16 million people in the UK experience a mental illness and three in four mental illnesses start in childhood. If you are concerned about your child’s mental health, there are a number of services which could help:

• Chat Health offer a confidential text-messaging support service for young people aged 11-19. They can text the team to discuss depression, body image, exam stress, or any other topics.
• E-motion provides free online counselling to 12-16 year olds on any issues related to mental health. Young people can self-refer to this service and speak to a trained counsellor at a time that suits them.
• Local not-for-profit company The Eggtooth Project is launching a brand new counselling service for children, young people and families in Hastings. ‘The Egg’ will be taking referrals from September 2018. To find out more, email [email protected].
• From September 2018, the Youth Counselling Project will provide free counselling sessions to students at Seaford Head School and some Seaford primary schools. They also plan to expand the service into other areas of the county. School staff need to refer students. Speak to your child’s school if you feel your child needs counselling.

For urgent support with a mental health crisis, please call the Samaritans on 116 223(freephone).

Would you like to develop your coaching skills and support people with disabilities and long-term health conditions to play sport?

The Inclusive Activity Programme gives you the skills you’ll need to work with different audiences during a three hour workshop. The training will cost a maximum of £20 to attend. Individuals and organisations are welcome. To find out more, please contact [email protected] or call 01509 227753.

Register your interest for a workshop online. 

Many people who are autistic can find the the noise, lighting and commotion of a supermarket overwhelming.

Morrisons, with support from the National Autistic Society (NAS), now has a weekly ‘Quieter Hour‘ in all stores. Every Saturday between 9 and 10am stores will dim their lights, switch music off and keep noise levels down.

Toy shop The Entertainer runs a similar scheme and Asda, Sainsbury’s and Tesco are also planning to make their stores more autism-friendly.

In October, the NAS will encourage thousands of businesses to join Autism Hour. To find out more, visit the NAS website.