You are already doing something important just by being here. As a parent or carer, you carry a great deal — your child’s wellbeing, the pressures of work and finances, family expectations, and the weight of being there for everyone else. It is a lot. And it can leave very little room to think about your own mental health, let alone know how to talk about it with the young person in your life.
At Leaders in Community (LiC), we work with families across Poplar and Tower Hamlets every day. We see the love, the effort, and the worry that parents and carers pour into their children. We also see how hard it can be to know what to say when something feels wrong, or to find the right moment to open up a conversation about mental health. That is exactly why we created the Stronger Minds Guide for Parents and Carers — a practical, honest resource written for people like you.
You Are Not Alone
1 in 4 adults experience a mental health problem each year. 1 in 5 young people aged 8 to 25 are living with a mental health condition right now. And 75% of all mental health conditions begin before the age of 24, which means that early support — the kind that starts at home — genuinely changes outcomes.
Most parents say they want to help their child but are not sure how. That is not a failure. It is one of the most honest things a parent can say. The good news is that a calm, present, listening parent is one of the most powerful protective factors a young person can have. You do not need to be a therapist. You just need to be there.
What the Guide Covers
The Stronger Minds guide for parents and carers is written in plain, accessible language. It does not assume any prior knowledge of mental health, and it does not talk down to you. Inside, you will find:
Understanding mental health – A clear explanation of what mental health actually means — for you and for your child. Mental health is how we think, feel, and cope with everyday life. Everyone has it. Some days are good, some are not, and that is completely normal.
Recognising the signs – Practical guidance on how to spot when your child might be struggling — from changes in sleep and appetite to withdrawal from friends, a drop in school attendance, or signs of self-harm. The guide encourages you to trust your instincts. If something feels off, ask. Gently. More than once.
How to have the conversation – One of the most common fears parents share is saying the wrong thing. The guide offers simple, real-world advice on how to listen without rushing to fix, how to respond when your child opens up, and how to keep the door open even when they are not ready to talk. Sometimes the best conversations happen side by side — in the car, on a walk, while cooking — rather than face to face.
Looking after yourself – You cannot pour from an empty cup. The guide takes your wellbeing seriously, not just your child’s. It includes five everyday actions you can take to protect your own mental health, because when you are better supported, so are they.
Breaking down stigma – Many families carry cultural or generational beliefs that can make it harder to talk about mental health openly. The guide addresses this directly and with respect, helping you find language and approaches that feel right for your family.
Where to get help – A clear list of local and national support services, helplines, and resources — so you always know where to turn, whether the need is urgent or longer term.
Why This Matters to LiC
LiC is a youth-led civic organisation rooted in Poplar. For over fifteen years, we have worked to give young people in Tower Hamlets somewhere to belong, somewhere to grow, and the confidence to shape their own futures. We know that the home environment is one of the most important factors in a young person’s development. When parents and carers feel informed and supported, the whole community benefits.
The Stronger Minds programme is part of our wider campaign to build trust, reduce stigma, and strengthen mental health across Tower Hamlets. We are delivering this work in partnership with Well One and Inspirited Minds, bringing together community expertise and specialist mental health knowledge to reach families across the borough through schools, community spaces, and workshops.
Download Your Free Copy
The Stronger Minds guide for parents and carers is free to download. It is available in English, and translated versions in Bengali and Somali are also available, because we know that the right support needs to be accessible to everyone in our community.
Download the Stronger Minds Parents and Carers Guide (PDF)
If you have a young person in your life who would benefit from their own version of this resource, we have a dedicated booklet written directly for them too.
Download the Stronger Minds Young People’s Booklet (PDF)
Join a Workshop
Reading the guide is a great first step. But if you want to go further, we run free Stronger Minds workshops for parents and carers in Tower Hamlets. These are relaxed, informal sessions where you can ask questions, share experiences, and leave with practical tools you can use straight away. No prior knowledge needed — just a willingness to show up.
To find out about upcoming workshop dates or to register your interest, get in touch with the LiC team at the Teviot Centre.
Get in touch
Teviot Centre | Wyvis Street | London | E14 6QD |
020 7987 5764 info@leadersincommunity.org
Leaders in Community is a youth-led civic organisation based in Poplar, Tower Hamlets. We use trusted relationships, local space, and practical opportunities to help young people and their families build agency and shape community life.
