NHS Somerset has commissioned an app that aims to transform mental health outcomes for young people across the county.

Tellmi is an evidence-based early intervention mental health app that delivers digital pre-moderated peer support.

The app, which has been specifically designed for young people, is now available for free to all 11-18 year olds.

Tellmi provides vital access to safe, anonymous support for the 75 per cent of children and young people with mental health issues who do not get the treatment they need.

Working closely with Young Somerset, Somerset County Council, and CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services), the project, which launched in November, aims to support young people on waiting lists and lessen the strain on local services by providing an effective and safe solution to all young people in the region at scale.

Dave Smith, deputy head of CAMHS and interim deputy head of paediatric services at Somerset NHS Foundation Trust said: “We are very pleased that Tellmi will be a new partner in the delivery of children and young people's mental health and emotional wellbeing services in Somerset.

“This new service will enhance the current service offer and be another safe place for young people to access much needed support.”

The launch follows the success of a campaign earlier this year where Tellmi was promoted in eight schools across Somerset.

Data from the campaign showed impressive improvements in wellbeing: 83 per cent of young people who used Tellmi felt less isolated, 45 per cent of self-harmers said they had stopped or reduced self-harming and one in three young people had fewer suicidal thoughts upon using Tellmi.

In 2022, a nine-month study of 876 young people which was conducted by University College London found statistically significant evidence that using the Tellmi app improved their mental health in young people.

Young people in Somerset will have 365-day access to an age-banded space where they can anonymously discuss their feelings. One great advantage the app offers is that it is the only fully pre-moderated, dedicated peer support app. 

Posts are approved by human moderators within an average of 30 minutes, and in-house counsellors intervene to support high risk users when needed.

Kerstyn Comley, co-CEO at Tellmi, said: “Digital solutions have the potential to transform mental health support. But they must be safe and evidenced-based.

“At Tellmi everything is backed up by research and safeguarding is a priority which means our service works and is safe to be used by children as young as 11 years old.”

The app can be downloaded at Google Play or the App Store. To find out more about Tellmi visit www.tellmi.help.