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Mental health support and resources for young people

Page last updated 17/05/2022 

Sometimes it's useful to speak to a friend or relative that you can trust about how you are feeling. If you want to speak to someone else, there are many organisations that have helplines or online chat functions, we have included these below. You will also find resources which you may find useful if you are worried about school, friendships and more. 

If you need urgent mental health advice or support, you can contact West London NHS Trust's 24/7 Helpline. You can call this number to get help or advice in a crisis from  trained mental health advisors and clinicians, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

You can also call Speak CAMHS for support if you're worried about your mental health and:

  • You're a child or young person
  • You live in Ealing, Hammersmith and Fulham, or Hounslow.

Parents and carers can also call the helpline if they're concerned about your mental health.

Call 0800 328 4444 and choose Option 2 for CAMHS.
 
The helpline is: 

  • For residents of Ealing, Hammersmith and Fulham, or Hounslow only 
  • Open Monday to Friday from 8am to 11pm
  • Weekends and Bank holidays from midday to 8pm

Outside these hours, crisis calls will be passed to an out of hours CAMHS professional. If they're not available to talk straight away, you can arrange a call back.

Visit: Speak CAMHS helpline :: West London NHS Trust

If you are struggling to find what you are looking for, or need help with a specific issue, you can also contact Ealing Family Information Service who can signpost you to help available. 

If you would like to speak to someone

For help in a mental health crisis or emergency - West London NHS Trust

You can get in touch with the 24/7 Helpline if you need advice or support. 

Call the Speak CAMHS Helpline

You can call Speak CAMHS for support if you're worried about your mental health and:

  • You're a child or young person
  • You live in Ealing, Hammersmith and Fulham, or Hounslow.

Parents and carers can also call the helpline if they're concerned about your mental health.

Call 0800 328 4444 and choose Option 2 for CAMHS.
 
The helpline is: 

  • For residents of Ealing, Hammersmith and Fulham, or Hounslow only
  • open Monday to Friday from 8am to 11pm
  • Weekends and Bank holidays from midday to 8pm

Outside these hours, crisis calls will be passed to an out of hours CAMHS professional. If they're not available to talk straight away, you can arrange a call back.

For more information, visit: Speak CAMHS helpline :: West London NHS Trust

Samaritans 

Samaritans provide a 24-hour service offering confidential emotional support to anyone who is in crisis.

The Mix

If you’re under 25 and need help but don’t know where to turn, you can:

  • Call the Mix on 0808 808 4994 (open 3pm to 10pm, calls are free). They will explore your situation with you and find organisations that may be able to help you further.
  • If you need help now, their crisis messenger text service provides free, 24/7 crisis support across the UK. If you’re aged 25 or under, and are experiencing any painful emotion or are in crisis, you can text THEMIX to 85258.
  • You can also visit their website to access one to one chat online : www.themix.org.uk

Childline

Childline is here to help anyone under 19 in the UK with any issue they’re going through. You can talk about anything. Whether it’s something big or small, trained counsellors are there to support you.

  • Call 0800 1111 (open 9am - 3:30pm, calls are free) 
  • You can visit their website to access one to one chat online (chat open 9am - 10:30pm) www.childline.org.uk 

Hope

Hope offer support for young people who have lost a loved one.

  • If you want to talk to someone directly, you can call their free helpline on 0808 808 1677 (Monday-Friday, 9.30am - 5pm)
  • You can also send a private email to one of their trained volunteers:  hopeagain@cruse.org.uk
  • Visit: www.hopeagain.org.uk 

More bereavement support can be found here Coronavirus (COVID-19 ) Bereavement resources and support |  Ealing Directory (ealingfamiliesdirectory.org.uk)

Shout

Shout offer a 24/7 text service, 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.

Switchboard

Provides a space for anyone to discuss anything, including sexuality, gender identity, sexual health and emotional wellbeing. 

  • Call 0300 330 0630 (Open 10am -10pm every day- calls to this number will cost you the same as calls to 01 and 02 numbers and are included in any call allowances you may have either on a mobile or a landline)
  • Email chris@switchboard.lgbt  (typically replied to within 72 hours)
  • You can also visit their website to access one to one chat online. https://switchboard.lgbt/contact/

Young Minds 

Mental health charity that help children and young people. Text the Young Minds Crisis Messenger, for free 24/7 support across the UK if you are experiencing a mental health crisis.

  • If you need urgent help, text the Young Minds Crisis Messenger, for free 24/7 support across the UK. Text YM to 85258
  • You can also visit their website for various resources www.youngminds.org.uk 

Kooth

Kooth.com is an anonymous, safe, confidential and non-stigmatised way for young people aged 11-25 to receive counselling, advice and support online. 

On Kooth you can:

- Chat to friendly counsellors
- Read articles written by young people
- Get support from the Kooth community
- Write in a daily journal

Counsellors are live from 12noon to 10pm on weekdays and 6pm to 10 pm at weekends, every day of the year on a drop-in basis. Message the team 24 hours a day.

Y.A.N.A -You Are Not Alone Project

Y.A.N.A.’ is a new project run by Hammersmith, Fulham , Ealing and Hounslow Mind. Y'A.N.A's aim is to help young people, aged 16 – 25 who are feeling isolated and lonely, make new connections in a fun and interactive way. It incorporates positive psychological practices, coping mechanisms, collaborative group activities in a bid to create long lasting social connections. 

If you live in Ealing and are aged 16-25,  you can find out how to join the project on the website: 

You Are Not Alone (YANA) - Hammersmith, Fulham, Ealing and Hounslow Mind (hfehmind.org.uk)

or get in touch via the details below:

Tel: 0208 571 7454

Email: YANA@hfehmind.org.uk 

The below services specifically support young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities 

Ealing Mencap

Offers support, guidance and someone to talk to during these confusing difficult times.

National Autistic Society 

Various helplines available so that you can speak to someone for advice. 

Resources you may find useful

These activities and resources are not a substitute for seeing a mental health professional but are here to help you. If you need to speak to someone, it is okay to ask for help. You can get in touch with the organisations listed above who are there to support you. 

If you are worried about exams or school/college/university 

Coping with cancelled exams-  Tips if you are feeling stressed about cancelled exams, and the end of your school year.

How I'm coping with exams being cancelled (youngminds.org.uk)- Elsa,18, explains how she is coping with exams being cancelled. 

Exams & revision - BBC Bitesize- Lots of resources to help with revision,university, and dealing with exam stress.

Looking after yourself at uni (youngminds.org.uk)- How to find support at university and who to talk to, as well as some self care tips. 

Coping with anxiety about going back to school (youngminds.org.uk)- Tips to support you if you feel like you are worried about going back to school. 

Self care

Self-care tips for young people | One You (www.nhs.uk) Videos for all sorts of tips on exercise, sleep and how to take care of yourself on social media.

Calm zone | Childline various activities such as breathing activities and yoga.

Self Care, Anxiety, Depression, Coping Strategies | On My Mind | Anna Freud Centre A library with self care activities and tips. These activities are not a substitute for seeing a mental health professional. 

Looking after your wellbeing | Mind, the mental health charity - help for mental health problems  Find out how to look after your wellbeing, such as finding things you enjoy, managing sleep and how to tell others if you need help.

Managing changed sleep patterns  - Tips for managing anxiety and your sleep routine 

Friendships 

Friendships and relationships- Adjusting to changes in seeing friends every day at school, college or university to seeing friends less often.

COVID-19 

Anxious about Coronavirus - Young Minds have produced a page with tips and information for teenagers who are anxious about COVID-19

Young Minds- Looking after your mental health-  Tips from Young Minds on looking after your mental health if you are self isolating.  

Other resources you may find useful

The Ealing Mental Health Support Team have prepared 'Wellbeing & Support During COVID-19' handbooks for pupils and parents. You can find tips to support wellbeing, links to activities and further support.  You can access the relevant resource below

Mind TV- Information and support about mental health and wellbeing for all. Includes information and advice and a range of videos for adults and children and young people.

Mental health - BBC Bitesize Find out about how to use social media healthily, managing lockdown stress and more. 

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