Most IAPT services are not funded to treat people who are under 18.

Some boroughs use the charitable sector to support the 16-17 age group. These services are usually council-funded, which have often suffered funding cuts due to reductions in council funding.

However, some IAPT services do work with the 16-17 year old age group. A few examples are provided below:

Haringey:

Have links with Open Door, which is a local specialist therapy service for young people aged 12-20. The waiting list for this service is very long. In the past, an IAPT therapist worked there one day per week, however this has not happened recently. It can be a challenge for IAPT services to engage with this age group.

Havering:

Have a fast-track link between CAMHS and IAPT for 17 year olds. The young people are put on the IAPT service waiting list when referred and the service engages with them whilst on the list, then move them on to receive psychological therapies when they are 18.

Greenwich:

Set up their 16-17 year old service in 2014. It was initially set up in collaboration with a part of Greenwich CAMHS called the Early Intervention Team (EIT). The team is led by a clinical psychologist. The young people who access the service are over 16 but have not reached 18 at the point of referral.

The service has created a managing exam stress workshop (pre-COVID) and has developed materials for a self esteem group for 16-17 year olds (trialled online in lockdown).

For additional information please see:

Greenwich case study

Greenwich 16 17 service specification (2014)

Greenwich 16-17 Service leaflet

Greenwich 1617 IAPT service Evaluation (2015)

Additional resources:

Wellbeing support for young Londoners (ThriveLDN resources)

Student Space launched to provide help and guidance for students through coronavirus. Students in higher education across England and Wales can use Student Space to explore a range of trusted information on key challenges for student life during the pandemic, access additional services such as a phone line and text support, and find out about support services within their place of study. Student Space is run by Student Minds, the UK’s student mental health charity in collaboration with a range of partners, students and experts.

Student mental health resources (NHS guide)

Student stress (NHS support guide)

Tips on preparing for exams (NHS support guide)

Bereavement and young people (NHS guide)

The Samaritans offer anonymous 24/7 support (freephone 116 123, email:  jo@samaritans.org)