Research project offers drop-in psychological help

Are you under the care of a Sheffield Children’s consultant for your physical health and experiencing mild to moderate psychological difficulties? Maybe you’re feeling worried or sad, having problems eating or sleeping, or need someone to talk to?

If you are, and you’re under 18, then our Paediatric Psychology Team are offering you the chance to refer yourself for drop-in psychological sessions as part of an ethically-approved research study.

The Lucy Project can provide information, a space to talk, psychological support and treatment, and referral to other services and organisations. It has already been successfully trialled in London where patients showed reduced emotional and behavioural symptoms and experienced a better of quality of life.

To take part fill in the form on the Lucy Project referral webpage. You will then be contacted by the research team in London and asked a few questions before a clinician in Sheffield contacts you to offer an assessment and intervention, which is usually by video or telephone but can be face-to-face where judged clinically necessary.

You don’t need to speak to your current medical team to refer yourself onto the project. However, this study is only designed to support young people with mild to moderate psychological difficulties such as anxiety, low mood or difficulties with accessing procedures in relation to their health. Any young person who would require more intensive or specialist input will be signposted appropriately.

Participation in the Lucy Project would be completely separate from any intervention resulting from a patient being referred to a CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service) provider. Our Paediatric Psychology team works only with young people within the medical hospital setting.

More information about the project is available on the Lucy Project website.