We can all struggle with our mental health and wellbeing at times, however old we are.
If you are a child or young person in Kent and Medway, specific services to support you are just a text, call or a click on website or app away.
If you are aged between 10 and 25-years-old, Kooth offers an online mental health community giving free and confidential advice. You can chat with a team member about anything that is on your mind.
NELFT provides all-age eating disorder services and child and adolescent (that’s up to age 18) and mental health services for people living in Kent and Medway. You can find out more about these services on the NELFT website.
If you live in Kent, it’s called the Kent Children and Young People's Mental Health Service.
If you live in Medway, it’s the Medway Young Persons Wellbeing Service.
(NELFT stands for the North East London NHS Foundation Trust. As well as providing children and young people’s services in Kent and Medway, the Trust also provides integrated adult community and mental health services for parts of both London and Essex, hence its name.)
ChatHealth is available for young people aged 11 to 19 in Kent and offers a confidential and anonymous texting service to a nurse via 07520 618850. The service is only available Monday to Friday and between 9am and 5pm.
Kent Resilience Hub provides information, guidance and resources for parents to support their own, as well as their child’s emotional wellbeing and resilience.
MoodSpark can support young people to better understand and support their own emotional wellbeing and resilience.
Mind and Body programme is delivered to 13 to 25-year-olds in school and the community to explore and better manage thoughts and behaviours associated with self-harm. Mind and Body also offers support for parents and carers of young people receiving support.
Children and Young People’s Counselling Service
Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust (KCHFT) offers a Children and Young People’s Counselling Service for children aged four to 19 struggling with their emotional health. Although it’s located on the school health section of KCHFT's website, children and young people do not have to be in school to access the service. If you want to find out more there are ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ (FAQS) available.
Kent Youth Health
If you are of school-age (between four and 19 years old), through Kent Youth Health you (or your parent or carer) can contact the school health teams from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, including during school holidays.
You do not need to be in mainstream education, so if you are home-schooled or in a pupil referral until, you can still use this service for advice, support and help. Find out more including how to refer yourself at the Kent Youth Health website.
CHUMS offer specialist bereavement support to children and young people aged from three and a half up until their 26th birthday in Kent and Medway.
This specialist bereavement service is provided by a wide range of experienced, trained professionals and volunteers. Support can be tailored to provide evidence-based interventions to children and young people through one-to-one, group and drop-in sessions.
Holding on Letting Go is a charity that provides specialist bereavement support to children, young people and their families across Kent and Medway. The support can be pre- and post-bereavement and can be offered in a variety of ways.
Telephone: 03445 611 511
ellenor's bereavement services embody a compassionate approach to support families navigating the profound challenges of loss and grief, include one-on-one counselling and creative therapies for children.
A key element of ellenor's bereavement support for children is Gems Bereavement Support for Children. This initiative brings together bereaved children aged 6 to 16, who have lost someone close to them. The GEMS group meetings are designed to help children feel less isolated in their grief, providing a platform for them to share their experiences with peers.
Phone 0800 107 0160 or Text SHOUT to 85258 or for free confidential support at any time.
Free expert advice from trained counsellors is available for every mental health concern.
Visit Release the Pressure website to find out more.
BeYou Project
The BeYou Project provides peer and individual support for LGBTQ+ young people aged eight to 25 years in Kent and Medway.