New website to be launched to help young people access mental health services in North Yorkshire

A
new website is set to be launched this autumn, dedicated to helping children
and young people find mental health support in North Yorkshire.

The
new website will be a portal or ‘single point of information’ for the many
mental health support services offered by different agencies in the county.

It
is being developed by NHS Hambleton, Richmondshire and Whitby CCG on behalf of
North Yorkshire County Council and neighbouring CCGs (NHS Airedale, Wharfedale
and Craven CCG, NHS Harrogate and Rural District CCG, NHS Scarborough and
Ryedale CCG and NHS Vale of York CCG) and will promote services within the
existing North Yorkshire County Council boundary.

Young
people from North Yorkshire Young Minds Combined – a group made up of
representatives from the City of York Youth Council, The North Yorkshire Youth
Commission, Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust’s NHS Youth Forum, Show
Me That I Matter (York’s Children in Care Council) and the North Yorkshire
Youth Voice Executive – are also helping to design the new website and will
decide on what it is called.

It’s
thought around one in three young people suffer mental health troubles. North
Yorkshire County Council and clinical commissioning groups in York and North
Yorkshire are committed to supporting young people and young people’s mental
health.

County
Councillor Janet Sanderson, Executive Member for the Children and Young
People’s Service, said: “Supporting the mental health and wellbeing of North
Yorkshire’s young people is a priority for our services. We therefore welcome
this initiative and the fact young people themselves will be involved in the
design and the name of the website.”

NHS
Scarborough and Ryedale CCG Associate Chair and the clinical lead for mental
health in North Yorkshire, Dr Peter Billingsley, said: “Mental health services
for children and young people are delivered by a range of different organisations
in North Yorkshire and York. We know it can sometimes be difficult for a young
person to find the right help.

“This
website will signpost a young person to the most appropriate support and will
have lots of useful tips and information to help a young person cope with
stress or anxiety.”

Jason
Parkinson, Chair of the North Yorkshire Youth Voice Executive, added: “Having
suffered myself and known many other young people who have suffered with mental
health issues, I know how hard it can be to find the right support in the vast
web of different services available for young people.

“This
website will offer an accessible way for young people to find the right support
for themselves and their own needs without having to go through endless
referrals and conflicting advice.”

As well as help and advice for young people, the
new website – due to be launched in September – will have resources to support
parents and carers. It will also contain a section for GPs and other
professionals who work with children and young people.