Social Prescribing Resource Sheet
for Children & Young People:
Mental Health

If you are in immediate need

• If the young person has injured themself or taken an overdose, please call 999.
• To speak to someone urgently, please call Connections – the 24/7 helpline on 0800 6520190 (freephone) or access via NHS 111 for free.

Relate

Relate are able to offer low cost counselling to young people aged 11 – 19 years (or up to 25 years for those with a special education need (SEND) or care leavers) across Dorset.

Website: www.relatedorset.org.uk

Venue address: Poundbury, Dorchester

The Prout Bridge Project

Provides Mental Health Support to children and young people in Beaminster. It is a referral-based service run by professionally qualified and experienced Mental Health Youth Workers. This involves one-to-one and group work to address a range of issues to help them increase emotional resilience. Referrals can come through school or Social Prescribing.

Website: www.proutbridgeproject.org.uk

Private Counselling (via BACP)

The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) Therapist Directory is an online, searchable directory of around 16,000 private therapists. Only registered or accredited BACP members can advertise, ensuring all counsellors listed meet set standards for training, experience and ethical practice.

Website: www.bacp.co.uk/search/Therapists

Kooth

A free online mental health support service offering a range of resources designed to help young people manage their emotional wellbeing.

Website: www.kooth.com

Each school will have a different offer for any young people who are struggling with their mental health. Speak to your child’s Head of Year or the school’s SENDCo to see what is on offer. These might include:

Mental Health Support Team (MHST)

MHSTs are NHS staff working with a number of schools to tackle the challenges children and young people experience, by helping them to feel more resilient, arming them with techniques to look after themselves and strategies to help them cope better with life’s ups and downs.

School Counsellor

Some schools have a counsellor who is a qualified professional employed by schools to work with pupils who are experiencing issues that are impacting their emotional or psychological wellbeing. School counsellors provide a safe, confidential, one-to-one space for pupils to discuss any experiences or challenges in their life.

Active Monitoring

Active Monitoring is a six week self-help programme offered through the Mind mental health charity. The young person is offered individual support from a practitioner and a trusted adult to look at some of the things they are struggling with. Active Monitoring sessions can take place in school.

Social Prescribing

This is an NHS service from Jurassic Coast Primary Care Network. A Link Worker will work with the young person on a one-to-one basis (usually in school) to identify ways to make them feel better - whether that's improving confidence, self-esteem, mental or physical health. Social Prescribing gives young people the opportunity to make connections in their area for support, new activities or ways to help boost their wellbeing in a non-medical way.

Dorset Youth

Their Mental Health Hub has links to a range of mental health and emotional support services in Dorset.

Website: www.dorsetyouth.com/mental-health

Young Minds

The Young Minds Website has a wide range of resources and advice for young people and their families.

Website: www.youngminds.org.uk

Children and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS)

CAMHS offer information, advice and support for Children and their families on this website. For children under 16, a referral to CAMHS for treatment must be completed by a professional who knows the child (e.g. School Staff, Social Worker or a GP). However, 16-17 year olds can self-refer.

Website: www.camhsdorset.org

Mental Health Apps (via ORCHA)

NHS assessed Apps that comply with current standards, regulation and good practice. They have APPs to support young people with a range of mental health issues including anxiety, low mood, self-harm and grief.

Website: ourdorset.orcha.co.uk/en-GB/category/young-peoples-mental-health