I have been regularly told by young people and their parents how difficult it is to know how to get help with emotional wellbeing and mental health. I am pleased that earlier this month the Single Point of Access was launched to help children and young people receive emotional wellbeing and mental health support.
The Single Point of Access will provide a simpler single route so children, young people, carers and professionals can be directed to the right service. This will eliminate the need for referrals to multiple services. The scheme is being led by Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust’s Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service and delivered in partnership with West Sussex County Council’s Youth Emotional Support Service (YES) and YMCA Dialogue. The Single Point of Access will also be able to refer out to other services that may have specialist help and support, such as Allsorts Youth Project and Winston’s Wish.
The service will accept referrals for children and young people from the age of four up until a young person’s 18th birthday, who are registered with a West Sussex GP. More information about the single point of access, including how to refer, can be found here: https://e-wellbeing.co.uk/support
I am delighted that the difficult referral process is being simplified but I remain dedicated to ensuring a mental health hub for young people is delivered in Horsham and over recent weeks have had very constructive meetings. I am continuing to push for the hub to be opened as soon as possible.
