Support & Advice in Hertfordshire
Suport and Advice for Young People
Herts Mind Network have a helpline for children and young people aged 10-17 and a Young People’s online group for those over 15. The helpline provides a safe, non-judgemental space to talk to a Young People Advisor or Mentor who will provide emotional support, advice and information and discuss coping strategies. The helpline number is 01923 256391. For more information, visit the Herts Mind Network website.
Chat Health is a text messaging service for all secondary school aged pupils in Hertfordshire, run by the school nursing team. It is a confidential service and available Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm. Young people can message for advice on all kinds of health issues such as sexual health, emotional health and wellbeing, bullying, healthy eating and any general health concerns. The team can also provide 1:1 support for emotional health and wellbeing and other health-related issues. The text number is: 07480 635050. Secondary school pupils can also follow the School Nurse Team on Instagram @teenhealth.hct.
Kooth is an online counselling service for anyone aged 10-25 in Hertfordshire. You can access a chat / messenger service, discussion boards, goal setting tools, a journal and a magazine. The website is moderated by trained professionals. You need to register but it is anonymous.
The Health for Teens website has lots of local information and advice for young people in Hertfordshire.
YC Hertfordshire Services for Young People provides youth work, information, advice, guidance, work-related learning and support for young people. You can contact a Youth Worker or Personal Adviser for one to one and project group work support by calling 0300 123 7538, emailing yc@hertfordshire.gov.uk or visit their site here
If you are experiencing mental health difficulties that are significantly interfering with your ability to do the things you normally do, please contact (or ask your parents or carers to) Hertfordshire Partnership Foundation Trust Single Point of Access 0800 6444 101. This line is open 24/7 and can direct your enquiry to a number of specialist services depending on your needs.
The Wellbeing Service offers short term support to people that are 16 or over with mild to moderate mental health issues such as depression and anxiety. You can visit their website for more information about the service and to self-refer.
There are four community counselling organisations covering Hertfordshire:
YCT (East and North Herts)
Telephone 01279 414 090
Youth Talk (St Albans)
Telephone 01727 868684
Rephael House (Welwyn and Hatfield)
Telephone 020 8440 9144
Signpost (Watford and Hemel areas)
Telephone 01923 239495
The School Nursing Team can also provide some support around emotional difficulties and parents can refer directly from this page: You can read more about the School Nursing Team here or watch a short animation about how a school nurse can support you here.
Information sheet on how to stay positive & Healthy during coronavirus
Suport and Advice for Parents
For advice about when to be concerned about your child's mental health click here
For advice on supporting your child's mental health click here and here
To learn how to speak to your child about mental health click here.
Want to know what to do in a crisis? Click here
Where to go for support (as a parent of a child with mental health and wellbeing difficulties) click here and here
Where to get help for your own mental health and wellbeing. Click here
Young Minds have some great resources for parents who are worried about a child or young person's behaviour or mental health. Click here to access them.
Supporting your child through Coronovirus