supporting a friend with mental health issues

cwmt.org.uk | @charliewtrust InOurHands.com | @pookyh

Welcome to this week’s webinar: Mental Health Issues: Practical ideas for

Supporting a friend or family member ***We’ll start at 6pm***

Before we start, please check that your audio is

working. Attendees are muted to avoid background noise.

The webinar will be recorded, and both the recording and slideshow will be sent out after the

session.

At the end of the webinar we’ll move across to facebook where Pooky will do a live Q&A

including any questions you share in the control panel. You can join us here:

www.facebook.com/charliewallermemorialtrust


Mental Health Issues:

Practical ideas for Supporting a friend or

family memberDr Pooky Knightsmith

Director: children, young people & schools

Charlie Waller Memorial Trust


Before Poll


Mental Health Issues:

Practical ideas for Supporting a friend or

family memberDr Pooky Knightsmith

Director: children, young people & schools


cwmt.org.uk | @charliewtrust InOurHands.com | @pookyh1

Do something(anything)


Reach out…

…Don’t let this become about

you and the fact you don’t know

what to say


Natural conversation

Listen - *really* listen

Ask open questions

Don’t assume or judge


Short messages


If you’re thinking of your loved one, tell them with a text, a post it note, a video or voice

message


No pretext is needed

Don’t expect a response

It’s okay if you’re having fun

Help them feel included


Support accessing support


We might not get the answers

we need and might not be

well enough to fight for them


Help research options

Help making appointments

Attend or prepare together

Help with treatment plan


Help with practical

jobs


Don’t ask what you should do… …tell what you will do


Small tasks feel monumental

Simple practical tasks

Makes headspace for recovery

Achieve small tasks together


Flexible Planning


Try to remain open and flexible

Not showing up doesn’t mean we don’t want to be

there


Discuss how best to plan

Keep inviting

Reassure if they can’t come

Work around what feels okay


Hobby together


Do things together JUST

FOR FUN – maybe re-start an old hobby


Easier to talk when doing

Gives structure and routine

Achieve small goals

Time out & feel good


Remember me?..

Labels are for jars


Remember what makes this

person special, help them to

remember too.


Don’t assume how things are

Support to do ‘normal things’

Not everything is about illnessHappy memories & look ahead


Look after YOU

You first

Good role modelling

Sleep, diet, exercise

Who’s looking after you?


After Poll

Facebook Live Q&Awww.facebook.com/charliewallermemorialt

rust


Lovely Free Stuff from CWMT…


Free Book Club for School Mental Health Leads

inourhands.com/bookclub @CharlieWTrust |

@PookyH

http://www.inourhands.com/bookclub/


Mental Health: Weekly Online Learning for Staff working with

CYP

inourhands.com/onlinelearning @CharlieWTrust | @PookyH

http://www.inourhands.com/onlinelearning/

http://www.inourhands.com/onlinelearning/


Mental Health: Free training and workshops for school staff,

pupils and parents

inourhands.com/cwmt@CharlieWTrust | @PookyH

http://www.inourhands.com/cwmt/


E-NewsletterHighlighting events,

resources, research etc

inourhands.com/sign-up @CharlieWTrust | @PookyH

http://www.inourhands.com/sign-up/


Dr Pooky KnightsmithDirector: CYP& Schools


[email protected] | 01635 869754

[email protected]@PookyH

mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

https://twitter.com/pookyh

supporting a friend with mental health issues

Healthcare