It is so important to look after your mental health and wellbeing. There are many things you can try to take care of your wellbeing, but it’s not always easy and what might work for some, might not work for others. Knowing where to start can sometimes be the hardest part.
In the CCAA Wellbeing Hub we have brought together some resources and information that we hope may help you and your family during your JIA journey.
Advice for supporting your child at each stage of their development
We have put together a guide for helping your child through each stage – from infants & toddlers, right up to adolescents.
Webinars
‘Boost Your Wellbeing’ Webinar Resource for Young People (13-17)
In March 2025, a group of charities offered an online social for young people with rheumatic conditions aged between 13 and 17. Here you will find a recording of John, a psychologist who works in rheumatology, answering 4 important questions that were submitted by young people:
- How do I explain my condition and needs to my friends and teachers at school?
- How can I accept my condition and feel more at peace with it?
- What can I do when people make fun of me in PE because I am not able to do some activities?
- I feel guilty that my parents worry about me so much – what can I do about that?
Watch and listen to John’s advice here.
Wellbeing Webinar
During 2023, CCAA were part of a Wellbeing Webinar with our friends at Arthritis UK and other charities. The webinar is about living with a rheumatic condition when young. During the webinar, two psychologists give a wealth of coping ideas, strategies and tips to help support the wellbeing of children, young people and their families. If you missed it don’t worry because we have the recording right here for you to watch at your leisure. Simply click here for the Wellbeing Webinar.
Thank you to all the charities and Health Profesionals that helped to deliver such a fantastic resource for children, young people and families living with rheumatic conditions.
Wellbeing Leaflets & Resources
As part of our collaborative work with other charities on mental health and wellbeing support for families we have produced this leaflet with top tips and links to a wealth of useful resources.
Resources for Anxiety
This fantastic resource from the research network ‘Emerging Minds’ is not specifically about rheumatology but more about supporting our children and young people with any anxiety they might have.
If you click on the link there is an ‘Advice for Parents & Carers PDF‘ which you can download. It has lots of advice and links to further resources for all age groups and also for supporting children and young people with specific needs.
Tips & Tricks Leaflets
By parents for parents.
Alongside some JIA parents, CCAA have created some Tips & Tricks leaflets.
Useful Links
If you are experiencing problems with your mental health, supportive and reliable information can change your life. Mind help empower people to understand their mental health and the choices available to them. Click here to get in touch.
The Help for Parents website is for parents and carers supporting a young person with mental health problems. It aims to help you to help your young person by directing you to sources of support, advice and information.
Some people find that reaching out to others can help. CCAA have a network of local friendly support groups run by volunteer parent reps. In the groups we share experiences, offer mutual support online and in person and arrange regular meet ups for the whole family in your local area. You can find your local group here.
The CAHMS Resources site site was created for young people, carers and professionals to pool together lots of helpful resources from across the internet that are available to help support yours and your child’s mental health and well-being.
Young Minds supports mental health in young people. Whether you want to understand more about how you’re feeling and find ways to feel better, or you want to support someone who’s struggling, they can help.
Listening Books is quick and easy to use service and opens up the wonderful world of books for people with an illness or condition that impacts on their ability to read the printed word. This could be a specific learning difficulty such as dyslexia, a mental health condition like anxiety, a visual impairment, or a physical condition that makes it more difficult to hold a book, such as arthritis.
Mindful Colouring for Children
Percy
Percy has been supporting children with JIA for over 30 years.
Oli
Oli has Oligoarticular JIA. He loves swimming!.
Poly
Poly has polyarticular JIA. She loves turning cartwheels!
SJ
SJ has Systemic JIA. She loves riding her bike and jumping!