New service to help young people manage their worries
Hertfordshire’s children and young people, who are experiencing emotional health problems and/or their parents/care givers, can now use a new digital wellbeing service, without the need for a professional referral.
This new free service is for children and young people ages 5-18, who are registered with a GP in Hertfordshire. It will initially be available from Monday to Friday, 2-10pm at: www.withyouth.org providing:
- Lumi Nova**(see below) therapeutic digital gaming app (ages 7-12). Access via the link is instant (no referral needed)
- Worksheets, quick tips and other resources to help
- Additional one-to one and/or group support
- Signposting to other services
The With YOUth team can help with problems such as mild to moderate anxiety, behavioural difficulties, school attendance, low mood, relationship difficulties, bullying or self-harm. The service is not for children and young people who are in crisis*.
** Lumi Nova: Therapeutic Digital Intervention Gaming App
7-12 year olds (school years 3 to 7), who are experiencing anxiety, might also benefit from an evidence-based digital therapeutic intervention delivered via a game app called Lumi Nova: Tales of Courage. The game is based on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and facilitates the most effective components of it.
Designed by BFB Labs, this digital intervention empowers children, by teaching them life-long skills for self-managing their emotions and building their resilience. With support from a parent or other trusted adult (this could be a professional working with them), the child can complete goals in small “graded” steps, using fun challenges, set in both the game and the real world. They can use it, without having an assessment or a diagnosis and it is compatible with most tablets and smartphones (iOS and Android). It has been co-created with children, parents, school staff, clinical psychologists and leading academics in children’s mental health.
With YOUth/Lumi Nova is part of Hertfordshire’s Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) System Redesign Programme. The Programme has made an ongoing commitment to improving access to emotional and mental wellbeing support at the earliest point.
Printable leaflets, posters and other resources are available here: Service Resources | Herts Mind Network Children and Young People (withyouth.org)
Find out how Lumi Nova helped 11 year old Maisie to manage her anxiety in this short two minute report: 'Anxiety app helped me at my new school' says Essex pupil - BBC News
You can find out more about the With YOUth Children and Young People’s Digital Wellbeing Service at: www.withyouth.org
Find out more about Lumi Nova: Lumi Nova | Herts Mind Network Children and Young People (withyouth.org)
*Getting help for a Mental Health Crisis
Call HPFT's NHS freephone 24/7 helpline: 0800 6444 101 or
Call NHS 111 and select option two for mental health services
In the event of a life threatening condition that requires an emergency intervention, call 999 for the emergency services.
