Diverse MindsFree resourcesEmotions and meltdowns
Free resources
Emotions and meltdowns
Free guides that can help with this. Each one is free to download, print and share.
For parents and carers
Guides to help you understand your child and find the right support.
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Understanding masking
When appearing to cope takes more effort than others see, and how to ask for the right support.
What's inside
You may see a child who holds everything together outside the house, then comes home exhausted or distressed. This guide takes those experiences seriously and helps you ask for support that reflects the whole day.
- Everyday examples
- Family experiences
- Practical support
- When you are not being heard
- A page to complete together
- Sources and support
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After-school overwhelm
Understanding difficult afternoons and making the journey home easier.
What's inside
You can love your child and still feel worn down by afternoons that end in tears, arguments or silence. What happens at home deserves to be understood, even when school sees a different picture.
- Making sense of the pattern
- Getting home
- Difficult moments
- Asking school for help
- A plan to complete together
- Sources and support
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Supporting big feelings
Helping your child through distress while looking after yourself too.
What's inside
You may have tried to help, chosen your words carefully and still found yourself in another upsetting situation. This guide offers ways to understand what is happening, keep people safe and work out what support is needed.
- Before difficult moments
- During difficult moments
- Afterwards
- Asking for help
- A plan to make together
- Research and further reading
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Supporting the overwhelm toolkits
How to offer activities, respond to concerns and follow up.
What's inside
A parent, carer and practitioner guide to the child and teen overwhelm toolkits. A companion to real conversations and in-person support.
- Using the two versions
- Safeguarding and urgent help
- Offering and adapting activities
- Following up in person
- Sources for all three booklets
For young people
Guides written for you, to read on your own or with someone you trust.
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When things get difficult
Understanding your reactions and finding the support you need.
What's inside
A difficult moment can leave you upset, angry, quiet or unsure what to do next. You can use these pages on your own or with someone you trust. There is no score, and you can leave anything blank.
- You can ask for help with this
- Eight parts of wellbeing
- If my feelings were weather
- Build your support menu
- What could help here?
- My plan for a difficult moment
- Help and further reading
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All about me: child version
Things I like, how I feel and what helps me.
What's inside
You can draw, talk, point or write. Someone you trust can help. Try one page at a time and skip any you do not want to do. This booklet belongs to you. Your answers can change.
- My favourite things
- A day in my world
- Help me tell you
- When things feel too much
- What helps me
- Please read my page
- For the person supporting this booklet
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All about me: teen and young adult version
My preferences, my boundaries and the support I choose.
What's inside
Use any pages that feel useful. Type, write, draw or use your usual communication method. You can ask someone to help without letting them choose your answers. Choose what to share. You can change your answers.
- What matters to me
- Where my energy goes
- Communication and boundaries
- What affects how I feel
- Support and independence
- What I want you to understand
- For the person supporting this booklet
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My overwhelm toolkit: child version
Things to try when everything feels a bit too much.
What's inside
Use these pages with support from people you trust. Choose one idea or leave it for another time. You can ask someone to stay with you. You never have to finish an activity to get help.
- You can ask for help now
- Pick what suits you
- Gentle breathing, only if you want to
- Give your attention a little job
- Make something without a plan
- Try a small change
- One thought, one next step
- A help card to show or point to
- My people and choices
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My overwhelm toolkit: teen version
Practical choices when stress or anxiety feels hard to manage.
What's inside
Use these pages with support from people you trust. Choose one idea or leave it for another time. You can ask someone to stay with you. You never have to finish an activity to get help.
- You can ask for help now
- Pick what suits you
- Gentle breathing, only if you want to
- Give your attention a little job
- Make something without a plan
- Try a small change
- One thought, one next step
- A help card to show or point to
- My people and choices
