NHS emoji service for worried young
NEW MENTAL HEALTH ADVICE WEBSITE LAUNCHED
FOR a generation who grew up online, tapping out emojis is like second nature.
And in times of distress, some teenagers prefer to seek help online rather than in person.
That is why the NHS in Newcastle and Gateshead have signed up for an online mental health service for young people called “Kooth”.
Young people aged between 11 and 19 can sign up for the service. They can be anonymous on the site, and must only say where they live and their month and year of birth to get access.
When the young person logs in they are presented with a news feed of articles, some written by other young people who are going through similar things and some written by the professionals at Kooth. Over time this will adapt and become tailored to the individual based on what issues they are facing. Currently, in the North of England, the most “favourited” topic is depression. Every time the young person logs in they are asked to express how they are feeling using a range of emojis which are then analysed by counsellors. Professional counsellors are available on kooth. com from noon to 10pm on weekdays and 6pm until 10pm at weekends. The confidential service offers both drop-in and booked online chats with psychotherapists and counsellors. There are also forums where young people can offer advice and support one another.
Nothing is published on the site without being checked over by a professional working for Kooth first, which means there can be no online bullying and the forums are a safe space for young people to talk.