Find Get Give is a new site that provides 16-25 year olds with an easy way to find and feedback on mental health services in their area.
Research has found (and we’ve been told directly) that young people across England are struggling with mental health issues. They are also struggling to find the right kind of support for their individual need, so a site is needed that helps young people navigate the support on offer based on how they’re feeling or the particular areas of their lives that they’re worried about.
At the same time, pressure on mental health services is increasing as demand increases, and funding for those services is decreasing as government cuts sink in. Mental health services are stretching themselves to meet the needs of the young people they are there to support.
Enter Find Get Give.
Based on the successful Where To Go For site, which focused on the Brighton and Hove area, we’ve learnt from this success and developed it into a nationwide platform.
Not only that, but Find Get Give will also provide local services with a comprehensive set of tools to list, develop and promote their own webpage where young people can find out what they do and leave feedback about their experiences. Find Get Give aims to be the ultimate mental health directory.
Sounds pretty good, right?
Stephen Fry thought so too. Here’s what he had to say about Find Get Give:
“There are organisations across the UK doing marvellous work to support and help young people with their mental health challenges. But finding that support needs to be quick and easy, otherwise there are real risks of not being able to reach those most in need of help. Find Get Give is a great initiative that helps tackle this problem and gives young people a voice to feedback on the support they receive.”
We’ve also met mental health activist Ruby Wax, who tweeted nice things about us and is probably drinking from her Find Get Give mug at this very moment.
But it’s not just the celebrities who like Find Get Give, but the young people and mental health practitioners too. Here’s a few soundbites of feedback we’ve received:
“Find Get Give is a revolutionary service for young people. It cuts out the middle man, the fear of not being able to find the right service and allows them to access information about what they need, when they want it. There are so many services out there and now we finally have a designated tool to help young people find them.”
– Ale Sharrock, a young person from Sheffield involved in the design process of Find Get Give
“Find Get Give is a great website! I really like the way it has a review section – that’s a really important feature, giving young people a much-needed voice for the support they receive, and for the mental health services to get feedback on how they can improve.”
– Lilu Wheeler, Mental Health Services Participation Worker for Newham
So, what next for Find Get Give?
Find Get Give now has mental health support services listed for Newham, Sheffield, Cornwall and Brighton & Hove. But we’re adding new locations all the time and adding new services to existing locations too.
If you’re a service and want to be listed, please email fgg@ymcadlg.org
If someone’s location is currently unlisted, we have a range of tools which can help, including apps and national help websites, and helplines for those who need immediate support.
The Find Get Give blog is filled with useful information and advice, so make sure you subscribe now to be kept updated. We’re on Twitter and Facebook too, so make sure to follow @findgetgive or give our page a like.
Please check back in on Find Get Give soon and spread the word for people who might like the site!