Digital mental health service launches for young people in Herefordshire
Young People across Herefordshire now have access to Kooth, a digital platform which provides support for their emotional wellbeing.
Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust, who took over the provision of mental health and learning disability services in the county earlier this month, have commissioned Kooth as part of their services to support the emotional wellbeing of children and young people in Herefordshire.
The rollout is part of the Children and Young People’s Plan, which is overseen by the Herefordshire Children and Young People’s Partnership (CYPP). The plan contributes to delivering the health and wellbeing strategy for the trust which recognises children and young people may benefit from preventive mental health support.
Kooth, which is provided by the UK's largest provider of online mental health services, XenZone, enables young people to access safe, free and anonymous online advice to support their emotional wellbeing and mental health.
Accredited by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, Kooth allows young people 24-hour access to self-help materials, mood-tracking and goal setting tools. Users can also access moderated online forums and counselling sessions, delivered by a team of experienced counsellors.
Elaine Cook-Tippins, Clinical Services Manager for Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) in Herefordshire said, “We’re delighted to add Kooth to the services and resources available to support children and young people in Herefordshire with their emotional wellbeing. Young people in the county can now use Kooth to access digital resources and online support to help them maintain their wellbeing and look after their mental health, particularly during this challenging and unprecedented time”
Dr Lynne Green, XenZone’s Chief Clinical Officer added, “Children and young people across the Worcestershire and Herefordshire areas can now benefit from being part of a safe, moderated online community, allowing them access support from professionals as well as their peers. Our qualified counsellors are on hand to support them through challenging and uncertain time such as these. We are seeing an increasing need for our service and a change in presenting issues from Children and Young People as they struggle to adapt to loneliness and isolation and home relationships”
The service is already available to young people in Worcestershire.
For more information on the wellbeing support available for children and young people across both counties visit www.hacw.nhs.uk/camhs