Digital mental health service for young people launched

A new mental health service called Best for You has been launched as the result of a collaboration between three London trusts, CW+ (the official charity of the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust) and other national partners.

Best For You is a digital platform that will combine information, digital tools and apps in one place to support young people needing urgent mental health support. The three trusts taking part are Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and West London NHS Trust.

The service aims to integrate specialist medical and mental health care with community services and digital tools to provide comprehensive, rapid and long-term care in a way that best meets the needs of the individual and their family. Best For You’s designers have worked with children and adolescents to provide a service that meets their needs.

The first phase of Best For You is the new website, which combines four elements:

• A portfolio of innovative, clinically-assessed and age-appropriate digital aids including a library of safe and ORCHA-accredited apps that have been vetted and tested
• Clinically-approved information about conditions, accessing services and support
• Crisis information including a dedicated text support service that is free, confidential and accessible 24/7
• Peer support that aims to connect young people and inspire them to not feel afraid about seeking support with advice on how to find the help they need

Bridging the gap between clinical and community settings

Three more phases are to follow:

• Day services will launch next year to provide a space for young people and their families to get immediate mental health support without needing an appointment, including outpatient clinical care, therapies and family support.
• Community services will bridge the gap between the clinical and community setting. Partnerships with the private sector, schools, community groups, crisis services and digital services will optimise personalised care and make it available for as long as required.
• A Young People’s Rapid Assessment Unit staffed by a multidisciplinary team will integrate, for the first time, medical care with mental health care to assess, transfer and treat young people requiring help. Currently, the treatment of a young person in mental health crisis draws a line between physical and mental health assessment.

Chris Chaney, chief executive of CW+, described Best For You as a “pioneering approach, centred around the needs of the young person,” adding; “By working in collaboration with young people and their families, and with our local and national partners in the private, education, community and volunteering sectors, we hope to transform the way we treat the increasing numbers of young people requiring mental health support. We hope to set a new standard of care that can be rolled out across the NHS.”