YOUNG people aged 11 to 18 living in Gloucestershire can now access free anonymous counselling from qualified counsellors via a new online mental wellbeing platform.

Kooth is an online mental wellbeing service provided by the county council in response to Covid-19 to add to the range of mental health support available for children and young people in the county.

Kooth – to be found online at kooth.com – is designed for young people experiencing issues with their emotional wellbeing, such as anxiety, low mood or stress. 

Counselling can be accessed through a drop-in service or booked sessions; there is no referral needed from a health professional, no waiting lists, and no criteria to meet to get support.

As well as the option of online counselling, there is an online support network where young people can join friendly discussion boards to connect with others having similar experiences.

They can access journals, goal trackers, and self-help articles with the option to contribute their own experiences or advice.

Cllr Tim Harman, cabinet member for public health and communities, said: “It’s totally normal to feel stressed or anxious whatever age you are, especially if you’re not able to see your friends or go about your normal routine.

"Whether you’re feeling worried about something related to coronavirus or something completely different, please reach out for support. It’s good to talk about your worries before they get bigger.”