Mental health support project launch for children

A project offering mental health support for children and young people has been launched.
The project will give young people specialist supportThe project will give young people specialist support
The project will give young people specialist support

The Specialist Health and Resilient Environment (SHARE) is a joint partnership between Wigan Council and 5 Boroughs Partnership NHS Foundation Trust which gives children and young people specialist support at a time when they have significant mental health concerns such as self-harming or thoughts about taking their own life.

As part of the project a dedicated home, which is registered with Ofsted, has been created with bedrooms that allow young people a place to stay for up to 72 hours with staff on hand 24 hours a day to offer support.

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It also offers them space to go and get advice and a place to talk to staff when they need it.

SHARE works with young people aged from 11 to 17 over a period of at least 12 weeks including support for their family and access to psychiatry and psychological services.

The service is backed up by a team which includes a registered manager, clinical psychologist, advanced mental health practitioners, social workers, key workers and support workers.

As part of the launch Total Rethink, a youth group dedicated to mental health, created a piece of artwork which is now on display at the house in Worsley Hall, Wigan.

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Coun Jo Platt, portfolio holder for children and young people, said: “Everyone goes through difficult times in their life and that includes our young people who can face stresses from things such as exams, bullying and problems with friends and families. But we are here as a council to support them and let them know they are not alone.

“SHARE is a perfect example of how, along with our partners at 5 Boroughs Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, we can make a difference to young people who are in need of help.”

Ian Stirton-Cook, 5 Boroughs Partnership NHS Foundation Trust’s head of urgent response, said: “This is an exciting time in the evolution of mental health care in Wigan.

“SHARE will provide young people with a safe place to go when they are most in need, as well as access to professional support and advice to help them and their families to understand and manage the symptoms they are experiencing.

“As Wigan’s mental health provider, we are committed to working with local people to make sure we get the right support, to the right people, at the right time, and in the right place.”