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Useful websites and numbers
NHS
If you’re worried about a child’s health contact your GP or go to 111.nhs.uk (for people aged 5 and over only) or call NHS direct on 111
If a child, young person or adult is in immediate danger or in a life-threatening emergency or they cannot keep themselves safe call 999 or go to A&E.
Samaritans – call 116 123
A free, confidential, 24/7 non-judgemental support if you are feeling suicidal. You may also email jo@samaritans.org
UPDATE 23/06/2021: due to the coronavirus outbreak, they are unable to offer face to face services, telephone and email services remains the same.
Young Minds Crisis Messenger – Text “YM” to 85258
A free, confidential, 24/7 crisis text message support service for young people experiencing a mental health crisis with suicidal thoughts, abuse or assault, self-harm, bullying or relationship issues.
Young Minds Parent Helpline – 0808 802 5544
Monday to Fridays 9.30am – 4pm for parents and carers worried about a child or young person under 25 or have any questions about a child’s behaviour, emotional wellbeing, mental health condition, or have questions about the treatment a child is receiving who’s already been admitted to NHS Child Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS).
https://www.youngminds.org.uk/parent/parents-helpline-and-webchat/
The AFC Crisis Messenger – Text ‘AFC’ to 85258
A free, confidential, 24/7 crisis text message support service for anyone (primary and secondary school pupils, parents/carers and school staff) who is feeling overwhelmed or is struggling to cope. Service helps with suicidal thoughts, abuse or assault, self-harm bullying or relationship issues.
On My Mind – AFC
Webpage with information for young people to make informed choices about their mental health and wellbeing
Shout – Text ‘SHOUT’ to 85258
A free, confidential, 24/7 crisis text message support service for anyone who is struggling to cope with anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts, relationship problems, bullying or if you’re simply feeling overwhelmed.
The Mix Crisis Messenger – Text ‘THEMIX’ to 85258
A free, confidential, 24/7 crisis text message support service. The Mix offers essential support for under-25s on anything from mental health to drink, drugs, sex and relationships and much more. Email will be responded by trained supporters within 24 hours. A one to one chat service, as well as group chat service is available via the website from 3pm – 11.15pm. The Mix also offers telephone counselling service for 10-18 year olds. A helpline is also available between 3pm-12am everyday, call 080 808 4994.
ChildLine – call 0800 1111
Talk to a trained counsellor for free, anytime between 7.30am till 3.30am every day.
UPDATE 23/06/2021: Due to current circumstances their telephone service times have changed to: Monday to Fridays 7.30am – 3.30am, Saturday and Sundays 9am to 3.30am. You can also log in for 1-2-1 chat (the same start times as their telephone service, except their online chat closes at midnight every night) or email, although it may take them a little longer to reply back to emails.
Kooth
A free, safe and anonymous online counselling service for young people (aged 10-16). Service provides support from qualified counsellors via mobile, tablet and desktop computer. Young people can access support directly without needing a referral, although they will need to register to sign up for counselling. Counselling available on Monday to Fridays 12pm – 10pm or Saturday and Sundays 6pm – 10pm.
Papyrus – call 0800 068 41 41 or text 0778 6209697
A charity dedicated to the prevention of young suicide with a specialist telephone service called HOPELINEUK. HOPELINEUK is Papyrus’s digital platform that offers support, practical advice and information to young people under the age of 35 who are experiencing thoughts of suicide, or anyone who is concerned that a young person could be thinking about suicide. Available every day, 365 days a year, 9am – 12 midnight.
CALM – call 0800 58 58 58
Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) offer a free, confidential, anonymous support, information and signposting telephone and webchat service to anyone in the UK who is feeling down or have hit a wall for any reason. Service is available every day from 5pm – 12 midnight 365 days a year.
UPDATE 23/06/2021: They are taking calls from more people than usual so they may take a little longer to answer. Calls are taken in order, so it’s best to stay in a queue rather than redial.
No Panic Youth Helpline: 0330 606 1174
Service for 13-20 year olds who need help with anxiety, panics, phobias, obsessive compulsive disorder or any other anxiety related problems, available Mondays to Wednesdays 3pm – 6pm, Fridays 3pm – 6pm or Thursdays 3pm – 8pm, Saturdays 6pm – 8pm. Email support is also available sarah@nopanic.org.uk.
Anxiety UK – call 03444 775 774
Free and confidential service is available 9.30am – 5.30pm, Monday to Friday. It’s not a counselling service but they can point parents and young people in the direction of further help and support. There is also text support 07537 416 905 or email them support@anxietyuk.org.uk. Website has lots of information and resources.
www.anxietyuk.org.uk/gethelp/helpline-email-text-live-chat-services
Family Lives – call 0808 800 2222
Free confidential service for families in England and Wales for emotional support, information, advice and guidance on any aspect of parenting and family life from age 0 to teenage years (previously known as Parentline). Service is available Monday to Fridays 9am – 9pm, weekends 10am – 3pm. Online chat www.familylives/chat and email support available via askus@familylives.org.uk, as well as several online parenting courses.
SANE – Out of hours helpline 07984 967 708
SANE is a mental health charity. Service provides emotional support, guidance and information to anyone affected by mental illness, including families, friends and carers.
UPDATE 23/06/2021: Due to current circumstances the helpline is operating differently to before the pandemic. Please leave a message on above phone number giving your first name and a contact number and one of their professionals or senior volunteers will call you back as soon as practicable. Service is available every day from 4.30pm – 10.30pm. You can also contact them via email support@sane.org.uk
The Ollie Foundation – call 07715 311891
A charity dedicated to delivering suicide awareness, intervention and prevention training by working with the community to promote good mental health among young people and those that support them. Email contactus@theolliefoundation.org.
Switchboard LGBT Helpline – 0300 330 0630
Confidential service available 10am – 10pm, every day 365 days a year. Service provides a safe space listening service via telephone, email or online chat, for lesbians, gay men, bisexual and trans people of all ages from all over the UK, or anyone considering issues around their sexuality and/or gender, or any LGBT related issue including their emotional wellbeing. Service is also open to friends, parents, or any family members of LGBT who are looking for general advice and support.
Parent Talk – Action for Children
A charity that offers free advice for parents of children (age 0-19) from weaning tips, behaviour, teenage worries to the mental wellbeing of children and parents via website or 1:1 online chats, available Monday 12:30-19:30, Tuesday 10:30-16:30, Wednesday 09:30-16:30, Thursday 12:30- 19:30, Friday 09:30-16:00. Outside of these times, leave them a message and one of their parenting coaches will reply within 3 working days.
www.parents.actionforchildren.org.uk
Hub of Hope is part of Chasing the Stigma charity that provides a database which lists mental health support nationally and in the local area
GET.gg
A useful website with CBT help to mental health problems, includes self-help downloadable worksheets (e.g. STOPP techniques, thought diary etc.) videos, audios, therapy resources and information sheets on a range of A to Z mental health topics (e.g. ADHD, anger, coronavirus, mindfulness, OCD, sleep hygiene, tolerating uncertainty, plus many other topics).
MindEd – is a free educational resource on children and young people’s mental health for all adults working with, or caring for, infants, children or teenagers. Website aims to give adults the knowledge, understanding and confidence to act on concerns about mental health.
Family-Action – call 0808 802 6666
A free FamilyLine service that offers emotional and listening support, guidance or practical information to family members aged 18 years old and over from anywhere in England who are facing difficult situations including financial hardship, mental health problems, social isolation, learning disabilities, domestic abuse, or substance misuse and alcohol problems. Service is via telephone, text message, web chat or email. Available Monday to Friday, 9am – 9pm. Text message service: 07537 404 282, email: familyline@familyaction.org.uk. There’s an out of hours service for people in crisis – leave a voice-message for a call-back service from a trained professional. In addition Family-Action provides SEND support and guidance to young people and their families. Text FAMILYACTION to 85258.
www.familyaction.org.uk/what-we-do/
Beat Eating Disorders – Youthline 0808 801 0711.
Youthline is a helpline for those under 18 and provides support and information about eating disorders. Helplines are open 365 days a year from 9am–8pm during the week, and 4pm–8pm on weekends/bank holidays. A further two helplines are available; Helpline for those over 18: 0808 801 0677; Studentline (for all students): 0808 801 0811. 1:1 webchats are also available.
www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk
NSPCC helpline – 0808 800 5000
Helpline is available Monday to Friday 8am – 10pm or weekends 9am – 6pm. Staffed by trained professionals who can provide expert advice and support to anyone who is concerned or worried about a child’s safety or needs information and guidance.