We all need support at times of stress and
loss, particularly if it feels too difficult to find a way to carry on. One thing we want to say
… if you are experiencing thoughts that it’s too difficult to carry on, or others would be
better off if you weren’t here, please think again. There are ways forward, and you are
too valuable to be lost
National out-of-hours mental health helpline offering specialist emotional support, guidance and information to anyone affected by mental illness, including family, friends and carers.
Helpline available daily between 4pm and 10pm
SANEline (0300 304 7000)
https://www.sane.org.uk/how-we-help/emotional-support/saneline-services
eline-services
Just as your body can become unwell, your mind can become unwell too. And just like with physical illnesses, treatment and support is available.
Whether you want to understand more about how you’re feeling, get information about a mental health condition or find support, our guides can help. If you need help speaking to someone, start with our guide to reaching out for help.
Your feelings are valid and things can get better.
https://www.youngminds.org.uk/young-person/mental-health-conditions/
Shout Textline offers you free, 24/7 text messaging support, wherever you are in the UK. Text SHOUT to 85258
https://www.youngminds.org.uk/young-person/
Barnardo’s Sometimes our thoughts and feelings can feel difficult to manage. If you’re struggling with how you feel, don’t worry, you’re not alone. Help and advice is available for you.
Just like how we need to look after our physical health, we also need to look after our mental health. If you’re unsure how to do this, mental health support is available.
https://www.barnardos.org.uk/get-support/support-for-young-people/mental-health
In many ways, mental health is just like physical health: everybody has it and we need to take care of it.
Good mental health means being generally able to think, feel and react in the ways that you need and want to live your life. But if you go through a period of poor mental health you might find the ways you’re frequently thinking, feeling or reacting become difficult, or even impossible, to cope with. This can feel just as bad as a physical illness, or even worse.
0300 123 3393
https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/mental-health-problems-introduction/about-mental-health-problems/
The Mix x JD Foundation
This Men’s Mental Health Week, The Mix is teaming up with the JD Foundation to tackle the mental health crisis among young men.
Together, we’re launching a new initiative featuring real talk podcasts, safe space discussion boards, and practical resources to help young men build resilience, find support, and feel less alone.
It’s time to break the stigma — one conversation at a time.
Text 85258 for urgent mental health support
https://www.instagram.com/themixuk/?hl=en
We are the UK’s eating disorder charity. Founded in 1989 as the Eating Disorders Association, our mission is to end the pain and suffering caused by eating disorders.
https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/
SIGNS of Life
LifeSIGNS (Self-Injury Guidance & Network Support) is an online, user-led charitable organisation, founded in 2002 to create understanding about self-injury and provide information and support to people of all ages affected by self-injury across the UK.
https://www.lifesigns.org.uk/
https://www.facebook.com/LifeSIGNSonline/
We are Ditch the Label the global youth charity
Here to help young people aged 12-25 navigate the issues affecting them most. From bullying and mental health, to relationships, identity, and even the tough stuff in-between. We can help.
We are digital-first and youth-centred.
For over a decade, we’ve dedicated ourselves to meeting young people where they’re at. Our ground-breaking research, educational initiatives, and campaigns help elevate their voices, raise awareness of the issues they face and allow us to support them in the way they need. We know that young people are almost entirely oriented around seeking advice online when they most need help; so we provide digital safe spaces and direct, non-judgemental support in a matter of clicks.
https://www.ditchthelabel.org/
Student Minds is the UK’s student mental health charity.
We have a clear vision: No student should be held back by their mental health.
We empower students to build their own mental health toolkit to support themselves and their peers through university life and beyond. We challenge the higher education sector, health sector, and government to make student mental health a priority.
Together, we’re improving university communities so that every student gets the mental health support they need to reach their goals.
https://www.studentminds.org.uk/contactus.html
https://www.studentminds.org.uk/
Alumina is a free, online 7 week course for young people struggling with self-harm. Each course has up to 14 young people, all accessing the sessions from their own phones, tablets or laptops across the UK. The courses take place on different evenings of the week and are run by friendly, trained counsellors and volunteer youth workers. You don’t need an adult to refer you or sign you up, and no-one will see or hear you during the sessions – you’ll just join in via the chatbox. We want to help you to find your next steps towards recovery, wherever you are on your journey.
helloalumina@youthscape.co.uk
https://www.selfharm.co.uk/
A new head-space for young people
Mental wellbeing was already an important issue for young people but, as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, those needs have become even more urgent. It has turned the lives of millions of children and young people upside down. Many are finding it hard to cope with isolation, a loss of routine, anxiety about the future, a disruption to their education, and in some cases, difficult or traumatic experiences at home.
https://www.youthscape.co.uk/services/headstrong
PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Suicide is the UK charity dedicated to the prevention of suicide and the promotion of positive mental health and emotional wellbeing in young people.
https://www.papyrus-uk.org
Hopeline247 (hosted by Papyrus) https://www.papyrus-uk.org/papyrus-hopeline247/
Available every day for:
anyone under the age of 35 experiencing thoughts of suicide
anyone concerned that a young person could be thinking about suicide
Samaritans
Whatever you’re going through, you can contact the Samaritans for support. N.B. This is a listening service and does not offer advice or intervention.
Opening times:
24/7
116123
jo@samaritans.org
The earlier you let someone know how you’re feeling, the quicker you’ll be able to get support to overcome these feelings. But it can feel difficult to open up to people.
You may want others to understand what you’re going through, but you might feel:
unable to tell someone
unsure of who to tell
concerned that they won’t understand
fearful of being judged
worried you’ll upset them.
If you feel like this, you might find it helpful to show our pages on supporting someone else with suicidal feelings to someone you trust. This can be a good way of starting the conversation and can give them suggestions of how they can help you.
It’s important to remember that you deserve support, you are not alone and there is support out there.
https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/helping-someone-else/supporting-someone-who-feels-suicidal/about-suicidal-feelings/
Kids Health: 5 Ways to Cope When a Loved One Dies (for teens) https://www.rethink.org/advice-and-information/carers-hub/advice-for-loved-ones-and-carers/suicide-coping-with-loss/
Part of the Nemours Children’s Health organisation with resources for different age groups too.
Winston’s Wish offers specialist suicide bereavement support for families, children and young people (up to 25) when someone important has taken their own life. We have supported many families bereaved by suicide and are a member of the Suicide Bereavement Support Partnership. Below is information, guidance and resources on how to talk to children about suicide and support them when their mum, dad, brother, sister or other important person has died by suicide.
Families bereaved by and dealing with loss from suicide may also have to face agonising questions, intrusive public scrutiny and cope with extra emotions such as guilt, shame and self-blame. Children and young people may need extra support to help them cope with their grief.
08088 020 021
ask@winstonswish.org
https://winstonswish.org/supporting-you/supporting-a-bereaved- child/suicide-bereavement-support/
We help individuals support each other, at the time of their loss and in the months and years that follow. We aim to provide safe, confidential environments where people can share their experiences and feelings, giving and gaining support from each other.
email.support@uksobs.org
0300 111 5065
Cruse bereavement support
offers information and support for people who have lost a loved one to suicide. Their website has more information on traumatic bereavement and suicide, including support if you live in Wales.
https://www.cruse.org.uk
Losing someone to suicide
Every type of grief can cause intense, complex feelings. But research shows that those of us bereaved by suicide may have especially complicated feelings. And we might experience extra struggles while trying to cope with the loss.
This might include feeling things like shame or guilt. This is a common reaction. But remember that neither you, nor the person who died by suicide, are to blame for their loss.
https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/guides-to-support-and-services/bereavement/bereavement-by-suicide/