MindMate News #4

A regular bulletin bringing you news and up to date information about MindMate and young people’s mental health in Leeds.

Launching Safe Zone – a new crisis service in Leeds

Aiming to meet the varying needs of young people experiencing mental health crisis within Leeds, and their parents/carers supporting them throughout a difficult time, the new Safe Zone offer will provide flexibility in the support to young people experiencing mental health crises.

Virtual support – One way we have increased flexibility in Safe Zone’s service offers is through the implementation of virtual (video or phone) crisis support, removing a potential barrier for those who cannot attend face-to-face support (such as the ‘BAME’ community disproportionately impacted by COVID-19).
Social time – will now offer a very informal support for young people who are not in immediate crisis but still need some interactive, creative forms of support, we have further introduced ‘social time’, where young people can come into the various Safe Zone venues and have therapeutic-like social time with arts, play games, or simply just chat! Social time allows one-on-one informal support with visitors, but can also be a safe environment to pause and reflect.

Space For Me group at The Market Place

The Market Place will be starting a new Group called ‘ Space For Me’, It will take place on Wednesday’s over 8 Weeks online on Zoom in September for ages 18-25 and will be facilitated by Youth Workers at The Market Place. The focus of the group is to provide a space to connect with others, peer support and emotional wellbeing. We hope that group members will have fun participating, share experiences, skills and tips. We will signpost and work alongside other services to best support you in managing your wellbeing.

Space For Me – referral process

If you are interested in joining, please email spaceforme@themarketplaceleeds.org.uk, We will then send you a referral form, you need to fill this in and send back,and then we will contact you to arrange a Intro session, this will be chance to go through more information about the group, and also a space to explore what you would like to get out of the group, and to ask any questions before deciding if you would like to join Space For Me. The intro session takes around 30-45 minutes.

The group will start in September, and we will communicate joining instructions and any further info, before the group starts. We look forward to hearing from you. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to email spaceforme@themarketplaceleeds.org.uk or call The Market Place (0113) 2461659.

NEW gambling information and support pages for young people now on MindMate website

Gambling is everywhere, especially online, so it is important that young people are supported to make informed choices about the risks involved and are able to access help and support, if required. Two new webpages on gambling issues have recently been added to the MindMate website – one for ’17 or under’ and another for ’18 and over’, both have been co-produced with young people – including some of you! We would encourage young people to have a look at these pages if they feel gambling may be a problem for them, or someone close to them. Read more here on gambling issues from Sam, one of our MindMate Ambassadors

For any enquiries, please contact Myrte Elbers, Public Health (Leeds City Council) Myrte.Elbers@leeds.gov.uk

MindMate Me – make your own MindMate!

Did you know you can build your own personalised MindMate avatar? Check out MindMate Me in our game section here and have some fun.

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