Health and Care Portsmouth’s mental health guidance for young people has proven popular, with the information being viewed over 5,000 times since it launched in January 2022.
The Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) guidance provides families, professionals, and young people themselves with information and advice on looking after a young person’s mental health. This includes information on identifying social, emotional and mental health issues, and advice on where, how and when to get support from services.
The guidance is aimed at young people aged 5-16 and covers a variety of mental health problems, including anxiety, depression, eating difficulties and trauma.
As well as providing detailed information, quick guides are available to make the information as accessible as possible.
Cllr Matthew Winnington, Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Social Care at Portsmouth City Council, said, “It’s great to hear that residents and professionals are using our SEMH guidance, and I hope this helps children and young people to get the right support they need, at the right time.”
Local parent Amy used the guidance to help find support for her child. Amy shared, “We have been struggling with where to go for help to find support for our child who is showing signs of anxiety.
“We found the quick guides really helpful with knowing where to go. It reassured us that we were taking the right steps and we found the guidance quick and easy to use, which when you’re stressed, means it’s easier to understand.”
The guidance can be found at: www.portsmouth.gov.uk/SEMHguidance.