Signpost to helplines and support services
Confidentiality
When a service says they are confidential, this means that your information and the things you discuss will not be shared with your parents or anyone else without your permission. The only exception to this is if they believe that you pose a danger to yourself or others.
Helplines and crisis support
NHS | NHS 111 can help if you have an urgent medical problem and you’re not sure what to do available 24/7 The NHS website has lots of information and resources. This link has a list of mental health support lines for general mental health or for more specific conditions/problems. |
0800 1111 | Childline is a free and confidential contact service for anyone under the age of 18. You can call, email or message on their online platform about any topic including mental health concerns and a trained counsellor will respond. Calls to Childline are free from both landlines and mobile phones and they won’t show up on the phone bill (you can call Childline even if you have no credit on your mobile phone). |
116 123: Free to call helpline Email for a response within 24 hours: jo@samaritans.org | Calls to The Samaritans are confidential and can be anonymous if you choose not to share your name over the phone. As with Childline this call won’t appear on your phone bill. Samaritans also operate with the Next Generation Text service (where you are able to text your message during the phone call, used to make helpline and phone conversations accessible) – to contact Samaritans via this service you must use the number: 0330 094 5717. |
0800 068 4141 or text 07786 209697 Trained advisors available to help you staying safe from suicide. | |
Helpline (0800 8080 4994), email and live chat – a counselling service and crisis text line for anyone under the age of 25 There are also online group networks to speak with and hear stories from other young people experiencing mental health conditions. There’s also lots of information about different topics such as mental health and relationships. | |
CALM run a helpline (0800 58 58 58) and webchat from 5pm to midnight for all. Trained staff are there to listen, support, inform and signpost. They campaign mostly around male suicide but their service is available for all. | |
24/7 text service at 85258, free on all major mobile networks, for anyone in crisis anytime, anywhere. It’s a place to go if you’re struggling to cope and you need immediate help. A good place for urgent support if you don’t feel comfortable talking out loud or find it easier to express how you are feeling in writing. |
The mix and childline have message boards to share how you are feeling with other young people and ask for information or suggestions. This can help in reminding yourself that you aren’t alone in this.
Here are some other resources that can help you, grouped under your needs, never be afraid to reach out.
Your GP Surgery | A GP will be able to direct and even refer you to support services in your local area. You can visit the doctor at any age. To make an appointment you will usually need to telephone the surgery or visit the reception in person – the receptionist will ask who the appointment is for and what it is about. This is to make sure you can see the right person but if you don’t wish to share what the appointment is about you do not have to. You are also entitled to ask to see a male or female doctor if this will make you more comfortable. If there is a doctor you don’t want to see for any reason, this is okay too. When making your appointment you can say that you would like an appointment but not with …. The reception staff will hear this request often for all sorts of reasons and it’s totally fine! Doc Ready has great information about what happens during a GP appointment and also provides a customisable checklist to bring along if you’re worried about saying out loud or remembering what you want to discuss. |
CAMHS – Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services | Offer help and support to children and young people who have mental health difficulties and their families/carers You can request an appointment through your GP, school, youth worker, social worker. |
Whilst your GP can refer you to counselling other forms of support services welcome self referrals. This means you contact them yourself, explaining what you are experiencing. This webpage acts as a directory to help you find self referral services near you. This is only for people living in England. | |
Your school/ college or university counsellor | Most education settings will have a registered counsellor on site available to speak to students. |
Mental health support database so you can find help near you | |
Local private counselling | There are many reasons you might consider going private, although it’s not an option for everyone because it can be expensive. If you decide to explore private therapy, it’s a good idea to look for a therapist using the online search function of a reliable website which only lists therapists who are registered with a professional body. For example:
Before committing to paying for therapy it may be helpful to ask:
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Advice and counselling network, help you find free local services near you |
Mind is a national charity focused on supporting people’s mental health. When visiting their website there is a button in the top right corner that says ‘get help now’ which offers emergency advice as well as helplines | |
A youth focused charity across England who can provide support and guidance including directing you to local and national mental health services. | |
Information to make informed choices about mental health | |
Kooth is an online support service for young people that is free and anonymous. There are trained counsellors and practitioners available to answer online messages and provide support | |
Online network for people over the age of 18, run by Mind | |
Social movement working to change the way we all think and act about mental health problems providing resources to challenge mental health stigma | |
Offers information and works to prevent suicide amongst young people | |
Online platform with information and stories from students in higher education. Whilst this is primarily aimed at university students a lot of the advice and stories are applicable to school and sixth form and can help to feel less alone / find motivation for education | |
Website for information regarding mental health as students. Has lots of really useful and helpful information to better understand mental health conditions, mostly anxiety and depression. | |
Providing information and support for young minds | |
Nightline are helplines run by trained student volunteers, which uni students can call if you are struggling with your mental health. You can choose to stay anonymous, and your disclosures will be treated as confidential. |
Some of these organisations also run a dedicated parents helpline (young minds!!). This means you can direct your parents or carers to this helpline if they want to find out more about mental health or if you are struggling to communicate what you need or to understand one another.
No panic specialise in self-help recovery for anxiety, OCD, panic and phobias. | |
OCD youth is the branch of OCD Action specifically oriented towards supporting young people. They have a helpline, support groups, and online resources. | |
| Anxiety UK offer support groups, an information helpline, and links to therapy providers. |
Beat provide a helpline, as well as online resources and signposting to get support with eating disorders, both if you have one or you are supporting someone else who does. |
Advice and support for young people struggling with unusual experience such as hearing voices, seeing things or feeling paranoid. | |
Support for anyone struggling with unusual experiences such as hearing voices, with local branches around the UK. |
About Us
The general aim and objective of Head Up! is to promote the interests of young people with disabilities, physical and/or mental health conditions, specific learning difficulties and neurodivergence; offering them practical advice and support concerning their education and welfare.