The Mental Health crisis support line is a 24/7 helpline for people of all ages in Suffolk and Norfolk who need urgent mental health support. If you need urgent mental health support, call 111 and select the mental health option.
Good physical and mental health are both fundamental to empowering families to thrive together. If you are experiencing challenges in either of these areas, you might find support and helpful tools in the following places:
Mental health support for children and young people
The Norfolk & Suffolk Foundation Trust run a range of free parent/carer mental health workshops as well as a series of childhood neurodivergence workshops, aimed at helping parents support the wellbeing and mental health of their children across a range of issues including anxiety, eating difficulties, regulating feelings, self-harm, obsessions and compulsions, sleep and more.
Kooth offers free, safe and anonymous online mental health support for young people aged 13+, including articles, activities, text-based conversation with a mental health practitioner and online groups.
The Source offers information, advice and support for young people in Suffolk on a range of issues, including mental health, anxiety, body image, self esteem and more.
The Emotional Wellbeing Gateway also provides information, advice and links to organisations who can provide support for both children and young people and adults with various aspects of mental health.
Many schools in East, West and Central Suffolk have Mental Health Support Team workers linked with them - early intervention workers who can support children and young people with mild to moderate mental health difficulties within the school setting. This support could include individual therapy, school-based interventions and work with parents. Speak to your child's school in the first instance to see if they have an MHST worker attached to them and if they think your child might benefit from a referral.
Mental health support for adults
Wellbeing Norfolk and Suffolk offer a range of free support for people aged 16+ with common mental health and emotional issues, such as low mood and stress. They offer online courses and workshops as well as access to talking therapies with mental health practitioners.
Suffolk SAGES (Suffolk Advice, Guidance and Emotional Support Service) is run in partnership with Suffolk Mind and Suffolk Family Carers, and provide a range of support services dedicated to supporting mental wellbeing in Suffolk.
Anglia Care Trust run something called the Community Connectors Services - a community-based offer to provide support to those who have been discharged by secondary mental health services by phone, email, text or face-to-face support.
Physical Health
You can access general advice and support about maintaining good physical health at the following sites:
Suffolk Eat Well, Feel Well
Feel Good Suffolk
Healthy Suffolk
You can also find support with more specialist physical issues via the following teams. Many of these will require a referral, so if you think your child would benefit, a conversation with their school or your GP is a good starting point to build on.
Suffolk School Nursing Service
Bedwetting and continence support
The Sensory & Physical Service
Integrated Community Paediatric Services
Autism, ADHD and Neurodiversity
Information and advice about neurodiversity support in Suffolk is available here: Autism, ADHD and Neurodiversity | Suffolk Local Offer