New mental health service launched for young people

Kooth is an online mental wellbeing service provided by the county council in response to Covid-19 to add to the range of mental health support available for children and young people in the county.

Young people aged 11 to 18 living in Gloucestershire can now access free anonymous counselling from qualified counsellors via an online mental wellbeing platform at www.kooth.com. Kooth is designed for young people experiencing issues with their emotional wellbeing, such as anxiety, low mood or stress. 

Counselling can be accessed through a drop-in service or booked sessions; there is no referral needed from a health professional, no waiting lists, and no criteria to meet to get support.

As well as the option of online counselling, there is an online support network where young people can join friendly discussion boards to connect with others having similar experiences. They can access journals, goal trackers, and self-help articles with the option to contribute their own experiences or advice.

Cllr Tim Harman, cabinet member for public health and communities, said: “It’s totally normal to feel stressed or anxious whatever age you are, especially if you’re not able to see your friends or go about your normal routine. Whether you’re feeling worried about something related to coronavirus or something completely different, please reach out for support. It’s good to talk about your worries before they get bigger.”

Kooth is just one of the services available to support children and young people with their mental health and wellbeing in Gloucestershire, and the county council and its partners are keen to raise awareness of the range of support available.

Other options include:

·         Child & Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS, formerly known as CYPS)

Provides specialist NHS mental health services for children and young people (and their families/carers) who are experiencing moderate to severe mental health difficulties, from birth to their 18th birthday. Find out more about the service here https://cayp.ghc.nhs.uk or call Acorn House on 01452 894300 with any enquiries.