Reassurance for children and young people with mental health needs – help is available.
The Here4You advice line provides mental health and emotional wellbeing advice to young people, parents, carers and professionals.
You’ll be offered tips and strategies on ways young people can help themselves or, if it’s agreed that extra support is needed, you can explore what services may be able to help most effectively. The advice line is open 24/7 and can be reached on 0800 234 6342.
One such service providing support is Lincolnshire’s Mental Health Support Teams. These work with schools and colleges in selected areas across the county to support children and young people to thrive emotionally and equip them to deal with life’s everyday challenges, such as exam stress or the emotional impact of bullying.
Run by Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, the teams work to promote positive mental health, helping children and young people to get the right support for any emotional wellbeing or early mental health concerns while remaining in education.
Teams are already operating successfully in Lincoln, Gainsborough, Boston and Skegness, and new teams are planned for Spalding, Grantham and Sleaford in the coming months, helping improve access in these parts of the county.
Cllr Mrs Patricia Bradwell OBE, executive member for children’s services, said: “Over the last few years, there has been an increase in the need for children and young people’s mental health services both nationally and here in Lincolnshire.
“The council and NHS Lincolnshire Integrated Care Board fund a wide range of services to promote and provide support for young people’s mental health and emotional wellbeing.
“The additional Mental Health Support Teams will further improve access to support from highly qualified professionals, ensuring those with mental health needs get the right support, in the right place, at the right time.
“In addition, there is a wide range of other support available too, including the Kooth Online Counselling Service, Healthy Minds Lincolnshire and Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS).”
Looking ahead, Lincolnshire County Council and Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust are currently reviewing local services, in order to transform and improve the support available, helping children and young people in the county to live independent, safe, healthy and fulfilling lives, both now and in the future.
You can find further information on emotional wellbeing and mental health services, including a range of self-help resources, at www.lpft.nhs.uk/young-people