Support for parents » Winchester Youth Counselling

Mental Health Support For Parents

Are you feeling overwhelmed by your child’s mental health needs?

If they are refusing to go to school, have suffered trauma or loss, or seems depressed or withdrawn it can be hard as a parent to know how to help.

But you aren’t on your own, we’re here to help, by offering support for parents as well as their children.

We know you love your kids more than anything in the world. But sometimes, parenting can be tough. Especially when your child is struggling with their mental health.

That’s why we offer parent support information sessions at Winchester Youth Counselling (WYC). Our group sessions are a safe and supportive space for you to learn about a range of topics, from gender and sexuality to school transitions to anxiety management. You can also share your thoughts and feelings with other parents and learn some strategies to support your child as they confront and address their feelings.

Mental Health Support for Parents

The Parent Support Programme (PSP) is for parents/carers who support children or young people experiencing mental health and/or emotional difficulties.

Run in partnership with Solent Mind, quarterly information sessions are held at the Solent Mind Wellbeing Centre, Parchment Street, Winchester at 6pm on a Thursday.

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1. Support group for parents/carers with a neurodivergent child (with or without a diagnosis).

Held at the Vineyard Church, Unit A Bar End Industrial Estate, Bar End Road,
Winchester, SO23 9NR, the meetings are on the second Wednesday of each month from 10.15am-12.15pm.

2. Parent Support Group – Swanmore

Held at the Swanmore Methodist Church Hall, Swanmore, SO32 2QB, the meetings are on the last Wednesday of each month from 10-11am.

Both groups are free of charge, with parking on site.

We’re here for parents, too.

If you have a young person who is struggling with the issues we tackle, we can provide a confidential consultation with a senior counsellor on request.

During a consultation, you will be able to:

Talk through any issues affecting a young person in your life.
Build an understanding of how to help young people who are struggling.
Improve the communication between parents and teenagers to reduce stress and tension.

Run in partnership with Solent Mind, our parent/carer information sessions are held at the Solent Mind Wellbeing Centre, Parchment Street, Winchester at 6pm on a Thursday, run quarterly throughout the year. The sessions are open to all parent and carers of children and young people aged 11-25 who live in the Winchester District.

Here’s what you can expect:

A safe and supportive space to share your experiences and learn from others.
Information and advice on a range of topics related to child and adolescent mental health and wellbeing.
Strategies for supporting your child at home.
The opportunity to connect with other parents and carers who are going through similar experiences.

We’re here to support you and your child on your journey.

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If you have a young person who is struggling with the issues we tackle, we can also provide confidential consultations with a senior counsellor on request.

During a consultation, you will be able to:

Talk through any issues affecting a young person in your life.
Build an understanding of how to help young people who are struggling.
Improve the communication between parents and teenagers to reduce stress and tension.

Request a consultation

What parents say about our support group:

“The parent support group has been a lifeline for me. I’ve learned so much about how to support my child and I’ve met some amazing people along the way.”

“I’m so grateful for the support group. It’s been a place where I can feel safe and understood. I’ve learned so much about myself and my child.”

“The parent support group has been a game-changer for me. I’m now able to support my child in a way that I never could have before.”