A new self referral pathway for Single Session Therapy (SST) has now launched across our Calderdale Mental Health Support Team (MHST) secondary schools, marking an important step in improving access to early intervention mental health support for young people aged 14 and over.
Building on the positive outcomes and feedback from our initial SST trials, this development strengthens the offer available within schools, supporting timely help at the point it is needed most.
A focused, one-off therapeutic approach
SST provides young people with the opportunity to explore a specific concern within a single, structured session. The model is based on evidence that one well-timed session can be enough to create meaningful change, offering a clear plan and practical strategies without the need for ongoing appointments.
After piloting SST across our services, we saw the significant impact it could have. Young people told us that the sessions gave them someone to talk to, helped them approach exams with a more positive mindset, and provided practical strategies for managing stress, workload and anxiety.
One of our practitioners commented on the offer: “I like this approach because it is led by the young person. The session focuses on developing an action plan which encourages working with the young person’s strengths, including a reminder of things that they already know how to do.”
Improving access to early support
The introduction of a self-referral route aims to make early intervention support more accessible across our participating schools. Young people are able to self-refer by scanning QR codes in schools and speaking to their wellbeing teams.
Who the offer is designed for
SST is suitable for young people aged 14+ who:
- Have a mild to moderate concern they would like support with
- Can identify a clear goal or issue to focus on
- Have an existing support network
- Prefer a targeted, one-off session over ongoing appointments
- Are able to complete a brief self referral form ahead of the session
A step forward for accessible mental health support
Gem Edkins, our Deputy Service Manager for Calderdale MHST, added: “The launch of the self-referral pathway reflects a commitment to delivering responsive, needs-led mental health support within school settings. By strengthening access, we aim to ensure young people can receive timely, practical support that helps them move forward with confidence.”
