Kooth provides a safe, secure means of accessing help about any subject that matters to you via the internet. New services are available online to support 10-18 year olds.

• Beat Eating Disorders - UK-based charity providing support and guidance to anyone affected by eating disorders and their loved ones.
• Chat Health - secondary-aged pupils can text health questions to a Hertfordshire Public Health Nurse on 07480 635050, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.
• Childline - chat with a counsellor online or by telephone on 0800 1111, 24 hours a day.
• Health for Teens - covers a range of health topics for teenagers.
• Togetherall - mental health information and details of support within Hertfordshire.
• Just Talk - talking about mental health for young people, parents and professionals.
• Kooth - free, safe and anonymous online support for young people.
• Mind - mental health information and support.
• Samaritans - free 24/7 emotional support for people of all ages. Call 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.orgjo@samaritans.org.
• The Mix - national support for young people under 25.
• Services for Young People - Hertfordshire information and advice for young people. A document containing useful websites is also available: Where to Find Information.
• Young Minds - national information and advice for young people.
• Spot the Signs - NHS Guidance for Suicide Prevention
• Time to Change - Mental Health Advice
• The OLLIE Foundation - Suicide Prevention Advice
• Hertfordshire County Council Parent and Carer Support
• MindEd - Children's and Young People's Mental Health Resources for Adults
• Anna Freud - National Centre for Children and Families - a mental health charity.
• Zero Suicide Alliance

What Does It Look Like in a Young Person?

1. Sadness or hopelessness
2. Irritability, anger or hostility
3. Tearfulness or frequent crying
4. Withdrawal from friends and family
5. Loss of interest in activities
6. Poor school performance
7. Changes in eating and sleeping habits
8. Restlessness and agitation
9. Feelings of worthlessness and guilt
10. Lack of enthusiasm and motivation
11. Fatigue or lack of energy
12. Difficulty concentrating
13. Unexplained aches and pains
14. Thoughts of death or suicide

What We Do

• Weekly one-to-one mentoring
• Inform parents and carers so they can seek advice from the GP
• Refer to our in-house wellbeing counsellor
• Communicate effectively with parents and carers
• Involve the student in cultural trips and experiences
• Provide hot meals and uniforms
• Praise and reward young people

What You Can Do

• Communicate
• Encourage social connection
• Make physical activity a priority
• Know when to seek professional help
• Offer support
• Take care of yourself and the rest of the family

Dear Parent/Carer,

Please see below the range of services available to support your child throughout the summer and help them look after their mental health and wellbeing:

• Services for Young People offers emotional wellbeing support, programmes and activities during the summer break. View support for young people.
• Herts Mind Network offers messaging and telephone support for young people. View services for young people.
• Chat Health text messaging support is available on weekdays through the school nursing service. Secondary school-aged young people can text physical or mental health questions or concerns to 07480 635 050.
• Kooth provides online support for 10-25 year olds. Visit Kooth.
• Togetherall provides online support for people aged 16 and over, including parents, professionals and Year 13 students. Visit Togetherall.
• Just Talk provides Five Ways to Wellbeing e-learning and information about self-help tools. Visit Just Talk Hertfordshire.
• Single Point of Access provides access to more specialist mental health services. The HPFT freephone 24/7 helpline is 0800 6444 101.

Stand By Me works with bereaved children, young people aged 18 and under, and their families in Hertfordshire.

Further Bereavement Support and Advice

Lumi Nova is partnered with BFB Labs to offer Young People across Hertfordshire free, instant access to Lumi Nova: Tales of Courage, a digital therapy delivered through a fun and engaging mobile game to help 7-12 years olds learn how to manage and reduce symptoms of anxiety whilst building resilience and skills to support them longer term, gain confidence and thrive.

Lumi Nova works best when children are supported by a parent or a trusted adult to complete challenges, especially the real life ones (this can be at home, school or nearby).

It is suitable for:

• 7-12 year olds (who require initial support but are not in crisis)
• Children who have some fears and worries that they find challenging

Instant access to Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) based support:

• CBT is proven to be the most effective treatment for anxiety
• Lumi Nova supports this by safely and gradually increasing exposure in relation to concerns and worries and helping to develop the skills to deal with those concerns and worries
• Getting Access to Lumi Nova:
• Follow the steps below to get instant access to Lumi Nova today:
• Click the “Get Access” button below and complete the sign up form.

• You will receive a text message with a link to get started and will need to complete a short survey. Once complete, you’ll receive another text message with your game key and download link.
• Download the game on a mobile phone or tablet that your child has regular access to. Unlock the game with your game key and don’t share the game key with your child.
• Compatible on iPhones, iPads, most Android devices and Amazon Fire devices (Amazon App Store).Lumi Nova uses Cloud. Which means that each account can be used on up to three devices.
• How it works:
• Lumi Nova has been developed alongside both NHS clinicians and leading academics at the Anxiety & Depression in Young People Clinic based at the University of Reading.
• The young person goes on an exciting intergalactic adventure through space where they explore new planets and collect treasure. As part of the therapy your child/young person will:
• Shortlist 3 goals with you from a list of 15 different goals related to separation anxiety, social anxiety and phobias
• Learn to break down goals into smaller, manageable challenges that gradually get harder
• Complete in-game challenges to help build confidence before tackling real life challenges
• Learn about how our thoughts, feelings and actions affect each other
• Repeat challenges to build resilience and unlock new rewards
• Game play is time limited to support positive screen time
• As this is a therapeutic intervention for young people, the With YOUth team will be in contact with trusted adults after 3-4 weeks of inactivity or if a young person rates high on the anxiety scales during a challenge to offer additional support.
• For children with sensory difficulties or sensory based anxieties, it is recommended that Lumi Nova is used alongside professional support so that reasonable adjustments can be made. Lumi Nova is not suitable for children with severe or complex needs.

Young people are growing up just a few clicks away from the vast world of gaming and gambling, along with the online safety challenges that come with it.

Those in positions of care or influence over children and young people have a unique opportunity to take meaningful action to protect and support them. YGAM support and provide children and young people with the knowledge, tools, and confidence they need to make a real difference.

Through Ygam's free programmes and resources, they help build awareness and resilience, helping to guide young people to thrive in the digital age.

Free training and resources

Inspired by lived experience and grounded in robust evidence, YGAM's unparalleled training bridges the generational knowledge gap between young people and those who support them in navigating their digital lives.

CPD certified, our training is enriched by a comprehensive library of practical resources, building a growing community of individuals dedicated to safeguarding the well-being of future generations.