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As a parent, carer or supporter of a young person who is struggling with their mental health your natural instinct is often to try and fix the problem and how they are feeling. While this is coming from a place of good intention it is often not the best thing to do.
Instead, try to approach it calmly and allow them a safe space to discuss how they are feeling and the issues they are facing. By allowing them that space and listening non-judgmentally you are allowing them to talk through what they are feeling while showing them you are supporting them and that they are not alone. You can then support them to work out what type of support is best for them and where they can access it.
As a young person, facing mental health challenges can be daunting and isolating. You may feel that you are unable to talk to those closest to you, if you feel like this there are different places you can go to for support.
The NHS has Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) across the UK to offer children and young people emotional and mental health support. The website provides further information on support available and links to self-refer to CAMHS as well as Healthy Minds Lincolnshire and other Mental Health Support Teams.
Childline offer free, confidential advice for anyone up to 19 years old. They have a 24/7 phoneline, online 1-2-1 chat with a counsellor, including BSL interpretation, as well as monitored community boards and tools and activities in their ‘calm zone’.
Kooth is an anonymous site which helps children and young people to feel safe and confident in exploring their concerns and seeking professional support. Kooth.com is an online application removing the need for Apple/Android accounts, data requirements and the stigma of mental health apps on your devices.
YoungMinds provide young people with tools to look after their mental health as well as advice and guidance on how to support young people, for parents and those working with them. Their website is topical, providing guides on current affairs that could be affecting young peoples mental health too.
PAPYRUS is a UK charity dedicated to the prevention of suicide in young people and the promotion of positive mental health and emotional wellbeing in young people. It has an extensive list of resources on it’s website.
Mermaids supports transgender, nonbinary and gender-diverse children and young people until their 20th birthday, as well as their families and professionals involved in their care.
Ambitious about Autism and the Ambitious Youth Network provide an online space for autistic young people age 13-25 to be themselves and realise their ambitions. They support young people as well as their families and champion rights, campaign for change and create opportunities. They are not a crisis support charity.
The Mix is a support service for young people to age 11-25, to help them take on any challenge they’re facing – from mental health to money, from homelessness to finding a job, from break-ups to drugs. Talk to them via an online community, through a free, confidential helpline, their counselling service or text service.
Banardo’s offer support and advice for young people, families and young carers. This includes mental health as well as information around being a young carer, homelessness, LGBTQ+, employment, living in care and information around fostering and adoption. You can use their website to search for resources in your local area.
Confidential support, advice and information about drugs, their effects and the law.
Healthy Minds Lincolnshire provide emotional wellbeing support and information guides for children and young people up to 19 years old or up to 25 years old if you have a special educational need, disability, or are a care leaver. Through their website you can access self-help exercises, online and in person workshops or one-to-one sessions with a practitioner.
Copyright ©2022 Registered charity no. 1175616 in England and Wales