For Children’s Mental Health Week, we thought it would be helpful to collate a list of support services in Cambridgeshire.
When you are looking for mental health support for your child, the volume of information on the internet can be overwhelming. You are also probably aware that waiting lists for CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services) are extremely long.
We know that if your child is struggling with their mental health it is important they receive help early. Not only does early help prevent matters from escalating, but it means they can start to enjoy life again.
We strongly believe everyone deserves a happy childhood.
Start here
Centre 33 and H.A.Y Peterborough are fantastic sources of support and advice, especially if you don’t know where to start.
Centre 33
Centre 33 provides mental health support for children and young people in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. They offer free, confidential advice and support. If their counsellors cannot meet your child’s needs, they will point you in the right direction. If they think your child needs specialist help (for example, if your child has an eating disorder) they will signpost you to the right place.
You can chat to them on the phone, by email or text, or visit them at one of their local centres.
H.A.Y Peterborough! (covers the whole of Cambridgeshire)
H.A.Y Peterborough is a fantastic online resource that lists sources of mental health support and activities in Cambridgeshire. They provide a comprehensive map of the organisations in Cambridgeshire that support children’s mental health.
More local services
Blue Smile
Blue Smile’s experienced and skilled therapists provide counselling and fun, art-based therapies for children aged 3-13.
Cogwheel Counselling
The Cogwheel Trust provide counselling for children and families in Cambridge. Children’s counselling takes place in a family friendly room where toys and arts and crafts may be used to express feelings.
This service aims to be affordable, but it is not free. People are asked to make a ‘regular financial contribution’ towards their counselling.
Froglife’s Green Pathways
Froglife’s Green Pathways, based in Peterborough and the Fenlands, supports the mental health of vulnerable young people and children through activities linked to conservation.
By participating in activities young people not only build knowledge of conservation and wildlife but grow in confidence and develop social skills. This is a free, charity-run initiative.
Getting out in nature has so many mental health benefits, please see World Wildlife Day nature activities for children for ideas.
Kooth
Kooth is an online mental health service for 11-18 year olds in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. They provide free, confidential online support through discussion boards and live chat. Watch their video to find out more.
Mind
Mind is a national charity but they provide local services. Like Centre 33, they can tell you where to find the right support for your child.
The Young People’s Counselling Service
This free counselling service is available to children and young people in the Fenlands, Huntingdonshire and Peterborough. Young people can refer themselves for counselling or they can be referred by their parent, school or a healthcare professional.
Young Minds Crisis Messenger
Young Minds is a national mental health charity, but we are including it here because it provides accessible, fast support for young people. Young people can text 85258 at any time, to talk about how they are feeling.
Emergency help
If your child is in immediate danger of self-harm or suicide, then these are the emergency numbers to call.
NHS – First Response Service
In a mental health emergency, you can ring 111 and select option 2. You will then be transferred to the First Response Service who will address your child’s immediate needs. This emergency service is available 7 days a week, 24/7.
Samaritans
Samaritans’ trained volunteers provide emergency assistance 7 days a week 24/7. Please call 116 123.
Lifeline
This is a free mental health helpline for people in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. Trained volunteers are available from 11am – 11pm every day on 0808 808 2121.
Get involved in Children’s Mental Health Week
The theme of Children’s Mental Health this year is Let’s Connect. We all know that social connections with family and friends are important for mental wellbeing.
If you want to get involved in Children’s Mental Health Week, or find out how you can best support your child we recommend having a look these free, downloadable resources.