The NHS across the county has been working with young people and local partners to develop a mental health support finder to help those up to 25 years of age to easily access support, help and resources to feel more in control of their journey.

We know that the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the lives of children and young people across Gloucestershire and that some young people will be dealing with multiple pressures during this time.

The One Gloucestershire partnership, made up of NHS Gloucestershire Clinical Commissioning Group, Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust and Gloucestershire County Council has worked alongside voluntary sector organisations, children and young people and other health and social care stakeholders to co-produce the On Your Mind Glos (OYMG) website. The site will provide easy to access support information from Monday 7th February to coincide with Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week.

The website comprises a mental health support finder that can be accessed by the site or by text, a directory of trusted local mental health services, self-referral access to many NHS services in the county as well as self-help resources.

The information and approach has been shaped and informed by extensive research and testing with children and young people over the past 12 months.

To access On Your Mind Glos head to www.onyourmindglos.nhs.uk or text 07984 404388.

Helen Ford – Programme Director, Integrated Commissioning, NHS Gloucestershire CCG:
“We know that asking for help with mental health can be a challenging first step, and this is why we have created the site. The support finder and text support options makes this easier by asking a series of questions which guides children and young people with the support options available to help.
“The site will be further developed using feedback from children and young people who use it and we hope that it will prove a useful resource for years to come.”

Mel Harrison- Service Director, Integrated CYPS Directorate, Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust:
“We are really looking forward to sharing this with children and young people who may be finding things particularly tough at the moment to get them the support they need.

“The website is much more than just a support finder and has lots of information about the different kinds of mental health conditions and symptoms as well as information about the support we provide in the NHS such as CAMHS, Young Minds Matter and School Nursing. It also provides lots of really useful information about the support provided by TicPlus and Young Gloucestershire and other organisation that work with us to support children and young people locally”.

As part of the launch of the site on Monday 7th February as part of Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week, toolkits are being sent to over 300 primary and secondary schools and colleges across the county containing both printed and digital resources to promote the support available.

Fiona Quan- Lead for Health and Wellbeing (Education and Learning) Services for Children and Young People, Gloucestershire County Council:
“On Your Mind Glos can provide young people, parents and carers, as well as education professionals, with trusted, up-to-date information about self-help resources available in Gloucestershire and how to access mental health support, and we would encourage anyone who may be feeling the pressure at the moment, or know a child or young person under the age of 25 who needs support, to visit www.onyourmindglos.nhs.uk

TIC+, Judith Bell – Director of Clinical Services:
“At TIC+ we know how hard it can be for young people who are struggling with their mental health, are worried or anxious and aren’t sure where to turn. There’s lots of support out there and at the start of Children’s Mental Health week, we welcome the launch of this new website which will help young people be able to understand all their options and find the support that is best for them. We are really proud to have been able to collaborate in the development of the new On Your Mind Glos website, which puts children and young people in control of their choices and journey.”

Tracy Clark- CEO, Young Gloucestershire:
“Young people’s mental health in Gloucestershire is important to us all, it has been great to partner with VCSE and statutory services to ensure young people can find access to the help they need in the easiest way possible”

The One Gloucestershire team have also developed an educational animation video to explain what’s available on the OYMG site as well as social media posts and creative designs created by young people.