If your child or young person is waiting for CAMHS or specialist support, the services on this page can help while you wait. Most are free and available to families in Greenwich. If you are unsure where to start, please speak to your GP.
⚠ Urgent Help — Mental Health Crisis
If your child or young person is talking about suicide, self-harming, in severe distress, refusing to eat or drink, or rapidly deteriorating — please use one of the following:
🚨 999 or A&E — for an immediate emergency
📞 NHS 111, option 2 — urgent mental health support, 24/7
📞 Oxleas Crisis Line: 0800 330 8590 — local 24/7 crisis line
Use when risk feels imminent or you are unsure how to keep your child safe. These services provide immediate telephone support, clinical advice, urgent mental health assessment and guidance on next steps.
24/7 National Crisis Support
Samaritans — any age
116 123 — free, 24/7
samaritans.org
Confidential listening support for anyone feeling distressed or overwhelmed — for parents as well as young people. Helpful when someone feels hopeless, is having suicidal thoughts but is not in immediate danger, or needs someone neutral to talk to.
Papyrus HOPELINE247 — under 35s
0800 068 4141 — free, 24/7
Text: 07860 039 967
papyrus-uk.org
Specialist suicide prevention support for young people and advice for parents worried about suicidal thoughts. Helpful when a young person expresses suicidal thoughts, you are unsure if risk is escalating, or you need safety planning advice. Email: pat@papyrus-uk.org
Childline — under 19
0800 1111 — free, 24/7
childline.org.uk
Free, confidential phone and online chat for young people covering mental health, bullying and abuse. Helpful when a young person wants to seek support independently or anonymously, or does not feel comfortable speaking to family.
NSPCC — for adults worried about a child
0808 800 5000
nspcc.org.uk
Free, confidential advice for adults concerned about a child’s safety or wellbeing. Helps you understand whether something counts as abuse and whether to report your concerns.
Local Greenwich Services
Greenwich CAMHS — Oxleas NHS
oxleas.nhs.uk
For children and young people under 18 with moderate to severe mental health difficulties, including severe anxiety or depression, self-harm, suicidal thoughts, trauma and complex emotional or behavioural difficulties. Most appropriate when symptoms are persistent, significantly affecting daily life, or risk is present.
Young Greenwich — ages 8–19 (up to 25 with SEND)
young-greenwich.org.uk
Free local youth services including emotional wellbeing sessions, youth mentoring, group support, school-based help and parenting support. Often quicker to access than CAMHS. Well suited to mild to moderate difficulties and early support while waiting for specialist services.
Early Help — Royal Borough of Greenwich
royalgreenwich.gov.uk
Family support service for behaviour difficulties at home, school attendance concerns, parenting challenges and family conflict. Provides coordinated multi-agency support and practical parenting guidance. Helpful when difficulties are emerging but not yet at the level requiring specialist services.
South East London Mind — Greenwich
selmind.org.uk
Community mental health charity offering support groups and wellbeing programmes. Particularly helpful for parents and carers who need support for themselves, or where a family would benefit from non-NHS community help.
METRO Charity — LGBTQ+ young people and families
metrocharity.org.uk
Safe youth spaces, emotional wellbeing support and family guidance for LGBTQ+ young people. Helpful when concerns relate to sexuality or gender identity, or a young person needs LGBTQ+ inclusive support.
National Online Support
Kooth — ages 10–25 (available in Greenwich)
kooth.com
Free anonymous online counselling, moderated peer forums, self-help tools and mood tracking. No referral or waiting list. Particularly helpful when a young person prefers online support, values anonymity, or symptoms are mild to moderate.
YoungMinds — advice and support for parents
Parent Helpline: 0808 802 5544
youngminds.org.uk
Advice for parents navigating a child’s mental health difficulties, including help understanding CAMHS and guidance during a crisis. For when you feel unsure how to help or are feeling overwhelmed as a parent.
The Mix — under 25
themix.org.uk
Online counselling, crisis messaging and peer support for young people. Helpful for confidential advice about relationships, identity or mental health.
Bullying & School Support
Kidscape
kidscape.org.uk
Practical advice and guidance for parents and young people on bullying and cyberbullying. Helpful when school-related distress is linked to bullying.
Bullying UK — Family Lives
bullying.co.uk
Information about rights and school responsibilities, and practical guidance for resolving bullying disputes.
Neurodevelopmental & ADHD Support
ADDISS — ADHD information and support
addiss.co.uk
Information and support for families managing ADHD. Helpful while awaiting an ADHD assessment, managing behaviour at home, or understanding medication options.
Challenging Behaviour Foundation
challengingbehaviour.org.uk
Support for families of children with severe learning disabilities and behaviours that challenge. Provides practical strategies, family networks and guidance for schools.
St Michael’s Associates — Autism support for BME families
stmichaelassociates.org.uk
Support for families from Black and Minority Ethnic communities managing Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Parenting & Family Support
Dad.info — support for fathers
dad.info
Parenting advice, articles and podcasts for fathers. Includes support around separation and family conflict.
Online Safety & Digital Wellbeing
Parent Zone
parentzone.org.uk
Online safety guidance, gaming advice and screen time support for parents. Helpful when online activity is affecting mental health, or there are concerns about social media or gaming.
School-Based Mental Health Support — Greenwich
Greenwich Mental Health in Schools Team (GMHST) — Oxleas NHS
oxl-tr.gmhst@nhs.net
oxleas.nhs.uk
Free NHS service providing early support for children and young people in allocated Greenwich schools with mild to moderate mental health difficulties. Offers 1:1 therapeutic sessions, wellbeing workshops and group support — and runs all year round including school holidays. Ask your child’s school SENCO or pastoral team to make a referral, or email the team directly.
Only available if your child attends one of the allocated GMHST schools — check with the school first.
Greenwich Outreach Counselling Service — Royal Borough of Greenwich
020 8921 8833
servicestoschools.royalgreenwich.gov.uk
Person-centred counselling for children and young people delivered by qualified counsellors working alongside schools and CAMHS. Sessions can be face-to-face in school, online or by phone. Accessed through schools — speak to your child’s SENCO or pastoral team to find out if their school uses this service.
Not sure where to start? Speak to your GP or call the practice — we can help point you to the right service for your child’s needs. This page is reviewed regularly. If you notice a broken link or out-of-date information, please let us know.