Support from The Pixel Fund will play a key role in the running of YoungMinds Parents Helpline, which exists to support thousands of families in the UK every year with free, confidential online and telephone advice. It is a two-tier service, free to callers, through which our team of advisers provide reassurance and practical advice to parents and carers who are worried about the mental health and emotional wellbeing or behaviour of a child or young person.
When parents call the helpline they are listened to and advised by our trained advisers and volunteers. If parents need more help for a particularly complex problem they can receive a 50 minute call-back with a mental health professional, guaranteed within 7 days. Given that access to professional help can take months, or even years, this is a life-line for parents of young people experiencing more severe problems.
Sadly, most parents have already tried to get information and advice, or been referred to CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services) before calling the helpline but have faced problems accessing and navigating services for their children. The main symptoms that parents tell us their children and young people are experiencing are anxiety, depression, violence and aggression, and self-harm. Many parents feel isolated and unable to speak to someone about their child’s mental health because of the stigma surrounding this subject.
We know that the Helpline can dramatically change the lives of families who are in desperate need of support. 95% of parents tell us their needs are met during a Helpline call. They tell us they feel empowered to help their child; 77% of parents say that they changed their approach to their child’s behaviour or symptoms after speaking with a member of the Parents Helpline Team.
“Thank you so much - I really, really appreciate your time, service and advice - you have made a massively positive difference to our family and in particular to our son.”
At a time when young people and their families can face 6 months of waiting for a first appointment on the NHS, and 10 months to the start of treatment, The Pixel Fund’s generous support is invaluable in helping us empower families to address their children’s mental health, and in turn help them avoid a lifetime of hardship, isolation, and long-term effects that we know go hand in hand with mental health problems.
On behalf of YoungMinds