A trauma informed approach to support the mental health and wellbeing of children, young people, families and adults.

The COVID pandemic increased mental health problems. This was particularly the case for children and young people and specifically for those on the long waiting lists in Northern Ireland for assessment for ASD or ADHD or mental health services. The South East Mind Matters (SEMM) project is a 30 month funded project delivered by the 4 Healthy Living Centres in the South East of Northern Ireland. SEMM is a trauma informed package of support for people experiencing or are caring for people with poor mental health. A single point of contact co-producing support for the person while also building capacity and resilience to create more trauma informed communities. SEMM was co-produced engaging with the local community and professionals. SEMM consisted of counselling therapeutic interventions social prescribing capacity building Community Resilience Model© CRM Compassionate Inquiry CI. SEMM supported people at the point of need, including siblings, other family members, providing wrap around support addressing issues such as waiting for assessment, educational support, emotion based school avoidance, bereavement, trauma, homelessness, housing issues, relationship breakdown, domestic violence, impact of cost of living crisis and living with long terms conditions. Engaging with primary care, specialist services, schools, Education Authority, Housing Executive, access to welfare support, community and voluntary sector services and Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI). Our capacity building programmes were provided to PSNI, Counsellors/Therapists, Volunteers, Youth workers and Health and Social Care Staff. Over 18 months SEMM engaged 677people 1443 sessions of counselling 741 hours of tutored support 550 people benefited from social prescribing 38% of our referrals were for people age 14 or younger 96 people completed CRM training with 150 people attending the CRM webinar 19 people trained in CI. 95% of people engaging with the support felt more confident in managing their health and wellbeing 94% reported being more aware of support available to them and felt that SEMM had met their needs. 93% of practitioners completing CRM training reported increased capacity among staff and communities to be trauma informed 93% of practitioners and community members felt better supported in their helping role. SEMM responded to a need that was not currently being met specifically for those under 14. The social prescribing approach has meant that we were able to work with the individual, their family and with the range of services and support to improve health and wellbeing. This approach has demonstrated that person centered, timely support that meets the person where they are is critical to addressing their wellbeing needs and improving mental health. Engaging with individuals in their communities, listening to their lived experiences and working collaboratively across services and sectors to be more integrated and trauma informed will improve outcomes for individual, professionals and communities. The funding for this project will end in March 2024 we continue to engage with the Department of Health and other funders to secure the continuation of this project. However, the skills and partnerships developed through the project will help to sustain the impact to date.