Trying new or different coping strategies can help support your mental health and lower stress in a positive and interactive way. If you have coping strategies that work well for you, keep doing them – whether that's mindfulness, walking or as simple as taking 5 minutes for yourself.

• If you're able to be physically active, this might help your mental health. It also helps boosts your immune system and can help encourage your children to exercise too. You could try walking, going for a jog or run or find an online class. If you're not able to be physically active for whatever reason there are other things you can do that might help like gardening, sitting next to an open window to get some fresh air or doing a mental exercise like a crossword or word search.
• Try to maintain a regular sleeping pattern if possible. The NHS have tips and advice to help.
• Keep in touch with family and friends on the phone or try a video call.
• It's important to be healthy and eat well. We know it's not easy for everyone, especially at the moment, and if you need help with getting essentials you can contact your local food bank.
• Keep a journal. Writing down your feelings can help you reflect, understand and let go of emotions.
• Join a support group or network online. Talking to others in a similar situation can help. netmums.com offers forums for both mums and dads.
• Create mini zones in the home where possible, allowing everyone to have space. If this isn't possible, try spending set amounts of time in different rooms if you can.
• Try to have some time for yourself, whether that's within your home or by going for a walk. We have advice if you're not sure if your child is old enough to stay home alone.
• If you have children who would usually be at nursery, childminder, school or somewhere else during the day, you might have suddenly found your normal routine has changed a lot and are feeling extra pressure. It's normal to feel anxious, overwhelmed or stressed by big changes. Remember to be kind to yourself and reflect on what you can do. We have advice on working from home and finding balance.
• Managing how you keep on top of the latest news can help reduce anxiety. You could create limits on how much time you spend on social media and set 1 or 2 specific times of the day you check the news. Staying up to date can help you support children with any questions they may have but it's also important to take care of your own wellbeing.
• Making a plan of things to do by yourself or with your child can help create structure and a routine for the day. Try starting your day with a short list of 4 small, achievable things you'd like to do. If there's another adult in your house or older children, ask them to play an active part too. But, if you're struggling with your mental health and emotional wellbeing it's okay to do the best you can and recognise there will be good and bad days.

Parenting with mental health problems

Parenting comes with lots of challenges, which can be even more difficult if you're dealing with mental health problems.

Not all children who live with someone with mental health problems will experience abuse or be affected negatively. In fact, many parents are able to give children safe and loving care.

But sometimes it does affect their ability to cope with family life. So it's important that parents and carers can find support when they need it.