South Lanarkshire Council has commissioned Kooth to provide the service for all 10 to 18-year-olds, and those aged up to 26 who are care experienced.

The Kooth website is accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days per week, 365 days a year - and there are no waiting lists or thresholds to meet to qualify for support.

Kooth was selected by South Lanarkshire Council following a Community Mental Health consultation undertaken by Eilidh Corral, Senior Educational Psychologist, involving more than 3,000 young people. Young people provided views about what additional mental health and wellbeing supports would be helpful. 

They also expressed they wanted non-stigmatising online support that was easily accessible (no referrals) and anonymous. Kooth provides this through offering a welcoming space for children and young adults in South Lanarkshire to seek non-judgemental professional mental health and emotional wellbeing support.

It will work alongside existing supports and services within South Lanarkshire and will help ensure that children and young adults have easy access to support if they need it.

Chair of the council’s Education Resources Committee, Councillor Lynsey Hamilton, said: “The mental health and wellbeing of our children and young people is a council priority. Now more than ever we recognise the importance of listening to the views of young people when planning services. 

“Partnering with Kooth will provide further mental health and wellbeing services to our children and young people in the format they want.

“Being safe, easily accessible and confidential is important as it helps to reduce the stigma that’s often associated with mental health.

“Kooth users can choose from a blend of integrated options.  This allows young people flexibility to seek mental health and wellbeing supports on their own terms.

“We look forward to seeing the impact Kooth will have on children and young adults in South Lanarkshire.”

Dr Lynne Green, Chief Clinical Officer at Kooth said: “There’s no ‘one-size fits all’ approach to mental health care, especially when you are supporting a child or young adult. It’s not always easy for them to reach out and ask for the help they need. This is where an anonymous digital service such as Kooth can help - offering children and young adults a platform where they can seek support on their own terms, and in a way they feel comfortable with.

“By ensuring every child and young adult aged 10 to 18, and those up to 26 who are care experienced, now have access to 24/7 support, South Lanarkshire Council has really raised the bar when it comes to their mental health support and services. No matter the issue or situation, Kooth.com is here to help."

Kooth provides a safe space for accessing therapeutic activities and content including peer support community. This includes self-help articles, forums, and discussion boards - with content that is appropriate for the relevant age groups and is moderated and approved by medical experts. Kooth users can keep an online journal and monitor their wellbeing via an interactive goal tracker.

In addition, Kooth users can access live text chat and messaging with Kooth's team of professionally qualified practitioners. This one-on-one counselling and wellbeing support runs from midday to 10pm on weekdays and from 6pm to 10pm on the weekend. Appointments can be booked in advance or accessed via a drop-in text-based chat.

Once registered Kooth can be accessed 24/7 via any internet-connected device such as a laptop, smartphone or tablet.