Don't struggle alone: Crisis cafes are still open in Northamptonshire to help young people during lockdown

'Don't struggle with a mental health crisis in the lockdown - remember to use our crisis cafes'.

This is the message for Northamptonshire's young people from the county's mental health organisations as the UK enters its seventh week in the coronavirus lockdown.

Young people who are finding themselves in a crisis during the COVID-19 outbreak are being urged to still seek help and support by getting in touch with one of the crisis cafés in Northampton and Kettering.

St Andrew’s Healthcare, the Lowdown, Youth Works and Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (NHFT) teamed up at the start of the year to offer two crisis cafés for people aged 12-18.

Under the lockdown, there has been a drop in attendance at these crisis cafes - however, the teams involved want to reassure young people that help is still available at this time.

The Crisis Cafes remain open with social distancing being adhered to ensure the safety of those who attend, as well as online sessions with a support worker being made available.

The cafés are held every Monday from 4pm to 8pm at Cafe Track in Northampton's Market Square and every Thursday from 4pm to 8pm at Youth Works in Rockingham Road, Kettering.

If people are unable to attend the café they can also book a session online with one of the support workers by calling 01604 622223.

And outside of the crisis café opening hours, NHFT is now operating a 24/7 Crisis Telephone Triage Service on 0300 1111 022 and press option 1, then option 2.

Cindy Wrighting, chief executive officer of Youth Works Northamptonshire, which runs the crisis café in Kettering said: “This isn’t like a normal café. We’re providing a vital service for our young people which is why we are still operating.

"It’s safe to come down, as our staff will be practising social distancing. So if you’re a young person in need of mental health support please do get in touch."

The cafes were launched as part of a pilot by NHS England to reduce the number of young people presenting at A&E with a mental health crisis, which might not be the best place for them to get help.

Polly Gotschi from St Andrew’s Healthcare said: “I think there is a genuine concern that young people across our county are not getting the vital support they need at the moment because of this pandemic.

"Mental health isn’t something which goes away overnight, people will still be struggling at home, behind closed doors.

"We’re urging them not to suffer in silence. The crisis cafés are still operating and if you can’t physically come down, there is the option of booking an online session.”