Find out about changes to our services and Christmas opening times on our Festive information page. To find out when your bin will be collected over the festive period, visit Changes to County Durham bin collections at Christmas.

Due to maintenance, the following systems will be unavailable from 11.45am on Tuesday 24 December until 8.00am on Thursday 2 January: our online Council Tax, business rates and housing benefit services, and our welfare assistance form. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

Social, emotional and mental health: information for parents and carers

Name	Description
Stirling Educational Psychology Service: COVID- 19: Supporting your Child's Wellbeing	A short video offering advice to parents on explaining Covid-19 and supporting their children's emotional wellbeing.
Young Minds: parents helpline	The Young Minds Parents Helpline is available from Monday to Friday from 9.30am to 4.00pm. Its email service also remains open and can be used at any time.
Young Minds: Talking to your child about coronavirus	Advice to parents and carers worried about a child or young person under 25, if you have questions about a child's behaviour, emotional wellbeing, or mental health condition.
Mind: coronavirus and your wellbeing	Advice on: practical advice for staying at home taking care of your mental health and wellbeing support for work, benefits and housing checklist for staying at home
Unicef: How to talk to your children about coronavirus	Information about how to talk to children and reassure them about coronavirus.
OCD UK: Coronavirus survival tips	Tips on managing obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) during coronavirus. Not specifically aimed at children but which may be helpful to help parents consider how to support their child with OCD.
Rollercoaster Group on Twitter	The Rollercoaster Group usually meets face to face. At present they can not do this so have online support groups.
Winston’s Wish: coronavirus advice	Information, advice and guidance on supporting bereaved children and young people during the coronavirus outbreak.
Child Bereavement UK: coronavirus information	Advice and information for supporting children and young people with coronavirus related bereavements and helping them manage when they can't visit ill relatives.
CAMHS - South Durham	Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services referral information. Referrals can be made by parents.
Nosy Crow: coronavirus, a book for children	A digital book for primary school age children, free for anyone to read on screen or print out, about the coronavirus and the measures taken to control it.