"This service has had a genuinely positive impact"

I would like to provide some feedback on my son’s experience with the Early Intervention Youth Mental Health Service (EIYMHS).

My son, who is nearly a teenager, was accepted as a referral to the service earlier this year when he was struggling with worries and anxiety. I spoke with Joanne, the manager of the service, and my son subsequently completed the MindTrain programme with Ciara.

The sessions took place every second week, and the appointment times varied. I found this to be very helpful as it meant that he was not missing the same day of school or activities each time. This flexibility made it much easier for him to attend the programme without it having a significant impact on his normal routine.

Both my son and I noticed a dramatic reduction in his anxiety levels over the course of the programme. He gained a number of practical skills and strategies that he can use to manage his worries when they arise, which has given both him and me greater confidence in his ability to cope.

I also feel that there were benefits to the programme beyond the strategies he learned. Attending the service helped him to realise that he was not the only young person who experiences worries and anxiety. It helped to normalise talking about feelings and, importantly, normalised the idea of asking for help when you need it.

My son's overall experience with the EIYMHS was extremely positive. He felt comfortable with the support he received and engaged well with the programme. I believe that having such a positive experience at this age will make him more open to seeking support in the future should he ever need it.

From my point of view as a parent, this is one of the greatest positives to come from the experience. While seeing such a significant improvement in his anxiety has obviously been wonderful, I also feel that the service has helped him develop an important life skill: understanding that asking for help is a positive thing and not something to be embarrassed or worried about.

I would like to thank Joanne, Ciara and the EIYMHS team for the support they provided to my son. The service has had a genuinely positive impact on him, and I am very grateful that he had access to this support at a time when he needed it