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. 

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!

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 .

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 PURPLE to 85258.

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.
  • Good Mental Health Matters - Online resources on feelings, sex, health and relationships for teenagers in Kent.
  • 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.
  • 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. 
  • Metro - METRO Schools Pride Clubs giving LGBTQ+ pupils access to safe spaces and support for positive identity development, social inclusion, mental health and employability.
  • CHUMS - Specialist bereavement support service, offering individual sessions, drop-in sessions and telephone advice for ages 3.5-25.

If you're looking for children and young people's health and wellbeing activities that are run in your local area, you can check out the Everyday Active website here!