Gloucestershire charity wants more support for young people across the country
Let's Talk Well want more mental health support nationwide as new data reveals many young people are at crisis point.
Let’s Talk Well are a mental health charity offering counselling and support for children and young people from the ages of 9 up to 25.
Their work focusses on prevention and early access to support, the team work with 4000 young people across Gloucestershire.
Judith Bell is the head of Clinical operations at Let’s Talk Well. She recognises that, ‘We’re very fortunate in Gloucestershire to have Let’s Talk Well, so that young people can get that early support.
We know that nationally there aren’t those organisations. We want to see young people in different areas also have that same support.’’
It comes after, The Royal College of Paediatrics and child health (RCPCH) have warned this week that 'more children are reaching crisis point.'
New figures reveal a 36% rise in children attending A+E for mental health related issues since 2019.
In 2025, 75,491 children and young people aged 6–17 attended emergency departments in England with a recorded mental health concern.
This number has risen from 55,525 in 2019, according to NHS England figures analysed by the RCPCH.
The college found that that the rise has been fastest among younger children.
Figures come ahead of a government issued review into ADHD, autism and mental health services
The RCPCP is calling for the Government to use the upcoming Mental Health Strategy to focus on prevention and improved access to early support, so fewer children reach this 'crisis point.'
This vital intervention is being provided by the team at Let’s Talk Well.
Judith said, ''Its really important that these things are nipped in the bud early. That’s the whole purpose of us being around in Gloucestershire. So young people have somewhere to go when things get tough.''
She said, ''We want to make counselling as accessible as possible. We don’t expect the young people to come to us, we go to them. Either at school or in trusted venues in the community.''
''Our vision is that every young person has someone to talk to when they need it most.''
Young people can also self-refer. The team at Let's Talk Well say they are here for all young people who are in need of extra support with their mental wellbeing.
They say no problem is too small and no problem is too large.
Parents and carers can also go to Let’s Talk Well for support and advice.
Let’s Talk Well are accredited by the British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy.
Judith said, ''Children, young people, parents and professionals, when they refer their child to us, know we are operating to very high standards of quality and governance.''
She added, ''It’s an assurance of the quality of work we do.''
Their work offers preventative care and mental health support. The aim being to prevent children and young people reaching crisis point.
Of the 4000 young people Let’s Talk Well work with each year, only 3% need an onward referral to statutory services.
Judith said, ''We are really ensuring that our local specialist services aren’t as burdened.''
The team at Let’s Talk Well are looking to expand their reach into neighbouring counties and hope to continue to support children and young people across Gloucestershire and beyond.