A new pilot service which aims to tackle the mental health crisis facing children and young people in Scotland is to be launched from September in East Lothian.
Developed by Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity (ECHC), ‘The Haven’ wellbeing and resilience service will open tomorrow (Monday 18 September) at The Fraser Centre in Tranent and is open to families living within the catchment area of Ross High School.
It aims to support families with children struggling with their mental health and prevent problems escalating to the point where professional intervention is needed.
The Haven will be open to any child or young person with a mental health concern, and any member of their family, including parents, carers, siblings and grandparents. It will offer support in a relaxed and informal setting and provide interventions including family support groups, signposting, fun activities and a drop-in service for those who may just need a cup of tea and a listening ear.
Every family will have their own ‘Pal’; a trained team member who can support them along their child’s mental health journey. At its best, The Haven may negate a family’s need for future access to medical support, alleviating the pressures on Scotland’s CAMHS.
Sara Fairgrieve from East Lothian is the parent of a child who is currently receiving mental health support. She is backing ECHC’s new service and will attend The Haven with her child once it is open.
Sara said: “This new service is definitely needed and will be very welcome in the community. For any parent who has children struggling with their mental health, just having somewhere to go where you can relax, escape for a little while and meet like-minded parents with similar issues who understand will be so beneficial.
“We’re lucky in that we’re managing for now, but I know there are parents out there who are despairing, stuck on a waiting list and feel they have nowhere to turn to get the help they need now.
“Being able to speak to non-judgmental professionals who can provide the right support and guidance – as families will be able to do at The Haven – will really help to take the stress and strain off parents, and the kids themselves.”
The Haven will be piloted in Tranent for two years to ascertain the scale of demand. It is modelled on the charity’s existing Hospital Hub, which delivers very similar interventions to children and families visiting Edinburgh’s Royal Hospital for Children and Young People (RHCYP).
The service is a response to ECHC’s research which found that over half (59%) of Scottish families have a child who has experienced a mental health concern. Once proven, it will be scaled and delivered in community settings and available to all children struggling with their mental health, and their families, across Scotland.
Roslyn Neely, CEO of ECHC, said: “When it comes to tackling the mental health crisis facing children and young people in Scotland, there is no time to wait.
“In developing this service, we spoke to many families who feel they just don’t know where to get the support and advice that they so desperately need. We asked them what was missing, and overwhelmingly we found families just needed somewhere to go for a bit of help while they’re waiting, or if they know professional help isn’t an option for them.
“The development of The Haven has been led completely by children, young people and families. What they asked for was a wellbeing service like that already provided at the children’s hospital. Somewhere the whole family can go and do everything from take part in fun activities, to having a complementary therapy or just a hot cup of tea and the chance to offload.
“Together we have an opportunity to help our children with earlier support for good mental health to improve their wellbeing and avert a potential mental health crisis. We hope The Haven will be part of the solution.”
Paul McLennan, MSP for East Lothian added: “I’m delighted to see Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity launch their new mental health pilot in Tranent.
“I’ve met the team on a number of occasions – this is a groundbreaking initiative and I look forward to working with them closely in the months ahead.”
If you live within the catchment area of Ross High School and/or are registered with Tranent Medical Practice and need support, please get in touch at thehaven@echcharity.org or call 0131 202 9212.
