A new NHS service is bringing mental health support directly into schools across Herefordshire and Worcestershire. From 1 November, children and young people aged 5 to 18 can get help through Wellbeing and Emotional Support Teams in schools, known as WEST, delivered by Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust.

The teams are working in partnership with 57 local schools, supporting staff on a whole-school approach to mental health as well as working directly with pupils. The service follows a national investment of £1.5 million to improve access to early mental health help in schools. The trust says pupils will be able to get short-term, low-intensity support from specially trained education mental health practitioners, using cognitive behavioural therapy methods to help with low mood, anxiety, wellbeing and behavioural difficulties.

The service is aimed at early help rather than crisis care. It does not offer urgent services, and children in crisis should use the established urgent routes instead. Families can find out whether their child's school is taking part through the trust's CAMHS pages, and older pupils in years 12 and 13 at participating schools and colleges can refer themselves confidentially.

The launch is being backed by a campaign inviting schools and colleges across the two counties to hold a Great Big Lunch Break to start conversations about mental health, with free resource packs available to registered schools after 11 November. The trust is also expanding the teams in Worcester, recruiting two trainee education mental health practitioners, with training starting in January 2027.