1 July 2022
Providing psychological support for patients
Help us to do more to support our patients’ mental health.
Our child psychology team at Southampton Children’s Hospital support young people and their families who are struggling with their mental health following admission or referral.
We spoke to a parent about the impact of psychological support
“My daughter was diagnosed with a long-term health condition from birth. She is under the care of our local hospital, and the Southampton Children’s Hospital team oversee her care as the local centre of excellence.
While medication, diet and physical aspects of her care are taken care of, the teams do not deal with her emotions or worries about her condition.
We found that from a young age, she would ask lots of questions. We supported her as much as we could on our own and then about three years ago, the child psychology team were recommended to us as an additional form of support available.
After the first introductory meeting, my daughter was left to speak to the psychologists on her own. During the one-on-one sessions my daughter and her assigned psychologist built up a good relationship, and she continues to feel comfortable to express her feelings and discuss any topics she feels worried about. She has been provided with tools to help her manage her day-to-day struggles and emotions.
The psychology team provided me with separate sessions when I struggled with my own feelings about my daughter’s health condition and have also provided me with new skills and tools to deal with certain situations.
Like many people, Covid-19 was very isolating. The team continued to help and provide virtual session and offer tools to help us cope together as a family.
The fact the service is self-referral has been amazing. My daughter’s condition is not curable and therefore it is great to have the option to pause sessions, if there is nothing pressing however, we know that there is an option to requests additional help and support when needed without having to go through a long referral process.
We have found the support and guidance of the Child Psychology team in Southampton invaluable and would highly recommend them to any families in need of additional support.”
Help us to do more
Covid-19 has left a generation of children and young people suffering with their mental health.
Early indications suggest that more young people than ever before are struggling with their mental health.
The hospital employs a team of specialist psychologists who support those with long term and chronic conditions. The team support children, young people, and their families who, for one reason and another, are struggling following admission or referral.
They are not able to reach every child who needs their help.