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Mental health

Supporting the mental health of children and young people is so important, especially after the additional challenges and pressures experienced throughout – and following – the Covid 19 pandemic.

Here in Knowsley, the Council is working with health partners, charities and community groups to provide a wide range of support for young people and their families who may be dealing with mental health issues.

Where to go for help and support

Urgent help

If your child or a young person you know, needs urgent help with their mental health and is in danger call 999 or go to A&E.

If your child is in mental health crisis and you need urgent help, please call the NHS Mental Health crisis line for FREE on 0800 051 1508. This is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. NHS staff will be able to support you to get the help you / your child needs.

Advice and guidance

If your child needs assistance with their mental health, but it is not an emergency, you can get help from NHS 111 online or call 111.

Anyone who lives or works in Knowsley can get free help and support via SHOUT – a new, confidential text messaging service for anyone struggling with their mental health.

By texting the word ‘REACH’ to 85258 you will start a conversation with a trained volunteer.

Knowsley Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS)

Knowsley Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) works with young people up to the age of 18 who have emotional, behavioural or mental health difficulties which are causing difficulties in their school, family or social life.   Speak to your GP, health visitor, social worker or school health advisor who will be able to refer you into this specialist service.

Online support

There is also a range of support and advice available online:

  • Kooth is an online mental wellbeing community (commissioned by the Council and the NHS) that provides anonymous and personalised mental health support for children and young people.
  • The Young Person’s Advisory Service provides mental health and emotional well-being services for Merseyside’s children, young people and families.

Listening Ear provide support for children and young people’s emotional wellbeing and mental health.  Self-referrals are welcome.

Support in schools

All of Knowsley’s schools share a commitment to support the children and young people in their care to stay safe and well – and supporting their mental health is a key part of that.

Individual schools will have their own support in place and parents and carers are encouraged to speak to their child’s school if they have any concerns or questions.

To improve the support already on offer across Knowsley schools, a dedicated Mental Health Support Team has been created.

The team consists of Mental Health Nurses, Children’s Nurses, Therapists and Educational Mental Health Practitioners who work directly with schools, pupils and the wider community.

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