Welcome to Open Young Minds

Open Young Minds is a confidential young person’s service. We provide support for young people aged 12-21 years old, who have mild to moderate emotional health issues and live in Heywood, Middleton or Rochdale.

As a community mental health service, we focus on providing you with the opportunities to develop and grow the skills, knowledge and experiences that allow you to take control of your issues. This is done with the support of a Wellbeing Co-ordinator.

Check out our Self-Help Book, made by young people for young people.

How do you access our service?

To gain access to our services, please complete a referral form. We have two different forms: one for those aged under 18 and one for those 18+.

When we receive your completed form we will contact you (within 2 weeks) and ask you to come in and meet a Wellbeing Co-ordinator so we get a clear understanding of your circumstances and needs.

Your Wellbeing Co-ordinator will guide you through the groups and activities we and other organisations have to offer. They will listen to you and help support you to find techniques and ideas that will benefit your wellbeing. 

• Download referral form for 12 – 17 year olds
• Download referral form for ages 18+
• Fill the form out online here

To enquire further about the service or to find out if it is suitable for you or your child’s needs, please telephone Vikky or Mel on 01706 752357. 

Melanie Tilley: [email protected] or Victoria Russ: [email protected] 

What services do we offer?

One-to-One Sessions

Open Young Minds (12 – 21 years of age)

This is the ‘gateway’ to all our services. Our Wellbeing Co-Ordinators work with young people aged 12 to 25 years of age on a one-to-one basis. We will need you to complete the appropriate referral form, which will also give you access to our other services. For children (12-16) parental consent or permission must be provided. We will offer information and basic education around emotional wellbeing issues to anyone who asks, no matter what their age.

Peer Mentoring Service (12 – 25 years of age)

Peer Mentors are trained and skilled young people/adults who offer ongoing informal support to young people. They provide a non-judgemental listening ear that promotes self-worth and boosts self esteem, confidence and resilience. The Mentoring takes place in pre-arranged public places such as café’s, libraries, cinema etc. Peer mentors are trained in safeguarding. 

Counselling

Our counselling service provides a regular and confidential space for you to talk about the worries and problems you are experiencing – all at your own pace.

Our BACP accredited young people’s counselling service will be delivered through a mixture of face-to-face and telephone counselling sessions depending on what is most suitable for you.

‘Thank you so much, it is wonderful that you have contacted all services involved and instigated a coordinated response for this patient. This is how mental health services should be. Thank you for going the extra mile.’ From a GP

Over the past 2 years the Open Young Mind team at Rochdale and District Mind has gotten me through the hardest times of my life. Their service is a constant reminder that you are not alone. I have received the best care and valuable, unbiased advice which has helped me make the best changes in my life. I have nothing bad to say at all. Keep up the good work. It is greatly appreciated.

‘From the first day I came to Mind I have been welcomed with open arms. Everyone has been so kind and understanding towards me. My wellbeing co-ordinator has been amazing and really supportive. I literally have no bad feedback.’

‘I really enjoyed my session today with my wellbeing co-ordinatoras, she has a way of helping me reflect on issues that have been troubling me. She helps me come to solutions or gives some sort of constructive advice which really helps. I always leave feeling much better and have some sort of goal or direction on how to improve myself and my issues. Highly recommend.’

‘Thank you so much for calling and texting me. It has really helped and made me realise that I am slowly getting better.’