Children and young people's mental health helplines
NHS CYPMHS
Children and Young People's Mental Health Services
Royal College of Psychiatrists
Helping children cope with worries and anxieties
Depression in children and young people
This is one in a series of leaflets for parents, teachers and young people entitled mental health and growing up. This leaflet looks at how to recognise depression, and what you can do to help yourself or someone else.
Mind
MindInfoline: 0300 123 3393
Information for children and young people
The MindinfoLine offers thousands of callers confidential help on a range of mental health issues. Mind helps people take control of their mental health. We do this by providing high-quality information and advice, and campaigning to promote and protect good mental health for everyone. They also provide a special legal service to the public, lawyers and mental health workers.
Young Minds
Helpline: 0808 802 5544
Parents' information service gives advice to parents or carers who may be concerned about the mental health or emotional wellbeing of a child or young person.
Papyrus
Support for anyone under 35 experiencing thoughts of suicide, or anyone concerned that a young person may be experiencing thoughts of suicide.
The Child Anxiety Network
Anxiety disorders are one of the primary mental health problems affecting children and adolescents today. Given the wide range of stressors associated with growing up, it is important that our children have appropriate skills for coping with anxiety and other difficult emotions. The Child Anxiety Network is a US website and is designed to provide thorough, user-friendly information about child anxiety. It is also designed to provide direction for those who are not sure where to turn when they think their child or a child they know may need professional help to cope with anxiety.
Shout
Text Shout to 8525
Shout is the UK’s first free 24/7 text service for anyone in crisis anytime, anywhere. It’s a place to go if you’re struggling to cope and you need immediate help.
ChildLine
Helpline: 0800 11 11
ChildLine is a counselling service for children and young people. You can contact ChildLine in these ways: You can phone on 0800 1111, send us an email, have a 1-2-1 chat with us, send a message to Ask Sam and you can post messages to the ChildLine message boards. You can contact ChildLine about anything - no problem is too big or too small. If you are feeling scared or out of control or just want to talk to someone you can contact ChildLine.
Youth Access
YIACS provides a holistic response to young people’s social, emotional and mental health needs through a range of services provided ‘under one roof’, including social welfare advice, advocacy, counselling, health clinics, community education and personal support. Our members respond to over one million enquiries a year on a diverse range of issues, including homelessness, benefits, debt, mental health, sexual health and relationships.
Kooth.com
Kooth.com is an online counselling service that provides vulnerable young people, between the ages of 11 and 25, with advice and support for emotional or mental health problems. Kooth.com offers users a free, confidential, safe and anonymous way to access help.
The Mix
Helpline: 0808 808 4994
Whether you’re 13, 25, or any age in between, we’re here to take on the embarrassing problems, weird questions, and please-don’t-make-me-say-it-out-loud thoughts you have. We give you the information and support you need to deal with it all. Because you can. Because you’re awesome. We’ll connect you to experts and your peers who’ll give you the support and tools you need to take on any challenge you’re facing. We’re a free and confidential multi-channel service. That means that you choose how you access our support, without the worry of anyone else finding out.
studentdepression.org Developed in consultation with students who have been affected by depression, low mood or suicidal thoughts. Many of their stories and suggestions are included on the site.
Mental Health Apps
Adorable monster de-stresses kids with Sesame Street style. Kids may quickly make their way through the five scenarios, but each is worth revisiting, especially in the moment if kids are struggling with a particular problem. Don't miss the parent section, which is chock-full of free resources such as tips and strategies (including video clips to watch with kids), as well as options to personalize the encouraging audio messages kids hear when playing the app, which can be played in English or Spanish. Age 4 plus.
Children have been showing signs of stress, technology-fatigue, and anxiety starting at younger ages. It is a science-based fact that only 10 minutes of meditation is a great life-tool to find inner-harmony and balance amid their busy lives. With DreamyKid, just play it as they fall asleep or awake. They will begin a life-long journey that will centre them with tools for all situations.
Stop, Breathe, Think
Stop what you are doing. Check in with what you are thinking, and how you are feeling. Breathe Practice mindful breathing to create space between your thoughts, emotions and reactions. Think Broaden your perspective and strengthen your force field of peace with personalized meditations and activities.
Smiling Mind offers a unique web and app-based tool developed by psychologists and educators to help bring balance to people’s lives. Just as we eat well and stay fit to keep our body healthy, mindfulness meditation is about mental health and looking after the mind. Our programs are designed to assist people in dealing with the pressure, stress and challenges of daily life. We offer programs for 7 - 9 years old, 10 - 12 years old, 13 - 15 years old and 16 - 18 years old.
Calm
#1 App for Mindfulness and Meditation. Calm brings clarity, joy and peace to your daily life. Join the millions experiencing the life-changing benefits of meditation and mindfulness. Reduce anxiety, sleep better and feel happier.
Learn to meditate and live mindfully with hundreds of themed sessions on everything from stress to sleep. Bite-sized meditations for busy schedules and SOS exercises in case of sudden meltdowns. Free trial then monthly or yearly subscription.