COVID-19: Helping Young People Manage Low Mood and Depression
Explore practical ways to help young people manage their mood and maintain healthy habits during the coronavirus pandemic.
- Duration2 weeks
- Weekly study2 hours
- 100% onlineTry this course for free
- Digital upgradeFree
COVID-19: Helping Young People Manage Low Mood and Depression
Learn how young people can manage low mood and depression during COVID-19
In an unprecedented time of upheaval and change, it’s understandable that many young people’s mental health may be particularly vulnerable.
On this course, young people, parents, carers, teachers, and other professionals can learn helpful, practical techniques to cope with low mood and depression during the lockdown period and beyond. You’ll examine how to help young people structure their day and improve sleep and diet.
You’ll explore how to build positive family communication, and learn tips on how to manage your thoughts and feelings, building long-lasting resilience along the way.
Syllabus
Week 1
Structure, healthy habits, modelling and self-care
Why is this course important?
Welcome. In this set of Steps you'll meet the Educator and Mentor team and find out what to expect from the course.
Structuring your day and promoting healthy habits
You may have found that your sleeping, eating and exercising patterns have changed. Discover tips for bringing structure and variety to your day.
The importance of modelling and self-care
It's important that you also monitor your own personal wellbeing when supporting someone with low mood or depression. Learn why in these Steps.
Summary
In this final activity, you'll reflect on the main points covered this week and hear what you will be learning in Week 2.
Week 2
Managing difficult thoughts and feelings, getting along and resilience.
Welcome to Week 2
Welcome to Week 2. Find out what topics you'll be discussing during this second week.
Tips on managing thoughts and feelings
Read tips on managing your thoughts and feelings.
Communication and getting along
The current situation may have put an added strain on communication in your household. Think about the aspects you need to consider when communicating and discuss tips on avoiding conflict.
Self-reflection and developing resilience
It's important to think about your mental well-being beyond the COVID-19 pandemic. Learn how to find opportunities to build new coping skills and resilience.
What next?
You've reached the end of this short course. Revisit some of the key points and read a list of recommended further resources to explore this topic further.
When would you like to start?
Start straight away and learn at your own pace. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.
Available now
What will you achieve?
By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...
- Identify practical ways to structure the day and promote healthy habits to increase positive mood and reduce withdrawal
- Explore the importance of self-care and modelling adaptive and mood enhancing behaviours
- Engage in strategies for managing your thoughts and your feelings during the COVID-19 pandemic
- Apply helpful communication techniques to ensure conflict is kept to a minimum
- Reflect on how you can use this time as an opportunity for developing resilience
Who is the course for?
This course is helpful for young people with low mood and depression and their parents and carers, or anyone who has contact with young people during COVID-19.
Who will you learn with?
I'm a Clinical Psychologist & researcher. Much of my work is with parents of children & adolescents who are experiencing mental health problems. I’m passionate about supporting and empowering parents.
I am a psychologist conducting research on anxiety and depression in young people. My work focuses on how young people develop mental health problems, and how we can prevent or treat them.
I head up a number of educational outreach projects and am interested in spreading knowledge about evidence-based therapies for common mental health difficulties such as anxiety and depression.
Who developed the course?
University of Reading
The University of Reading has a reputation for excellence in teaching, research and enterprise.
Learner reviews
What's included?
University of Reading are offering everyone who joins this course a free digital upgrade, so that you can experience the full benefits of studying online for free. This means that you get:
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