Struggling to know where to go for support?
The team at Healthwatch Southampton has compiled this information based on services recommended by local families, NHS and charitable organisations.
This document was produced in September 2019 and is a snapshot of available support compiled from a number of sources. There may be other support available too, so ask at your child’s school, college, GP or other health, care and community organisations. You can contact the Southampton services mentioned below including Solent Mind or Healthwatch Southampton.
If you think there is something missing from this list, or it needs changing, please let us know!
Call us: 023 8021 6018
Email us: healthwatch@southamptonvs.org.uk
Check out our website: www.healthwatchsouthampton.co.uk
__________________________________________________________________________________
SUPPORT FROM YOUR DOCTOR
If you are a young person or family member and are worried about how you/they are feeling, go to your GP. If your GP thinks appropriate, he or she can make referrals to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services and also to the Family Navigator service, which will tell you about what else is available locally.
CRISIS SUPPORT
If you need immediate help, you may need to go to the Emergency Department at your local hospital or call 999. NHS 111 is also available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to provide medical help or health information.
SAMARITANS
In a crisis? For urgent support, national charity Samaritans is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Call: 116 123. https://www.samaritans.org/
Or you can email Jo@samaritans.org (expect a response within 24 hours).
CHILDLINE
Childline is available to all young people. It has someone on the end of the phone if you want to talk about problems any time of day 0800 1111. https://www.childline.org.uk/
SOUTHAMPTON SUPPORT
SOLENT NHS Trust
Solent NHS Trust provides a range of child and family support in Southampton, including CAMHS, which is Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services.
https://what0-18.nhs.uk/solent
Solent Pulse – text service
For parents, carers and young people who want to text a nurse in confidence – response within 24 hours https://what0-18.nhs.uk/solent/solent-pulse
Autism Telephone Helpline and Friday Group
Autism Support Line is open to parents who are not currently being supported through Southampton Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) tel 0300 123 6661 Mon-Fri 9am-5pm. If you are already being supported by CAMHS, please contact your case holder or behaviour helpline.
For families that are waiting for a diagnosis, there is an Autism Spectrum Disorder drop in clinic for parents, every Friday morning during term time 9.30am-12.30pm. This offers parents the opportunity to meet other parents and bring any concerns to raise with staff who can offer support and practical advice on a range of topics.
SOLENT MIND
A local mental health charity, offering a range of support services in the Solent area, including the HeadsUp, Youth Affinity and talking therapies services which operates in Southampton.
https://www.solentmind.org.uk/our-services/children-young-people/
If you live in Hampshire, Solent Mind also provides italk https://www.italk.org.uk/, a talking therapy service offering face to face, over the phone or online support in Hampshire. The free service is available to those over the age of 16, through GP or self-referral.
NO LIMITS
A Southampton-based youth charity offers support:
• Call No Limits on 02380 224224
• Email enquiries@nolimitshelp.org.uk
• Children and young people can attend No Limit’s Advice Centre 13 High Street, Southampton SO14 2DF (near Lidl, just below the Bargate). This is open Mondays – Saturdays. There is no need to make an appointment – https://nolimitshelp.org.uk/get-help/advice-centre/
• Help for parents https://nolimitshelp.org.uk/get-help/help-for-parents/
RE:MINDS
A Southampton-based parent led support group for families of children with autism or mental health issues. Meets regularly at St James Methodist Church, Southampton. http://reminds.org.uk
Re:minds has an online closed Facebook group, which you parents or carers can join anytime. https://www.facebook.com/groups/ReMinds/?ref=br_rs
As well as their regularly pop ins and programme of speakers, Re:minds has a Transition to Adult group and an online group for families whose children have experienced in-patient admissions to psychiatric hospital.
BUZZ NETWORK
The Buzz Network is a group for Southampton Parents/Carers of Children and young people with a disability or additional needs. http://sid.southampton.gov.uk/kb5/southampton/directory/service.page?id=0ovhp5ztIRo&localofferchannel=0
SOUTH HAMPSHIRE BRANCH – NATIONAL AUTISTIC SOCIETY
The South Hampshire Branch is a self-funded branch of the National Autistic Society. It supports individuals, families and professionals in Southern Hampshire and beyond, welcoming anyone for whom our group may be a helpful resource. It is run entirely by volunteers. There are an increasing number of people with autism, including Asperger syndrome, in the local area. The branch can help in a number of ways. http://www.shantsnas.org.uk/
AUTISM HAMPSHIRE
Autism Hampshire develops and delivers services that meet the diverse need of people on the autism spectrum in Hampshire and the surrounding area. It provides a wide range of services to support people and their families/carers in their autism journey. https://www.autismhampshire.org.uk/
Autism Hampshire recently* launched some free online training to help people understand autism and implement practical strategies. https://www.autismhampshire.org.uk/news-events/free-e-learning-autism-training
*Launched October 2019
SOUTHAMPTON PARENT CARER FORUM
The Southampton Parent Carer Forum is a friendly group of parent carers who have children and young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities aged 0-25 years. http://www.sotonpcf.org.uk
CARERS IN SOUTHAMPTON
Offers a range of support https://www.carersinsouthampton.co.uk including this group:
Aspie Helping Hands Evening group In Southampton
Free Service Support Group for Parents/Carers of Children with Autism. A support group for parents and carers with a child/children on the autistic spectrum the group is run by parents whose children are in primary and secondary school. They meet once a month at Saint Annes School, Carlton Road, Southampton SO15 2WZ https://www.carersinsouthampton.co.uk/aspie-helping-hands-evening-group-in-southampton
SOUTHAMPTON INFORMATION AND ADVICE AND SUPPORT SERVICE (SENDIASS)
The Southampton Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Information Advice and Support Service (IASS) aims to empower children and young people with special educational needs/disabilities and their parents/carers to make informed decisions about education, health and social care. https://www.southamptonsendiass.info/
ASPERGERS ADVENTURES – MINECRAFT AND MELTDOWNS
A Southampton-based parent led group where everyone can share the magic and mayhem of autism and help others through an online closed Facebook group. https://www.facebook.com/groups/aspergers.adventures/
OTHER SUPPORT
SID You will find other information on the Southampton Information Directory http://sid.southampton.gov.uk/kb5/southampton/directory/family.page?familychannel=0
Hampshire based training courses include:
• Alex Kelly offers support around speech therapy, social and communication skills http://alexkelly.biz/
NATIONAL SUPPORT
Here is a selection of places that offer support, that operate across the UK:
YOUNG MINDS
A national mental health charity which provides information and support about mental health issues in young people. https://youngminds.org.uk
Text the YoungMinds Crisis Messenger, for free 24/7 support across the UK if you are experiencing a mental health crisis. Text YM to 85258
Young Minds also has a dedicated parents’ helpline, which you can call to talk through any of your worries. Tel: 0808 802 5544.
NATIONAL SELF-HARM NETWORK
Provides advice to young people who self-harm and their families with an online forum http://www.nshn.co.uk/
FAMILY LIVES
A national family support charity https://www.familylives.org.uk/
The Zero Suicide Alliance offers a range of services including free suicide prevention training https://zerosuicidealliance.com/
HERE ARE SOME RESOURCES AIMED PARTICULARLY AT YOUNG PEOPLE
Epic Friends is all about helping you to help your friends who might be struggling to cope emotionally http://epicfriends.co.uk/
Calm Harm – The urge to self-harm is like a wave. It feels the most powerful when you start wanting to do it. Learn to ride the wave with the free Calm Harm app https://calmharm.co.uk/
Disrespect Nobody is about healthy relationships https://www.disrespectnobody.co.uk/
stem4 is a teenage mental health charity aimed at improving teenage mental health by stemming commonly occurring mental health issues at an early stage. https://stem4.org.uk/addiction/4-friends/
Some young people find mental health comics helpful. Here is one example: http://hyperboleandahalf.blogspot.com/