Support for Children and Young People
Welcome to our dedicated space for children facing psychological challenges. In today’s ever-evolving world, children and young people encounter unique stressors that can impact their mental health. Our mission is to provide a safe, supportive, and nurturing environment where every child feels understood and empowered to overcome their difficulties.
The NHS provides a wide range of services tailored to address the psychological needs of children, including individual therapy, group sessions, and family counselling. Experienced and compassionate teams of professionals employs evidence-based approaches to help manage issues such as anxiety, depression, behavioural problems, ADHD, and more.
Understanding that each child’s journey is unique, personalised care plans designed to foster resilience, enhance emotional intelligence, and promote positive mental health can be provided. We believe in working closely with families, schools, and other caregivers to create a holistic support network that encourages children to thrive.
If your child is facing psychological challenges, know that help is available. Reach out to us to learn more about how we can support your child’s path to well-being. Together, we can make a difference in their lives.
What you need to know…
Almost all of the services here are self-referral. Follow the links provided to access services. Patients, parents and carers are welcome to explore services available. If you have any queries about access or suitability you can contact the surgery and ask to speak with one of our Care Coordinators.
We will always recommend speaking to your school or college first about any mental health concerns. Schools are well placed to provide dedicated support and care and can respond to circumstances such as bullying, or extra educational needs.
If you or your child/young person need support from more specialist mental health services such as CAMHS or ADHD/Autism diagnostic services it is vital that your school is aware of your concerns. Schools or Colleges are required to complete referrals for ADHD and Autism assessments to ensure children and young people can access education in the most appropriate way.
- Recognising and addressing anxiety and depression in children is crucial as these conditions manifest through symptoms like irritability, sleep difficulties, and physical complaints such as headaches. Children with anxiety might also avoid stressful situations, whereas depression can alter their mood, eating, and sleeping patterns, diminishing interest in activities they once enjoyed.
- All services can provide initial support and may refer to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services for a thorough assessment and possible interventions like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) or medication.
- Schools are instrumental in supporting children by offering counseling and fostering a culture of open communication about emotions and experiences.
- Several organizations provide specialized support:
NSPCC offers guidance and maintains a helpline for advice on managing suicidal feelings and strategies for parents.
YoungMinds has a Parents Helpline offering detailed advice and directing to further services.
Barnardo’s provides strategies for coping with anxiety and emphasizes the availability and effectiveness of therapy.
NHS suggests practical strategies for managing anxiety in children, highlighting the importance of routines and relaxation techniques.
Several organisations provide specialised support:
Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families
ChatHealth by Hampshire Healthy Families
Bullying significantly distresses children, necessitating active support from parents and caregivers. Open discussions about experiences and emotions are crucial when a child faces bullying. Encouraging children to share concerns with trusted adults, such as teachers or family members, helps develop strategies to stop the bullying.
For bullying outside school, it’s important to ensure the child’s safety and manage interactions with bullies, possibly securing a safe environment. In cases of cyberbullying, effective steps include reporting the issue to the platform and blocking the perpetrator while reinforcing digital safety through proper privacy settings.
When bullying impacts a child’s mental health, leading to issues like anxiety or depression, professional help may be necessary. As well as the services listed below, schools also contribute significantly by offering counselling and interventions to support the child’s well-being.
Several organisations provide resources and support for addressing bullying:
- NSPCC guides on preventing bullying and supporting affected children, emphasizing the importance of knowing where to find help, including Childline.
- YoungMinds has a Parents Helpline for advice on managing bullying’s impact on children’s mental health.
- Kidscape offers workshops for those affected by bullying, equipping young people and their parents with tools to build confidence and resilience.
For more guidance and support on addressing bullying, Bullying UK provides detailed information and support mechanisms.
Numerous organisations provide support and resources for LGBT+ youth, each offering specialised services tailored to their unique needs. The Proud Trust has resources including workshops, educational materials, and youth groups. They also provide live chat and one-to-one support through Proud Connections, helping young individuals, parents, and carers with identity exploration, coming out, and navigating faith-related issues.
Barnardo’s supports LGBT+ children and young people, offering training to schools and community groups to promote inclusivity and combat homophobic, biphobic, and transphobic bullying.
Mosaic LGBT+ Young Persons’ Trust aids London’s LGBT+ youth through weekly clubs, cultural outings, retreats, and resources for parents and professionals, fostering support and education.
akt provides tailored support for LGBT+ youth at risk of or experiencing homelessness, including safe housing, social support, and employment training, to ensure their safety and stability.
Mind offers comprehensive mental health support for LGBTQIA+ individuals, featuring an online peer support community, mentoring, and self-care tips, emphasizing healthy behaviors like balanced diet and regular exercise.
For further information and resources, organizations such as Chrysalis, Kroma, Let’s Talk About It, Tranz Wiki, Y services, No Limits help, Mermaids, and Break out Youth also offer specialized support, ensuring accessible community and resources for LGBT+ youth.
Immediate Help and Crisis Intervention:
- Papyrus UK | Suicide Prevention Charity offers HOPELINE247, a confidential service where young people or concerned individuals can receive suicide prevention advice. You can contact them by phone, text, or email anytime, providing a crucial lifeline for those in crisis.
- The NHS suggests contacting a GP as a first point of call for non-emergency self-harm concerns. In emergencies, immediate help should be sought through local emergency services by attending A&E or by calling 999 or 111. If your child is under the care of NHS mental health services they can be contacted directly.
Support Services and Resources:
- NSPCC provides a variety of coping techniques for children and young people dealing with self-harm, such as engaging in physical activities, finding creative outlets, or using relaxation techniques to manage distress. They also emphasise building self-esteem as a key part of recovery.
- YoungMinds offers resources to help guardians and young people understand self-harm better, providing guidance on talking about self-harm without judgment and focusing on the underlying issues rather than just the physical aspects of self-harm.
Therapeutic and Counseling Services:
- Counselling and therapy can be crucial for dealing with the root causes of self-harm. Please see the services listed in the other areas of this webpage, including Anxiety & Depression.
- Organisations such as Childline and The Mix offer specialized counseling services for young people, which can be accessed online or by phone, ensuring privacy and accessibility.
Education and Peer Support:
- Many organisations run educational programs to help young people and their communities understand the signs of self-harm and how to respond appropriately. These programs also aim to reduce the stigma associated with self-harm and mental health issues (YoungMinds).
- Peer support groups and online forums provide a platform for young people to share their experiences and find support among others who have faced similar challenges (YoungMinds).
Addressing mental health crises in children and young adults is critical, with various UK-based resources available for support. YoungMinds provides extensive information and practical advice on mental health awareness, early recognition, and navigation through Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), offering strategies for parents and community workers to enhance youth mental well-being.
Mind outlines the nature of mental health crises and available urgent services, including access to Accident & Emergency (A&E), crisis teams, or crisis houses for focused support. Additionally, NHS Mental Health Services helplines offer 24-hour professional advice, conduct assessments, and provide crisis coping strategies, emphasising when to call 999 or visit A&E.
As young individuals transition from CAMHS to adult services, YoungMinds stresses the importance of understanding treatment continuities, medication, and patient rights while exploring non-NHS support options.
Furthermore, the NHS offers a variety of children and young people’s mental health services, including school-based teams and local NHS mental health organisations, with support ranging from self-help to specialised referrals depending on individual needs.
For additional information and resources:
- Childline offers private and confidential support.
- Hampshire CAMHS provides local mental health services.
- Southampton CAMHS provides mental health services to the people of Southampton
- Samaritans is available for anyone in emotional distress.
Children impacted by domestic violence face various emotional, psychological, and physical consequences. The NSPCC’s Domestic Abuse, Recovering Together (DART) program specifically supports mothers and children who have experienced abuse. They also promote The Hide Out by Women’s Aid, helping children understand and respond to abuse. Childline offers vital, confidential support around the clock to those affected.
YoungMinds advises parents on recognizing signs of distress caused by domestic abuse and the importance of seeking help from GPs, schools, and mental health services. Action for Children highlights the need to recognise children as direct victims, stressing the deep effects on their development and the necessity for specialized services like DART.
Barnardo’s details domestic abuse’s many forms—physical, verbal, emotional, sexual, financial, psychological—and its impacts, including behavioural changes in younger children and mental health issues in adolescents.
The NHS provides comprehensive guidance for individuals facing domestic violence, offering specialized helplines for men, LGBT+ individuals, and victims of forced marriages and honor-related crimes. They also advise on recognizing abuse signs and considerations for leaving abusive situations.
For additional information and support, please visit:
OCD in children is characterised by a cycle of obsessions (intrusive thoughts) and compulsions (repetitive behaviors) driven by anxiety. Common issues include fears about germs, safety, or a need for symmetry, and having intrusive, often distressing thoughts. Despite understanding the irrational nature of these thoughts and behaviors, children may feel unable to stop them, using these behaviors to manage intense anxiety.
Support and Resources: YoungMinds offers a comprehensive guide for parents supporting a child with OCD, highlighting the importance of well-being practices like adequate sleep, consistent meals, and physical activity to improve mood. It emphasizes the need for parental patience and understanding, reassuring children that their thoughts are manageable with proper support.
OCD-UK is a charity providing resources and support for those with OCD, including a section for children and young people. It features input from Young Ambassadors and resources tailored for youth people, plus information on upcoming workshops and webinars for parents.
Techniques and Further Resources: Externalising OCD in therapy, treating it as a separate ‘bully,’ helps children and families manage the condition more effectively. In severe cases, SSRIs may be prescribed along with psychological treatments.
For additional insights, Nip in the Bud provides a free downloadable fact sheet on OCD in children, offering an overview of symptoms and differentiating typical worries from OCD-related anxieties.
Recommended Literature: Books like Talking Back to OCD: The Program That Helps Kids and Teens Say “No Way” – and Parents Say “Way to Go”, Breaking Free from OCD: A CBT Guide for Young People and Their Families, and What to Do When Your Brain Gets Stuck: A Kid’s Guide to Overcoming OCD provide valuable strategies for managing and overcoming OCD, benefiting both parents and children.
Young carers are children and adolescents under 18 who care for a family member or friend, performing tasks from household chores to managing medications and providing emotional support. In the UK, one in five children may be in such roles, impacting their education, social life, and emotional health, often causing stress and isolation.
Support is available for young carers to help balance their responsibilities and personal growth. Organisations like Carers UK and Carers Trust provide guidance, support services, and access to programs that offer practical help and respite.
Educational institutions play a crucial role by offering flexible schedules, additional support, and connections with local services. Engaging with peer groups through projects and events also offers young carers a break and a platform to share experiences.
For young carers needing support or more information, visiting websites such as The Children’s Society, Barnardo’s, Epic Friends, Honeypot Charity, Young Carers Project, Board in the City, The Prince’s Trust, and the NHS can be beneficial steps.
Navigating the loss of a loved one is especially challenging for children, who may not have fully developed coping skills. In the UK, several organisations offer specialized bereavement support tailored to young people. These services include helplines, counseling, support groups, and interactive activities designed to help children express their grief and manage their emotions.
Child Bereavement UK can help children, young people, and families rebuild their lives after a loss, providing online resources, direct helpline support, and professional training.
Winston’s Wish delivers targeted support through online chats, resources for children and professionals, and educational initiatives for schools to aid grieving students.
Simon Says based in Hampshire, offers a variety of free support mechanisms including a telephone line, monthly support groups, and educational resources to enhance family and professional support for grieving children.
Grief Encounter provides free, confidential bereavement support, including a helpline, online chat, and awareness-raising activities like the Forget-Me-Not Walk.
Cruse Bereavement Care offers detailed guidance on how children’s grief can differ from adults’, with services tailored for young people, including helplines.
The NHS also provides advice on discussing death with children, advocating open communication to help them process their feelings. It suggests involving children in family ceremonies and discussions about the deceased for better emotional processing.
For additional support and resources, refer to the websites of:
Substance misuse among young people significantly affects their health, emotional well-being, and social development. Various organisations provide targeted support to help young people overcome substance-related challenges, offering confidential counseling, therapy, and recovery programs tailored for younger audiences. These services, along with educational initiatives, raise awareness of the risks of substance misuse and promote healthier lifestyle choices, supporting the rehabilitation process and overall well-being of affected children.
- The Children’s Society provides specialised interventions for young individuals and families dealing with substance misuse, offering personalised support and group sessions to help cease substance use and mend impacted relationships.
- YoungMinds focuses on helping youth handle peer pressure related to drugs and alcohol. They provide guidance on resisting pressure and making informed decisions, plus strategies for discussing substance use with peers.
- Catch22 offers tailored support for young people facing substance misuse, including dependency services and resilience training, addressing the broader factors contributing to misuse.
- Frank provides confidential advice on drugs and alcohol, explaining the effects of substances and offering tips on coping with peer pressure, accessible via phone, text, email, and live chat.
- Government and NHS Services also offer treatment and support for young people and families dealing with substance misuse through counselling, recovery programs, and family support services available through local health providers.
- Inclusion – Drug & Alcohol services for the people of Hampshire
- No Limits DASH – Drug & Alcohol services for Southampton City residents
These resources assist young individuals in understanding and overcoming substance misuse in a supportive, confidential environment. Engaging with these services can provide necessary support and guidance for recovery and improved well-being.
Addressing financial difficulties such as debt management and the intricacies of benefit systems is challenging. Essential support and informed guidance are vital for those who are struggling with financial management or securing necessary benefits. One key resource is SARC, which provides extensive support for individuals requiring assistance. SARC offers expert advice on a broad spectrum of financial matters, including debt management, benefits access and comprehension, and budgeting strategies. Their services encompass personalised counseling, educational workshops, and direct intervention aimed at helping individuals and families stabilize their financial conditions and pursue sustainable financial health. By leveraging resources like SARC, individuals can acquire the necessary knowledge and tools to effectively tackle their financial challenges.
Children with additional educational needs require bespoke support to excel in their educational paths. These requirements can stem from various challenges such as learning difficulties, physical disabilities, or emotional and behavioural issues. Effective support for involves creating customised educational plans, resources, and interventions that promote both their academic success and personal growth.
Numerous resources are available to aid children:
- Online Resources and Communities – Various websites such as the National Autistic Societyand the Dyslexia Association serve as valuable hubs for information, support networks, and resources tailored to specific conditions.
- SEN Information, Advice, and Support Services (SENSIASS) – SENSIASS offers free, confidential, and impartial advice and support to families of children with additional needs, aiding them in matters from educational assessments to understanding legal rights.
These resources are designed to provide comprehensive support, ensuring that children with special educational needs receive the necessary assistance to thrive academically and personally.