Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health

The Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health Service (EWMHS) is a free service providing both preventative resources and targeted, specialist emotional wellbeing and mental health support for young people aged between 0-18, living in Southend, Essex or Thurrock. EWMHS is also available to anybody with Special Educational Needs (SEN) up to the age of 25.

The type of support offered by the EWMHS will vary depending on the needs of the young person. The service offer a range of both individual and group talking therapies.

To access the service:

• A child or young person can contact EWMHS directly

• Any parent/guardian or professional such as a teacher, school nurse or GP can contact us on the behalf of the young person

Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health Information Portal for Schools

The Information portal is designed to support schools in finding online material and content in supporting children and young people in educational settings.

Promoting Positive Emotional Wellbeing and Reducing the Risk of Suicide (2019) -  This toolkit has been produced to support schools in promoting positive emotional well-being and mental health, but also to offer advice and guidance should they experience a death in their community due to suicide.  However, it may be used by any professional working with children and young people as a source of information and support.  In addition, the advice contained within it to support pupils will be relevant to a range of issues. 

• Appendices to support this guidance pack (editable word document).

Let's Talk - reducing the risk of suicide- guidance and resources to support schools in promoting positive emotional wellbeing and mental health

• Appendices to support this guidance pack​ (editable word document)

#SpotTheSigns someone is thinking about suicide

#BedtimeStories - raising awareness of the impact of online bullying

Adults Social Care and Assessment Team

For some people, mental health issues can see their lives ‘spiral’ but what if you could introduce specialist support when things first start to go wrong and help support recovery before homelessness, a job loss or a family break-up occurs?

Essex County Council’s Mental Health Social Care and Assessment team offers early intervention, prevention and recovery to tackle issues before they become overwhelming.

The team, which includes social workers specialising in mental health, will accept referrals from young people with a mental health condition aged 18 and over. It aims to help people use their own skills and resources to achieve their goals, addressing a range of issues relating to their mental health including employment and housing. This includes signposting to resources within the wider community and working closely with statutory services, voluntary, and charitable organisations to promote residents’ wellbeing.