If your child feels worried, stressed or low this summer, help is available

Councillor Keith Holloway, Cabinet Member for Health & Adult Social Care, said: “We hope every child in Stockport has a wonderful and well-earned break this summer, but changes in routine can be tricky to adjust to.

“If your child is feeling worried, lonely, or stressed about anything, big or small, please know that you can point them in the direction of one of the services listed below. They’re all free and don’t have any specific entry requirements to use them.

“Similarly, if you’re supporting children this summer, help is available. We know this time of year is a lot to juggle so please know that you’re not alone.”

Support children and young people can access

The following services are open in the summer holidays and are free to use:

Kooth (ages 10-25)

Kooth is an online space where young people can get non-judgemental, anonymous help from an online community, as well as direct messaging with qualified professionals.

The articles and forums are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The direct messaging is available 12pm-10pm on weekdays, and 6pm-10pm on weekends. You can also message them out of these hours and they’ll get back as soon as they can.

Visit the Kooth website

Pennine Care NHS helpline (all ages)

The NHS mental health helpline is run by experienced mental health professionals who can listen and help callers work through immediate problems, as well as give information about other services and ways to move forward.

The helpline is open 24/7, even on bank holidays.

Call 0800 014 9995

ChatHealth (ages 11-19)

ChatHealth is a free way to get a response from a school nurse in Stockport. Young people can ask them about anything, even if it’s just advice for a friend.

Text 0748 063 5227 or visit the ChatHealth website to send an online message.

ChatHealth will confirm receipt of a message immediately, and most nurses will reply during normal office hours (excluding bank holidays). If someone messages out-of-hours, they’ll reply when they’re next in.

HOPELINEUK (ages 0-35)

If a young person is having thoughts of suicide, they can call or text HOPELINEUK for confidential support.

HOPELINEUK is available every day between 9am and midnight and is available for anyone under 35 or anyone who might be concerned for a young person.

Call 0800 068 4141 or text 0786 003 9967

Help and advice for parents

Emotional Wellbeing Hub (parents of those aged 0-25)

The Stockport Emotional Wellbeing Hub can provide support for parents. The hub is open for advice and information from 8.30am to 5pm Monday to Thursday, and 8.30am to 4.30pm on Friday.

Call 0161 217 6028

Young Minds (all ages)

The national team at Young Minds can provide advice and signposting for parents through live chat. Advisers are available 9:30am - 4pm, Monday to Friday.

Visit the Young Minds website

PAPYRUS guide on self harm and suicide concerns (all ages)

PAPYRUS has launched a guide for parents and carers, concerned that a young person might be experiencing thoughts of suicide or self-harm.

Read the guide on the Papyrus website

HOPELINEUK (above) is also available for parents.

Free online family courses

Stockport is now offering completely free online courses around pregnancy, parenting and understanding the children in your life.

For more information on how to sign up for free and complete in your own time, visit the Stockport Local Offer website.

Support for parents themselves (ages 18+)

A whole range of support for parents who are stressed, worried or feeling low themselves can be found on the Healthy Stockport website