Support for young people to manage their mental health often falls to the adults they are closest to.

SAFE Evolve, a new emotional well-being service for families, delivered by Anna Freud in partnership with Ealing Council, was launched on Thursday, 2 November.

The service offers mental health support to all children and young people up to the age of 18, and their families through brief evidence-based interventions, individual and group parenting support programmes, parent workshops on common issues of need and consultations with professionals known to the family.

‘Not always easy’

Councillor Josh Blacker, cabinet member for healthy lives said: “Family life is not always easy and when problems come up it can be hard to know who you can approach for help.

“SAFE Evolve will understand your situation and provide advice or information to help you access the right services and support to manage a situation before it feels like it is unmanageable.”

Peter Fonagy, the Chief Executive of the Anna Freud, gave details of how the service would work through a presentation on evidence-based approaches to community child mental health and wellbeing services. There were further presentations from key partners and council officers, who spoke about the work that has already been done since the service began operating in April. There was also a surprise drop-in from the Mayor of Ealing, Councillor Hitesh Tailor.

In order to refer, the young person concerned must have an Ealing home address, and parental consent must be obtained if they are under 16.

To find out more information please email SAFE_Evolve@ealing.gov.uk or call 020 8825 7500.