A New Years Tail ...
From Womble, the Therapy Dog
Woof! As we sniff out the end of another year and step into a brand-new one, it’s natural for young people (and even furry friends like me) to feel a mix of emotions. Some might wag their tails in excitement for a fresh start, while others may feel a little ruff with worries or uncertainties about what lies ahead.
The New Year is a time for new beginnings, setting goals, chasing dreams, and perhaps even discovering a new passion (like learning how to fetch better treats!). But it’s also important to remember that we don’t have to bark our way to perfection. Small steps and realistic goals are paws-itively the best way to build confidence and avoid those growly feelings of disappointment.
If the New Year feels overwhelming, take a moment to rest those tired paws. Self-care isn’t selfish; it’s essential. Whether it’s a good snooze, a healthy meal, or a romp in the park, looking after yourself can make all the difference. And if the road ahead feels uncertain, remember there are always kind humans, like parents, teachers, or counsellors. ready to lend an ear (or a scratch behind mine).
As I wag goodbye to 2024 and paw my way into 2025, my wish for all young people is this: be kind to yourselves, take things one paw-step at a time, and remember that every day brings new opportunities to grow, learn, and shine. Together, we can make the New Year a paws-itive one.
Happy New Year!
Womble 🐾
Christmas Opening Hours
We Are Closed 24/12/2024 (4:30pm Onwards)
25/12/2024
26/12/2024
01/01/2025
We are open at our usual times on all other working days.
Meet The Team
Meet Anna 🐾
Woof! Let me tell you about Anna, one of the amazing humans I work with!
Anna has been helping young people with their mental health for over 20 years. She’s worked in all sorts of roles, from being a Residential Care Worker and Behaviour Support Worker to a 1-on-1 Classroom Assistant and Therapeutic Liaison Officer at a boarding school.
She’s got a lot of knowledge, having graduated from Essex University with a Bachelors of Arts in Therapeutic Communications and Therapeutic Organisations. Then, in 2015, she went on to earn a Master's in Psychodynamic Counselling, pretty paws-itively impressive, if you ask me!
Anna has also worked as a Community Project Lead and Family Support Practitioner at children’s centres in Ipswich, before helping teens with mental health challenges at 4YP, a charity close to her heart.
She’s experienced with all sorts of things that can make life tricky for young people, things like anxiety, depression, attachment disorder, self-harm, eating disorders, social anxiety, trauma, and abuse. She’s even trained in family therapy, so she knows how to help everyone involved.
Anna's heart is as big as my tail wag, and she’s truly dedicated to making a difference. Woof, she’s a true hero! 🐾
Womble’s Year-End Reflections 🐾
Woof! As another year draws to a close, I’m proud to share that Teenage Mental Health has once again delivered thousands of appointments, offering vital support to patients across Suffolk and beyond. Thanks to our dedicated team of therapists, we’ve been able to make a real difference to the lives of so many children and adults, ensuring they receive timely mental health therapy without the stress of long waiting times.
This represents so many individuals who have accessed the compassionate and professional care they deserve, while we’re also helping to ease the strain on public health services. Our goal remains clear: to provide the high-quality counselling that everyone in need hopes for.
Looking ahead, TMH is ready to expand our impact even further. By recruiting top-tier therapists, we aim to maintain our commitment to delivering exceptional care without resorting to waiting lists, because no one should endure long delays when seeking mental health support. It can’t continue that people are for too long, left to get worse, before they can get help and support to get what they need to feel better.
If you know someone struggling with their own challenges or those of their children, or if you’re connected to a school, college, or any children’s or adult services, please spread the word about TMH. We’re here and ready to help.
This Year Government Initiative were shared, With the government’s pledge of £26 million for new mental health crisis centres is a step in the right direction. These centres aim to reduce the pressure on A&E departments, ensuring people in crisis receive the help they need, when they need it. Less time in waiting rooms and more time with compassionate professionals? Now that’s worth barking about!
However, meaningful change takes time. If you or someone you know is struggling, it’s important to consider all available options. TMH is already providing the kind of immediate, professional support these new centres aspire to deliver.
Supporting Young Futures Hubs
It’s great about the government’s plans to establish Young Futures Hubs, designed to reduce youth involvement in violence and crime. This is a fantastic outcome of the “Fund the Hubs” campaign by the BACP. At TMH, we’re hopeful that these hubs will create better opportunities to connect young people with professional support.
Expanding Community Care
On a local level, the NHS’s plan to expand community care through Neighbourhood Health Services is welcome news. By improving access to familiar, community-based mental health services, we can ensure that more people receive the care they need in a supportive environment.
Big Investment in Special Educational Needs
Schools are also receiving a boost, with £11.2 billion earmarked for education resources and £1 billion specifically for special educational needs and disabilities. This investment will hopefully provide much-needed support to students requiring extra help and encourage better school attendance. Every young person deserves the chance to thrive, and this funding is a positive step towards that goal if used affectively.
Mental Health Professionals in Schools
The government has also pledged to increase the number of mental health professionals in schools, with plans to expand the workforce by 8,500. So it’s sad to hear locally, there’s currently a worsening shortfall perhaps in such provisions for some. Having qualified professionals on hand in schools can be life-changing for young people, offering a safe space to share their worries.
TMH strongly believes in the importance of proper qualifications and training. We’ve seen far too many cases where poorly trained or unqualified individuals have caused more harm than good. Six hours, six days, or even six weeks of training cannot replace the expertise of a qualified mental health professional. Let’s ensure the right support is delivered by the right people at the right time—because “making do” simply isn’t good enough.
For those looking to improve their understanding of mental health without attempting therapy, TMH offers TMH Training, which provides high-quality, practical training for immediate use, as well as CPD opportunities for already qualified professionals.
Making a Lasting Impact
While we welcome these government initiatives, we know they won’t solve everything overnight. Change takes time, and there’s still a long way to go. Just this week, we heard from four schools reporting that in-house counselling services for students have been withdrawn due to funding cuts. This is disheartening, but TMH is working to explore future support options with these schools.
We believe that a collaborative effort between counsellors, therapists, and psychotherapists in both the public and private sectors is key to creating lasting, meaningful change. By working together, we can reduce waiting times, build robust support systems, and avoid the pitfalls of quick fixes that don’t last.
Thank you for joining me in celebrating the positive steps we’ve taken this year. With hope, collaboration, and determination, we can create the paws-itive change that’s so desperately needed. Until next time, keep your tails wagging and your spirits high!
Other Services and Their Opening Hours Over Christmas
If you’re in crisis over Christmas. You can reach out the following organisations.
Call 111, Open 24 hours 365 days a year.
Samaritans, 116 123 https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/ Open 24 hours 365 days a year.
Papyrus, Call 0800 068 4141 Open 24hours 365 days a year.
Childline, www.childline.org.uk 0800 1111
Don’t forget we upload blogs and more via our website, you can browse all blogs, past and present via
BLOGS HERE
A Message To All Our Subscribers On Self-Care
Stepping into the New Year, embrace the possibilities, set intentions and be kind to yourself.
TMH is here to support you or those you care about. Our commitment to providing timely and compassionate mental health therapy care remains unwavering.
To the parents, caregivers, children, and teenagers we wish you a Christmas filled with warmth, laughter, moments of genuine connection or the peace and quiet and a rest you wish for. May the New Year bring you peace, resilience,and the strength to face any challenges that may come your way.
Thank you for being a vital part of TMH. Your trust fuels our dedication to making mental health care accessible and supportive. We look forward to the journey ahead and the positive impact we can create together.
Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a New Year filled with self-care, growth, and well-being.
With gratitude,
The Teenage Mental Health Team
