A new guide to help children and young people in Barnsley, Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield choose well for mental health has been launched by the local NHS.

The ‘choose well for mental health’ guide helps children and young people, under the age of 18, find the right service for their mental health and wellbeing needs. It supports them to look after their mental health and wellbeing, how to access the right services when needed, and lets people know what to do if they, or someone they know, experience a mental health crisis or emergency.

The new guide has been developed by South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, and co-designed by children, young people with lived experience, and specialist healthcare teams who work with them, carers and their families.

Parents, carers, families and friends can also use the guide to look out for children and young people close to them and help them get the right support and advice.

Information about support and services across Barnsley, Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield are covered in the ‘choose well for mental health’ guide. This includes, practical things children and young people can do to look after their own mental health, emotions and wellbeing, to how to access family help and support, and how to contact specialist mental health services.

Find out more : bit.ly/CYPchoosewellformentalhealth

You can download a copy of the ‘choose well for mental health’ guide for children and young people, and the version for adults, from the South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust website: bit.ly/CYPchoosewellformentalhealth