Mental health support for children and young people
Having good mental health can positively influence your emotional, psychological, and social wellbeing. It can affect how you think, feel, and act, and how you:
- manage your stress
- interact with your family and friends
- make choices.
You are not alone if you are experiencing any negative feelings. Some things will be easier to manage on your own or with the help of friends and family. Or, someone like a teacher or a youth worker. Other times you may need professional help.
See how your education setting can help you or find community support via our online directory.
Urgent mental health support
A mental health emergency is as important as a physical health emergency.
Get urgent mental health support
If you're struggling with self harm or feeling suicidal, Emerge can arrange for a youth worker to visit you in A&E in Medway, Maidstone or Darent Valley.
Professional support
Professional support is available from the NHS Mental Health and Wellbeing Hub, including:
- counselling and therapies
- student support
- LGBTQ+ groups
- eating disorder referrals
- youth groups
- social prescribing groups
- Single Point of Access (SPA).
Visit the NHS Mental Health and Wellbeing Hub
Young people
i-Thrive approach
The i-Thrive approach helps you to know where to look to find the right help when you need it and to thrive. Find out more how i-Thrive is helping young people in Kent.
Kooth
Kooth is a free, safe, and anonymous online wellbeing service, available for anyone aged between 10 to 25 years old. If you're concerned about a young person's wellbeing this winter, visit the Kooth website to register for a supportive online community, including support courses, counselling, discussion boards, self help content and resources.
Young carers
If you are a young carer and are looking for mental health support, contact Kent Young Carers.
Young Minds
Visit the Young Minds website to read their guide to support, including a guide to child and adolescent mental health services so you know what to expect when accessing this service.
Children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities
The Dynamic Support Service (DSS) is for autistic children and young people, and those with a learning disability, with escalating emotional or mental health needs. It builds on the commitment made in the 2019 NHS Long Term Plan to provide key working services.
Your child or young person can access the DSS by applying to the Dynamic Support Database (DSD) if they are:
- not receiving the right care and treatment in their community
- at risk of admission or hospitalised.
It aims to help:
- social and health care workers, to help those whose mental health is getting worse
- review and identify extra healthcare, education and social care support.