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Everyone faces difficulties or feels uncomfortable at times. That is part of life. Research does show that many mental health problems start at an early age. These often develop during the developmental period from 0 to 25 years. It is a vulnerable time when children and young people go through many changes and are searching for themselves or how to further shape their identity. Therefore, it is a good idea to focus reinforcing factors that contribute to stronger mental health, such as working on psychological wellbeing and resilience, as well as discussing difficult feelings. In this way, we work to protect and improve adult mental health. Working on mental wellness in the classroom, at home or in leisure time gives children tools they can use in later life.

The different packages can be adapted according to the time and number of people. In the manual of the packages you will find different recommendations. 

• Living environment: approx. 20 minutes
• Organized free time: approx. 3 hours
• Education: approx. 60 minutes 

This package came into development on behalf of the Agency for Care and Health. So we initially wrote it in Dutch. Currently there are no plans to translate it.

The package was developed for children with a developmental level of 8 - 10 years for several reasons. Research and the expert panel have shown that there are already many packages for young people on the topic of "mental well-being" and this mainly for high school students. But in terms of development, children aged 8 - 10 are in the phase before the first signs of puberty. Since adolescents at puberty may be at higher risk for mental health problems, it is important to teach relevant skills to support them in adolescence. Thus, we work to establish a foundation of these skills even before children enter adolescence. Consequently, the importance of teaching such skills within lower school age is strongly preventive

Currently, there are no packages for other age groups. Adolescents 16 and older may take the free adult training, and organizations/schools may request customized training for groups 16 and older. More information can be found here.

No training was developed for the package. We refer here to the manuals that were developed with the package. They were developed so that you can guide this through the manual yourself if needed. After all, the main goal is to get children to engage in conversation with each other themselves.

No, in addition to the "First Aid for Difficult Feelings" package, Belgian Red Cross-Flanders offers basic training first aid for mental health problems to provide support for family, friends, colleagues ... This training focuses on supporting each other as adults and does not focus on children or adolescents. We provide additional tips around how to start the conversation with a child or youth in further questions.

Since Belgian Red Cross-Flanders itself has not yet developed guidelines for assisting children and adolescents as adults, please refer to Awel's listening tips for this purpose. These tips were created from the daily conversations Awel has with children and adolescents. In addition, they wrote about the power of listening in the report "Awel, what to do.   

If you notice a child is struggling, you can initiate and control the conversation by asking a question like, "Hey, I see you've been a little quiet lately. Is there something you want to talk about?". If the child wants to talk to you, apply the listening tips. Is there nothing going on according to the child (or: does the child not want to talk to you)? Then at least you have shown that you are there for him/her.

Furthermore, you can possibly seek out a Max together. A Max is an adult confidant whom the child trusts 100%. Someone the child can have fun with, who they can let their heart out to, who they can go to with problems... You can find more information on Childfocus MAX(iedereeneenmax.be). 

Don't worry if you are not chosen as a Max. Childfocus states that "Children and young people sometimes choose a Max outside the family to avoid losing face themselves or hurting their parents by sharing their problems or concerns." And also "Some topics or problems they prefer to discuss with someone else. Fear of angry or disappointed reaction from the parents or problems with the parents themselves sometimes cause children and young people not to talk to anyone ... We want to avoid that. The most important thing is that the children and young people talk to someone close to them, even if it is not the parents."

Want to know more about listening to children and adolescents?

• https://www.awel.be/over-awel/luister-podcast - the Awel podcast about listening
• https://www.awel.be/luister - the listening tips 

There are several people and agencies to whom a child can turn with problems. In the school context, the first step may be to speak with the student counselor or the care teacher. The CLB can also provide guidance or - depending on the need - refer to other organizations or persons. Outside the school walls, there are other individuals or organizations a child can contact, such as their primary care physician, Awel or the JAC. A list of organizations children can turn to can be found here: 

• GP
• Pupil supervisor/care teacher 
• Integrity Liaison (in youth work).
• CLB (talk, email, phone or CLB@chat)
• Awel(www.awel.be; Phone number: 102; brievenbus@Awel.be )
• WHAT WHAT(No-nonsense info for young people | WHAT WHAT)
• Tejo(www.tejo.be)
• Overhead(www.overkop.be)  
• JAC(www.jac.be)
• TeleOnthaal(www.tele-onthaal.be; Phone number: 106)
• Clear list of helplines for children and young people(Helplines for young people (tegek.be))

Have you used the package and have some feedback? Do you have some tips and tricks or good examples of using this package yourself that you would like to share? Don't hesitate to contact us at FAMP@rodekruis .be.

Have another question you don't see listed? Feel free to let us know!