Digital mental health support is helping Glasgow’s young people

Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) funds mental health provision that’s quickly and easily accessible to a range of children and young people dependent on their needs.

Barry Syme, Principal Educational Psychologist for the City of Glasgow discussed the successful use of digital platform Togetherall in January’s eMental Health International Collaborative (eMHIC) webinar, ‘Scaling Support Together – Inside Scotland’s National Digital Mental Health Strategy and the Glasgow – Togetherall Model.’

Barry leads the provision of school counselling across all 200 Glasgow schools and oversees the commissioning of additional mental health supports for young people, including online services Togetherall and Kooth.

Young people can easily sign up to Kooth (ages 10 to 15) and Togetherall (ages 16 to 24). These services are evidence-based, clinically moderated, 24/7 online peer-to-peer mental health communities, commissioned by our HSCP and freely available to young people with a Glasgow postcode.

Chris Wright, National Advisor for Digital Mental Health, The Scottish Government;  Dr. Ben Locke, Chief Clinical Officer, Togetherall; and Fiona Costello, eMHIC also took part in the webinar.

Barry said: “Quality assured, online mental health support is an important part of a range of services the HSCP is funding to improve and support young people's mental health. Kooth and Togetherall offer hundreds of young people free and quick access to information, advice and support, reaching people who may not otherwise engage with conventional services. The platform creates a safe, anonymous space for individuals to connect and share at their own pace and integrates with traditional care systems.

“Evidence shows that Togetherall is having a big impact on specific groups and gives us measurable outcomes. Above all the platform takes accountability. The online moderators take responsibility for young people who may be in crisis and provide support. This has saved lives.”

You can read our guide to mental health supports and services for children and young people in Glasgow.

NHS 24 mental health services are also available to everyone in Scotland, of all ages. The services offered include listening, offering advice and guiding to further help if required.