CNWL CAMHS approved services
Best for you
The 'Best For You' website brings a wide range of tried-and-tested digital resources together in one place, providing 24/7 support for young people.
The website has information about wellbeing that’s relevant for everyone, as well as specific content on common mental health topics like anxiety and self-harm. It also helps young people and families find the support they need by signposting to a range of support options including a 24/7 text support line, services run by various organisations in each CNWL borough, or safe, innovative digital apps.
Kooth
Kooth is a free and anonymous online counselling and emotional well-being platform for children and young people. It's accessible through mobile, tablet and desktop computer. There are no waiting lists or referral systems. Children and young people can access Kooth from any connected device; counsellors are available weekdays from 12 noon to 10pm and from 6pm to 10pm on weekends. Kooth has been commissioned in each CNWL borough. Visit Kooth
Hub of Hope
The Hub of Hope is the UK’s leading mental health support database, bringing together local, national, peer, community, charity, private and NHS mental health support services together for the first time. The database was developed by national charity and partner of CNWL, Chasing the Stigma, to signpost people towards vital mental health support in their local area.
The Hub of Hope is the UK’s fastest-growing and most comprehensive mental health support database.
If you or someone you know is struggling with their mental health, direct them to the Hub of Hope so they can access support in their local area. You can also download the Hub of Hope app for FREE from the Apple App or Google Play Store.
CNWL services
Parent and Carer support group
CNWL offers a weekly online clinician-facilitated drop-in group for parents and carers covering a wide range of topics, information and support in a relaxed atmosphere. For more information, email cnwl.camhsparentcarersupport@nhs.net
The Cove
The Cove is a community based crisis alternative service, provided by Hestia on behalf of CNWL, offering non-clinical support to individuals experiencing a crisis or mental distress, following assessment by the identified CNWL services. We offer urgent appointments to make sure each person gets dedicated time and support.
More useful websites and apps
The Apps and websites listed below are just some of the favourites pointed out by our young people and staff.
The following provide you with additional information, advice and sign-posting for both mental health and physical health care support.
You can also see further websites related to specific mental health conditions within our health topic pages.
Moodjuice offers information, advice to those experiencing troublesome thoughts, feelings and actions.
You are able to check out (or print off) various self-help guides covering conditions such as depression, anxiety, stress, panic and sleep problems.
You can also explore various aspects of life that may be causing you distress and on the click of a button can obtain information on organisations, services and other self-help materials such as Self-help Guides, that can offer advice, support and information.
This site can also guide you through the steps to take during a crisis.
CalmHarm is an app to help distract a young person from self-harming. They call it “riding the wave.” When the young person has an urge to self harm or urges to self harm they can go onto the app and choose to ride the wave. It allows you to select an activity type such as: comfort, distract, express, release or random. You can select which one you’re feeling and set an amount of time that you’re going to do the activity for. There is a long list of activities to choose from.
Blue Ice ia an App that helps young people manage their emotions and to reduce urges to self-harm. It includes a mood diary, toolbox of evidence based techniques to reduce distress and automatic routing to emergency numbers if urges to harm continue. BlueIce was developed by Paul Stallard from Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust and co–produced by young people with lived experience of self-harm.
Sleepio is an online sleep improvement programme. It has been clinically proven to help a person fall asleep faster, stay asleep through the night, and give you more energy during the day
Created by Colin Espie, Professor of Sleep Medicine at the University of Oxford.
Good Thinking in partnership with The Mayor’s Office and with support from Partnership for Young Londoner’s, has launched a new expanded digital platform to provide young people aged 13-18 with access to free resources and apps to improve their mental well-being.
At the moment, you might be finding the COVID-19 pandemic particularly challenging – in fact, research shows that at least a third of children and young people have reported an increase in stress, loneliness, worry and other issues due to coronavirus. Almost every young person has had to adjust to changes in their education, employment, routine, and home life.
If you feel extremely distressed and worried that you might not be able to keep yourself safe, please reach out for help.
The Good Thinking service is here to help you to manage your mental health. You will find expert advice and links to NHS-approved wellbeing apps, as well as podcasts, blogs and details of NHS 24/7 helplines and other support organisations can help you get through this difficult time.
For more information visit www.good-thinking.uk/youngpeople
The Apps listed above are just some of the favourites pointed out by our young people and staff, and there are many more.
Best for You is a useful App library where you can search by a number of filters to find what you’re looking for. You can search by topic or category (like “mental health”, “anxiety” or “depression”) or cost to bring up a shortlist of Apps to browse, select and download.
AFC Self-care website contains a long list of evidence-based strategies for young people to manage and maintain their emotional well-being, as well as tips to help manage distress. For example, relaxation techniques, letting off steam, or confronting your fears.
BEAT offers a wealth of information on eating disorder conditions, including signs and treatment, recovery, supporting someone with an eating disorder, and support services - such as a helpline (0808 801 0677), on-line peer support and a message board.
ChildLine is a free and confidential support and advice service for children and young people, telephone 0800 1111.
Here you can also find useful advice and information on various health topics like ‘your feelings’, ‘friends, relationships and sex’ and ‘bullying, abuse, safety and the law’
Crisis Tools helps professionals support young people in crisis short accessible video guides and text resources.
Every Mind Matters has been created by Public Health England.
This is a website full of useful resources and information for both young people and parents/carers across a range of health and wellbeing topics. It includes mental health topics such as anxiety and low mood, and physical health topics such as sleeping, alcohol and exercise, including a health check quiz. Useful apps and tips to help you manage, or where to get help are recommended.
There is also a useful area for parents and carers information and support.
My Possible Self , also available via an app, uses proven therapy techniques to help reduce symptoms of anxiety, stress, and low mood.
Watch their video to see what’s on offer and how it works.
See the NHSE Choices website for support with stress, anxiety and low mood or depression, with useful links to other supportive websites and resources.
Papyrus provide confidential support and advice to young people struggling with thoughts of suicide, and anyone worried about a young person
You can call them on 0800 068 41 41 or Text: 07860 039967 (opening hours 9am to midnight 365 days a year)
Rallyroundme is a free and secure online tool that allows family members, friends and carers to organise support for someone they care about.
Rethink provides information on different mental health problems and looking after your mental health, with a section for carers, family and friends.
It also includes useful resources and sign-posts for more information. You can type in your postcode and find local resources/services available to you.
Talk to Frank for everything you need to know about drugs, their effects and the law; including facts, support and advice on drugs and alcohol.
Contact can be made by phone on 0300 1236600, or text 82111, or live chat via the website from 2pm to 6pm daily.
The Mix is the UK’s leading support service for young people under 25. They are there to help you take on any challenge you’re facing - from mental health to money, from homelessness to finding a job, from break-ups to drugs.
The website offers topic based information, for example, on ‘mental health’, ‘your body’ and ‘drink and drugs’. You are also able to search by post-code to find services local to you.
You can talk to them online, or contact them via their confidential helpline open between 3pm and 12am, 7 days a week on 0808 808 4994, if you are feeling like you are not coping, worried about how you are feeling, or just need help finding services to best suit you.
Samaritans offers a free, confidential 24/7 365 days per year mental health support telephone line on 116 123, or webchat via their website.
Shout is a free, confidential, anonymous service for anyone in the UK, and it won’t appear on your phone bill. Trainer volunteers are there for you 24/7 to listen and support you to get to a calmer and safe place.
To start the conversation text SHOUT to 85258.
Young Minds is a website containing a wealth of information and support for children and young people as well as parents/carers and professionals.
For example, it explains a vast number of mental health conditions and strategies to manage, explores health topics, such as ‘social media and mental health’ or sexuality and mental health’, provides information on medications, and has section dedicated to parental information and support, including a helpline.
Other useful websites for those who require support for children with additional or physical needs include:
Create your own "Happy Box" where you collect photos, songs, words to comfort you when you are down.
The National Autistic Society website is a fantastic resource for ASD information and support.
The website has useful sections on what autism is, benefits of care, behaviour top tips, communication strategies and approaches, practical ideas for developing different social skills, the use of visual support, health, family life, in the classroom and education, adult life, holiday preparation/practicalities, all you need to know about applying for disability living allowance (DLA) and much more.
There services in England include residential homes, local centres providing dedicated support throughout the week, 1:1 support and support in further/higher education. They also offer breakfast clubs, modular learning programme and evening groups.
The website provides useful sign-posting to other resources such as ‘finding your local befriending scheme’ or ‘your nearest EarlyBird licenced teams’.
An autism helpline is also available Mon-Fri 10am to 3pm on 0808 800 4104.
Education Rights Service: 0808 800 4102
Parent to Parent Service: 0808 800 4106
Developed by Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists, ICAN and AFASIC, Talking Point provides parents, carers and professionals with information about speech, language and communication.
It provides information about communication skills, advice sheets, ages and stages information explaining what your child should be able to do at each age, and a progress checker that you can complete to see if they need help as well as free resources.
Telephone: 020 7843 2510
Email: talkingpoint@ican.org.uk
This charity supports children with speech language and communication needs (SLCN). It gives information on useful books and DVDs to support children, explanations of what SLCN is and how to access support.
Telephone: 020 7843 2510
Email: info@ican.org.uk
AFASIC is a charity for children with speech language and communication needs (SLCN). It has speech and language developmental milestones, what to look for, resources to support children, a parents helpline, information about what to do if you are worried about your child’s speech and language development and information about AFASIC groups near you.
Parents helpline: 0300 666 9410
Enquiries: 0207 490 9410
British Stammering Association provides advice and support, including a helpline, for parents of children/young people who stammer.
It has advice sheets and information packs for parents, teenagers and teachers. It also has information about relevant research.
Helpline: 0208 880 6590
Email: info@stammering.org
Sibs supports people who grow up with or have grown up with a disabled brother or sister. It is the only UK charity representing the needs of over half a million young siblings and over one and a half million adult siblings.
Siblings have a lifelong need for information, they often experience social and emotional isolation, and have to cope with difficult situations. They also want to have positive relationships with their disabled brothers and sisters and to be able to choose the role they play in future care and support.
Sibs offers information and support to parents, adult and young siblings, from support groups and workshops to a range of topic based information and top tips like coping with feelings, relationships, sibling rivalry, bereavement and giving attention.
Family Fund offers financial help and grants for families with children with additional needs.
Telephone: 0845 130 4542
Get advice or information about Disability Living Allowance, Attendance Allowance or Personal Independence Payment.
The DisabledGo website provides detailed access information to thousands of venues across the UK and the Republic of Ireland: shops, pubs, restaurants, cinemas, theatres, railway stations, hotels, universities, hospitals and more.
The team work on behalf of Local Authorities, top Universities, NHS Trusts and private sector organisations to publish detailed access information on well over 125,000 places of interest across the UK and the Republic of Ireland.
They also have a number of prominent strategic partnerships, particularly in the travel and tourism sector, with organisations such as Visit England, Visit London (London & Partners / Greater London Authority), Tourism For All and Open Britain.