Emotional wellbeing and early support
First check that your child can understand, express themselves and feel included. Then explore what else may be making life difficult.
Listen in a way your child can access
Notice changes in play, sleep, friendships, confidence or willingness to go to school. Give your child a comfortable way to explain: BSL, speech, pictures, writing, play or other communication support.
Do not assume a quiet child is coping or that frustration is a behaviour problem. Equally, do not assume every difficulty is explained by deafness. Ask what happens in different settings and get individual advice.
Check the environment as well as the feelings
- Can your child understand conversations, explanations and changes of plan?
- Are they included in jokes, friendships and group activities?
- Are they working hard to listen, lipread or follow visual information?
- Do they have adults and peers they can communicate with directly?
- Are bullying, sensory overload, pain, sleep or other health needs contributing?
These questions help identify possible barriers. They are not a mental health assessment.
Supportive things to say or sign
| A prompt | Why it may help |
|---|---|
| “I believe you. Help me understand.” | Take the experience seriously and make space for your child’s account. |
| “What did you understand? What was missing?” | Check communication access before assuming the difficulty is anxiety. |
| “Would a different explanation, signing or a break help?” | Offer an access change the child can choose. |
| “What small step would feel manageable?” | Agree a step together without pushing the child through an inaccessible situation. |
| “We can ask for help together.” | Show that support is available and the child is not responsible for solving everything. |
Where to seek support
Speak to your GP, school or relevant professional if difficulties persist or affect daily life. Ask how their assessment and support will be accessible, including interpreters and professionals who understand deaf children’s language needs.
National Deaf CAMHS covers the North of England with a Manchester team. Its published service includes children and young people aged 4 to 18 who are severely to profoundly deaf, children with significant language and communication difficulties, and hearing or deaf children of deaf parents.
A professional working with the child or family can make a referral. Ask the service to confirm eligibility and current waiting times. This is a specialist referral service, rather than an emergency route.
Read the current Deaf CAMHS information · Read referral information.
Parents and carers need support too
Coordinating appointments, school support and family life can be tiring. Choose one manageable next step, share tasks where possible and make room for ordinary time together.
Local family services and other parents can provide connection. If your own wellbeing is affected, your GP can help you explore appropriate support.
If support is needed urgently
For urgent mental health support in England, call NHS 111 and select the mental health option. BSL users can use the NHS 111 SignVideo route.
If there is immediate danger or risk to life, call 999 or use 999 BSL. Read the urgent help page.
Sources and further reading
Links go to the organisation responsible for the information. Practical prompts on this page are suggestions for family conversations.
- National Deaf CAMHS: service and current contactsLeeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust · Checked 1 October 2026
- National Deaf CAMHS: referral informationNHS service provider · Checked 1 October 2026
- National Deaf CAMHS: referral advice for professionalsNHS service provider · Checked 1 October 2026
- Urgent mental health support and NHS 111Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust · Checked 1 October 2026
- NHS 111 in British Sign LanguageNHS 111 video relay provider · Checked 1 October 2026
- One Stockport Family HubsStockport Council · Checked 1 October 2026
- Spoken language and communication approachesNDCS, external resource · Checked 1 October 2026