Emotional wellbeing and mental health support for children and young people

Getting Advice (Universal Level) services and support

Other pages in this section

1. Urgent help if you are in crisis

2. The Thrive Framework and levels of support

3. Getting Advice (Universal Level) services and support

4. Getting Help (Tier 1) services and support

5. Getting More Help (Tier 2) services and support

6. Getting Risk Support (Tier 3) support

7. Online resources and other support

Services and support for families, children and young people

Livewell Southend

Livewell is Southend's health and wellbeing website, providing information and advice and details of local support services.

The website has 3 main sections:

Each section has a range of information pages and directories of local services.

Essex Frontline

Essex Frontline helps frontline workers and the public to:

  • find details of local health and wellbeing services
  • contact services through call-back and referral options

ChatHealth

ChatHealth is a confidential text messaging support service provided by the Southend School Nursing Service.

  • Young people aged 11 to 19 in Southend can text 07520 649895 to confidentially and anonymously contact a School Nurse for advice on mental health, relationships, bullying, self-harm, drugs, alcohol, smoking, sexual health and relationships.
  • Parents/carers of children aged 5 to 19 can text 07507 331884 for support with issues such as growth, emotional wellbeing, sleep, immunisations, and healthy lifestyles.

School Nursing Service and Health Visiting Service

School nursing services are offered to schools and colleges and Electively Home Educated children within Southend.

School Nurses are the lead public health professional for school aged children, taking over from the Health Visitor on the child's fifth birthday.

School Nurses work in partnership with families and other professionals to promote the health of all children and to support children with health needs in the school environment. This includes care planning with schools and parent's to ensure the needs of children with diagnosed conditions are met.

Care packages and services are also offered for other health needs such as weight management, bed wetting, hearing and vision assessments, emotional well-being and transition talks for schools.

Call the team on 01702 534843 or email schoolnursing@southend.gov.uk

Watch a video about support from the School Nursing Service

Universal services and support for schools

Healthy Learning Healthy Lives (HLHL) Programme

Led by Public Health, the Healthy Learning, Healthy Lives (HLHL) Programme has been designed to support and enhance the health and well-being of children and young people across schools in Southend.

Recognising the critical link between health and educational attainment, the programme offers resources, guidance, and an accreditation system to promote healthy learning environments.

For more information or to get involved with the Healthy Learning Healthy Lives Programme, contact healthylearning@southend.gov.uk

Mental Health Support Teams (MHSTs)

Mental Health Support Teams (MHSTs) are a growing NHS service designed to support children and young people with mild to moderate mental health and emotional wellbeing needs in education settings.

The service has 3 core aims:

  • to deliver brief evidence-based interventions to support children and young people with mild-moderate mental health problems
  • to support schools in developing their whole school approach to mental health
  • to provide timely advice to school staff and liaison with external services, to help children and young people to get the right help and stay in education

The service has 4 core principles:

  • MHSTs should be additional to, and integrated with existing support
  • MHSTs should co-produce their approach
  • MHSTs support should be responsive to schools needs not one size fits all
  • children and young people should be able to access appropriate support all year round (not just term time)

The service is currently available in selected schools only. View participating schools.

Watch a video about support from MHSTs

Southend Learning Network (SLN)

An online directory for schools on national and local services to support the emotional well-being of children and young people.

View the Emotional Health and Wellbeing offer for schools.

My Happy Mind

My Happy Mind is a public health funded two‑year pilot programme for selected schools from 2026 to 2028, offering a structured, evidence‑based approach to helping children build resilience, confidence, and positive mental wellbeing.

Through a blend of classroom activities, staff training, and whole‑school tools, the pilot aims to embed a sustainable culture of wellbeing while giving schools the support and resources needed to make long‑term impact for pupils and families.

Mid and North East Essex Mind Self-harm Management Toolkit

The Let's Talk about Self-harm Management Toolkit is a comprehensive, evidence-informed resource designed for profressionals working with school-aged children and young people in educational and youth settings.