New support service for young people launched

A NEW online counselling and wellbeing support service for young people in Mid and West Wales has been launched by Hywel Dda University Health Board.

The Specialist Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (S-CAMHS) has commissioned Kooth, an awardwinning online counselling service, and is accredited by the British Association of Psychotherapy and Counselling.

Following a referral from S-CAMHS, young people aged between 11 and 18 will now be able to access online counselling.

Kooth provides a blended approach of online counselling, support and advice to young people, which is free, safe and anonymous and is run by friendly counsellors.

Experienced counsellors will be available for virtual drop-in or bookable chat sessions from 12 noon until 10pm on weekdays, and from 6pm until 10pm on weekends.

Leaflets are available in English and Welsh and the service is currently recruiting Welsh-speaking counsellors.

There are no thresholds or barriers for young people on receiving help.

Angela Lodwick, head of S-CAMHS at the health board, said: “We welcome this new digital online counselling service to complement and support the range of S-CAMHS services available for young people as part of the ongoing commitment to improving local mental health services.”

Dr Lynne Green, Kooth chief clinical officer, added: “We’re delighted that 11 to 18-year-olds will now be able to benefit from Kooth’s services.”