New Digital Mental Health Service Launches Across Kingston

The multi-award-winning Tellmi service for young people aged 11+ has been commissioned by The Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames, to make it easier for young people to access support before issues escalate. Tellmi’s unique mix of pre-moderated peer support and preemptive counsellor intervention makes it easy for young people to access the appropriate level of support. It is one of the few digital spaces where young people can safely connect to age-banded peers to share advice, information, and experience. Tellmi high-risk users are immediately connected to counsellors for 1-2-1 support.  

Once registered, children and young people have immediate access to 365-day support. No referrals are required,  there are no waiting lists, and no thresholds for treatment. The Tellmi Directory provides direct links to crisis and specialist support services, and a directory of 700+ vetted tools and resources for mental health self-management. Tellmi integrates into the care pathway to support CAMHS services and local VCSFE providers. Tellmi also provides schools with an annual programme of resources and in-person workshops and activities to ensure that young people are aware of the service and what it offers them.

Tellmi has been independently evaluated by the Evidence-Based Practice unit at University College London and is evidenced to improve mental health in young people¹. A 2023 economic evaluation by The York Health Economic Consortium estimated that after 1 month of use, Tellmi leads to a statistically significant reduction in GP use and a reduction in school counsellor visits that, excluding service costs, equate to an NHS saving of £196.35 per user per year². 

‘The Royal Borough of Kingston has chosen to partner with Tellmi as they have significant experience in successfully delivering high-quality online peer support, for young people who are struggling with their mental health, in various areas. The Tellmi app will complement existing services in Kingston and has been shown to reduce entrants to specialist services, thereby improving outcomes for children and young people and delivering value for money for Kingston and its residents.’

To find out more information contact maddy@tellmi.help

Notes

All Tellmi counsellors are fully qualified with a minimum degree level in a relevant subject such as psychology, counselling, social care and must have experience in providing support to young people. They also hold an enhanced disclosure and barring check for working with children and vulnerable adults, level 3 safeguarding and PREVENT level 1. Tellmi is BACP-registered

References

1. Ravaccia, G., Johnson, S., Morgan, N., Lereya, S., & Edbrooke-Childs, J. (2022). Experiences of Using the Digital Support Tool MeeToo: Mixed Methods Study. JMIR Pediatr Parent, 5(4). https://doi.org/10.2196/37424

2. YHEC, 2023