Learning the early signs of autism can be helpful for parents and caregivers to ensure children get the earliest intervention possible if a professional evaluation is needed. Each child is unique, and not all may show every sign of autism. However, many autistic children may show some of the traits discussed and spotting the signs early can ensure ...

Receiving a diagnosis of autism can be a pivotal moment in someone’s life and often follows a significant personal journey. But what happens afterwards? Establishing the right support moving forward is just as important and can help you to process the diagnosis and make adjustments to help with any challenges you might experience day-to-day. ...

Talking therapy is a treatment option that helps people manage mental health conditions, emotional distress, and personal challenges. Also known as psychotherapy or counselling, it involves speaking with a trained therapist to explore thoughts, feelings, and behaviours in a supportive environment. Talking therapy can help with a range of issues, fr...

Once seen as a more covert aspect of the internet, the nature of sharing harmful and radical ideologies is changing through social media. Recent news has sparked concern with far-right symbolism being used openly in politics by those who own social media platforms and in the realm of celebrity, both causing a large volume of online discourse. With ...

ADHD can affect children's and adults' ability to read. Staying focused can be difficult, and it may also be challenging to retain information. Reading tasks can feel like a chore, as you may find yourself needing to read something over and over again. There are strategies that can help both children and adults with ADHD with reading. These strateg...

Treatment approaches to depression may vary depending on the unique needs of the individual, but could include a combination of lifestyle changes, psychological support, and medication. In this video, Psychiatrist Dr Angus McLellan discusses how talking therapy can help and the effectiveness of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) in treating depres...

As we mark the fifth anniversary of the first COVID-19 lockdown in the UK, there is an opportunity to reflect upon the impact of this unprecedented event that saw widespread impact from March 2020 to August 2021. To better understand this impact, we commissioned a mental health impact survey on young adults and their guardians. Our survey was compl...

Five years on from the first COVID-19 lockdown in the UK, we wanted to contribute to the nationwide understanding of the lasting impact of such an extreme world event on mental health. To achieve this, we commissioned a mental health impact survey on young adults and their guardians. The surveys were completed by 1001 parents who have children aged...

With five years having now passed since the onset of COVID-19, we’re seeing emerging research into the long-term impact of such an extreme world event. This isn’t unusual, with a variety of extreme events being the subject of research but, when discussing COVID-19's impact, especially on mental health, we believe the focus shouldn&rsquo...

Distressing news is everywhere, from TV screens to social media, and children are not immune to its impact. While adults may have coping mechanisms to process difficult stories, children and young people may struggle to understand or manage their emotions when faced with unsettling events without support. As parents and caregivers, it’s cruci...

One of the key causes of anxiety in children is stress, which can stem from various things, including school pressure, exams, or changes in family circumstances. Children may also experience anxiety due to a lack of routine or underlying medical conditions such as ADHD or OCD. In this resource, we look at the causes of anxiety in children, the sign...

Going through periods of stress can unfortunately be a routine part of daily life brought on by circumstances like relationship difficulties, money worries, health troubles, or pressure at work. Anxiety is a little different though, so it’s helpful to understand the distinction and what signs to look out for. In this video, Dr Andrea Pickerin...

For a long time, people thought that autism was an exclusively male condition. Although studies have varied, experts believe the ratio of autistic males to autistic females is 3:1. This doesn’t necessarily mean that autism is less common in girls. In fact, it is much more likely that fewer girls are being diagnosed because their autistic trai...

While stress and anxiety share some common symptoms, there are some key differences. Stress is a short-term response to a challenging or threatening situation. Anxiety is a long-term set of feelings. These feelings can interfere with daily activities, even if there doesn’t seem to be a reason. Understanding these differences is important. By ...

Living in a world connected by social media can be a blessing but, as we experience large world events with constant access to live updates, you might feel overwhelmed. Feeling anxious about the things we see on the news that are outside of our control is not unusual, but how can we protect our mental health when we have fewer breaks from the news ...

Children with ADHD may find it difficult to concentrate on homework. This is because they often have difficulty maintaining attention and may feel restless. It’s important to ensure your child has the time to relax and can develop a relationship with homework that lets them thrive. There are many ways that parents can help their children to c...

Everyone feels low from time to time, so it’s not always easy to know when these feelings are part of daily life and when it’s time to seek help. In most cases, low mood is short-term and goes away on its own. If you find yourself asking, “How do I know if I have depression?” it’s important to know the signs that you m...

Social media has fast become a part of everyday life with many of us now seeing it entering our children’s routines. While it offers benefits, social media can also present challenges that we’re becoming more aware of to young people’s mental health and wellbeing. The National Parent Survey found that around 44% of parents are con...

The stress of a new school term for parents is something we understand, especially when you’re trying to help a child with ADHD focus in school. Having the right approach for your child’s needs can be the difference between a positive school experience, and one that’s a struggle. Academic success may be key to your child’s c...

ADHD affects behaviours such as hyperactivity, impulsiveness, and inattentiveness. This can lead to difficulties with everyday functioning and completing tasks. As someone working in education, there are lots of things you can do to help your students with ADHD get the most out of school life. With their natural curiosity, children and young people...