Mental Health Support for Children and Young People

Advice and Information - 3 September 2024

In this helpful article we have compiled a list of wellbeing and mental health support services for children and young people. If you are struggling, looking for support or just wanting to find what is available in your local area for health and wellbeing support, you're in the right place!

Health and wellbeing is really important. It is vital that we are all looking after our bodies and minds to keep us fit and healthy. In this article you can find mental health services for children and young people in your area, including online support, texting services and face-to-face support. 

If you are having a mental health crisis, call 111 and choose option 2 for immediate mental health support.

If you are at immediate risk or harm, you should call 999 and ask for an ambulance.

Printable Leaflet Resource

We have created a printable hand-out leaflet of this resource. If you would like to download it and print one off for yourself, or a whole heap to hand out to your friends or colleagues, please do!

A printable hand-out leaflet for children and young people's mental health and wellbeing.
Download (PDF 1.8 MB)

Children and Young People's Wellbeing Services in Medway

There are loads of support services in Medway for children and young people. Here we have complied a list of some of them and added their website links for easy access to more information.

Below is some information for texting services across Medway and Swale that support children and young people with their mental health and wellbeing.

If you're struggling, or just want to talk to someone, why not drop them a text! 

Text Services:

  • ChatHealth - Confidential and anonymous texting service to a nurse. Available Monday – Friday 9am-5pm for ages 11-19. For pupils at Medway Schools, text 07480 635 786.

  • Shout - Providing 24/7 mental health support. Text SHOUT to 85258.

  • AFC Crisis Messenger - A free, 24/7 text service that provides crisis support to young people in the UK. To access the service, text AFC to 85258.

  • Papyrus HOPELINEUK - A service for people under 35 who are struggling with suicidal feelings or are concerned about a young person who might be struggling. To access the service, text 07786 209 697, or call 0800 068 4141.

Give any of these links a click and see for yourself about all the different types of support these services can offer you.

Online Services:

  • Young Minds - Advice and information giving young people the tools to look after their mental health, for all ages.

  • Togetherall - Online community including self-guided courses for ages 16-18.

  • Kooth - Online community giving anonymous and confidential advice for ages 10-25.

  • Every Mind Matters - NHS website offering advice, practical tips, and plenty of help and support if you're stressed, anxious, low or struggling to sleep, for young people.

  • The Mix - Short-term help (usually eight sessions) with mental health and emotional wellbeing for ages 11-25.

  • Calm Harm - Private and anonymous app to help manage the urge to self-harm for ages 13+.

  • Alumina - Free, online 7-week course for young people struggling with self-harm for ages 10-17.

  • Ollee - A digital friend for children aged 8-11 to help them reflect on how they feel and process their experiences with the support of their parents/ carers, for ages 8-11.

  • With You Mind & Body Programme - Supports children and young adults who are self-harming, at risk of self-harming or struggling with their mental wellbeing, for ages 18-25.

  • Kent Youth Health - Online resources on feelings, sex, health and relationships for teenagers in Kent and Medway. 

  • Moodspark - A space created by young people for young people to help navigate and learn about emotions for ages 10-16.

  • Kent Resilience Hub - Online resources supporting young people to cope better with the pressures of everyday life.

  • Metro - METRO provides sexual health advice, support and free condoms to young people in Medway. There are also groups all around Kent and London.

  • Medway Council Child Health - Online advice and information on activities and initiatives in Medway for children and young people.

Face-to-Face Services:

  • BeYou Project - Peer and individual support for LGBT+ young people in Kent and Medway for ages 8-25.

  • Mind North Kent - Free children’s (5-11) and young people (12-18) sessions to develop their understanding of mental health and wellbeing. Short Intervention Therapy (SIT) in Medway for CYP aged 5-18 with a social worker or early help worker (or 25 for care leavers or those with SEND). 

  • Medway Youth Service - Youth Centre sessions and activities, including Shine sessions for people aged 10-18 with disabilities or additional needs. Brief Intervention Counselling for people aged 10-19 experiencing low level needs or need support with challenges in their lives. 

  • CHUMS - Specialist bereavement support service, offering individual sessions, drop-in sessions and telephone advice for ages 3.5-25.

If you are looking for in person activity groups in your local area, you can check out the Everyday Active website for more information on locally run classes and groups for children and young people's wellbeing.

Click here to find locally run wellbeing classes in your area.