Mental Health HQ

Mental Health HQ I’m a Human Givens Therapist and published author, dedicated to breaking down the stigma around mental health.

My goal is to make conversations about wellbeing open, hopeful, and accessible. 🌱
See all my services and resources here✨

06/12/2025

Sometimes all the extra pressure at this time of year makes things feel even heavier, especially if you’re already having a tough time. We’re here if you need us. 116 123 📱

We’re thrilled to have Michelle as our special guest this Thursday! She’ll be diving into ADHD and practical ways we can...
03/12/2025

We’re thrilled to have Michelle as our special guest this Thursday! She’ll be diving into ADHD and practical ways we can help our children thrive. Don’t miss it! 💙

02/12/2025

Helping Young People Manage Academic Pressure 📚✨

School can sometimes feel like one big test like every grade decides your future and every mistake matters.
But learning isn’t meant to be scary. It’s meant to help young people grow.

Here’s how we can support them to feel more confident and less overwhelmed:

🌱 Shift the focus to growth, not perfection
It’s about progress not getting everything right first time.

💡 Celebrate effort and curiosity
Trying new things, asking questions and making mistakes are how brains learn best.

🗣 Talk about learning as a journey
Every challenge helps build resilience, skills and self-belief.

💛 Reassure them that their worth isn’t measured in grades
They are so much more than results creativity, kindness, humour and courage count too.

🎯 Make goals realistic and flexible
Small steps feel achievable and build confidence along the way.

🤝 Work together with school
Speak openly about pressure and help shape expectations that feel healthy and supportive.

Young people do better when they feel safe, encouraged and understood not judged.
Let’s help them see school as a place to discover, not a place to prove.

Their future is not defined by one test.
Their potential is endless 💫

01/12/2025

When a Young Person Needs Space to Heal 💛

Sometimes a young person becomes so overwhelmed, anxious, or low in mood that school feels impossible.

This is called Entrenched Emotionally Based School Avoidance (EBSA) and it’s not a choice or defiance. It’s a sign they are struggling deeply.

When a young person reaches this point, the priority shifts from attendance to wellbeing:

💛 Reduce pressure
Take away demands that increase distress. Forcing attendance can worsen anxiety and low mood.

💛 Focus on safety and connection
Help them feel understood, valued and supported at home and in school.

💛 Support mental health first
Therapeutic support, gentle routines and small steps back into learning can help rebuild confidence.

💛 Work as a team
Parents, carers, schools and professionals collaborating is key the young person should feel their voice matters.

💛 Celebrate tiny wins
Even sitting downstairs, opening schoolwork, or connecting with a friend counts as progress.

EBSA is not failure. It’s a young person saying:
“I need help. I need time. I need you beside me.”

With patience, understanding, and the right support recovery is possible 🌱✨

01/12/2025

When to relax the pressure on getting a young person back into school a bit

Sometimes the hardest conversations are the ones we need the most. Teen years can feel like distance, even when love is ...
28/11/2025

Sometimes the hardest conversations are the ones we need the most. Teen years can feel like distance, even when love is still there.

🌟 Calm in a Box Perfect for Christmas Stockings 🌟These little grounding kits are filled with sensory treasures to suppor...
27/11/2025

🌟 Calm in a Box Perfect for Christmas Stockings 🌟

These little grounding kits are filled with sensory treasures to support mindfulness and emotional regulation.
Using the 54321 grounding technique, each kit includes fidgets, feathers, lavender, pop tubes, tiny ducks and more.
A lovely way to give comfort, calm and connection this Christmas. 🎄💛

💛 Parenting Support Group – You’re Not Alone 💛Every week, we explore a different parenting topic to help you understand ...
26/11/2025

💛 Parenting Support Group – You’re Not Alone 💛

Every week, we explore a different parenting topic to help you understand your child’s needs, build confidence, and feel more supported.

Join our warm and supportive Parenting Support Group and connect with others who truly understand.
We meet every Thursday in term time at 6:30pm.

Come along to talk, share, and receive support from fellow parents and a registered Human Givens therapist.
Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed, need guidance, or just want a safe space to chat we’re here for you. 🤝✨

25/11/2025

💛 Supporting a Young Person Who Is Self-Harming

I’m seeing more and more young people struggling with self-harm at the moment, and it can be incredibly hard for parents and carers to know what to do when they find out.
Here are some gentle, supportive steps that can really help:

✨ Stay calm
Your reaction sets the tone. Staying steady helps the young person feel safe enough to talk.

✨ Avoid reacting with anger or strong emotions
Many young people who self-harm already feel guilt or shame. A big reaction can make it harder for them to open up.

✨ Let the school know
This allows them to put safety measures in place and ensure the young person is supported during the school day.

✨ Educate them about basic wound care
Talk about keeping cuts clean, using clean equipment, and reducing infection risk.
This isn’t encouraging self-harm it’s keeping them safer while you work on the underlying issues.

✨ Listen without judgement
Often, self-harm isn’t about wanting to die it’s about coping with overwhelming feelings. Feeling heard makes a huge difference.

If you or a young person needs support, please reach out. You’re not alone and help is available. 💛

24/11/2025

📘 Supporting a Young Person Who’s Struggling With School Attendance

If your child is finding it hard to get into school, meeting with the school can feel overwhelming but going in prepared can make a huge difference. Here’s a helpful guide we discussed in group last week:

✨ 1. Identify the right person to meet with
This might be the SENCO, pastoral lead, head of year, or attendance officer whoever is most involved in your child’s wellbeing.

✨ 2. Explore what’s missing for your child in school
What barriers are they facing? What’s making attendance feel difficult?

✨ 3. Find out who their trusted adult is in school
Every young person needs someone they feel safe approaching.

✨ 4. Ask what reasonable adjustments the school can make
If your child has an EHCP, the school has a legal duty to meet their needs.

✨ 5. Agree on clear actions and set a date for the next meeting
This helps keep everyone accountable and ensures progress is reviewed.

✨ 6. Bring someone with you if you feel anxious
A friend, partner, or support worker can provide reassurance and help you advocate.

You’re not alone and taking these steps can help the school and family work together to support your young person. 💙

21/11/2025

Why Managing Your Own Emotions Matters When Your Child Is Dysregulated

When a child is overwhelmed, their brain is in “survival mode” they borrow the calm of the adult in front of them. That means your emotional state becomes their anchor. Here’s why your regulation matters:

🌟 1. You Model Emotional Skills
Children learn far more from what we do than what we say. When you stay calm, you show them what emotional regulation looks like in real time.

🧠 2. Calm Adults Help Calm Kids
A regulated adult nervous system helps soothe a dysregulated child’s nervous system. Your calm is not a luxury it’s a tool.

💬 3. You Communicate Safety
Kids can’t think clearly when they feel unsafe. A steady tone, relaxed body language, and predictable responses tell them, “You’re safe with me.”

💛 4. You Reduce Power Struggles
When you manage your emotions, you respond instead of react preventing escalation and helping avoid the “fuel on the fire” effect.

🔁 5. You Support Long-Term Emotional Development
Each time you stay grounded, you strengthen the child’s ability to do the same in the future. You’re wiring their brain for resilience.

✨ Remember: You don’t have to be perfectly calm just calmer than your child.
Regulation is a practice, not perfection.

The AWARE technique is such a powerful tool for navigating tough emotions. 🌿Each step helps you slow down, understand wh...
19/11/2025

The AWARE technique is such a powerful tool for navigating tough emotions. 🌿
Each step helps you slow down, understand what you’re feeling, and respond with more clarity and compassion. There are so many benefits to practicing it regularly. 💛

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Welling
DA161PQ

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Wednesday 9am - 6pm
Thursday 9am - 6pm
Friday 9am - 6pm
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Our Story

I support parents to gain confidence in their parenting journey through managing emotions & behaviour to build a stronger relationship I support with anxiety, depression & mindset