Resources for: Mental Health Support and Age 5-11
Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also affects how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through to adulthood. Reference
Bellsmyre Development Trust
Bellsmyre Development Trust runs the Cutty Sark Centre in Dumbarton, a community hub offering free activities and support for all ages. They provide youth clubs, family events, gardening projects, employability drop‑ins, computer access, and counselling. It's a friendly space to get involved, meet others, and build new skills.
Phone: 01389 730111
Web: www.bellsmyretrust.org.uk
CAMHS (Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services)
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) are core clinical multi-disciplinary teams with expertise in the assessment, care and treatment of children and young people experiencing serious mental health problems. Specialist services for those at risk and with specific conditions are also provided, including inpatient care.
Specialist CAMHS are for children and young people age 0 – 18th birthday with clear symptoms of mental ill health which place them or others at risk and/or have a significant and persistent impact on day-to-day functioning. While some children and young people will need to come straight to CAMHS i.e. those requiring urgent mental health care, most will require this service when an intervention within primary care, education or a community-based service has not been enough.
Phone: 01389 817324
Web: https://www.nhsggc.scot/hospitals-services/services-a-to-z/specialist-childrens-services/child-and-adolescent-mental-health-services-camhs/
Crisis Counselling (Erskine Counselling)
Crisis Counselling offers free counselling therapy to children and young people in West Dunbartonshire aged 10 and over experiencing emotional and mental health difficulties. Referral through Education services.
Adults can self-refer with a cost for affordable mental health support. Support is available face-to-face or online to help with issues like anxiety, depression, and trauma.
Web: www.crisiscounselling.co.uk/
Lifelink
A confidential counselling service accessed through West Dunbartonshire secondary schools, where young people can chat to a counsellor to help manage personal and social issues which may be affecting their life.
Web: https://www.lifelink.org.uk/
Young Minds
Web: www.youngminds.org.uk/
Young People in Mind Service
Phone: 01389 817494
Web: http://www.wdhscp.org.uk/how-do-i-access-wdhscp-services/?#coll-3676