West Sussex Service Supporting Children's Mental Health Celebrates Five Years Of Action

Saturday, 15 February 2025 05:00

A service that provides mental health and emotional wellbeing support for schools has celebrated five years of helping thousands of young people in West Sussex.

West Sussex County Council’s Thought-Full service has received more than 4,000 requests for one-to-one support for pupils at schools across the county since it launched in 2019.

The service is supported by NHS Sussex funding and wider teams from Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and the University of Sussex.

Originally launched as a team of eight staff working with 29 schools, Thought-Full has expanded and now works with 149 schools. It offers support to 60% of West Sussex pupils for issues including anxiety and depression, with ambitions to eventually provide 100% coverage.

Thought-Full – which was named by local children and young people –provides mental health and wellbeing, offering support and advice for school staff, senior leaders and governors, parents and carers, children and young people. It provides one-to-one support in schools for mild to moderate mental health issues, including anxiety and depression.

The service also offers advice to school staff and liaises with other specialist services that can help children and young people get the right support and stay in education.

Cllr Jacquie Russell, Cabinet Member for Children, Young People, Learning and Skills, said:

“It is encouraging to see our Mental Health Support Team successfully working with local schools to deliver meaningful help for pupils across West Sussex.

“Services such as Thought-Full are key in helping people and communities to fulfil their potential, a goal which is at the heart of Our Council Plan.

“We know it can be difficult growing up, with lots of pressure. We’re committed to offering support to help our young people and keep them safe from vulnerable situations.

“My message to you, if you’re a young person and you are having a tough time with how you’re feeling, is to always reach out for help and remember to make use of the resources available on the West Sussex County Council mental health web page.”

Speaking on the team’s progress, West Sussex County Council’s Thought-Full Service Lead Jonny Welch, said:

“We have developed innovative ways of working with schools, contributing to national and regional developments, as well as working with research clinics, adding to the evidence base for mental health support for children.

“We receive a huge number of compliments – which indicates that we are changing lives and supporting schools to be happier, healthier places to be.”

Further support available to young people, their families and professionals working with them can be found on the Thought-Full service website page here: Thought-Full - West Sussex County Council.