Help for Heroes joins forces with Kooth to provide mental health support

HELP for Heroes has joined forces with Kooth to provide digital mental health and well-being support for the children and young adults of the Armed Forces community. Kooth is available immediately for those aged 11 to 18 via www.kooth.com/helpforheroes. 

Kooth’s unique out-of-office hours provision offers services that are accessible seven days a week and 365 days a year. This ensures that young people can access support at a time convenient to them.

The platform provides children and young adults with a free, safe, confidential, and non-judgmental way to seek professional help. This includes access to therapeutic and interactive activities and content, such as keeping an online journal and monitoring well-being via an interactive goal and mood tracker. All online content available is age-appropriate and pre-moderated by Kooth practitioners.

Alongside the digital resources, Kooth provides counselling and well-being support – including one-on-one sessions with fully trained, qualified practitioners. These sessions are available from midday to 10pm on weekdays and from 6pm to 10pm at the weekend. Appointments can be booked in advance or accessed via a drop-in text-based chat.

Lis Skeet, Service Director at Help for Heroes said: 

“At Help for Heroes we are focused on helping our veterans and their families live well after military service. Service can impact the health, well-being and welfare needs of the whole family. This includes issues difficult for children and young people to deal with. That’s why providing mental health and well-being support for the younger generation is so vital. By partnering with Kooth we’re pleased to be able to provide quality, age-appropriate support in a format that is quick and easy to access.

“We look forward to seeing the positive impact Kooth will have on the children and young adults in our community.”

Dr Lynne Green, Chief Clinical Officer at Kooth added:

“Supporting the mental health of children and young adults in the Armed forces community is vital. With this in mind, we are proud to be working in partnership with Help for Heroes to ensure those aged 11 to 18 have access to a digital mental health service. One that offers a choice of safe and confidential support options; encourages children and young adults to seek mental health support on their terms; and enables them to engage with options that match their individual needs.

“Children and young adults often find it hard to reach out and ask for support with mental health and wellbeing concerns. No matter the situation or issue, Kooth.com/helpforheroes provides the support when and where they need it.”

Kooth is instantly accessible, once registered, through any internet-connected smartphone, tablet, or computer. There are no waiting lists, thresholds to meet, or referrals from a medical expert required.