Mental health and wellbeing support for our young people
We are all experiencing unprecedented times due to the Coronavirus pandemic, and we acknowledge that this may have an impact on the wellbeing of the people we all have a responsibility to protect. Young people in particular may feel that they have lost many of their coping mechanisms, including contact with friends or routines that help them to manage their conditions and some may be suffering with anxiety for the first time.
It is important that young people do not feel alone during this time and indeed at any other. There are people who can help and who they can talk to. Select this link for helplines and websites which will provide information and support.
The Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) is still “open for business”
CAMHS is a team of professionals with different backgrounds, skills and training relevant to the mental health and emotional wellbeing of children and young people.
They provide support to children and young people and their families in a number of ways, including talking therapies like cognitive behavioural therapy, group therapies and family therapy.
Referrals to CAMHS can come from a range of professionals including GPs, Children’s Services and Paediatrics.
The service is still accepting referrals as per usual referral pathways. Due to COVID 19, assessments are temporarily being carried out via telephone consultations/Zoom social media platform, and when absolutely necessary (due to risk) face to face clinic appointments.
Should your child need to be seen within a clinic setting, PPE (personal protective equipment) will be provided and there are safe systems in place to minimise risk of infection.
For further information, please select this link.
Counselling Service for Young People
Eye to Eye Young People's counselling service is planning to continue to deliver counselling to young people in RCT during the Covid 19 outbreak.
All its counsellors will be offering online counselling through face-to-face and text chat to young people aged 11 to 25 years. These young people will need access to the internet and a quiet confidential place to talk.
Referrals can be made between 11am and 3pm:
RCT's Youth Enagagement and Participation Service
Despite the restrictions upon us due to Coronavirus, leaving almost everything temporarily closed, RCT's Youth and Enagagement Service is still available for support, advice, guidance and even activities and fun - alebeit virtually.
Select this link to see everything YEPS is offering over the coming months and how you can get support when you really need it.
New Horizons are operating a Coronovirus Mental Health Signposting Helpline for all ages. For details, select this link.
Report a Concern
To report concerns about a child in RCT call:
01443 425 006
To report concerns about an adult at risk in RCT call:
01443 425 003
To report concerns in Merthyr Tydfil call:
01685 725 000
To report concerns about adults at risk in Bridgend call:
01656 642477
To report concerns about children at risk in Bridgend call:
01656 642320
Emergency Out of hours contact number:
01443 743 665
More Information