This page provides a summary of the websites associated with organisations and initiatives that aim to support better mental health and wellbeing for children and young people. Follow the links to explore their resources. 


Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS)

This list collates useful websites for primary care professionals, many of these links are relevant to you and your colleagues.

Child Outreach Research Consortium (CORC)

Offers a range of information and tools on why undertaking the measurement of the emotional wellbeing of pupils is valuable. It offers advice on what tools are available and how to use them. It is supported through the Anna Freud Centre, and offers free advice and guidance on how to implement measurement and the preparation that you need to take. The different tools and questionnaires are available. There is also an offer (at the cost of £300) to analyse the information that is generated through surveys that the school undertakes.

Children and Young People’s Mental Health Coalition (CYPMHC)

Represents a coalition of voluntary agencies and charities working in the area of children’s mental health.

Eating Disorder guidelines for professionals working with children and young people

Transformation Partners in Health and Care has developed a set of guidelines – in partnership with Beat, the UK’s eating disorder charity for professionals in primary care, education and the voluntary sector (VCSE) to spot early symptoms of eating disorders in children and young people and support them with seeking help.

Find the latest guidelines here.

Transformation Partners in Health and Care: Primary Care and Early Help Children and Young People’s Mental Health Compendium

Good practice examples of how primary care and early help enhances care for children and young people with mental health problems. It showcases models that professionals in London and across England feel were effective, innovative and supported by evaluation data where available.

There is a one-page summary of each model, including the type of service and contacts who can provide greater detail. All models, submitted via a survey, focus on integrated working across the local system, reducing fragmentation and gaps, facilitating easy access and clear pathways. UCL partners have also undertaken a literature review (available on the same page).

Healthy Schools London

Supported through the Greater London Authority, Healthy Schools London is an award scheme for schools, which can be achieved at Bronze, Silver and Gold levels. Emotional wellbeing and mental health is one of the key elements in achieving the awards. The site gives further information on how to achieve the awards and a range of additional links to resources.

Mental Health First Aid England 

Gives further information about Mental Health First Aid Training. Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training is designed to teach people how to spot the signs and symptoms of mental ill health and provide help on a first aid basis. In the same way as learning physical first aid, MHFA teaches people how to recognise those crucial warning signs of mental ill health and feel confident to guide someone to appropriate support.

MindEd

This site offers a wide range of online training on issues of mental health and emotional wellbeing. The training is broken down into modules. The courses are primarily undertaken on an individual basis online. A Certificate is awarded on completion of each module. This is a free educational resource for professionals. There is also a section that is available for use by parents and carers, offering learning courses to understand the difficulties that their child is experiencing and how best to help.

Royal College of Psychiatrists

Contains a wide range of information and leaflets on specific issues. The leaflets and factsheets can be downloaded or ordered in bulk. They also offer links to further information and reading on each of the many topics. A really useful website to get information on a wide range of issues from a trusted professional resource. The leaflets are appropriate for teachers and for young people and parents. Examples include:

  • Autistic Spectrum Disorder and Asperger’s
  • Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
  • Eating Disorders
  • Dealing with bereavement
  • Self harm

Schools in Mind Network and Website

A free network for school staff and allied professionals which shares practical, academic and clinical expertise regarding the wellbeing and mental health issues that affect schools. It is supported and coordinated by the Anna Freud Centre. All schools are invited to join the Network and this gives a range of information as well as invitations to training events and seminars for staff. The network provides a trusted source of up-to-date and accessible information and resources that school leaders, teachers and support staff can use to support the mental health and wellbeing of the children and young people in their care. The site offers:

  • A very wide range of written materials that are available for download.
  • It also offers informative videos by leading professionals working within Child Mental Health.
  • Information on research and development and how to get involved with this in some cases
  • Training Events
  • Information on new developments being undertaken through the Anna Freud Centre

Young Minds

A charity that is ‘fighting for children and young people’s mental health.’ The organisation prides itself on representing the views of young people and has a record of undertaking and supporting participation programmes and events to ensure that these views are heard and understood. The website provides information on the work that Young Minds undertakes. It provides information on training courses that Young Minds offers. **Young Minds have undertaken a consultation exercise with young people in London in support of the Mental Health in Schools Project and the report is provided here**

Youth MHFA Instructor Training

Individuals undertaking this ‘train the trainer’ programme will go on to lead an ongoing programme of youth MHFA Two Day training that can be delivered to anyone working with children and young people between the ages of 8-16 years, including teachers, public and third sector staff as well as parents and carers.  The Instructor Training programme takes place over seven days and is usually spread out over six weeks. This allows learners to become familiar with the material and reflect on their learning.

**Further information on the roll out of Mental Health First Aid Training in Schools commissioned by the Department of Health is available at –link to training section**