
Published: Friday, 31st January 2025
We are supporting national Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week, which runs from Monday, 3 February to Sunday, 9 February.
This year’s theme is ‘Know Yourself, Grow Yourself’ and the council is reminding residents of the tools and support services available to children and young people to support their mental health and wellbeing.
In support of the awareness week, we will also be holding our annual Schools Mental Health event raising awareness of mental health and supporting children to learn valuable skills to support them.
Our services and some of Medway’s Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise organisations will be at the event running educational workshops and showing them the support and help that is on offer.
The event will explore this year’s theme and will look to support children and young people understand themselves and their feelings.
Those attending will also be able to take part in other fun workshops and activities, including NERF battles, a silent disco and an animal-based workshop ‘creepy claws’.
Medway has a range of in person and online support for children and young people, including Kooth and B.R.A.V.E.
Kooth is an online service which offers mental health and wellbeing support for young people aged between 10 and 25-years-old. Children and young people can use the instant messaging service to access counsellors, join drop-in sessions or schedule a session. They are also able to read and contribute to articles about mental health, access peer support through moderated forums and use the online journals and goal trackers to support their wellbeing.
B.R.A.V.E is a new service which provides short-term one-to-one or group therapy for those experiencing low mood, anxiety of self-harming behaviours. These sessions are available both in person or online and can be accessed by those aged between five and 18-years-old, or up to 25-years-old for care leavers or those with special educational needs.
B.R.A.V.E also offers targeted workshops for young people, parents and carers and working professionals.
As well as support tailored to children and young people, residents of all ages can access support in Medway. Anyone who is feeling distressed, anxious or down can call use the Release the Pressure service to speak to highly trained support workers who will provide emotional guidance and information.
Release the Pressure is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can call on 0800 107 0160, or text the word “Shout” TO 85258 to access the support on offer. Texts are free on all major mobile networks.
Reach out to get the help and support you need
Cllr Teresa Murray, Medway Council’s Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Public Health, said: “It is critical that everyone knows there is help and support out there if they are going through a tough time, and this is especially important when considering our children and young people.
“Life can be complicated and we all face challenges, but knowing that there are people out there who care and want to help can make the world of difference. Whether you are a child, young person or adult, if you are struggling to cope please reach out to get the help and support you need.”