Supporting children and young people to find their place
It's Children's Mental Health Week (9 Feb - 15 Feb) and we want to empower young people, children and their families to reach out for mental health support when they need it.
This year's theme, set by children's mental health charity, Place2Be is "This is My Place" and is all about the support systems around for children and young people to help them feel they belong.
Across Northamptonshire, NHFT provides a wide range of mental health services - from early help to specialist care - and throughout the week we'll be sharing more about how our teams can support you.
In this video, our Assistant Director of Children's and Young People Mental Health Services, Loveness Nyagumbo, kicks things off by highlighting our commitment to making sure every child and young person gets the help they need:
NHFT provides a range of mental health services for children and young people across the county, from early help to specialist care. Support includes:
- iDiscover - free online tools, workshops and resources to help young people build confidence and resilience.
- Mental Health Support Teams in schools - helping children access support where they spend much of their time.
- CAMHS Activate Group - a 12 week programme for CAMHS patients made up of practical, creative and active experiences to boost motivation and mood.
- Looked After Children service - tailored support for children in care.
- Paediatric Psychology Service - working with young people and families around adjustment and living with a medical condition
- Children and Young People Community Eating Disorder Service - A specialist service for children and young people with a diagnosable eating disorder including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder.
- CAMHS Crisis service and Intensive Outreach Teams - immediate help for young people experiencing a mental health crisis.
- CAMHS inpatient services - specialist care for those whose needs cannot be met in the community.
Our dedicated CAMHS Community Service works with families to help children and young people feel better closer to home wherever possible, reducing the need for hospital stays.
The types of difficulties CAMHS can help with are:
- Low mood or depression
- Eating difficulties
- Attachment difficulties
- Obsessions and compulsions (OCD)
- Effects of abuse or trauma
- Conduct disorder
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- More complex psychological difficulties
The East Midlands provider collaborative works with providers, young people and families to deliver inpatient and community services to improve the health and wellbeing of young people across the East Midlands. Since the collaborative was established, the service has helped to significantly reduce inpatient ward admissions and the length of stays in hospital across the East Midlands. This has been achieved by providing better community-based services, including:
- An intensive outreach service - home based support for young people in mental health crisis.
- A family ambassador service - working with young people, their parents, carer and ward teams before hospital admission, during their stay and post discharge to ensure the right support is in place when they return home.
Where can you get mental health support?
There are a few different ways young people and their families can access help and support:
- Explore our iDiscover service - explore free online tools, resources and courses -
- CAMHS Live service - for 13 to 18 year olds, chat online to a mental health professional
- Visit a Northamptonshire drop-in - available at locations across Northamptonshire for 8 to 25 year olds, and their parents/ carers (if they wish), to drop by for a chat with a mental health professional
- CAMHS consultation line: 0800 170 7055 - for young people, parents/ carers or professionals who need support, advice or guidance. This service is available Monday to Friday, 9am to 7pm
- 24/7 CAMHS Crisis Team: 0800 170 7055 -please call this number if you, or someone you know is in crisis, at risk of self-harm or suicide. If your life is at imminent risk, please call 999
We know that emotional wellbeing challenges can feel overwhelming. You're not alone, and we're here to support you every step of the way.
Get involved in our Youth Advisory Board!
Our Children and Youth People's Youth Advisory Board (YAB) brings together a diverse group of 13 - 25 year olds who share their experiences and ideas about what truly supports their mental health and wellbeing. Some members have lived experience of services, while others draw on their wider life experiences.
Their insights help shape how our services listen, learn and respond -strengthening the support we offer to children, young people and their families on their recovery journeys.
If you want to get involved in our YAB or find out more, visit www.nhft.nhs.uk/participation