Help for 12-25 years

Are you struggling with your mental health or worried about a friend? You’re not alone. Finding useful advice and support is difficult, but we’ve collected some of the best resources for you. Whether it’s counselling, helplines, chatrooms, videos, or personal stories, we’ve got you covered.

If you’re supporting a friend with their mental health, check out this link

For ideas to boost your mood, apps to help with anxiety, sleep or negative thoughts or to find some great websites, click on one of the boxes at the top of this page.

Common problems:

• Alone and misunderstood?
• Understanding your feelings: why you might be feeling this way and what you can do.
• Feeling sad or low?
• Help: I don’t really know what’s wrong 
• I feel lonely- what can I do?
• Tackling intrusive thoughts. This Australian website explains why trying to suppress thoughts doesn’t work and what you could try instead. As a UK user, you won’t be able to access their helpline but there are lots of useful articles and advice on common problems.

How can I find someone to talk to?

• Help now; helplines and online text or chat
• Tackling loneliness- a free and confidential online service for young people up to the age of 19 years
• What is counselling really like and how can it help me? Read what Caitlin aged 19 years says about her experience.
• Kooth Online Confidential counselling with trained counsellors for ages 10-18 years
• The Mix One-to-one online chat, message boards and text message options for young people up to age 25 years
• Finding  counselling in Bristol and SouthWest UK
• Relate can offer free counselling for young people face-to-face, by web chat or by telephone. They can also offer family therapy (fees apply) This link will take you to a page which explains more and you can look for a centre near you.
• Hub of Hope Put in your postcode and get a list of local organisations, counsellors, support groups and charities
• Can you or your family afford to pay for a private counsellor? Have a look at the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, The Priory Group or The Counselling Directory

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