About us

Welcome to HappyMaps

HappyMaps was developed in 2018 by me:  a GP and parent in Bristol with a background in Paediatrics. In my work as a GP and during conversations with friends and family, I began to notice that more and more parents were struggling to get help for their child’s behaviour or mental health. In addition, mental health specialist services are over-stretched and there are often long waits for professional help. I found that while there is good advice and support for parents, it is scattered across many different websites or in professional guidelines.

Instead of duplicating existing resources, HappyMaps was created to save parents the time and effort needed to navigate online information and quickly find the help they need for their child.

Research and focus groups started in 2018 and with support and ideas from colleagues, charities and parents, HappyMaps UK was born in 2019. Since launching, we have had over 250,000 users in the UK and abroad and are growing and refining the website every week.

We have added support pages for children and young people themselves, to signpost them to the best places to find help.

We hope you find HappyMaps useful, whether you are a parent, a professional or a young person. All the books, websites, Apps and videos have been chosen from those already recommended by experts and parents and we always love to hear from you if you have ideas or suggestions! You can also help us by donating, fundraising or simply sharing the website with other parents and professionals who work with young people.

Jasmin Krischer
Founder and Director of HappyMaps UK

Acknowledgements

HappyMaps was developed  in consultation with the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS), Bristol City Council, Off The Record and Bristol Mind as well as many other charities and individuals. Thanks go to Dr. Elaine Lunts (GP and Primary Care Paediatric Lead, Bristol ) and Dr. Cara Roberts Roberts-Collins (Clinical Psychologist) who co-wrote some of the content and gave expert advice and moral support. Many other people contributed to the website with their expertise, advice and support but particular thanks go to Dr. Clare Short (CAMHS Consultant in Bristol) and Tom Hore (CEO Bristol Mind) both of whom supported the idea from the beginning and Dr. Georgina Griffiths, who gave up her own time to run parent focus groups, which helped shape how the website has developed. Huge thanks also go to to family, friends and all the parents and young people who contributed comments and ideas, and to the team at 180 Degrees Consulting who helped with the website, social media and publicity. Special thanks to Lee D’arcy who has tirelessly offered his expertise to help with technical issues and much more.

Funding

In 2018 HappyMaps was given startup funding from Health Education England (HEE) in recognition of the increase in mental health problems in young people which allowed the website to be developed. HappyMaps was awarded Community Lottery funding In December 2020 and in April 2022 and was registered as a charity in January 2021. 

Please contact us with ideas or comments on happymapsuk@gmail.com

We’d love to hear from you!