Your child and M.E.

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Support for parents

Support for parents

If your child has been diagnosed with M.E. you may be feeling upset, worried, stressed, or even angry. Although there is no cure for M.E. the outlook for young people with the illness is hopeful, and most children will get better. In the meantime, it is important to understand the impact the illness can have on your child, their friends and other family members.

Use the menu to find out more about making the most of your relationship with your child's doctor, managing your child's medication, and supporting your child to access the education to which they are entitled. We also have a resource you can share with Children and Families Social Workers to help them understand how M.E. impacts your child, and what appropriate care looks like.

If you need more information or support at any point, or just want to talk to someone who understands, please don't hesitate to contact us. We have supported lots of families with accessing healthcare, education and social services, and challenging unhelpful attitudes about M.E. We understand the challenges that come with living with M.E., and we will do what we can to help and support you.

We offer a range of free Support Services including:

  • Information and Support for anyone of any age living with M.E., or caring for someone with the illness, including professionals.
  • Family Support for parents and loved ones of children with M.E. or suspected M.E., aged up to 18 years
  • Young People's Counselling, with up to 12 sessions available for young people with M.E. aged 13 to 18 years
  • our Young People's Community, with a range of peer-support services connecting young people with M.E. aged eight to 18 years.


Looking after yourself

In order to look after someone well, you need to look after yourself. Your needs are just as important as the person you are caring for, but this can be easy to forget, especially when it's your child that is unwell.

It is in fact easier to cope with the pressures of caring if you are also caring for yourself. By maintaining both your emotional and physical health, you will be able to care to the best of your ability. Consider letting your GP know you are a carer as they can often be a valuable source of information about medical and community services and support.


Social services

In June 2017, our survey into the experiences of families affected by M.E. found that some parents were being investigated by social services because of accusations made against them. One in five parents said they had had a safeguarding/child protection referral made against them because of their child's illness.

If you find yourself in a similar situation, help and support is available. You can refer to our factsheet about the role of social workers, and child protection proceedings, and contact us for expert information and support.