A new partnership between Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust (CNWL), Harrow Council, and the Young Harrow Foundation is helping the children and young people of Harrow access better mental health services.
The support provided as part of the collaboration, which is open to those aged between five and 25, ranges from art therapy to boxing and mentoring to ensure Harrow youngsters have the skills and confidence required to have their own voice, so no young person feels alone and is affected by their mental health.
The partnership will fund 17 voluntary and charitable organisations across the local area and will be delivered in conjunction with local schools and other community-based services – schools, parents and GPs will be able to refer children and young people to the service if and when they feel necessary.
Cllr Hitesh Karia, Harrow Council’s Cabinet Member for Children and Young People said: "This is great news for our young people who will benefit from a wide range of free services that offer specialist targeted emotional and wellbeing support.
“Most of these will be delivered through schools. We know young people are struggling emotionally and have been for some time, this new programme will help reach those most in need before they hit crisis point."
A report that was published last year – supported by CNWL and North West London Clinical Commissioning Group – found that mental health was one of young people’s biggest areas of worry in Harrow.
Dan Burke, CEO of Young Harrow Foundation, said: "Voluntary services in Harrow are already a life-line to so many young people. It's great that this funding will enable them to extend their reach and offer new and innovative services that will benefit so many more young people over the next year - when they need it most.”
The service can be accessed here.
