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Children & Young People Supported Self Help

CYP Supported self-help can help young people aged 7–17 years old, to manage their mental health.  

CYP Supported self-help can help young people aged 7–17 years old, to manage their mental health.  

It’s a six-week guided programme that is currently being delivered in GP Surgeries, for young people experiencing mild-to-moderate mental health difficulties and is based on the principles of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). Supported Self Help can make a positive difference to young people’s mental health. It’s a free programme that works with them, to support them to recognise and understand their emotions. Over six weeks we’ll give them information and resources to help improve how they feel.  

“As a family we have all benefitted from the help that my daughter has received. We can see she has learnt coping mechanisms and we’re hopeful she will interact more confidently and handle her stress much better going forwards“
Trusted Adult
“Once we got into the sessions, I could see an improvement in my son right away and he really connected with the practitioner. For me it was the abyss of nothingness prior to the session (over 3 months) that was very difficult. I understand limited resources, but it may be something to consider on how to offer support whilst on the waiting list – for both parent and young person.”
Trusted Adult
“Having the opportunity to talk to someone has been helpful, I felt listened to and supported.“
Child
“Thank you for letting me talk about my mental health, I have learnt things that will help keep me safe.”
Child
“These sessions massively helped my son and I understand his anxiety and gain the tools to help us deal with it, I can’t thank M enough, thank you.”
Trusted Adult
“At the start I was worried about how things would work out and I was very quickly put at ease and assured everything would be ok.“
Child

Starting the process

The young person can choose seven pathways: anxiety, anger management, depression, feeling alone, grief and loss, self-esteem, and stress.

A trained practitioner typically facilitates the use of resources by introducing them and reviewing progress and outcomes. The intervention consists of an assessment and an optional session to get to know the practitioner, followed by up to five sessions (face-to-face), normally taking place over a maximum of eight weeks. The young person will be asked to identify a trusted adult, who will then attend the assessment with them and three of the five sessions.

Who is a trusted adult?

A trusted adult is an appropriate adult who the young person trusts and can help to develop your wellbeing toolkit. Examples of a trusted adult can be: parent, grandparent, aunt/uncle, older sibling, step-parent, family friend, or any other adult the young person feels comfortable with.

What is Supported Self Help

Facilitated self-help: in the context of this intervention, is defined as a self-administered intervention, which makes use of a range of books or other self-help manuals and electronic materials based on the principles of CBT. The young person is willing to engage in the service offer.

Benefits of Supported Self Help

  • It is empowering for the young person
  • It is delivered using a customised plan to suit the young person
  • It can help individuals better understand their feelings and behaviours
  • It is evidence based and a NICE recommended treatment

What isn’t Supported Self Help

  • A solution-focused service where the practitioner has all the answers
  • A talking space where resources aren’t discussed
  • A place for traditional talking therapy
  • A parent class for a trusted adult
  • An advocacy service to support the young person to have dialogue with their trusted adult

How to access the service

We accept both professional referrals and self-referrals. Please see the list of GP surgeries we currently deliver the Children & Young Person Supported Self Help. Please contact the GP surgeries listed below and ask to book in with the Oxfordshire Mind CYP wellbeing worker

Artwork created during the programme

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Hear from a recent child who has undertaken supported self-help