A NEW NHS telephone line, 0300 2000 000, is now available for anyone on Teesside to call if they are concerned about a child or young person's (up to 18th birthday) emotional wellbeing.

Open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm (excluding Bank Holidays), the line is available to anyone including parents, carers, school staff, health professionals and GPs. Children and young people worried about their own mental health can also call the number.

Callers will speak to mental health nurses from Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust. After discussing concerns, the nurse will consider the most appropriate next steps to best support the child or young person.

Help and support can come in many forms including self-help guidance, signposting to appropriate support services in the voluntary and third party sectors or referral into NHS child and adolescent mental health services.