network website.

• Mind - Facts and Figures about Young People and Mental Health
• Leicester's Care, Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2022-2027
• Leicestershire County Council - Mental Health Services

Supporting our young people in understanding and managing their mental health is crucial for their overall development and future success. By practicing in a trauma-informed way, professionals can provide the sensitive and responsive care that children need to thrive.

Websites provide a range of advice for professionals on emotional health and wellbeing. Below are some links for you to visit.

• Sunrise Wellbeing: an external service providing therapeutic support, interventions, workshops, counselling and psychotherapy for children, young people and adults. For further information visit their website, please note costs may be attached.

• Anna Freud - National Centre for Children and Families: information for early years professionals on a range of topics, including an A-Z guide on the common difficulties in early years, support on working with families facing challenges, more resources and videos providing expert advice and guidance.

• Child bereavement UK: Elephant's tea party provides fun resources to help early years staff equip their children with coping skills for bereavement.

• Happy Maps: a range of resources for children aged 0-5 (pre-schoolers), including advice, guidance and signposting on topics such as behaviour problems, anxiety, ADHD and more.

• Foundation Years: resources to help support children with their emotional and physical wellbeing.

Please see attached information about training and learning opportunities for Emotional Health and Wellbeing.