- Information about mental health
- Sources of support for young people
- Information for parents and carers
- Information for partners
About Mental Health
We all have mental health, just as we all have physical health. 1 in 6 young people aged 5 to 16 will suffer from poor mental health – it can affect anyone, but many young people feel they need to pretend nothing is wrong. This short film was created by young people, working in partnership with NHS Frimley CCG and Youth Engagement Slough (YES) partners. Check out the film, find out more about mental health below and sources of support.
Being mentally healthy means that we feel good about ourselves, make and keep positive relationships with others and can feel and manage the full range of emotions. These can range from happiness, excitement and curiosity through to less comfortable feelings such as anger, fear or sadness.
Everyone you know will sometimes feel down, worried or anxious. We all need to look after our mental health and know who to turn to if things feel too much.
In these uncertain and challenging times, looking after our mental health has never been so important. Good mental health allows us to cope with life’s ups and downs, to feel in control of our lives and to ask for help from others when we need support.
Sources of Support for Young People
There’s good news though. No matter how difficult life can feel at times, there are free sources of support available.
Some of these sources of support are online, some of them are face-to-face. Some of these sources are local – others are national. It’s important you access the service which is right for you.
By text
If you are a young person experiencing a mental health crisis, you can text the Young Minds Crisis Messenger for free, 24/7 support. The service can help with urgent issues such as suicidal thoughts, abuse or assault, self-harm, bullying or relationship issues. The service is anonymous but if the volunteer believes you are at immediate risk of harm, they may share your details with people who can provide support.
Online
Whether you’re looking for advice or simply aren’t feeling your best, www.kooth.com allows you to access free, anonymous support from counsellors via webchat or email. Kooth also provides an opportunity to interact in a supportive way with other young people within static and live topic-focused forums and discussion boards. Its online magazine includes current articles such as tips for self-care, things to do, family, relationships and much more. Still not sure? Check out this 1 minute video about Kooth here.
The new #littlebluebookofsunshine includes information about where to get help when you need it. The ebook explains some of the things you can do right now to feel better including sharing lots of tips on how to deal with many problems such as anxiety, body image, relationships and anger and who to turn to if things feel too much.
Locally
Talk to a trusted adult who can help you to get the right support. This could be anyone, such as:
- A parent, carer, or someone else in your family
- A teacher or a member of staff at your school like a school nurse or school counsellor
- A sports coach or youth worker
- A doctor/GP
For free counselling in the community contact:
| Youthline
| No 22
|
| 01344 311200 | 01628 636661
|
| Available for young people aged 11+ who live and/or go to school in Bracknell Forest
| Available for young people aged 11+ who live and/or go to school in Slough or the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead |
The Reading Well Shelf Help collection can also support you to understand and manage your health and wellbeing using helpful reading. The books have all been recommended by young people and health professionals, and are available to borrow for free from public libraries with selected titles also available as e-books and audiobooks.
Berkshire Healthcare Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS)
0300 365 1234
CAMHS provides support for children and young people whose difficulties are very distressing and who are registered with a GP in East Berkshire.
You can be referred to CAMHS by your parents/carers, teacher, social worker or GP. If you are over the age of 16, you can refer yourself. For all new referrals, please complete the online referral form for their Children, Young People and Families (CYPF) HealthHub. https://cypf.berkshirehealthcare.nhs.uk/referrals/
If you want to talk to someone about whether CAMHS is the right service to help, or if you are having extreme mental health difficulties and need support urgently, call the team on 0300 365 1234, 8.00am-8.00pm Monday to Friday. Outside of these hours, if you need urgent help, please contact the adult crisis team on 0300 365 0300.
For guidance and support in seeking recovery, whether it be from substance misuse or mental health issues, Rehab 4 Addiction offers a range of services to find the most effective treatment for you or your loved one(s).
The admissions team works closely with treatment centres to assist in referrals to local rehabs. The website also provides detailed information and resources about drugs, alcohol and the rehabilitation process.
To take that first step, get in touch by calling the team on 0800 140 4690.
NHS Talking Therapies Berkshire
Talking Therapies is a friendly and approachable NHS service for when life gets difficult. Every year we treat over 25,000 people across Berkshire with common mental health problems such as worry, low mood, stress and phobias.
A wide range of treatment options are available, completely free and confidential on the NHS: from video and online courses you can complete at home, to one-to-one sessions with a qualified therapist.
You can refer yourself online, without seeing your GP first. Get in touch to talk through your options and start feeling happier and more in control.
Call: 0300 365 2000 (option 2)
Visit: https://talkingtherapies.berkshirehealthcare.nhs.uk
Support services for parents/carers
If you are a parent/carer of child or young person struggling with mental health issues, here are some local and national sources of support for you.
For detailed advice and emotional support with a young persons’ (up to the age of 25) behaviour, emotional wellbeing or mental health condition, you can call the free and confidential parent helpline from Young Minds on 0808 802 5544 (Monday – Friday 9.30am – 4pm)
For information and advice to help you to understand what problems occur, what you can do to best support your family, and how to take care of yourself MindEd for Families is written by a team of specialists and parents, working together:
Solihull Online Parenting Programme
Access to NHS backed, online parenting courses and guides which include top tips from childcare, education and NHS health experts. Topics include; understanding your child 0 to 19 years and understanding your teenager’s brain. Available free to residents in East Berkshire, Surrey Heath and North East Hampshire and Farnham.
Contain information and advice to support family life during the pandemic as well as a guide for young people themselves. These guides pull together the best resources, promote self-help and include information on local services with versions available for East Berkshire, Surrey Heath and North East Hampshire and Farnham.
Top tips from the NHS for parents and carers, about how to support children and young people to give them the best chance to stay mentally healthy.
Family Information Services
Provide FREE impartial information and guidance about a wide range of services for children, young people and their families. Click on your area for more information:
Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead
Information for Partners
Individuals and organisations can play a really important role in supporting this campaign to reach parents and carers. We encourage you to share this page and film as widely as possible. Please see our Communications Pack for social media posts and top tips to help promote it. Also, if your child seems to be struggling during exam season, read this guide for tips on how to help them.