YMCA Exeter is offering early intervention support to young people, their parents and carers, to address emerging mental health concerns as recent data shows that roughly three children in every classroom have a diagnosable mental health condition.
As Covid-19 pandemic sees rise in fear of long-term mental health impact on children and young people, YMCA Exeter is calling on parents and carers to not face this alone.
YMCA Exeter is offering a free wellbeing service for 5-18 year old’s experiencing low level mental health difficulties, including low-mood, anxiety, stress, phobias, sleep problems and OCD. The service, which uses cognitive behavioural therapy techniques and goal setting, is proven to build up emotional wellbeing and resilience in service users and their families.
Gareth Sorsby, Joint CEO of YMCA Exeter, says:
“If your child or young person is feeling overly worried or anxious, withdrawing or unusually unhappy, we would love to hear from you. Now is not the time to face these concerns alone.
“The service we offer, with up to 12 sessions over phone or video call with a Wellbeing practitioner (in training), is incredibly empowering for parents and participants. The recovery rates are proven to be much higher with earlier targeted intervention.”
In a survey by YoungMinds published a few weeks ago, “67% of respondents agreed that they are concerned about the long-term impact of the coronavirus on their child’s mental health.”
In 2016 the Government set out it’s five-year plan to improve mental health services across the UK, ensuring that “by 2020/21, there will be a significant expansion in access to high-quality mental health care for children and young people.”
Mental health intervention is crucial for young people to thrive, especially during this unprecedented season with children facing an increase in challenges, from trauma to lack of security and access to social networks.
YMCA Exeter is committed to help deliver this national government-led programme, helping children and young people build resilience so they can cope during mental health challenges and experience fullness of life in the future.
The University of Exeter is partnered with YMCA Exeter to provide clinical expertise to deliver this nationally recognised wellbeing service.
Indiana Montaque, Lecturer at University of Exeter and Wellbeing practitioner, says:
“I would highly recommend this wellbeing service to any guardian with concerns about their child or young person’s mental health. It teaches real life skills and helps service users on their wider journey to wellbeing.”
