Mental health and emotional wellbeing support for children and young people in Liverpool.

Children and young people living in Liverpool who need mental health and emotional wellbeing support can now access a range of adapted services from the Liverpool Child Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) partnership. Organisations have revised the support they offer to help families during this difficult time.

Damian Hart, Principal Development Manager, at the CAMHS mental health promotion team, explains: “These challenging times are affecting a lot of children and young people’s mental wellbeing.

“With face-to-face support no longer an option, members of the Liverpool CAMHS Partnership are committed to responding to families’ needs. Each organisation has adapted its services to offer the care and support they need, for example, using online methods, including video calling to deliver group workshops and one-to-one support.”

Collectively the CAMHS Partnership provides a range of support services for children, young people and their families.

“Advice and guidance for those experiencing anxiety, sleep problems, grief, feelings of isolation, domestic abuse, and managing relationships online are just some of the common themes we are seeing requests for support around.”

Children and young people who are experiencing a mental health crisis can now access support via a new 24/7 dedicated crisis line, freephone 0808 196 3550. The Alder Hey Crisis Care Team offer advice, consultation, and direct intervention to children and young people aged 0-18 years who need urgent mental health support.

For full details of the Liverpool CAMHS support available click here.

What to do if you need mental health support:

• If a child or young person is in crisis, they can call the Alder Hey CAMHS crisis care line 24 hours a day, seven days a week on 0151 293 3577 or freephone 0808 196 3550 Email CrisisCare@alderhey.nhs.uk
• Accident and Emergency Departments and 999 are not the best places to get help for the majority of mental health problems – you should only present to Accident Emergency Department if you need medical treatment or are struggling to keep yourself safe in the immediate moment.
• Kooth is an online counselling and emotional wellbeing platform for children and young people aged 14-25. The team are delivering therapeutic support via online forums and chats between 12 pm and 10 pm Monday to Friday and 6 pm – 10 pm at weekends. Via the website kooth.com