Mental health is something that can affect everyone, no matter what your age or background is. If you are experiencing difficulties with your mental well being, you might not even realise it yourself – it can come in many shapes and sizes, including:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Using drugs and alcohol
- Obsessions and compulsions
- Self-harm
- Eating disorders e.g. anorexia
- Emotional and Behavioural difficulties in children with Learning Disabilities
- Psychosis
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
There are lots of reasons for these issues, such as problems at home, including drugs and alcohol; difficulty making and keeping friends; you’re being bullied; money worries or pressure to perform at school, college or university.
In Sefton, you can find help to improve your situation – you don’t have to go it alone. If you’re stuck and don’t know where to begin, try the following services:
FRESH CAMHS
If you are age 18 years or under, FRESH CAMHS is Alder Hey’s website designed especially for you. It starts with your emotions as a way to find the help and support that suits you as you improve your mental well-being.
Alder Hey CAMHS are responsible for children and young people’s mental health services in Sefton. Their experts at work with you, your parents and your carers to make sure you get right help.
CAMHS stands for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services. Find out more at the FRESH CAMHS website
Be heard and seen when it comes to mental health
In Sefton young people are leading the way when it comes to raising awareness about mental issues affecting them and their peers.
Sefton’s Chameleons work with Alder Hey to champion good mental health for young people just like them. They speak to fellow young people and the movers and shakers who make the big decisions to make sure mental health is being talked about worked on in the right way. Their voice is a powerful one, with a lot of success so far, which includes:
Working with youth workers from Sefton CVS, local young people created Red Ties, a mini-drama about self-harm, from spotting the signs to feeling the impact.
*Please note, if you struggle with self-harm this video may cause triggers, if so, please visit the useful websites below for support.
Well Young Person Project
The Well Young Person Project’s motto is “No health without mental health”.
They will give you one-to-one advice and practical support to address the issues that mean you experience poor mental health. They do this through lots of different activities, whether helping you to cope with bullying, deal with your anxiety, form better relationships with other young people, address your own poor behaviour and everything in-between.
You cannot refer to the Well Young Person Project directly, so please speak to a teacher at your school, who will contact the Well Young Person project on your behalf.
Useful websites
Young Minds provide information about mental health and emotional well-being. Visit the Young Minds website, where you will find real-life stories, advice about coping with common mental health issues and links to organisations to help you to recovery.
The NHS provide useful support information regarding mental health and well being. T find out more, visit the NHS website
If you are suicidal in any way, Samaritans give you time and space to talk through your problems and help you to choose a path away from suicide. You can call them free on 116 123 or find alternative contact methods at when you visit the Samaritans website
Childline will help you to deal with your emotions and will give you all of the time and patience you need. As well as calling them on 0800 11 11 you can find a wide range of useful support info on the Childline website