All parents need a little advice about their child’s behaviour at some point. Is it a phase? Is it the next stage in growing up? Is it nothing at all? Or is there something wrong and should they get help?

That’s where YoungMinds, the leading charity committed to improving the mental health and emotional wellbeing of children and young people, comes in.

The charity has a Parents Helpline which has been established for more than 17 years and is run by trained advisors. Every month the helpline receives hundreds of calls from parents concerned about their child or teenager.

Callers’ concerns vary from self-harm to bullying, depression to behavioural problems. Any adult concerned about a child or young person up to the age of 25 can call the helpline, which is open from 9.30am to 4.00pm weekdays and all calls are free.

One of the trained advisors will answer the telephone and explore the callers concerns before giving details about local and national support services. Written information may be sent in the post too. If a callers’ worries are particularly complex, they will be offered a free consultation with a mental health professional who will call the parent for up to 50 minutes to discuss ways of dealing with the child’s difficulties.

If you need advice call 0808 802 5544 free today.

Things to look out for:

• Aggressive, violent or angry behaviour 
• Becoming withdrawn or quiet and avoiding family, friends or hobbies
• Problems with food or eating
• Avoiding school
• Obsessive behaviour
• Low self esteem
• Extreme mood swings
• Anxiety or panic attacks
• Hyperactivity
• Unusual sleeping patterns
• Being very tearful, upset or low
• Hurting or harming themselves