Mental Health Support for Children, Teenagers and Young Adults in Eastbourne: Where to Start!
- Ben French
- 4 days ago
- 5 min read
If you're worried about your child's mental health, or you're a young person struggling yourself, it can be difficult to know where to begin.
Many parents tell me they spend hours searching online before feeling even more overwhelmed. Young people often wonder whether what they're experiencing is "serious enough" to ask for help or worry about burdening their family.
The good news is that there are a number of different sources of support available. The most appropriate option depends on what is happening, how long it has been going on, and how much it is affecting everyday life. Therapy may be one option, but it is not always the first or best step. Sometimes advice from your GP, support through school or college, or NHS services may be more appropriate.
The important thing is not to struggle alone.
When should you seek support?
It's worth asking for advice if you notice changes that persist for several weeks, such as:
Ongoing anxiety or excessive worry
Persistent low mood
Withdrawing from friends or family
Changes in sleep or appetite
Difficulty attending school, college or work
Increased anger or emotional outbursts
Self-harm or talking about feeling hopeless
A noticeable change from how the young person usually is
You do not need to wait until things reach crisis point. Seeking advice early can often prevent problems from becoming more difficult.
Where should you start?
Talk to your GP
Your GP is often one of the best first points of contact. They can discuss what is happening, assess whether there may be physical or mental health factors involved, offer advice, and refer to specialist NHS services if appropriate.
Speak with school or college
Schools and colleges often know young people well and may notice changes in behaviour, mood or attendance. Many have pastoral teams, mental health leads, school counsellors or safeguarding staff who can offer support and contribute to any referral if further help is needed.
Contact East Sussex SPoA
If specialist support may be needed, East Sussex's Single Point of Advice (SPoA) helps coordinate access to children's mental health services and provides advice about the most appropriate referral pathway.
Parents, professionals and young people can all seek guidance about available services.
CAMHS and Adult Mental Health Services
Children and young people under 18 who need specialist assessment or treatment may be referred to CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services).
Young people aged 18 and over who require specialist NHS mental health support will usually be referred to Adult Mental Health Services.
Not everyone experiencing emotional difficulties will require specialist services, which is why discussing your concerns with your GP or another professional is often the best place to begin.
If things feel more urgent
If someone's mental health has deteriorated quickly or they are experiencing significant distress, it is important not to wait.
For urgent mental health support that is not an emergency, call NHS 111 and select the Mental Health option (or ask to speak to the Mental Health team). They can provide advice 24 hours a day and direct you to the most appropriate local service.
If someone is at immediate risk of serious harm or cannot keep themselves safe, call 999 or attend your nearest Accident & Emergency department.
NHS and Community Support
East Sussex also offers community-based support for young people.
One example is i-Rock, a free NHS-supported service for young people aged 14 to 25. i-Rock offers advice and support around emotional wellbeing, mental health, education, employment, housing and other issues affecting young people's lives. Young people can often access support without needing a formal referral.
Where can private therapy fit in?
Private therapy can be helpful for many young people, but it is not always the recommended first step. The most appropriate support depends on the individual situation.
For children and younger teenagers, I usually recommend beginning with a parent consultation.
Parents know their child better than anyone else, while I bring my experience as a Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist. By thinking together, we can begin to understand what may be happening and consider the most appropriate support. Sometimes this may lead to therapy, while in other situations it may be more helpful to involve school, a GP, CAMHS or another local service.
For older teenagers and young adults, an individual consultation provides a confidential space to explore what is happening, think through the available options and decide together what kind of support would be most helpful.
The aim is not to assume therapy is the answer, but to help identify the most appropriate next step.
Eastbourne Child Therapy
At Eastbourne Child Therapy, I provide psychoanalytic psychotherapy for children, teenagers and young adults up to the age of 25.
Alongside therapy, I also offer consultations for parents who are worried about their child, and consultations for older teenagers and young adults who would like to explore their concerns.
Whether therapy is appropriate or not, an initial consultation can often help make sense of the situation and consider the range of support available: https://www.eastbournechildtherapy.co.uk
Useful Contacts
NHS and Local Services
Your GP
Contact your own GP surgery to discuss any concerns about your child's or your own mental health.
East Sussex Single Point of Advice (SPoA)Telephone: 01323 464222Monday to Thursday: 8.30am to 5.00pmFriday: 8.30am to 4.30pm
Website:https://www.sussexcamhs.nhs.uk/our-services/service-finder/east-sussex-single-point-advice-spoa/
NHS 111 Mental HealthCall 111 and select the Mental Health option (or ask to speak to the Mental Health team).
Available 24 hours a day for urgent mental health concerns that are not life-threatening.
i-Rock East Sussex (14 to 25 years)
East Sussex 1Space Directory
A directory of local support services for children, young people and families.
National Organisations
YoungMinds
Information and advice for young people and parents.
Childline
Free confidential support for anyone under 19.
Telephone: 0800 1111
The Mix (up to age 25)
Advice and support on mental health, relationships, housing, money and work.
Kooth
Free online emotional wellbeing support available in many local areas.
Mind
Information about mental health conditions and support.
Anna Freud
Resources for parents, professionals, children and young people.
You don't have to work it out alone
When mental health difficulties first appear, it is completely understandable to feel unsure about what to do next.
Talking to a trusted professional, whether that is your GP, someone at school or college, SPoA, an NHS service or an experienced child psychotherapist, can help you understand what is happening and identify the support that best matches the young person's needs.
The first step does not have to be perfect. It simply needs to be a step towards getting the right support.
Written by Ben French BSc, C-Psych, C-Obs, MA Psych.
Ben French is a Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist and Psychoanalyst working with children, teenagers and young adults aged 2 to 25. He has over 15 years’ experience supporting young people’s mental health, including senior roles in CAMHS and education.
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