We are writing to remind you that this week is Children’s Mental Health Week. We previously sent you a link to the charity, Place2Be who are leading the week, where you can find resources, ideas and activities to support your child at home. Parents and Carers - Children's Mental Health Week (childrensmentalhealthweek.org.uk)

In addition we would now like to share links to other organisations that can support with mental health:

·        Mental Health Toolkit – A website dedicated to support parents and carers to find the information they need to help with their role of ‘being a parent’. It has common topics that affect families.

·        Somerset Counselling Youth Access – A website aimed at providing children and young people with information about where and how they can access counselling in the County to best suit their needs.

·        Every Mind Matters – A website containing expert advice and practical tips to help you look after your mental health and wellbeing, so discover what works for you.

·        Mindline – offer a confidential listening service which provides a safe place to talk if you, or someone you know, is in distress. They can also give basic information about mental health and local support services. The service is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and can be contacted on 01823 276 892.

·        Young Minds – You are not alone, however you’re feeling right now, things can get better. Whether you want to understand more about how you’re feeling and find ways to feel better, or you want to support someone who’s struggling, we can help.

·        Somerset Parent Carer Forum – The forum carries out activities for the benefit of Parent Carers and families of children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) in Somerset. The work is focused on enabling families to have a voice, to have the information to support their children’s needs and enabling families to support each other.

·        Parentline – A telephone service run by Somerset County Council’s Education Psychology Service aimed at supporting Somerset’s parents and carers whose children are facing challenges self-harm, sleep problems, anxiety, self-isolation and other concerns – To use the service, email EPShelpline@somerset.gov.uk with your name, the name of your child’s school (or advise your child is home educated) with dates and times you are available for a phone call. Alternatively, phone 01823 357000.   

On Thursday 10^th February, the new Somerset Children and Young People’s Counselling Alliance will be launching online.

This website will aim at providing children and young people with information about where and how they can access counselling in the County to best suit their needs.

Executive Project Director and Chair Doreen Smith of the Alliance said ‘Somerset Counselling Youth Access is a partnership of six leading counselling organisations in the county. Each provide counselling, information, advice, and support and a variety to children and young people aged 5 to 25 in the county. We have come together to help children and young people have the best access to counselling. Counselling is something which will help support their mental and emotional well-being at this time.

We know that often parents, children and young people often find it hard to locate a counselling service within their area. This site makes it easy to access high quality and trusted services on offer near to them. These can be accessed face to face, on-line or by the telephone’.

For further information on our services go to https://www.scya.org.uk/



We would love to receive your feedback if you access any of these services.

Don’t forget, that Friday 11^th February will be our ‘Dress to Express’ day.