Wellbeing and mental health information and advice
Parent Anxiety Workshops
These two-part recorded information sessions, which have been developed and collated by NHS Lothian CAMHS and The City of Edinburgh Psychological Services, are based on cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), the recommended treatment for managing anxiety and worries.
The information sessions will help parents and carers learn more about what anxiety is and how they can support their child to overcome it. The webinars can be accessed at any time by following the links below.
- Part 1 Understanding Anxiety,
- Part 2 Supporting your child with Anxiety.
Supporting Children with Anxiety: Computerised CBT Course
Parents can access these free module courses, one course is for parents of children and one for parents of teenagers. Parents can work through the modules flexibly at their own pace at any time on a computer, tablet or mobile phone. The courses are based on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and are most suitable for parents looking to support their young person with worry and anxiety while learning helpful strategies to manage their anxieties.
These modules are available via the platform Silvercloud.
Access Code: Lothian
Conflict resolution sessions
These free online sessions are for parents and carers who may be struggling with conflict at home. Session subjects include:
- Understanding anger
- Growing up is never easy
- Family conflict triggers
- Understanding Emotions: Being Anxious and afraid
- Conflict response styles
- Bouncing Back – Resilience
- How to have that difficult conversation
- Feeling Connected
- Cranial Cocktail: Mind & Body Connection
For more information and to book online training sessions visit the Scottish conflict resolution website or email sccr@cyrenians.scot.
New Ways for Families Course
Shared Parenting Scotland is offering this online training course plus coaching for separated parents. The support is intended to reduce the impact of conflict on your children, reduce stress levels and aid communication. Free places are available for parents on benefits or low income.
For more information visit the Shared Parenting website or email David McLean at
VOCAL parent's peer support group
This service offers a range of support to parents and carers who care for a young person with mental health difficulties. The online peer support groups run on alternate Friday mornings and Monday evenings.
For more information visit the VOCAL website or email Megan Copley at
AdvoCard Advocacy Service
AdvoCard provides free independent advocacy for people over 16 with mental health issues, problematic substance use or those in prison. Sessions can be booked on every second and fourth Wednesday in the month from 2.30-4.30 pm at
If you would like to book a 30-minute session please email
admin@bridgendfarmhouse.org.uk
For more information visit the AdvoCard Advocacy Service website.
Sleep Scotland parent support line
The support line offers guidance and support for parents and carers on their child or teenagers' sleep problems or young people themselves. Available Monday to Thursday between 10 am and 4 pm.
For more information contact this email and a sleep advisor will call you back
at sleepsupport@sleepscotland.org
For activities and strategy ideas to help take of yourself and your sleep visit the Sleep Scotland website.
Sleep advice sessions
These sessions are run by Home Link family support for Edinburgh families with a child under five years. Parents and carers can book an online support session to speak to a trained sleep advisor and counsellor.
For more information contact
0131 661 0890.
Transparentsees
This group was founded and is run by volunteer parents, providing information and support to parents with gender-questioning children.
Initially, email
and then a follow-up call can be arranged from a parent volunteer.
Monthly Zoom meetings are open to parents following a discussion with an admin/group leader.
Cyber Resilience First Aid Toolkit
This new online resource is for parents and carers to support their child’s recovery after a negative online experience.
Gambling and Young People - Fast Forward
This advice and information booklet is for parents and carers on gambling and young people.
This guide is for parents and carers produced by ASH.
Building resilience - Back to school tips
These useful videos and tips are for parents and carers to use to support themselves and their children to become more resilient, develop the skills needed to cope with challenging times and feel safe and happy with attending nursery and school.
For more information visit the Building resilience – Back to school tips webpage.
Young Minds parent’s helpline, webchat and email
Young Minds provides information and support for parents and carers worried about a child or young person’s mental health via their helpline, webchat or email service. Support is available Monday to Friday between 9.30 am and 4 pm. To access the webchat or email service click on the chat icon on the bottom right of the Young Minds website.
To access the helpline visit the Young Minds website or contact
0808 802 5544
NHS mental health information station
The information station provides information on a range of adult mental health supports. Drop-in is available on Thursdays from 10.30 am to 3 pm at
Walpole Hall
Palmerston Place
EH12 5 AW
or you can speak with an NHS mental health professional by phone on Thursdays between 10.30 am and 3 pm
0131 537 8688.
You can send enquiries and request a call by emailing
MentalHealthInformation@nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk.
iThrive
This is an online space for mental health and well-being information in Edinburgh. Local information on services and support and links to self-help and self-management resources are available on the iThrive website.