Mental health and wellbeing support for children and young people
Crisis support and urgent help
If a person under the age of 18 is in crisis, call 0800 953 0222 (Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm). For out of hours or weekend support call NELFT Mental Health Direct on 0800 995 1000. If concerns escalate call 111 and select option 2 for mental health crisis.
If you are worried for your own or someone else's safety or need urgent help, call 999.
Services supporting mental health and wellbeing
Southend, Essex and Thurrock Child and Adolescence Mental Health Service (SET CAMHS) offers advice and support for children, young people and families in need of support with emotional wellbeing or mental health difficulties. The service covers Southend, Essex and Thurrock and is open to those aged 0 to 18, or up to 25 for those with special educational needs.
Any child or young person experiencing mental health difficulties, and any parent carer or professional can access the service for help and guidance.
For self-referrals, call 0800 953 0222 or complete the referral form (link on this page).
Referrals can also be made by a:
- GP
- teacher
- school nurse or;
- any other professional
For more severe mental health needs, speak to your GP. They may refer you to a specialist mental health team.
Southend Accident and Emergency Department - Southend Hospital, Prittlewell Chase, Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex, SS0 0RY.
Children and Young People Specialist Support is a NHS Partnership specialist response service between:
- South East and Central Essex Mind
- Kids Inspire
- Thurrock Open Door
A range of intervention and therapeutic support is offered for those aged 4 to 18 years old. It is provided mostly through online platforms. Referrals can be made:
- by schools via email or;
- online by parent carers of young people over 16
Youthful Wellbeing is a service provided by South Essex and Central Mind. Open to those up to age 18 to 25 through referral from a professional or self-referral.
Kids Inspire supports children and young people recovering from traumatic experiences or dealing with emerging mental health difficulties. The service is for ages 5 to 18, or up to 25 for those with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).
Trustlinks are a local mental health support charity. They have various projects for young people up to 18 years. The TrustLinks Learning Together programme supports young people aged 11 to 16 who are struggling to attend school due to their mental health and/or special educational needs. The 12 week programme runs from the TrustLinks Rochford site. Parent carers or professionals can make referrals to the programme.
Schools Mental Health Support Teams - North East London NHS Foundation Trust (NELFT) provide targeted support in Southend through schools Mental Health Support Teams. Support is currently offered in 10 Southend schools and South Essex College as part of a national pilot. Details of participating schools.
ChatHealth - secure and confidential text messaging service for young people aged 11 to 19. The service is provided by the Southend School Nursing Service. Young people can anonymously contact a School Nurse for advice and support on a range of areas including:
- relationships
- bullying
- alcohol
- healthy eating
- mental health
- self harm
- drugs
- smoking
Young people can text 07520 649895.
Parent carers can text 07507 3318834.
The School Nursing Service can also be contacted by phone on 01702 534843 or by email at MSEICB-S.Southendpublichealthnurses@nhs.net
Young Minds is the UK's leading charity for children and young people's mental health. It provides mental health support and advice. They have a `a letter about how I'm feeling` template to help young people express their feelings.
SHOUT have a confidential text service. Text SHOUT to 85258.
Online support and resources
Combined Minds is an app to help families and friends support young people with their mental health.
Clear Fear is a free app to help with anxiety.
Kooth is a free, safe and anonymous platform for ages 11 to 18. It provides online support and information about counselling. Includes discussion boards and goal-setting and journalling tools.
The Mix offers advice about sex, relationships, drugs, mental health, money and jobs for under 25's. Includes a one to one chat facility.
Anna Freud have a range of wellbeing resources for children and young people.
SafeSpot is an app that promotes positive mental wellbeing in children and young people. It is designed to help them with their coping skills.
Togetherall is available for students at eligible universities and colleges who are feeling stressed, anxious or low.
Students Against Depression offers advice, information, guidance and resources to those affected by low mood and depression.
Molehill Mountain is an app to help autistic people understand and self-manage anxiety.
Resources for families to support their child or young person's mental health
Wee Seeds - wellbeing exercises and activities for young children.
Relax like a cat - guided relaxation exerise for children.
Young Minds school anxiety and refusal guide
BBC Bitesize wellbeing resources for families.
Self-harm
Coping with self-harm - a guide for parents and carers.
Support for problems with food and eating
The SET CAMHS Eating Disorder Service supports those aged 8 to 18 years.
Beat provides helplines for people of all ages. It offers support and information about eating disorders.
Suicide Prevention
The Southend Council website has information about suicide prevention and support services.
Bereavement
Information about bereavement support.
Drug and alcohol support
Information about drug and alcohol support.
Other services
Livewell Southend has a directory of childrens mental health support services. Children's mental health support directory