Children’s Mental Health Week supported by The Go-To Website
As we continue in another lockdown, it’s more important than ever to share how we’re feeling with others and encourage young people to express themselves.
The Go-To – https://www.thegoto.org.uk/ – is designed to be a portal or ‘single point of information’ showcasing the mental health support services and information offered by different agencies in the county.
The website has been developed by NHS North Yorkshire Clinical Commissioning Group on behalf of North Yorkshire County Council and neighbouring CCGs (NHS Bradford District and Craven CCG, NHS Vale of York CCG) and promotes services within the existing North Yorkshire County Council boundary.
NHS North Yorkshire Clinical Commissioning Group, GP Clinical Lead for integrated/community care, Dr Bruce Willoughby, said: “With the majority of young people currently not in school and many in isolation as a result of the restrictions imposed on movement to deal with the Coronavirus pandemic, talking about mental health and expressing feelings can help reduce feelings of isolation.
“Now more than ever we need to be looking after our mental health and The Go-To offers access to the support young people and their families may need during this uncertain time.
Coronavirus is having a profound effect on us all, but for children and young people, it can be bewildering and it’s right to be concerned about their mental health. This website will signpost a young person to the most appropriate support and will have lots of useful tips and information to help a young person cope with stress or anxiety.
Lisa Gale, Service Manager at Compass Reach and Compass Buzz, a mental health organisation in North Yorkshire, said: “My experience using the Go-To website has been really positive. I think it is really important that young people have easy access to the range of services on offer not just in North Yorkshire but nationally. The website is really easy to use and I would urge any young people who are struggling with their mental health to utilise this service and share amongst their peers”.
Young people from North Yorkshire Young Minds Combined – a group made up of members of North Yorkshire’s Youth Parliament and other youth voice groups – helped to design the new website which has sections aimed at young people, parents, carers, GPs and other professionals.
