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Epping Forest Health and Wellbeing Strategy

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Citizen of the year

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Health and wellbeing

Find out where you can get help and support to improve your mental health and wellbeing.

Mental health and wellbeing for young people

Mental health and wellbeing refer to how young people think, feel, and cope with the challenges and changes in life.

Good mental health is about feeling balanced, managing emotions effectively, and being resilient to face life’s ups and downs.

Mental health challenges for young people

Common issues

Anxiety, depression, stress, eating disorders, and low self-esteem are among the most common challenges faced by young people.

Impact of modern life

Academic pressures, social media, bullying, family issues, and world events can all contribute to mental health struggles.

Bettering mental health and wellbeing

To improve your own mental health and wellbeing involves:

  • Building resilience: Developing coping strategies to deal with stress and adversity
  • Talking openly: Seeking support from trusted adults, friends, or counsellors
  • Accessing help: Services like CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services) and Childline offer resources and professional support
  • Staying active: Physical activity boosts mood and reduces anxiety
  • Online safety: Learning to navigate social media safely to minimize negative influences

The Epping Forest Health & Wellbeing Strategy sets out our 4-year plan to improve health and wellbeing in the district.

Health and wellbeing websites

Childline (young people)

Childline is a free, private, and confidential service available to children and young people across the United Kingdom. Open 24/7, Childline offers a safe space to talk about anything, no matter how big or small the concern.

No problem is too small, and every conversation is completely confidential. Childline is here to help, whenever you need them.

Cruse Bereavement Support (adults)

Grief can be overwhelming, you don’t have to deal with it alone. Cruse helps people through one of the most painful times in life – with bereavement support, information and campaigning.

Healthwatch Essex (young people and adults)

Healthwatch Essex can help you find the right service.

Hope Again (young people)

Hope Again is a safe place where you can learn from other young people, how to cope with grief, and feel less alone. Hope Again provides somewhere to turn to when someone dies.

Kooth (young people)

Kooth is your online mental wellbeing community. Access free, safe and anonymous. Whatever you’re feeling, Kooth are here to help.

Mind (young people)

Mind is a place where people talk openly and positively about mental health, and where everyone gets the support and respect needed to live well.

NHS – Find services near you

Find services near you: GP, Dentist, Pharmacy, Urgent care services, Mental health services, Hospital, NHS sight test, Sexual health services, Pregnancy services, Find other NHS services.

If you need help now, and you’re not sure what to do:

If you think it’s an emergency:

Advice for parents (adults)

Find advice and support for parents who have children or teenagers with mental health problems: Children and bereavement, Helping your child with anger issues, Anxiety disorders in children, Anxiety in children, Depression in children and young people, Talking to your child about feelings, Teen aggression and arguments, Coping with your teenager, Worried about your teenager?, Help your child beat exam stress, Talking to your teenager.

Safer Schools (young people)

Find out what to do when you see something online that upsets or worries you, or when you’re struggling with an issue, including knowing who to talk to and how you can seek further support.

Samaritans (young people and adults)

Samaritans provide emotional support to anyone in emotional distress, struggling to cope or at risk of suicide often through its telephone helpline. Call Samaritans free, day or night, 365 days a year.

Shout 85258 (young people)

Shout are here for you 24/7. Shout is a free, confidential, 24/7 text support service for anyone who is struggling to cope.

To start a conversation, text the word ‘Shout’ to 85258. Trained Shout volunteers are here to listen at any time of day or night and messages won’t appear on your phone bill.

Loughton Spark (young people and families)

Spark provides a range of counselling and mentoring services for children, young people and their families in the Epping Forest and surrounding areas.

YoungMinds (young people and families)

YoungMinds offers advice, information and support to young people, parents and professionals on mental health issues.

If you need further support, YoungMinds will arrange a 50-minute telephone consultation with a mental health professional within 7 days.

The information on this page has been researched and compiled by Epping Forest Youth Council.

More information