A free online mental health and emotional wellbeing support service has been launched, by the Humber Coast and Vale Health and Care Partnership, to help children and young people living in Hull.
Children and young people aged between 11 and 25 in Hull can now register to use Kooth, a free, anonymous online counselling and emotional wellbeing service, which can be accessed using a computer, smartphone or tablet device.
Kooth, which is accredited by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, allows users to receive one-on-one online sessions with qualified counsellors, receive and provide peer-to-peer support through moderated online forums, and read and contribute to mental health and wellbeing articles.
Dr Amy Oehring, NHS Hull Clinical Commissioning Group’s GP Lead for Children, said: “The launch of Kooth locally is welcome news as it will provide timely help and support to those children and young people who need it; and will hopefully reduce some of the anxiety they might feel when attending face-to-face appointments, while helping them to build their mental resilience and self-confidence too."
Access to Kooth is free of barriers to support: there are no waiting lists, no thresholds, no cost and complete anonymity. The service can be used instantly from sign up and already has over 1,500 children and young people across the country logging in everyday.
Amy added: “If you think a child or young person is struggling with their mental health, but feel you need further help, you can always contact your GP to talk about what additional support and guidance is available.”
For further information, or to sign up to Kooth, visit kooth.com
