Kooth.com, NHS-commissioned and BACP (British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy) accredited, offers free, safe and anonymous online mental health support and counselling for 11-25 year olds across North West London. In addition to one-to-one text-based support from qualified practitioners, there is a range of activities and self-help resources designed to support building valuable life skills.
Kooth is available 24/7 with practitioners online until 10pm each night.
There are lots of great face-to-face services that can provide effective support for people. However, there are some barriers to these services, including their geographical location, waiting lists, and thresholds for accessing them.
Kooth.com has found that some people prefer to use the service, which they can access outside of “traditional” hours and from wherever they are. Kooth does not have a waiting list or thresholds for access, so it can also be helpful for people who want to access support at the present moment, before things may worsen with their mental health. Some people also feel there is some shame and stigma attached with attending face-to-face mental health services, especially if their peers may see them, such as at school. In addition, young people who have additional needs, neurodiversity, or disabilities that make traditional services inaccessible or difficult to navigate, may find Kooth a more manageable way to access support.