During Children’s Mental Health Week (7-13 February 2021), the NHS is encouraging children and young people to reach out for support with their emotional wellbeing if they need it.
This year, the dedicated week will focus on the theme of ‘Growing Together’. Growing up can be challenging for young people, and something which may have a significant impact on their mental wellbeing, particularly during their teenage years.
As part of this campaign, the NHS in Leeds is urging children and young people to seek support for their mental health if they need it, from the range of services available across the city.
MindMate, commissioned by the NHS Leeds Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), has a wealth of resources that young people and parents in Leeds can use for support and advice, as well as directing them to local services.
Throughout the week, MindMate will be raising awareness of these services via social media platforms, to urge teenagers to reach out for support with their emotional wellbeing.
MindMate have also been raising awareness offline, with multiple signs in parks and playgrounds across the city, including Potternewton park, Norma Hutchinson park, and Roundhay park, aimed at parents who are worried about their child’s mental health. A simple QR code allows parents/guardians to head straight to the MindMate website for advice and resources to help support their child.
Crisis cards are also being sent to 78 venues across Leeds, including schools and third sector organisations – a small, simple card young people can keep on hand with key contact details for mental health services. This includes telephone, face-to-face, and crisis support.
Jayne Bathgate-Roche, Pathway Integration Leader at NHS Leeds Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “I encourage children and young people to speak about how they are feeling, whether it be within the family, to a friend, a teacher, or a health professional. Adults such as parents and teachers can support this too. The MindMate website (www.mindmate.org.uk) has a wealth of resources that children, young people and parents can use for support and advice, as well as directing them to local services.
“We know it’s not always easy to talk about mental health, but we want to encourage children and young people to have open conversations about their wellbeing, and to reach out for help when they need it.”
Notes
For urgent support please see the below:
Daytime support:
- Leeds CAMHS Crisis Line – Call 0800 953 0505, Monday to Sunday, 8am-8pm, 0-18 year olds.
- Kooth – free online wellbeing support for 10-18 year olds www.kooth.com
- Mindmate Single Point of Access – support with emotional wellbeing and mental health for children and young people. Self-referral: young people 13-17 and parents/carers of 5-17 year olds 0300 555 0324
- The Market Place – phone support for 11-25 year olds. Same day appointments every day 11.30am-5.30pm. Call 0113 246 1659. Next day appointments book online www.themarketplaceleeds.org.uk/phonesupport
Evening support:
- Night Owls – Call 0300 2003900 or text 07984 392700, Monday to Sunday, 8pm–8am. For 0-18 year olds (up to 25 for those with additional needs) plus parents/carers.
- Teen Connect – phone / text support for 11-18 year olds from Monday – Friday 3.30pm-2am, Saturday and Sunday 6pm-2am. Phone 0808 800 1212, Text 0771 566 1559.
- Safe Zone – crisis support for 11-17 year olds, Monday, Thursday and Sunday, 6pm-9pm. Phone 0113 819 8189.
For more information about crisis support, visit: https://www.mindmate.org.uk/urgent-help-all-services/.
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Issued by the communications team at NHS Leeds CCG. You can contact the team on 0113 84 35528 or 0113 84 35470. Alternatively please email us: [email protected]